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

Quick Info: 

  • All exams are now online.
  • Registration for the exams opens three times each year in non-legislative years and twice each year in legislative years. In FY27, exams will be offered in late fall, early spring, and early summer.

Fall 2026 Exam Dates:

  • Registration Opens: November 17, 2026
  • Registration Closes: December 2, 2026
  • Exam Access Begins: November 23, 2026
  • Exam Completion Deadline: December 16, 2026, at 10:00 p.m.

The Fall 2026 exam period includes the Level 1 Civil, Level 1 Criminal, and Level 2 Master Certification Exams.

Read below for detailed info about each exam.

Level 1 Clerk Certification Exam

The Clerk Certification Exam tests court personnel's courtroom knowledge and ability to apply it to real-world situations. Participants may choose either the Criminal or Civil exam. Passing either exam earns Certified Clerk status and qualifies the participant to take the Master Certification Exam.

Expand FAQ List

  • Level 1 Exam FAQs

    • Participants must be employed by a justice court in order to take an exam.

      It is recommended but not required that participants attend a TJCTC Court Personnel Conference before taking the exam.

    • 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.

      Both exams are open-book. There will be certain materials you can use to take the exam, such as deskbooks and helpful charts. You cannot use additional materials. 

      • During the online exam, participants will be provided with a selection of pdfs to download and use. Participants cannot use additional materials or use their cell phone.  

Master Clerk Certification Exam

Master Clerk Certification recognizes clerks with extensive knowledge of both civil and criminal law, as well as courtroom procedures. Master Clerks apply their expertise in justice court laws, resources, and ethics to support justices of the peace and mentor new justice court clerks.

Expand FAQ List

  • Master Exam FAQs

    • Participants must be employed by a justice court and must have passed either the Level 1 Civil or Level 1 Criminal 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.

      This exam is open-book. There will be certain materials you can use to take the exam, such as deskbooks and helpful charts. You cannot use additional materials. 

      • During the online exam, participants will be provided with a selection of pdfs to download and use. Participants cannot use additional materials or use their cell phone.  
Expand FAQ List

  • General Exam Information

    • TJCTC charges a $40.00 administration fee for court personnel to take the exam, payable by credit card or e-check only. 

    • The exam is available online. 

      The online exam allows you to 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). 

    • A participant must wait 30 days after the date of the prior exam before retaking a Clerk Certification Exam or Master Clerk Certification Exam. 

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