IntroductionAccording to the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), U.S. court reporters continue
to set the standards for capturing the record. It’s a career that has its roots in preserving
history for the ages, and even though “scribes” no longer use pen and paper, technology has
served only to enhance this honorable profession.
Court reporting as a career is never boring and never dull. Okay, sometimes the testimonies
aren’t exactly exciting after lunch when everyone wants a nap, but for the most part, you’ll
find exhilaration, daily challenges and even glamour as a court reporter! For example, the
television show Divorce Court sometimes had the court reporter interview the litigants prior
to the show; the judge would review their statements during the taping.
Jean Dexter, RPR, CRR and Nikki Peters, RPR, CRR (the title RPR is “Registered Professional
Reporter,” and CRR is “Certified Realtime Reporter.”) said they focused on their sense of
purpose during the notorious Casey Anthony trial. You might think the network coverage and
media presence were the biggest challenge, but that would be another misconception. Because
they were translating in real time (as the words were spoken, the judge, defense, prosecution
and defendant all had access to the court reporter’s computer; they could “see” the words
almost as soon as they were said), the pressure was enormous to be extremely accurate.
There are misconceptions and misinformation about almost every career, but court
reporting seems to have more than its share of myths and mistaken beliefs about the job
itself. As Galileo Galilei said, “All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered;
the point is to discover them.” Let’s review ten of them and discover the truths behind
the misconceptions.
10 Misconceptions About Court Reporting Careers
(and the Truth Behind Them)
That particular misconception has been around for years, and started about the time that voice and speech
technology made an appearance in the 1990s. It wasn’t true then, and it isn’t true now. CRC (Court Reporters
Clearinghouse) National says quite simply what everyone should know: “When it comes to transcription, the human
ear can do the job more efficiently. Computers, speech-to-text technology and recognition software fail to recognize
and pick up double meaning and the figurative nature of speech. In short, there is no substitution for human
analytics in court reporting.”
Court reporters welcome technological advances, because as technology evolves, the role of a court reporter adapts
to include new skills. Today, a court reporter may be responsible for creating video depositions in addition to
documenting the spoken words. The text and the video have to be properly synced and sectioned for reference by
the attorneys or the judge. In addition to stenographic skills, court reporters are leading the technology industry
advances by using technological media to enhance reporting in judicial and other business settings.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is your best reference source for up-to-date information about all jobs in the
U.S., and it predicts an increase in the court reporting career outlook through 2024. Of the technological trend in
court reporting, the BLS says, “Even with the increased use of digital recorders, court reporters should still be
needed to monitor the courtroom equipment and to transcribe, verify and supervise the production of transcripts
after proceedings have been recorded.”
10 Misconceptions About Court Reporting Careers
(and the Truth Behind Them)
1. Court reporting careers will be obsolete in a few years.
In 2015, it was reported that court reporter jobs are increasing faster than the BLS predicted, and by 2018,
there should be as many as 5,500 new open court reporter jobs available. In 2014 the NCRA predicted a
five-year shortage of court reporters. The truth about this misconception is, the court reporting industry is
retiring, and entry-level court reporters are needed now more than ever!
Our nation’s largest population (Baby Boomers) were born between 1946-1964, and only one-third of them are
still working. Gallup.com says the older members of this population – in their late 60s – might consider working
part-time, but this I-want-it-NOW group of seniors are welcoming retirement with the same zest as they
embraced working! In 2014, 70 percent of the nation’s court reporters were over the age of 46, and NCRA
predicted, “The demand for court reporters will exceed supply within five years.”
10 Misconceptions About Court Reporting Careers
(and the Truth Behind Them)
2. The court reporting industry is dying, not growing.
10 Misconceptions About Court Reporting Careers
(and the Truth Behind Them)
Maybe! There are so many paths a court reporter can follow, and judicial court reporting is one of them.
The fact is, court jobs usually require experienced court reporters. Another stipulation may be that the court
reporter be certified and a graduate of a recognized court reporting school. The New York State Supreme Court,
for example, requires at least 3 years of experience.
