How to Become a Court Reporter in New York

A court reporter holds a pivotal role in documenting every spoken word during legal proceedings such as trials and other legal processes.

He is also known as a court stenographer, real-time writer, or certified shorthand reporter (CSR),

This significant responsibility underscores the court reporter’s integral contribution to the justice system.

Individuals aspiring to pursue a career as a court reporter in New York must secure a license.

So, how can you work as a court reporter in New York?

Completing Your Education as a Court Reporter in New York

To attain licensure, the initial step involves successfully completing a thorough training program.

Furthermore, the program’s approval by the New York Board of Court Reporting is crucial.

To enroll in such a program, the following eligibility criteria must be met:

• Be over the age of 18
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent (GED)

Training courses cater to various specialized areas, including:

• CART/Captioning
• Judicial Reporting
• Scoping/Proofreading
• Professional Transcription
• Office Assistant
• Court and Realtime Reporting

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

This curriculum should encompass subjects such as:

• Applied Writing I
• Medical Terminology
• Legal Terminology
• Civil and Criminal Law Terminology
• Realtime Reporting I
• Realtime Reporting II

Typically, these programs are offered at the postsecondary non-degree level.

A diverse range of educational options is available, including certificate and diploma programs, as well as associate’s and bachelor’s degrees.

Below are some of the educational institutions you may consider for your training.

New York University

This institution offers a comprehensive program covering court reporting, closed captioning, and CART.

The program can be completed online, offering students the flexibility to learn at their preferred pace.

The primary objective of this program is to equip students to transcribe at a speed of up to 225 words per minute.

The program costs $6,104 for individuals who do not require a stenotype machine.

However, those in need of the machine will incur a fee of $7,899.

Columbia University

This university offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in Court Reporting Technology, tailored for individuals aspiring to become court reporters.

The principal requirement is achieving a minimum grade of “C” in all Court Reporting courses and any other courses mandated by NCRA’s Council.

Furthermore, students must achieve an accuracy level of at least 96% in four tests, each lasting five minutes.

These tests cover:

• 225 words per minute testimony (two-voice)
• 200 wpm jury charge
• 180 wpm literary

Additionally, a mandatory 50-hour internship is mandated, with 40 hours dedicated to transcription.

Acquiring Licensure as a Court Reporter in New York

Upon successful completion of your education, you are required to pass an examination to obtain your license.

This examination must be completed within 18 months of concluding your training.

During this period, you have the option to secure a temporary license, although it’s important to note that this temporary license cannot be renewed.

You have the opportunity to earn one of the following certifications:

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

Both of these certifications are nationally recognized. To secure the official New York license, you must pass a skills examination.

This examination can be administered by any of the following organizations:

• NCRA
• NVRA
• ACRA

The process involves:

• Payment of the applicable fees, which amount to $200 for the license and $50 for the application
• Providing proof of graduation from the training program
• Completing the application form

The ACRA test closely mirrors the NCRA and NVRA exams.

While the NCRA skills test is available for online completion, the other two tests necessitate in-person participation.

For individuals aiming to achieve the registered professional reporter status, the following fee structure applies:

• $120 for non-members
• $95 for members
• $77 for student members

The fee for the NVRA exam is set at $125. If you intend to become a certified verbatim reporter, a transfer fee of $50 can be paid if you are already a registered professional reporter.

The Certified Court Reporter (CCR) skills exam carries a fee of $75.

This examination comprises three separate sections, each lasting five minutes.

To pass, specific word count requirements must be met in these three areas:

• Literary at 180 wpm
• Jury charge at 200 wpm
• Testimony/Q&A at 225 wpm

Candidates have 75 minutes to transcribe their notes, and the minimum passing accuracy score in New York is set at 95%.

Furthermore, a written knowledge exam is required for the registered professional reporter certification, encompassing 120 questions.

These cover topics such as technology, professional practices, ethics, and reporting practices.

The minimum passing score is 70, and the fees are as follows:

• $220 for non-members
• $195 for members
• $160 for student members

The NVRA exam carries a fee of $125.

Renewing Your Court Reporter License in New York

Similar to numerous licenses, the court reporter license necessitates periodic renewal. In New York, license renewal is mandated annually on September 30th by the Board.

A reminder email is typically sent around August 1st. A grace period is allowed until November 30th, following which unrenewed licenses expire.

As expected, a renewal fee is associated with the process, structured as follows:

• $200 for on-time renewals
• $240 for renewals until September 31st
• $280 for renewals until November 30th

To complete the license renewal procedure, individuals must fulfill 5 hours of continuing education annually.

Excess hours can be carried forward to the subsequent year.

Continuing education hours must be completed through NCRA, NVRA, and ACRA, as personal development classes are typically not accepted.

Court Reporter Salary in New York

If you have followed this information closely, it indicates your keen interest in the court reporter profession and the potential earnings associated with it.

In the state of New York, a court reporter can expect a median annual salary of approximately $65,969.

In the table below, you can find details of the cities within the state that offer the highest median salaries for this occupation.

Regional Salary in New York

Court Reporter by State