Court Reporter
Becoming a Court Reporter
If you are interested in becoming a court reporter, you may need to obtain the proper education and training. In order to determine the type of training you need in order to become a court reporter, however, you must develop a firm idea of which area of the field you wish to pursue.
If you wish to become a court reporter that specializes in voice writing, for example, it may usually take less than a year for you to get the proper training. If you wish to become an electronics reporter or a transcriber, on the other hand, it may be possible for you to learn the skills you need while on the job. If you are looking to become a stenotypist, which is the highest paying type of court reporter, you can expect to undergo training that will take around 33 months to complete.
There are many post-secondary schools, colleges, vocational schools, and technical schools that provide the training necessary to become a court reporter. When determining which program is best for you, you should look for one that has been approved by the National Court Reporters Association. This way, you may have the best chances of landing a court reporter position after completing your training program.
In order to graduate from a court reporter program that has been approved by the National Court Reporters Association, you may be required to successfully demonstrate your ability to capture at least 225 words per minute. This same minimum requirement is also necessary if you wish to find employment as a court reporter with the Federal Government. So, if you wish to pursue a career as a court reporter, be prepared to type fast and to be able to prove your skills – if you can do both, you may have a bright future ahead of you with a rewarding occupation.
