How to Become a Court Reporter in Ohio

A court reporter, also known as a court stenographer, real-time writer, or certified shorthand reporter (CSR), plays a crucial role in legal proceedings by transcribing every spoken word.

Their role is integral to the functioning of the justice system.

For those aspiring to pursue a career in court reporting in Ohio, this article outlines the necessary steps for licensure.

Complete Your Education as a Court Reporter in Ohio

Before becoming licensed, individuals must undergo comprehensive training.

The chosen program must be accredited by the Ohio Board of Court Reporting.

To enroll in such a program, you must meet these requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Hold a high school diploma or GED

Training programs in Ohio can focus on various areas, including:

• CART/Captioning
• Judicial Reporting
• Scoping/Proofreading
• Professional Transcription
• Office Assistance
• Court and Real-time Reporting

Prospective students should ensure that the curriculum is approved by CASE (Council on Approved Student Education).

It typically covers subjects such as:

• Applied Writing I
• Medical Terminology
• Legal Terminology
• Civil and Criminal Law Terminology
• Real-time Reporting I
• Real-time Reporting II

These programs are usually at the postsecondary but non-degree level, offering options like certificates, diplomas, associate’s, and bachelor’s degrees.

Several institutions in Ohio offer training in court reporting.

Ohio State University

Offers courses in court reporting,  CART, and closed captioning, which can be completed online at your own pace.

No specific prerequisites are needed.

The goal is to achieve a writing speed of up to 225 words per minute.

The program costs $6,104 for students who don’t require a steno machine, while those needing the machine will pay $7,899.

Students have access to the CAT program during enrollment but need to purchase it for their careers.

Columbus Community College

Provides an Associate in Applied Science degree in Court Reporting Technology for individuals aspiring to become court reporters.

Enrollment is typically available for the fall semester, and graduates must meet specific requirements.

This includes scoring at least a “C” in all Court Reporting courses and any other courses required by NCRA’s Council.

Additionally, they must achieve at least 96% accuracy in tests involving 225 words per minute testimony (two-voice), 200 wpm jury charge, and 180 wpm literary.

Completing a mandatory 50-hour internship, with 40 hours spent on writing, is also required.

Become Licensed as a Court Reporter in Ohio

Upon completing your education, you must pass an exam to obtain your license.

You have 18 months from the completion of your training to do so. During this period, you can obtain a temporary license, but please note that this temporary license cannot be renewed.

There are two nationally recognized certifications you can obtain:

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

To obtain an Ohio license, you must also pass a skills exam, which can be administered by either of these organizations: NCRA, NVRA, or ACRA.

The process involves paying the necessary fees, which include $200 for the license and $50 for the application.

You also have to provide proof of completing the training program and completing the application form.

The ACRA test closely resembles both the NCRA and NVRA exams. While the NCRA skills test can be taken online, the other two must be completed in person.

If you aim to become a registered professional reporter, the fees are as follows:

• $120 if you’re not a member
• $95 if you are a member
• $77 if you’re a student member

The fee for the NVRA exam is $125.

For those aspiring to become a certified verbatim reporter, a $50 transfer fee is applicable if you are already a registered professional reporter.

The Certified Court Reporter (CCR) skills exam costs $75 and consists of three separate sections, each lasting five minutes.

Passing requires meeting the wordcount requirements 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 score in Ohio is 95% accuracy.

Additionally, there is a knowledge written exam for registered professional reporters, comprising 120 questions covering technology, professional practices, ethics, and reporting practices.

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

• $220 if you’re not a member
• $195 if you are a member
• $160 if you’re a student member

The NVRA exam costs $125.

Court Reporter License Renewal in Ohio

Like most licenses, a court reporter’s license requires periodic renewal.

In Ohio, license renewal must be completed every year.

The fees are as follows:

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

To renew the license, individuals must complete 5 hours of continuing education each year, with the option to roll over extra hours to the following year.

These hours must be completed through NCRA, NVRA, and ACRA.

Court Reporter Salary in Ohio

For those considering a career as a court reporter in Ohio, it’s important to understand the potential salary.

In Ohio, the median annual salary for a court reporter is around $60,632.

The table below displays the cities with the highest median salaries for this occupation.

Regional Salary in Ohio

Court Reporter by State