Education · 1 of 4

The path

Speed is the whole thing. The classes are short, the practice is long.

1. 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. 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. 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. 4

   Certification

   Weeks

   Most states either require a state certificate, licensure, or the Registered Professional Reporter credential from the National Court Reporters Association. Check your own state before you enroll.

5. 5

   Start working

   After certification

   Usually freelance depositions first, then an official court seat when one opens.