TMCEC - Programs - Clerks

LEVEL II 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 II is the second step in the certification process, and in 2007, there were 230 Level II 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 II 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 II exam is $50. For non-members, the Level II exam is $90. The cost of retaking the exam is $50 for the complete exam or $25 per part of the exam for members and non-members. An individual may retake an exam until a passing grade is obtained.

Exam questions for Level II are taken from Level II Study Guide. The exam has multiple-choice and true-false questions. The following topics are emphasized in the Level II Study Guide:

Equal Justice Under the Law
Ethics
Overview of Processing Cases
Code of Criminal Procedure & Penal Code
Bond Forfeitures
Juveniles & Minors
Financial Management
Records & Caseflow Management
Legal Research
Court Technology

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 II, 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. 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.