There are many entry-level jobs available to court reporters, especially in New York, Texas and California. A
large number of entry-level jobs involve working with law offices.
And don’t feel guilty about getting paid for on-the-job time while also getting paid to provide transcripts and
copies to interested parties! You’ve made an investment in your career by going to court reporting school and
buying or leasing stenographic equipment. Whether you work full-time or part-time, your home office supplies
(computer, printer, software, toner cartridges, paper, binders and presentation folders, etc) add up. You are
seldom paid for the time you spend transcribing, and that’s why transcriptions are priced separately; so that
your time and expenses will be covered.
3. Once I finish court reporting school, I’ll probably be working in the courts.
10 Misconceptions About Court Reporting Careers
(and the Truth Behind Them)
Some of the professions that are available to court reporters include:
Rapid Data EntryYou may be an entry-level court reporter, but your rapid data entry skills are above and beyond “fast.” Some court reporters work for large corporations, small companies, government and medical industries, for example. Even the fastest, skilled typist can’t compete with a trained professional using a stenotype machine for word processing. The best typists average 100 words per minute (wpm). As a new court reporter, you’ll be averaging 200 wpm or more.
It’s important to study medical terminology and its usage by physicians and other healthcare professionals. Medical as well as legal transcriptionists often work from audiocassettes or other dictated recording media rather than from real time spoken words.
ScopistOne way to “get your foot in the door” for judicial court reporting is to work as a scopist, someone who proofreads and edits transcripts for court reporters. You will probably be able to work at home, because your copy of the proceedings could be an email attachment or on a computer connected to the court reporter’s machine. An example of a common mistranslation that you would correct might be the ever-popular “there,” “their” and “they’re.”
Real time reportingHow many jobs are available to real time reporters? You won’t be able to count all of them; there are just too many different categories and levels of real time reporting needed, and many court reporters choose this as a career instead of judicial court reporting. Press conferences, sales meetings, sporting events, cyber meetings and conferences, conference calls, educational lectures and classes . . . almost all of these gatherings require documentation of the spoken word.
CART professionalThe Americans with Disabilities Act revision of 2014 defines the right to information for all U.S. citizens, and makes it necessary to provide closed captioning services to the deaf or hearing impaired. CART professionals may be able to work at a slower pace to provide closed captioning for pre-recorded television events and programs, but the wpm ability to work real time is critical. CART services are so in-demand now that there are not enough court reporters available to fill the demand.
As of 2015, more than half (63%) of the court reporter members of NCRA worked freelance; 32% worked regularly within the court systems.
10 Misconceptions About Court Reporting Careers
(and the Truth Behind Them)
You probably text faster than your older relatives typed in days gone by, even professional secretaries! Here’s
one misconception that truly needs to be corrected “for the record.” How well or how fast you type on your
computer or other media doesn’t impact becoming a court reporter, because so many other skills are required.
The truth is, traditional typing hasn’t got much to do with stenographic typing. A court reporter uses a machine
that makes typing fast – and accurately – a new skill that you have to learn, because you don’t type on a tradi-
tional keyboard.
The keys on a stenograph machine represent sounds rather than words. You have to forget the way words are
spelled and focus on how they sound when spoken. Instead of the 101 keys on a traditional keyboard, your
machine will have 22 unmarked keys. The keyboard is divided into 2 main sections for your left and right hands,
and your thumbs rest on another level in the middle.
Important skills and personal qualities needed to be a court reporter include:
4. I’m not great at typing, so this probably isn’t a career for me.
• The ability to listen, understand and type at the same time.
• A good work ethic.
• A positive attitude toward life and work.
• Above-average promptness and consistency of the quality of your work.
• Being able to keep confidential and protected information to yourself.
• Dependability.
• Eagerness to learn and curiosity/interest in diverse topics.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Flexibility in hours and work locations.
• Mature enough to be able to keep your feelings to yourself (No matter how funny the situation, you never laugh unless the judge laughs, and even then, it could be a problem).
• The ability to focus and concentrate.
