What Is the National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC)?

The National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) is a highly respected professional credential designed to validate the specialized skills required for live broadcast captioning. As the media landscape has evolved to become more inclusive, the demand for highly skilled stenographic captioners has skyrocketed. The CBC certification serves as the gold standard for professionals who provide realtime text translation for television broadcasts, live sports, emergency weather updates, and corporate webcasts.

Historically, the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) established the CBC to ensure that captioners possessed not only the extraordinary stenographic speed required to keep up with fast-talking news anchors but also the technical knowledge to interface with broadcast equipment. In the United States, legislative milestones like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) mandated that video programming be accessible to the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. The National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) was developed directly in response to these federal mandates, ensuring that the quality of live captioning meets rigorous national standards.

Achieving this certification demonstrates to employers, television networks, and the deaf and hard-of-hearing community that a captioner is capable of producing a highly accurate, readable, and instantaneous transcript of spoken words. It signifies mastery over one’s stenographic dictionary, an acute awareness of current events, and the ability to perform under the high-pressure environment of live television.

Who Should Take the National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC)?

The National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) is tailored for a specific, highly skilled subset of the stenographic profession. It is not an entry-level certification for those just learning to use a steno machine. Instead, it is designed for professionals who have already achieved a high level of proficiency and wish to specialize in the broadcast sector.

Ideal Candidates

• Experienced Court Reporters: Many professionals who hold the National Court Reporters Association Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) or the National Court Reporters Association Registered Merit Reporter (RMR) choose to transition from the courtroom or deposition suite to the broadcast industry. The CBC provides the specific broadcast-focused credential they need to make this leap.
• Recent Graduates with Realtime Focus: Students graduating from NCRA-approved court reporting programs who have focused extensively on realtime writing and dictionary building may target the CBC early in their careers to secure lucrative remote captioning jobs.
• CART Providers: Professionals currently providing Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) in educational or corporate settings who want to expand their services to local or national television networks.

Industries that actively seek out professionals with the National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) credential include national news networks (like CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC), local television affiliates, sports broadcasting networks (ESPN, regional sports networks), and government agencies that broadcast legislative proceedings. Furthermore, as live streaming on platforms like YouTube and Twitch becomes more professionalized, digital media companies are increasingly seeking certified captioners to ensure their live events are accessible.

Exam Format & Structure

To earn the National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) credential, candidates must prove their mettle in two distinct areas: theoretical knowledge and practical application. The exam is divided into two mandatory components: the Written Knowledge Test (WKT) and the Skills Test (SKT).

The Written Knowledge Test (WKT)

The WKT is a computer-based, multiple-choice examination designed to test a candidate’s understanding of the broadcast captioning environment. It typically consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. Candidates are given a strict time limit, usually 60 to 90 minutes, to complete the exam. The WKT is a fixed-form exam, meaning it is not adaptive; every candidate receives a standardized set of questions drawn from the exam blueprint. To pass the WKT, candidates must achieve a scaled score that meets the NCRA’s predetermined cut score (traditionally a minimum of 70%).

The Skills Test (SKT)

The Skills Test is where candidates prove their stenographic prowess. This practical exam requires the candidate to write a live dictation of literary material (similar to a news broadcast or documentary script) at a speed of 180 words per minute (wpm) for five continuous minutes. However, unlike traditional court reporting tests where candidates have time to edit their transcripts, the CBC Skills Test evaluates realtime translation. Candidates must produce a highly accurate, readable file immediately upon the conclusion of the dictation.

The passing requirement for the Skills Test is exceptionally high: candidates must achieve a minimum of 96% accuracy. This means the candidate’s steno dictionary must be incredibly robust, as “untranslates” (words the software does not recognize) and “mis-translates” (words translated incorrectly) count heavily against the final score.

Where and How to Register for the National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC)

Registering for the National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) requires careful planning, as the WKT and the Skills Test are administered through different platforms and during specific testing windows throughout the year.

