How to Become a Court Reporter in California

A court reporter referred to as a court stenographer, real-time writer, or certified shorthand reporter (CSR), plays a pivotal role in transcribing spoken discourse within legal proceedings, including trials.

This role assumes a vital function within the domain of the justice system.

For individuals aspiring to embark on a career as a court reporter in California, the attainment of a license becomes a crucial milestone.

Read on if you want to know how to become a certified court reporter in the golden state.

Complete Your Education as a Court Reporter in California

Achieving a licensed court reporter status necessitates the successful completion of an accredited training program.

Additionally, obtaining a license is a prerequisite before commencing work as a court reporter in the state.

The chosen program must receive endorsement from the California Court Reporters Board.

Prospective applicants need to fulfill the following prerequisites:

• Be over 18 years old
• Hold a high school diploma or possess an equivalent GED

Prospective students must ensure that the curriculum gains approval from the CASE (Council on Approved Student Education).

To practice as a court reporter in California without prior experience, you’ll need to meet specific requirements.

You either need an RPR or Certificate of Merit from the NCPA, or a reciprocal court reporter license or certificate from Georgia, Nevada, or Texas.

If not, you have to finish a court reporter program that is acknowledged by the California Court Reporters Board.

These state-approved programs include a specific number of hours focused on topics like:

• English
• Legal studies
• Medical terminology
• Transcript preparation
• Utilization of resource materials
• Apprentice training
• Technological proficiency

Upon completing the program, graduates are expected to have a minimum typing speed of 45 words per minute and fulfill a total of 660 academic hours along with 2,300 machine hours.

Next up, have a look at the school offering training courses in California.

Cypress College

This school will prepare you to take the California Certified Shorthand Reporter’s Examination and the National Court Reporting Association Examinations.

Keep in mind that the program will last for two and a half years, during which you will receive training.

This school requires students to bring their own supplies and learning materials.

At the end of the course, there are some career opportunities waiting for you.

Obtaining Licensure as a Court Reporter in California

Upon successfully concluding your educational journey, the achievement of success in an examination becomes paramount in obtaining a court reporter license.

This goal must be accomplished within a span of eighteen months following the conclusion of your training.

Throughout this period, an option is available for obtaining a non-renewable temporary license.

Two nationally recognized certifications stand at your disposal:

• National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) certification
• National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA) Certified Verbatim Reporter (CVR) certification

To secure official licensure in California, proficiency examination success is essential.

This assessment is conducted by the following organizations:

• NCRA
• NVRA
• ACRA

For that, you have to:

• Submit the requisite fees: $200 for the license and $50 for the application
• Provide evidence of completing the training program
• Submit the application form

The ACRA examination closely mirrors both the NCRA and NVRA assessments.

While the NCRA skills test is available online, the NVRA and ACRA examinations mandate in-person attendance.

For those aspiring to attain the Registered Professional Reporter designation, the associated fees are as follows:

• $120 for individuals not holding membership
• $95 for members
• $77 for student members

The NVRA examination incurs a fee of $150.

Candidates aspiring to hold the certified verbatim reporter title can transfer their Registered Professional Reporter status by remitting a $50 fee.

Meanwhile, the Certified Court Reporter (CCR) skills examination carries a cost of $75.

This assessment comprises three distinct segments, each lasting five minutes.

Attainment of the required word count is essential for success in these three domains:

• Literary transcription at a rate of 180 words per minute
• Jury charge transcription at a pace of 200 words per minute
• Testimony/Q&A transcription at a velocity of 225 words per minute

Aspirants are granted a 75-minute time frame to transcribe their recorded notes, and a minimum accuracy score of 95% is pivotal for success.

Furthermore, a comprehensive written knowledge examination is administered within the context of the registered professional reporter certification.

This assessment encompasses 120 questions spanning a spectrum including technology, ethical considerations, professional norms, and reporting methodologies.

A score of at least 70 is mandated for passage, accompanied by the ensuing fee structure:

• $220 for individuals not associated with membership
• $195 for members
• $160 for student members

The NVRA examination carries a fee of $125.

Renewing Your Court Reporter License in California

Similar to many certifications, the court reporter license needs to be renewed once in a while.

Court reporters in California need to renew their licenses every year.

For that, they have to finish a Renewal Conviction Certification form and pay a $125 renewal fee.

Court Reporter Earnings in California

After obtaining your license, you may be curious about the potential earnings as a court reporter in California.

The average salary for this profession in California is approximately $68,189 per year.

A glance at the table below will provide you with insights into the salary ranges prevalent within this profession in California.

It’s important to note that your earnings may be influenced by various factors, including your workplace location and the area in which you reside.

Regional Salary in California

Court Reporter by State