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Texas Justice Court Training Center
Texas State Texas Justice Court Training Center Court Personnel Clerk Certification Program

Clerk Certification Program

Exams will now be online and will be open in the next few weeks. Study Guide modules are now available! Scroll further down this page for details. 

The Justice Court Clerk Certification Program allows experienced justice court clerks to demonstrate their knowledge of statutes, procedures, and ethical guidelines applicable to Texas justice courts. Justice court clerks who pass an examination receive certification as a Certified Clerk or a Master Certified Clerk. The Texas Justice Court Training Center creates and administers all exams.

Level 1 Clerk Certification Exam

This exam is designed to test a justice court clerk's courtroom knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge to specific situations/cases. Clerks taking the Clerk Certification Exam will have the opportunity to select between the criminal or civil exam. Participants only need to pass one type of the Clerk Certification Exam in order to become a Certified Clerk. Additionally, participants only need to pass one type of Clerk Certification Exam to qualify to take the Master Certification exam.

Master Clerk Certification Exam

Master Clerk Certification distinguishes clerks who are well-rounded and experienced in both substantive and procedural law (civil and criminal). Master Clerks are able to utilize their thorough knowledge of laws, resources, and ethical guidelines applicable to the justice court to assist justices of the peace and instruct new justice court clerks.

 

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  • Eligibility

  • Exam Information

    • This new era of testing will be completely online so that you can take your test from anywhere. To take the test you will need a computer with a camera, microphone, and a stable internet connection (note that most laptops have camera and microphones built in). You will also need to be able to download a software program onto the computer for the exam (step-by-step instructions will be provided). If you don’t have a camera and/or microphone or the ability to download software, please contact Jessica (jessforeman@txstate.edu) to see what options are available for you.

    • The price of the exam is $25.00 payable by credit card through our payment portal. You will receive a link to the payment portal once we have received your registration request. Do not pay for the exam until you receive an email from us letting you know we have received your registration.

    • Level 1 Civil Exam

      Participants are allowed 60 minutes to complete the exam.

      The Level 1 Civil exam consists of:

      • 40 questions that are each worth one point and will be multiple choice or true/false.
      • 2 questions that each have five items to match with their correct definitions. These two questions are worth five points each.

      Level 1 Criminal Exam

      Participants are allowed 60 minutes to complete the exam. 

      The Level 1 Criminal exam consists of:

      • 35 questions that are each worth one point and will be multiple choice or true/false.
      • 3 questions that each have five items to match with their correct definitions. These three questions are worth five points each.

      Master Exam 

      Participants are allowed 75 minutes to complete the exam.

      The Master exam consists of:

      • 80 questions that are multiple choice, true/false, or fill in the blank.

      For detailed test prep information and examples of questions, please view our Study Guide modules below. 

    • A participant must wait 30 days after the date of the prior exam before retaking a Clerk Certification Exam or Master Clerk Certification Exam. Please contact Jessica at jessforeman@txstate.edu to retake the exam after 30 days. 

      Cost

      TJCTC charges a $25.00 administration fee for all exams, including re-examinations, payable by credit card. Exam fees cannot be refunded after the participant begins the exam.

    • Successful participants will receive a certificate from TJCTC. TJCTC will mail certificates to the physical address on your student profile. It is the responsibility of the participant to notify TJCTC of any address changes by going online to your Student Profile, logging in, and clicking on the “View and Edit Student Information” link.

      We will be sending out certificates on a month by month basis so you may receive it 4 to 5 weeks after you complete the test. However, you will be able to view your passing test on your TJCTC transcript within 2 weeks of passing the exam. 

Study Guide Modules 

View the Certified Clerk Exam Study Guide: Level 1 Civil Module

  • You can receive 2 hours of educational credit for completing this module. Fill out a module certification form when you are finished. 

View the Certified Clerk Exam Study Guide: Level 1 Criminal Module

  • You can receive 2 hours of educational credit for completing this module. Fill out a module certification form when you are finished. 

View the Master Clerk Exam Study Guide Module

  • You can receive 2 hours of educational credit for completing this module. Fill out a module certification form when you are finished.