| Pursuing a career as a court reporter can be both | | | | Reporter (RDR). These are specifically designed for |
| rewarding and lucrative, as the position of court | | | | court reporters. Those who wish to expand their |
| reporter is typically a well-paid one. This career does | | | | expertise and job opportunities can pursue further |
| require some specific training. Some states require | | | | certifications designed for those who caption |
| licensure for court reporters to practice in their court | | | | television or other media programs for those who |
| systems. Certification is not required by federal law, | | | | are hard of hearing. These certifications include |
| but it is a good idea, because finding a position as a | | | | Certified Broadcast Cautioner (CBC), Certified |
| court reporter is much easier with the proper | | | | Realtime Reporter (CRR), and Certified CART |
| certification. | | | | Provider (CCP). |
| Required Education | | | | The NCRA is not the only organization offering court |
| The amount of education required to become a | | | | reporter certifications. The United States Court |
| court reporter varies depending on the specialization | | | | Reporters Association offers a voluntary certification |
| the reporter pursues. The National Court Reporters | | | | designation based on an exam that tests the |
| Association (NCRA) has provided certification for | | | | real-time skills of these reporters. This qualifies a |
| several court reporter programs at schools across | | | | reporter for the Federal Certified Realtime Reporter |
| the country. In order to graduate from one of these | | | | (FCRR) certification, and this is only available to |
| programs, the court reporter must be able to | | | | reporters working in Federal courts. |
| capture at least 225 words per minute. This is the | | | | The American Association of Electronic Reporters |
| standard required by the federal government, making | | | | and Transcribers (AAERT) is another organization |
| it a good mark to set for certification. | | | | that offers certification for court reporters. It is |
| Available Certifications | | | | based on a two-part exam with both a practical and |
| Again, certification is not technically required to | | | | written portion. This certification is called Certified |
| become a court reporter, but in a way it is required | | | | Electronic Court Reporter (CER) and requires at least |
| because you will have a hard time finding a job | | | | two years of court reporting experience to qualify. |
| without it. Also, improving the level of certification | | | | Licensure |
| you hold makes it more likely that you will get a | | | | Besides certification, some court reporters will pursue |
| good, high-paying positions. | | | | licensure in their states, if it is required. The typical |
| The NCRA gives the certification of Registered | | | | designation of a state licensed court reporter is |
| Professional Reporter (RPR) to anyone who | | | | Certified Court Reporter (CCR). Those looking for a |
| graduates from one of the certified schools and | | | | license that will transfer easily from state to state |
| completes a four-part examination in court reporting. | | | | can purse one through the National Verbatim |
| The exam is not required to graduate, but most | | | | Reporters Association. These are Certified Verbatim |
| reporters choose to pursue it. | | | | Reporter (CVR), Real-Time Verbatim Reporter |
| Court reporters who wish to show that they have | | | | (RVR), and Certificate of Merit (CM). Each of these |
| greater experience or competency than those just | | | | certifications can be used in place of state licensure in |
| starting in the field can gain further certification | | | | the states where licensure is required and the voice |
| through the NCRA. Some of these include Registered | | | | method of court reporting is allowed. |
| Merit Reporter (RMR) and Registered Diplomate | | | | |