To educationally prepare for a career in court reporting, individuals have multiple options:
To pursue formal training in court reporting, the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) has certified about 70 court reporting training programs around the country. These programs require students to type at least 225 words per minute (a requirement for Federal Government employment as well).
Certification is also a requirement in some court reporting work. Some states require their court reporters to attain this certification to earn a license. There are three possible certifications available:
Attaining a license commonly requires passing a written test that covers spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, legal and medical terminology, and practical tests for speed, accuracy and silence.
Salary Range:
$17,290 — $77,500
Education Level (minimum):
Bachelor degree in social work, criminal justice or similar
Growth Outlook (2002 – 2012):
21 – 35%