10 Misconceptions About Court Reporting Careers
(and the Truth Behind Them)
Actually, some of the core classes required for a degree in court reporting can be taken online, but be very wary of
organizations that offer complete court reporter education and training online. For most people, learning how to
operate a stenograph machine is best accomplished when you are surrounded by other students and led by a
professional instructor. It’s not a complicated machine, but operating it properly is critical to your success.
Ask around. There doesn’t seem to be many active court reporters who completely earned their degree or
certification online. What’s most important is that you choose your court reporter school from one of the accredited
institutions. Your school should be recognized by your state’s Department of Education as well as the NCRA. Online
“degree mills” often have prices that are too good to be true, because their reputation and student accomplishments
aren’t as important as profits.
Find out if previous credits will transfer into your court reporter program or transfer from your school to another, if
necessary. And be wary if your student advisor pressures you into enrolling now in order to get into a program that
is only available now. Be very cautious if a college that offers an online degree does not have a physical campus.
Also, all reputable colleges and universities work with financial aid programs and can help you find grants or student
loans that will assist you in your efforts to complete your education. If they do not offer special tuition benefits for
veterans, for example, you might want to steer clear.
The NCRA website lists 43 schools in the U.S. that “meet the General Requirements and Minimum Standards (GRMS)
established by the Council on Approved Student Education (CASE) of the National Court Reporters Association,”
earning the right to describe themselves as NCRA Certified.
5. Can’t I just go to an online school for court reporting?
10 Misconceptions About Court Reporting Careers
(and the Truth Behind Them)
Court reporting is often cited as being one of the few well-paying careers that you can have with a two-year degree.
It’s very difficult to graduate from any post-secondary school without debt, but if you complete your Associate of
Occupational Science (AOS) degree in Court Reporting or certification in Communication Access Realtime Translation
(CART), you can be happily working an entry-level job while your peers have only halfway completed their studies.
Remember, a respected, accredited school will work with you to explore every avenue of educational financial
aid that is available to you. More importantly, your financial advisor will make sure the payments you make
after you graduate will be affordable and reasonable, based on your salary as a new court reporter. Of course,
if you work in one of the higher-paying areas of the country (California, New York or Texas), you’ll be able to pay
off education loans faster.
You can earn your Stenotype Court Reporter degree by successfully completing 72 hours of coursework. Some of
your costs and time are impacted by how many classes you are able to take each term. There is no such thing as an
“average” student these days; your lifestyle and time management will determine how fast you can complete the
court reporter program.
Your instructor can help you understand the different types of stenograph machines that are available to purchase
or rent. A new shorthand machine and tripod can cost about $1,775, but used ones are sometimes a good choice if
you’re tightly budgeted.
Tuition payments directly to your school can be arranged with auto-pay; some institutions charge an additional
5% administrative fee if you elect to pay month-to-month. Flexible payment plans are available, and if you’re
a veteran or active military, be sure to learn about tuition reimbursements and discounts that are available to
you, thanks to your service!
6. Court reporting school is too expensive.
10 Misconceptions About Court Reporting Careers
(and the Truth Behind Them)
Grants and student loans
It’s never too soon to begin researching the grants and student loan programs available in the U.S. and your state. Some of the programs you can take advantage of include:
Federal Work Study Program – There are a limited number of part-time jobs to help pay the cost of your education; see if you qualify for one!
Parent PLUS Loan – Parents of dependent students may be able to borrow a Federal Direct Student Loan to finance the full cost of your education. Eligibility depends on a good credit history, but even with a bad credit history, if an endorser supports your parents’ financial stability, this loan may be available.
Pell Grant – This Federal program is based on financial need and does not need to be repaid. For example, for the 2016–17 award year (July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017), the maximum award to eligible students is $5,815.
SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant) – This is offered in addition to the Pell grant, and the maximum award is $4,000.
Stafford Loan – This Federal Direct Student Loan is available to most students and the interest on the loan may be subsidized to lower your costs.
TAP (New York State Tuition Assistance Program) – TAP does not need to be repaid. Depending on when you apply, your TAP award can be as high as $4,000 per year.
The valuable skills and knowledge you will gain as a student of court reporting are priceless. Not only is court reporting school affordable, it can lead to a diversity of jobs outside the courtroom!