Step-by-Step Registration Process

1. Create or Access Your NCRA Account: All registration begins on the official NCRA website. You must have an active profile. While non-members can test, NCRA members receive significant discounts on exam fees.
2. Register for the WKT: The Written Knowledge Test is administered through Pearson VUE. After registering and paying the fee on the NCRA website, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) email. You can then visit the Pearson VUE NCRA portal to schedule your exam at a local testing center or via OnVUE online proctoring.
3. Register for the Skills Test: The Skills Test is administered online via NCRA’s designated testing platform (such as Realtime Coach or ProctorU). You must register during an open Skills Test registration window on the NCRA website. Ensure your testing equipment (steno machine, realtime software, webcam, and stable internet connection) meets the strict technical requirements before registering.
4. Schedule Strategically: You do not have to take the WKT and the Skills Test in the same month or even the same year. Many candidates at NCAR Exam find success by focusing on one component at a time.

Exam Fees & Costs

Pursuing the National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) involves a financial investment. The costs are divided between the two components of the exam, and fees vary significantly depending on whether you are an active NCRA member.

Note: Fees are subject to change. Candidates should always verify the most current fee structure on the official NCRA website.

• Written Knowledge Test (WKT) Fee: For NCRA members, the WKT generally costs between $160 and $195. For non-members, the fee is typically around $220 to $250.
• Skills Test Fee: The realtime Skills Test also carries a separate fee, usually mirroring the WKT costs (approx. $150–$200 for members, higher for non-members).
• NCRA Membership (Optional but Recommended): Annual membership dues range from $100 for students to roughly $300 for participating professional members. Becoming a member usually pays for itself if you plan to take both parts of the exam and utilize NCRA study resources.
• Additional Costs: Candidates should also budget for preparation materials, dictionary-building software updates, and potential workshop fees.

Eligibility Requirements & Prerequisites

The NCRA maintains specific eligibility requirements to ensure that candidates attempting the National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) have the foundational knowledge necessary to succeed in the broadcast industry.

Prerequisite Coursework

Historically, to be eligible to sit for the CBC certification, candidates were required to complete an NCRA-approved captioning workshop. This workshop covers the critical, non-stenographic elements of the job, such as broadcast technology, building a captioning dictionary, understanding FCC regulations, and the ethics of live broadcasting. Candidates must provide proof of completion of this workshop before their certification can be officially awarded.

Stenographic Proficiency

While you do not strictly need to hold the National Court Reporters Association Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) before taking the CBC, it is highly recommended. The RPR proves you can write at 225 wpm, which provides a necessary buffer of speed when writing realtime literary material at 180 wpm for the CBC. Furthermore, possessing the National Court Reporters Association Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) is an excellent stepping stone, as it tests realtime accuracy in a standard dictation environment.

Equipment Requirements

Because the Skills Test is taken remotely and requires realtime translation, candidates must own or have access to a professional steno machine capable of connecting to a computer, as well as professional Computer-Aided Transcription (CAT) software (such as Case CATalyst, Eclipse, or ProCAT). You cannot take the exam using a standard QWERTY keyboard.

What Does the National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) Cover?

The National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) tests a wide array of competencies. A successful broadcast captioner must be part linguist, part technologist, and part journalist. Here is a detailed breakdown of the content domains covered in the WKT and the practical skills demanded in the SKT.

Written Knowledge Test (WKT) Domains

• Language and Vocabulary (Approx. 30%): This domain tests a candidate’s mastery of the English language. Questions cover advanced grammar, punctuation, spelling, and the differentiation of homophones (e.g., their/there/they’re, affect/effect). Broadcast captioners cannot rely on software grammar checkers during live TV, so this knowledge must be innate.
• Broadcast Technology and Equipment (Approx. 30%): Captioners must understand how their text reaches the television screen. This section covers encoders, modems, audio distribution systems, closed-captioning software protocols, and troubleshooting connection drops. You must know the difference between line 21 captioning, digital captioning, and IP-based delivery.
• Current Events and General Knowledge (Approx. 20%): A captioner must be familiar with geopolitical names, national and international leaders, major sports terminology, and basic medical/legal terms. If a news anchor mentions a foreign dignitary, the captioner’s dictionary must be prepared to translate it.
• Ethics and Guidelines (Approx. 20%): This covers the NCRA Code of Professional Ethics, FCC guidelines regarding captioning quality (accuracy, synchronicity, program completeness, and placement), and how to handle profanity or sensitive content during live broadcasts.

