Today's court reporters use machine shorthand to record proceedings and should be capable of recording at least 180 words a minute, according to the National Court Reporters Association, which certifies court reporters. Spelling and punctuation are important. Once transcribed, finished transcripts are official records of various proceedings and must be accurate. Because the court reporter is in a courtroom or legal conference room or other formal setting, professional grooming and appropriate clothing are a must.
Only about half of the states have accredited court reporting programs. Two-year programs, primarily offered at community colleges and stand-alone court reporting institutions, are the most prevalent. For example, West Valley College in Saratoga, California, offers an associate of science degree in court reporting as well as a certificate. Southwest Tennessee Community College offers an office administration associate of applied science degree that focuses on court reporting and closed captioning. Hinds Community College in Mississippi offers court reporting technology, the only program in the state approved by National Court Reporters Association. Similarly, the Denver Academy of Court Reporting in Colorado is the only institution that offers a program. All of the court reporting programs emphasize the importance of speed and accuracy in using the machine shorthand and, in general, require students to take courses in legal terminology, grammar and punctuation, and medical terminology as well as perform an internship. Community college degree programs are at least two years and in some cases longer due to the need for the student to work on speed and accuracy.
There are many online court reporting programs available; however, before signing up for one, you should visit the National Court Reporters Association website to make certain your program of choice is certified by the NCRA. Online programs are especially open to fraud and deception and should be thoroughly examined before you enroll.
Most states require court reporters to be licensed, which includes providing proof of proficiency. For example, in California, first-time applicants must fill out an application and attach qualifying documentation. The state requires two passport-size photos and a fee of $40, among other requirements. In Texas, the requirements are equally rigid and require proficiency documentation. Texas conducts an oral exam consisting of voice dictation at 225 words per minute, another at 200 words per minute and a third exam at 180 words per minute. Texas also has a written exam that covers spelling, punctuation, grammar, general and medical vocabulary as well as Texas court procedures. Tennessee requires proof that a court reporting applicant has passed the NCRA Registered Professional Reporter Examination as well as the National Verbatim Reporters Association Certified Verbatim Reporter Examination or the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers Certified Electronic Court Reporter Examination. It is important for anyone seeking licensing as a court reporter to review and understand the requirements in state in which she lives.
Salaries.com reports that the median salary for a court reporter is $49,777. The low end salary is $35,900 while the high end is $65,151. However, the National Court Reporters Association lists the average salary for court reporters at $62,000 and the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics lists the average wage for a court reporter at $51,960. Wages for a court reporter will vary by geographic location and the skill level of the individual court reporter.