While a court reporter degree is uncommon, training and certification as a court reporter, court recorder, court interpreter and stenographer is readily available in many on-campus and online certification programs.
Related Court Reporter Programs
What does a court reporter do?
Court reporters usually develop verbatim transcripts of legal proceedings. These written accounts of spoken words are needed for legal proof. Court reporters are responsible for making sure that the record is complete and accurate.
Other aspects of a court reporter’s job are assisting judges and trial attorneys. This mean everything from organizing official record information to making courtroom procedural suggestions.
The most common method of court reporting is called stenographic. The stenotype machine allows the court reporter to press multiple keys at once. This records letters, sounds, words and phrase combinations. The symbols are electronically recorded and displayed as text by a process called computer aided transcription (CAT).
Electronic reporting and voice writing are other methods of court reporting. In electronic reporting, the reporter uses audio to record the proceedings. The reporter monitors and clarifies the audio.
In voice writing the reporter speaks directly into a voice silencer. A mask prevents the reporter from being heard. Voice writers record everything that’s said and done including gestures and emotional reactions.
In both cases, written transcripts are usually prepared.
What kind of education does a court reporter need?
It takes about one year of training to become a rookie voice writer and about two years to become really proficient at it. On average, it takes almost three years to become a stenographic court reporter.
The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) has certified over 60 programs which can be taken at vocational and technical schools and colleges around the country. The standard is that the students capture a minimum of 225 words per minute. That’s also a requirement for federal government employment.
How much does a court reporter earn?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that median annual salaries for court reporters are at around $49,710.
Where can a court reporter work?
Court reporters can work for the court as well as places, including the federal government, that need verbatim records of meetings and other proceedings. Many court reporters also freelance their services.