Court Reporter Training
It usually takes two to four years to learn the skills to become a
court reporter. The minimum speed needed to become certified is 225
words per minute, which is the requisite speed for approval by the American
National Court Reporters Association. Students usually attend specialized
certificate courses at private business schools, or sometimes associate's
or bachelor's degree programs at accredited colleges or universities.
Distance learning and online training courses are also available. On-the-job
training and experience is essential to earn a credited degree, many
court reporters then move on to real-time reporting.
Upon completion of formal training, court reporters continually practice
in order to improve their skills. Most employers require various certifications
for their court reporters. Several states require court reporters to
be notaries public in addition to being a Certified Court Reporter (CCR).
The National Court Reporters Association offers the title Registered
Professional Reporter (RPR) to those who pass a four-part examination
and participate in continuing education programs. A reporter may obtain
additional certifications that demonstrate higher levels of competency
such as Certified Real-time Reporter (CRR).
Vital skills of a court reporter are excellent command of the language
being spoken, attention to detail, and the ability to focus for long
periods at a time. The most highly qualified court reporters can provide
transcription in real time and have significant earning potential.