10 Misconceptions About Court Reporting Careers
(and the Truth Behind Them)
What do you want to be when you grow up? Perhaps we should begin asking people, “What do you want to be when
you grow?” Unlike our bodies, our minds don’t age; they continue to grow in knowledge and understanding. In fact,
many late-in-life post-secondary school students say they wish they’d known then what they know now, but maybe
that’s not possible. Maybe some people have to learn from experience and need the time to grow into themselves.
It’s simply never too late to become the person you want to be, with the career that brings excitement into your
life every day.
“Throughout the years, I have received emails from people all over the USA, people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, asking,
‘Am I too old?’ I ask what the person is looking for, if they are a disciplined-type person, and promise there is work
and will be work, but only if you are great! I believe that if someone has made the decision to go to court reporting
school, they should not worry about if they made the right decision, but spend time and energy to ensure that the
decision turns out right . . . There is great work waiting for anyone . . . I promise.” –Kramm Court Reporting
The advantages of becoming a late-in-life student are numerous; you have better focus, more patience, and the
kind of understanding that comes with life experiences. Baby Boomer court reporters worldwide may be retiring
in record numbers, but they are also included as “non-traditional students” in post-secondary school education.
This demographic continues to embrace change and challenge, so if you’re 50 . . . 40 . . . 30 . . . what in the world
is stopping you?
7. I’m too old to start a new career.
10 Misconceptions About Court Reporting Careers
(and the Truth Behind Them)
In the beginning of this historic profession, all scribes and court reporters were men, from Marcus Tullius Tiro
(Cicero’s slave who invented a shorthand system for quick transcription) through the 20th century, when women
discovered this profession that was challenging, exciting, paid well and that accepted them without prejudice.
For years, the movies and television programs almost always featured women court reporters, maybe because
“back in the olden days” of the 1940s and ‘50s, the income was considered to be more “supplemental” rather than
head-of-household earnings. Fast-forward to now, where the heads of the household can be either men, women
or both. As the court reporting salary has become much more than a living wage, the numbers are changing, and
rapidly.
Another, more recent historic reason why there were more female court reporters is there are no “glass ceilings”
in the court reporting industry. Whether male or female, court reporters can earn competitive wages based on
their worth, not their gender.
VITAC is one of the largest closed captioning and media access companies in the U.S. Their male real time closed
captioners (who are trained court reporters) agree that the gender difference no longer matters. “The focus is on
your skill level, your certifications, and more importantly, your professionalism,” said one court reporter.
The ratio of men to women in this career is increasing more each year. As of 2015, over 1,900 members of the
NCRA were men.
British author Charles Dickens and music producer Phil Spector were men who worked as court reporters. Harvey
Keitel was shy, and he became a court reporter so that he “wouldn’t have to talk to anyone.” Then he decided to
be a rich-and-famous movie star. Being a court reporter can certainly build your confidence!
8. Isn’t the court reporting field mostly women?
10 Misconceptions About Court Reporting Careers
(and the Truth Behind Them)
That’s correct: real time writing isn’t important, it’s critical. Judicial, or “official” court reporters use stenographic machines to assist in real time reporting; that’s why their speeds are so much higher than professional typists.
The demand for certified real time captioners began increasing in urgency in 2014, with 2015 being a pivotal year for this trending profession. Real time captioning is different from judicial real time reporting, and requires greater expertise and a larger dictionary of terminology. The Certified Realtime Captioner (CRC) certification is for those court reporters who want to be among the leaders in this flagship industry.
Captioning is now necessary for all televised programming and major sporting events as well as many public-access venues hearing impaired or deaf patrons attend. The government has ruled that hearing challenged people have the same right to information as those who are not. Captioning will be mandatory for new television programs and commercials.
“Real time” literally means creating a transcription almost as soon as the words are spoken. It’s sometimes called “online” captioning and it takes place onsite. These captioners often work freelance and are able to travel. It’s needed at live events like government press conferences and meetings, conventions, sporting events – anywhere it’s necessary for attendees or audience-viewers to see the words within 2-3 seconds of when they are spoken. The real time captioner shares the information on computer screens, big-screen monitors or televisions. Offline captioning can be done later, on site or from your home office, because you have time to create and edit before the event is broadcast.
