Texas Clerk's Association launches certification program for court clerks

The Decatur City Council meeting on April 14, 2025, highlighted the ongoing development of the Clerk Certification Program, aimed at enhancing professional skills among court clerks. This program is a collaborative effort involving the Texas Clerk's Association, the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center, and Texas State University in San Marcos.

The certification consists of three levels, each requiring participants to pass a comprehensive exam with approximately 400 questions, to be completed within four hours. To maintain their certification, clerks must also complete 12 hours of continuing education annually.

During the meeting, a council member shared their progress in the program, noting they are currently working on Level 3 after having completed Level 2. Another colleague has just passed Level 2 and is now focused on fulfilling the necessary hours for certification, while a third member is pursuing Level 1.

The Level 3 curriculum includes essential topics such as leadership, supervision, hiring practices, performance appraisal, strategic planning, case flow management, court security, and financial management. The council member also mentioned attending a 24-hour Level 3 clinic in Austin, which emphasized court management and human resources skills.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for questions, indicating an openness to further discussion about the program and its implications for the court clerk profession in Decatur. This initiative reflects the city's commitment to professional development and effective court management.