Skills Test (SKT) Content

The Skills Test is a 15-minute evaluation, but the actual graded dictation is 5 minutes at 180 wpm. The content is “literary,” meaning it mimics a news broadcast, a documentary narrative, or a corporate speech. It lacks the “Q&A” (Question and Answer) structure of a courtroom deposition. The challenge lies in the density of the vocabulary and the requirement that the text must translate perfectly on the first stroke, with no time for editing.

Study Materials & Preparation Tips

Preparing for the National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) requires a strategic, multi-month approach. At NCAR Exam, we recommend a study timeline of at least 3 to 6 months for candidates who are already proficient writers.

1. Dictionary Building (The Most Critical Step)

Your CAT software dictionary is your lifeline. A courtroom reporter’s dictionary is filled with legal jargon; a broadcast captioner’s dictionary must be filled with world capitals, sports teams, politicians, and current slang. Spend at least one hour a day inputting new words. Use resources like the news ticker on CNN or the roster of NFL teams to build your database. If you stroke a word and it “untranslates” (shows up as raw steno notes on the screen), you have failed your viewer.

2. Practice with Live Broadcasts

The best way to prepare for the Skills Test is to simulate the real world. Connect your steno machine to your software, turn on a local news broadcast, and write realtime. Record the broadcast and compare your realtime file to the audio. Calculate your accuracy. You must consistently hit above 96% accuracy in practice to pass the exam.

3. Official NCRA Resources

Utilize the NCRA’s official study guides and practice tests for the WKT. The NCRA offers a “Captioning Prep” course that covers the technological and ethical domains extensively. Do not underestimate the technology portion of the WKT; many excellent writers fail the written exam because they do not understand how a captioning encoder works.

4. Focus on Finger Drills and Clean Writing

Speed is nothing without accuracy. Dropping a word or hitting a “shadow” key (accidentally pressing an adjacent key) will result in a mistranslate. Dedicate time to finger drills to ensure your keystrokes are crisp and deliberate. In the world of the National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC), writing “clean” is more important than writing “fast.”

Retake Policy & What Happens If You Fail

The National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) is notoriously difficult, and many highly skilled professionals do not pass on their first attempt. If you fail either the WKT or the Skills Test, do not be discouraged. It is a normal part of the process.

Waiting Period: There is no punitive waiting period to retake the exam, but you are bound by the testing windows. If you fail the WKT, you must wait until the next available Pearson VUE testing window (usually offered quarterly or bi-monthly) to try again. The same applies to the Skills Test.

Retake Fees: Unfortunately, you must pay the full exam fee for the specific component you are retaking. There are no discounted retake fees.

Score Reporting: For the WKT, you will generally receive your score immediately upon completing the exam at the Pearson VUE center. For the Skills Test, grading takes longer because human graders must review the realtime files to ensure accuracy and assess errors. Results for the Skills Test are typically emailed within 2 to 4 weeks.

Career Opportunities & Salary Expectations

Earning the National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) opens the door to a highly flexible, lucrative, and impactful career. Most broadcast captioners work as independent contractors, allowing them to set their own hours and work entirely from home.

Job Titles and Work Environments

• Live Broadcast Captioner: Working for local news affiliates or national networks. This often involves early morning or late evening shifts to cover news broadcasts.
• Sports Captioner: A highly specialized niche requiring immense dictionaries of athlete names and sports terminology.
• Corporate/Event Captioner: Providing realtime text for corporate earnings calls, tech keynotes (like Apple or Google events), and large conventions.

Salary Expectations

According to industry data and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), court reporters and simultaneous captioners earn a median annual wage of around $60,000 to $65,000. However, professionals holding advanced certifications like the National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) often earn significantly more. Experienced freelance broadcast captioners can easily earn between $80,000 and $120,000+ per year, depending on how many hours they choose to work and the premium rates they can command for high-profile live events.

National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) vs. Similar Certifications

Understanding where the CBC fits within the broader ecosystem of NCRA and NVRA certifications is crucial for planning your career path. Below is a comparison of the CBC against other notable credentials.

