How to Become a Court Reporter

What is a court reporter, exactly? 

The definition of a court reporter is someone who is responsible for capturing a complete and accurate written record of legal proceedings. But there is really more to it than that. You are at the heart of the action. You are mentally agile. You can keep pace of the proceedings without missing a beat. Court reporters can work in the courts, in the private sector, as well as in the government. 

A court reporter is a critical part of any legal proceeding. They must be able to instantaneously process words into a written record.. While court reporter training can be difficult, a successful graduate has within their reach the career of a lifetime., 

Court reporters must be reliable and trustworthy, as legal proceedings require confidentiality and professionalism. Time is a measured resource for lawyers, medical professionals, judges and other professionals with whom a court reporter may work, so being on time and prepared is an important characteristic for a court reporter. 

How do I become a court reporter?  

A bachelor's degree is not required for court reporting. Court reporting school can be intense, so be sure to follow our tips on how to survive court reporting school.  

First: Complete court reporter school

There are a few options for completing court reporting school:

• Private and public technical school
• Colleges and universities
• Community college

Some programs offer an associate degree. Whichever you choose, court reporting is a skilled profession and can transfer to other jobs, like broadcast captioning or providing realtime for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Check with the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) for a  list of court reporting programs. The NCRA is also a great resource for continuing education and certification. 

Court reporting school can take anywhere from two to four years, depending on your ability to grasp the technology and devote the time necessary to reach the graduation requirements.

Second: Pass the certification or licensing exam

• Some, but not all states, require certification.  
• Check with the NCRA for state requirements or appropriate state reporting association guidelines.

If you live in a state where licensure is not required, certification offered by the NCRA will still distinguish you as a candidate.

What skills do I need for court reporting?

Maximize your opportunities and pay by developing the following skill sets:

• Mastery of vocabulary, spelling and punctuation
• Effective communication skills
• Speed and accuracy on a stenotype
• Strong listening skills and attention to detail

Other traits that will be helpful: 

• Subject-matter expertise 
  • Legal, medical, technical, industry, political, etc
• Eager to learn
• Work well under pressure
• Attention to detail
• Professionalism 
• Strong work ethic
• Punctuality
• Reliability

What are the standards for court reporting? 

Entry-level speed is 225 words per minute, combined with accurate transcript preparation.  NCRA’s Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) exam requires a written test, as well as a skills exam at 225 with 95% accuracy.

Other certifications to boost your success

Additional certifications are available to demonstrate your skill sets. Get more information on the following certifications and several others on the NCRA website. 

Registered Merit Reporter 

• Requirements: 260 wpm, 95% accuracy

Registered Diplomate Reporter

• Requirements: 115-question exam related to: 
  • Technology 
  • Professional practices
  • Reporting practices

Certified Realtime Reporter

• Requirements: RPR and Realtime Testimony skills test, scoring 200 wpm, 96% accuracy

Certified Realtime Captioner

• Requirements: CRC workshop, skills test, 180 wpm