OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER CAREER PATH
Many people who pursue a formal education in court reporting choose the official court reporter career path. An official court reporter is someone who typically works in a courthouse setting and is responsible for creating transcripts for trials, legal depositions and other proceedings.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO WORK AS AN OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER?
Specific education and training requirements to work as an official court reporter vary by state. In general, employers expect candidates to have completed some formal training in legal and medical terminology, legal procedures, shorthand, English grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and more. Those aspiring to become official court reporters can also improve their chances of obtaining job offers by training to use transcription technology and building their speed and accuracy.
In most states, people wishing to work as official court reporters must also become licensed or certified by a professional association — such as the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT), or the National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA.)
WHAT IS IN THE OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER JOB DESCRIPTION?
Official court reporter jobs vary somewhat, but this type of court reporting role is typically found in state or federal courthouses, or in state legislatures. Official court reporters may also work as freelance reporters — hired by law firms or corporate legal departments — traveling from one location to the next as the work dictates.
The official court reporter job description involves accurately creating transcriptions of legal proceedings, capturing everything that occurs during the meeting. Word-for-word reports must often be completed under time pressure, with an expectation that transcriptions will be accurate and complete.
WHY CONSIDER PURSUING OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER JOBS?
The official court reporter role is often fast-paced and exciting. It can also be financially rewarding. Official court reporter salary ranges vary by geography, employer and experience.
The median salary nationwide as of May 2019 was $60,130 per year. For those working in state government or local government roles as opposed to corporate or freelance paralegals, the median pay was slightly higher than the nationwide median at $68,020 for state government and $63,700 for local government official court reporters.
If you want to work in this type of job, the prospects for future employment also look good. This role is expected to grow at a rate of 9% by 2029 — quite a bit faster than the average for all occupations.
Generations COLLEGE CAN PREPARE YOU FOR THE OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER CAREER PATH
Generations College offers a fully accredited, two-year Court Reporting degree program designed to prepare students to work in a variety of official court reporter jobs and other roles.
Our Court Reporting program — the first of its kind in the United States — provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. With daytime and evening courses offered on campus in Chicago as well as online, our Court Reporting program offers flexibility for motivated adults who are serious about their future careers.
To learn more about the official court reporter career path and to explore how Generations College can help you reach your goals, contact us today. When you are ready to take the next step, apply online.