LEVEL I APPLICATION
The Municipal Court Clerk Certification Program was established to encourage professional development and educational growth. It is sponsored by the Texas Court Clerks Association (TCCA) in cooperation with the Texas Municipal Courts Association (TMCA), the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center (TMCEC), and Texas State University in San Marcos. Level I is the first step in the certification process, and in 2007, there were 574 Level I Certified Clerks in Texas.
Eligibility Requirements
Participants must be employed by a municipal court in order to participate in the certification program.
Education Requisites The applicant must provide proof that within three years preceding application, the applicant has:
1) Attended:
a) two annual conferences of TCCA, or
b) two annual conferences of TMCA, or
c) two annual conferences, on TCCA and one of TMCA; or
2) Attended one annual conference of TCCA or TMCA and successfully completed 16 hours of training sponsored by TCCA (state or local chapter), TMCA, or TMCEC, or a combination thereof; or
3) Successfully completed 40 hours of training sponsored by TCCA (state or local chapter), TMCA, or TMCEC or a combination thereof.
Certification Exam
Participants in the program must pass a certification exam to gain Level I certification. The tests will be offered several times a year, click here for the 2007-2008 test registration form and test dates. For TCCA or TMCA members, the Level I exam is $50. For non-members, the cost is $90. An individual may retake an exam until a passing grade is obtained.
Exam questions for Level I are taken from Level I Study Guide. The exam has multiple-choice and true-false questions. The following topics are emphasized in the Level I Study Guide:
- An Overview of the Courts
- Authority and Duties
- Ethics
- Procedures before Trial
- Trial Processes
- Post-Trial Processes
- State and City Reports
- Traffic Law
- Juveniles and Minors
- Communications and Stress Management
Check out these study tips to help you prepare, and attend a TCCA-sponsored study session for just $15 and receive a free Study Guide!
Continuing Education
To maintain proficiency of a Certified Court Clerk Level I, a clerk must complete 12 hours of continuing judicial education each year through TCCA, TMCA or TMCEC.
Participants must submit proof of their continuing education. Click here to download a renewal application and get more information. Not completing the required hours of continuing education will result in a loss of all levels of certification. To appeal a loss of certification, click here.