Certification	Governing Body	Key Focus / Prerequisites	Approximate Cost (Member)	Validity / Renewal
Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) / CRC	NCRA	Broadcast realtime captioning (180 wpm). Requires captioning workshop.	$310 – $400 (Total)	3 Years (3.0 CEUs)
Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR)	NCRA	Realtime accuracy for Q&A (200 wpm). RPR is highly recommended.	$150 – $200	3 Years (3.0 CEUs)
Registered Professional Reporter (RPR)	NCRA	Foundational standard. 225 wpm Q&A, 200 wpm Jury Charge.	$200 – $300 (Total)	3 Years (3.0 CEUs)
Registered Merit Reporter (RMR)	NCRA	Advanced speed. 260 wpm Q&A. Must hold RPR first.	$200 – $300 (Total)	3 Years (3.0 CEUs)
Certified Verbatim Reporter (CVR)	NVRA	Voice writing equivalent of the RPR. Speed up to 225 wpm.	$150 – $250	1 Year (Annual CEUs)

Note: As the industry evolves, the NCRA has integrated the legacy CBC and CCP (Certified CART Provider) into a unified credential known as the Certified Realtime Captioner (CRC). However, the foundational skills, testing metrics, and industry respect for the CBC standard remain the benchmark for broadcast excellence. Candidates looking to achieve the highest echelons of reporting might also pursue the National Court Reporters Association Registered Diplomate Reporter (RDR) or start their journey with the National Court Reporters Association Registered Skilled Reporter (RSR).

Maintaining Your National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) Certification

Earning the National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) is not a one-time event; it requires ongoing commitment to the profession. The broadcast landscape, technology, and language are constantly changing, and captioners must evolve with them.

Renewal Cycle and CEUs

The certification is valid for a three-year cycle. To maintain the credential, captioners must earn 3.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) during this period, which equates to 30 hours of approved educational activity. If you hold multiple NCRA certifications (such as the RPR and the CBC), the same 3.0 CEUs will satisfy the requirement for all your credentials simultaneously.

How to Earn CEUs

• Attending NCRA Conferences: The annual NCRA Conference & Expo is a premier way to earn CEUs while networking with other broadcast professionals.
• Webinars and e-Seminars: The NCRA offers a vast library of online courses covering everything from new CAT software features to advanced dictionary building.
• Publishing Articles: Writing educational articles for the Journal of Court Reporting (JCR) can also earn you continuing education credits.

Additionally, you must maintain your NCRA membership in good standing and pay any associated recertification or membership dues annually.

Frequently Asked Questions About the National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC)

1. Do I need to be a court reporter before becoming a broadcast captioner?

While you do not technically need to work in a courtroom first, you must possess the exact same stenographic skills. Most successful captioners start as court reporters to build their speed and accuracy before transitioning to the realtime demands of the National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC).

2. Can I use voice writing technology to take the CBC?

The NCRA certifications, including the CBC and its modern equivalents, are strictly for stenographic reporters. If you are a voice writer (using a steno mask and voice recognition software), you should look into the National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA) and their specific realtime and captioning certifications.

3. What is the difference between CART and Broadcast Captioning?

CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) is typically provided for a single individual or a small group, often in an educational or corporate setting, and the text is usually displayed on a laptop or projection screen. Broadcast captioning involves integrating the text into a television signal using specialized encoders so it appears on screens nationwide. The CBC focuses heavily on the latter.

4. How long does it take to get the results for the Skills Test?

Because the Skills Test involves a detailed human review to ensure the realtime translation meets the strict 96% accuracy standard, it typically takes 2 to 4 weeks to receive your official results from the NCRA.

5. Is the National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) recognized internationally?

Yes. While it is a U.S.-based certification governed by the NCRA, the rigorous standards of the CBC are respected globally. Many international broadcasters and digital platforms seek out NCRA-certified captioners for their English-language programming.

Final Thoughts

Achieving the National Court Reporters Association Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) is a monumental milestone that requires dedication, linguistic mastery, and nerves of steel. It is a testament to your ability to provide a vital service—equal access to information—in real time. Whether you are transitioning from the courtroom or aiming straight for the broadcast booth, this credential will elevate your career, increase your earning potential, and solidify your reputation as an elite stenographic professional.

Preparation is the key to conquering both the Written Knowledge Test and the demanding 180 wpm Skills Test. We encourage you to utilize all available resources, focus heavily on dictionary building, and practice under simulated live conditions. For more study strategies, exam insights, and practice resources, continue exploring your trusted guides here at NCAR Exam.