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Court reporting is a demanding job, and those who do it must possess specific qualifications. However, there are only 34 programs designed for court reporters at colleges and universities around the country that are approved by the National Court Reporter’s Association (NCRA). Therefore, a lot of people who enter the profession likely honed their skills elsewhere. They can obtain various professional certifications offered by the NCRA as long as they meet the minimum qualifications.

Qualifications 

Court reporters must be able to capture roughly 225 words per minute on their stenographic machine. They must be fluent in the English language and have an advanced understanding of spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Additionally, they must have an extensive knowledge of legal record keeping procedures and be able to perform clerical work quickly with a high degree of accuracy. These are the general qualifications that all court reporters must possess, but most positions have specific requirements, as well.

For example, depending on state law and the transcription methods that they use, court reporters may need to obtain special licenses. They may also need to possess a comprehensive undemanding of the jargon used in a given practice area. For example, those who want to work with family law judges must be familiar with divorce proceedings, child custody, guardianship, adoption, alimony, and domestic violence. 

Certifications 

court reporterCourt reporters who want to advance in the field can pursue various NCRA certifications. Each title has a set of eligibility requirements and expires after three years without continued education. For example, to become a Certified Realtime Reporter, you must pass a skills test by typing 200 words per minute with 96% accuracy. To become a Certified Legal Video Specialist, on the other hand, you must complete three courses, including an online workshop and some hands-on training. You must also pass two exams. 

Most states require court reporters to obtain a license before they can work in legal settings; however, some accept the certification of Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) instead of licensing. To become an RPR, you must pass a written exam and complete a skills test in which you type up to 225 words per minute with 95% accuracy. 

 

Most of the court reporters at Ralph Rosenberg-Court Reporters have more than 15 years of experience in their field. Although they are based in Honolulu, these highly-qualified professionals travel extensively throughout the South Pacific and to the mainland to provide clients with accurate transcriptions of various legal proceedings. To explore all the transcription services they offer, visit their website, or call (808) 524-2090 to discuss your needs today. 

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