Paths to certification

Dear Fellow Clerks,

It has been brought to the attention of the TCCA Education Committee that both Brainscape and Quizlet are selling Flash Cards for Level 1 Certification exam.

Please be aware—these cards are NOT sanctioned by TCCA or TMCEC.  We are NOT selling cards, nor have we posted cards on off-site vendors.

Unfortunately, a quick review of these materials have shown that NUMEROUS questions are incorrect.  By using these cards you may be studying incorrect materials - and at a cost.

Please be aware the Level 1 and Level 2 Study Guides and Practice Tests that are located on TMCEC and TCCA websites are the only sanctioned materials.

IF you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Texas Court Clerks Association.

Sincerely;

Pat Riffel, CMCC
TCCA Education Committee

A Brief Overview of Certification at Each Level

• Study the Level I Study Guide
• Complete a 32-hour New Clerks Seminar
• Complete 40 hours of approved education within 3 years (including New Clerk Seminar)
• Attend Level I Prep Session (optional but highly recommended)
• Take and pass the Level I exam
• Submit application for certification

• Must be Level I certified in good standing
• Study the Level II Study Guide
• Complete 40 hours of approved education within 3 years
• Attend Level II Prep Session (optional by highly recommended)
• Take and pass the Level II exam
• Submit application for certification

• Read and study books on the Level III Book list
• Pass all parts of the Level III exam
• Complete a Level III Assessment Clinic
• Attend a Court Administrator Seminar
• Complete 28 hours of continuing education
• Read the Journal and Observation Planning Guide
• Create a list of courts to visit for observation
• Complete a Professional Journal
• Submit Professional Journal for grading
• Submit application for certification

Level I and Level II Resources

• Education Requirements,  Application Process  and Study Guides for Level I and Level II
• Level I Practice Exam
• Level II Practice Exam

• CMCC Level III Information
• Level III Study Questions
• Level III Book List & Book Loans (expiring 8/31/19)
• Level III Book List & Book Loans (effective 9/1/19)
• Financial Management Handbook (Revision 2007)
  
• Trial Court Budgeting
  

Exam Costs

Effective January 1, 2019

$75 for Level I members

$150 for Level I non-members

$25 per section for Level II members

$50 per section for Level II non-members

$25 per section for Level III members

$50 per section for Level III non-members

Becoming Certified

You are not certified until you complete the application requirements at each level.  A passing exam grade does not mean you are certified.  

Your Level I or Level II test will expire if not used in the application process within 3 years of the test date.

Your Level III test will expire if not used in the application process within 5 years of the test date.

Once your application has been submitted and approved, you will receive a certificate by mail from TCCA.  Upon receipt of the certificate, you may place the designation of CCCI, CCCII or CMCC following your name.

Maintaining Certification

Twelve (12) hours of education are required each academic year for Level I and Level II certified clerks to maintain your certification. 

Twenty (20) hours of education are required each academic year for Level III certified clerks to maintain your certification.

The academic year begins September 1st  and ends August 31st.

Scholarships

The Texas Court Clerks Association as well as local chapters offer scholarships to TCCA members.  These scholarships help cover some of the costs associated with achieving and/or maintaining certification.  

For more information, please visit the Scholarships page. 

This page is available to TCCA members only who are logged into the website.

Certification Stats

End of Year Reports

As of September 16, 2022, the following number of clerks were certified at each level.

Level I (CCCI) - 574

Level II (CCCII) - 619

Level III (CMCC) - 129

Other Resources