An applicant for a court reporter program, certificate or degree must have a high school diploma or GED. Some schools may require standardized test scores such as SAT and ACT scores. Court reporting training takes one to four years on average.
The court reporter is expected to be proficient in the use of transcription equipment, be knowledgeable in shorthand, know court reporting terms and write professionally. Listening and typing skills are extremely important, because the reporter is required to produce the reporting verbatim. For professional credentials, associations such as the National Court Reporters Association provide additional certification.
The court reporting student is required to complete coursework that includes court reporting fundamentals, reporting technology, legal and medical terminology, techniques for real-time reporting, strategies for transcribing testimony, simulated courtroom procedures and clinical reporting. Other classess are legal transcription, shorthand, verbatim recording, equipment operation and procedures, applicable regulations, and professional standards and ethics. These may vary depending on whether the education program is for a certificate, diploma or degree.
In Indiana, the College of Court Reporting's Hobart campus offers court reporting courses. It is a full- time college that offers an associate's degree in court reporting. To apply to this college, send an inquiry letter to:
111 W 10th St. Suite 111
Hobart, IN 46342
219-942-1459
www.ccr.edu
The National Court Reporters Association is the most recognized court reporting association. It certifies the entry-level registered professional reporter after administering an examination. The association is not an accrediting agency but it provides a list of schools that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The NCRA issues certificates in about 70 courses that are highly regarded by employers. In Indiana, court reporters are expected to be certified as registered professional reporters through the NCRA. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, having an NCRA certificate is a mark of distinction in the court reporting field.
Another organization that provides certification is the United States Court Reporters Association. It administers the Federal Certified Realtime Reporter examination. This tests consists of voice-recorded dictation, and 96 percent accuracy is required to pass the exam.
The American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT) certifies court reporters with more than two years of experience. Additionally, a Certificate of Merit is earned once the student completes the transcription verbatim certification. This is important because it tests the student's transcription skills, which are essential in the field.