With the stenographic method of court reporting, a court reporter uses a stenotype machine to document everything said in official proceedings. With the electronic method, a court reporter uses audio equipment to record proceedings, takes notes, reviews the recording and produces a written transcript. With the voice writing method, a court reporter speaks directly into a voice silencer, repeating the testimony and anything said by judges, witnesses and attorneys. Afterwards a written transcript is produced.
The National Court Reporting Association (NCRA) certifies court reporter training programs. For a program to be certified, it must meet the general requirements and minimum standards (GRMS) established by the council on approved student education (CASE) of NCRA. All programs certified by NCRA are accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The NCRA website lists certified programs by state, and for each program, it indicates the type of program, degrees offered and when classes are offered --- day, night or online.
Some court reporting schools offer campus programs only. South Coast College in Orange County, California, for example, offers a court reporter certificate. Colorado Technical University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, offers a bachelor of science degree and an associate of science degree. The Academy of Court Reporting offers a court reporter certificate; the academy has campuses in Clawson, Michigan, Cleveland, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Business Informatics Center in New York City offers an associate degree in occupational studies with a major in court reporting.
Some court reporting schools offer campus and online programs. The Court Reporting Institutes of Dallas and Houston, for example, offer an associate of applied science degree. Brown College of Court Reporting & Medical Transcription in Atlanta offers an associate of applied science degree in judicial reporting and a court reporting certificate. Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi, offers an associate of applied science degree in court reporting technology. The College of Court Reporting in Hobart, Indiana, offers an associate of applied science degree.
Several associations offer voluntary certifications for court reporters. At the entry level, NCRA confers a registered professional reporter (RPR). At higher levels, NCRA confers additional designations. The United States Court Reporters Association offers certification for those working in Federal courts. The American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT) offers several certifications for electronic court reporters. Licensure requirements vary by state and may depend on the type of court reporting. Some states require court reporters to be notary publics, and some require them to pass a test to obtain the certified court reporter (CCR) designation.