Education · 1 of 4
The path
Speed is the whole thing. The classes are short, the practice is long.
- 1
High school diploma or GED (General Educational Development certificate)
Grade 12
No degree is required for this career. English, grammar and typing are the useful preparation.
- 2
Court reporting program
2 to 4 years
An associate degree or certificate. The College of Court Reporting runs 7 semesters, about 28 months full time. Most of it is machine shorthand theory and daily speed building.
- 3
Hit the graduation speed
The hard part
You must pass dictation tests at 180 words a minute on literary material, 200 on a jury charge and 225 on two-voice testimony, at 95% accuracy. Many students take longer than the catalog says because of this step.
- 4
Certification
Weeks
23 states require a state license or certificate. Elsewhere, courts and agencies often ask for the Registered Professional Reporter credential from the National Court Reporters Association instead. Check your own state before you enroll.
- 5
Start working
After certification
Usually freelance depositions first, then an official court seat when one opens.