Board keeps live proctor requirement for CSR skills test after stakeholder concerns about unproctored exams
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Summary
After reviewing developments in national testing, the board voted to continue requiring live proctors for the CSR skills exam, citing security and integrity concerns; public commenters reported proctoring problems and privacy issues that the board said staff will monitor.
The Court Reporters Board considered whether to allow unproctored online administration of the CSR skills exam after the National Court Reporters Association adopted unproctored remote testing in 2024. Board staff recommended maintaining live proctors for the California exam, citing concerns about test security and the board’s ability to ensure integrity without a live proctor.
Multiple board members, including Heather Lynn Gonzales and Mike Dodge Nam, expressed concern that unproctored testing increases the risk of fraud and that the board lacked sufficient safeguards to preserve consumer protection. The board agreed and chose to retain live proctoring.
Public commenters supported the board’s caution but raised additional issues about the quality and conduct of proctors. Several speakers — including Mary Pierce and Tara Ocana — reported instances of proctors creating stress for candidates and, in some accounts, alleged inappropriate access to test-takers’ machines. One commenter referenced litigation (the State Bar suit against a proctoring vendor) as a cautionary example and asked the board to review proctor vendors and proctor training.
The board did not change policy at this meeting but asked staff to continue monitoring national vendor performance and to consider vendor/proctor quality and candidate privacy when evaluating testing procedures.