Real time writing jobs are so competitive that the Board of Directors of the NCRA combined two types of certifications, Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC) and Certified CART Provider (CCP) to create the CRC; this certification identifies the elite and educated who are among the most qualified real time captioners in the United States. The CRC increases a court reporter’s’ job opportunities in this dynamic and ever-changing field.
In 2015, candidates for the CRC were required to attend a continuing education workshop that included a written exam and a skills test that required transcription of dictated material at a minimum of 180 wpm. The first CRC court reporters were announced January 1, 2016.
If you are among the “best of the best” court reporters and qualify for Certified Realtime Captioner certification, your name will be listed in the Journal of Court Reporting, the Court Reporter Sourcebook and on the NCRA website.
9. Real time writing isn’t important.
10 Misconceptions About Court Reporting Careers
(and the Truth Behind Them)
Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, if you’re a slow typist on a traditional keyboard, you may find
stenographic court reporting opens a door to a whole new world of typing!
Court reporting is not a glorified typing job! It requires another, different typing skillset plus several personal
qualities (The ability to focus without distraction is one) and tendencies (Organization in every endeavor is a good
example). It’s important that you have good listening skills because you’ll need them to provide written words that
capture, real time, what’s being said.
The Guinness world record for stenographic typing is 360 wpm with 97.23% accuracy. No one typing on a computer
keyboard has ever reached that speed. Here’s why:
Court reporters, data entry professionals and real time closed captioners use stenograph machines, not laptops.
Instead of typing words, they type syllable sounds, called “phonemes.” A stenograph machines has only 22 keys that
represent the phonemes, and they are unmarked. Your thumbs rest on a middle key and your other fingers type on
the left or right side of the keypad.
The only way you can become a successful court reporter is with practice.
Speed is critical, and the only way to build that speed is with practice. Lee Bursten, CRR, RMR, says as a student, she
spent hours of daily practice. But as a court reporter, she found that she needed to continue to practice. “. . . It never
would have occurred to me to practice after I graduated from school. I was working – why should I practice?” she
asks. One reason you need to practice after graduation is to build speed and accuracy for national certifications,
like the Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) and Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR).
The main reason you will practice every day is because you want to be recognized as being one of the best in your profession!
10. It’s just typing; I don’t need to practice.
Why court reporting at NYCI?For more than 75 years, New York Careers Institute has proactively assisted its court reporting students toward
better careers and better lives with personalized instruction and counseling services as well as an open-door
policy in our Financial Services department. What that means is, you have access to real people who really do
care about helping you make the right short-term financial decisions to ensure your long-term financial stability.
That’s just one of the things that sets NYCI a world apart from other court reporting schools.
Here’s another: Your Career Services professional is available before you enroll and after you graduate, because
just as you’ve invested in your future with time and money, we’re invested in your success! While you are an
NYCI student, our Internship program can connect you with real-world businesses that can offer you on-the-job
or industry-specific opportunities. This program could be your first networking opportunity, and we’ll encourage
you to build referral connections while taking advantage of a hands-on learning environment.
Through the Career Services department, you’ll learn how to create a strong resume and cover letter, develop
your professional portfolio, practice interview strategies and utilize job resources. While enrolled or as one of
many NYCI alumni, you can take advantage of Lifetime Placement Assistance, Career Opportunity Referral, Job
Search Strategy Assistance and Continuing Education advisement.
Another initiative that many larger U.S. universities don’t offer is mentoring. Whether you’re just out of high
school or moving toward a new career, as a new student you’ll have questions and concerns. To make your
transition easier, NYCI can assign a faculty or staff mentor to incoming students. Your mentor will help you find
the support services you need, when you need them, and may become someone who offers valuable guidance
long after you’ve transitioned into your program.
Now that you’ve eliminated the misconceptions about court reporting and discovered the truth, let’s take
discovery to the next level!
10 Misconceptions About Court Reporting Careers
(and the Truth Behind Them)
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