How to Become a Court Reporter in Iowa

Court reporters have to create everything word-for-word that is said in a courtroom during legal proceedings. They can use different equipment like stenography machines, covered microphones as well as video and audio devices to record everything that is said during a trial.

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Should I Become a Court Reporter in Iowa?

As per the latest information provided by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 210 Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners were employed in the state of Iowa in 2019. If you want to join them, then go through the following article for more information.

Education Required	Postsecondary certificate or an Associate’s Degree
Major Requirement	Court Reporting
License/Certification	Required by most states
Experience/Training	On-the-job training is needed
Key Skills	Concentration, Strong Listening Skills, Strong Observational Ability, etc.
Annual Mean Salary (2019) – National	$64,990 (Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners)
Annual Mean Salary (2019) – Colorado	$66,890 (Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners)
Job Outlook (2018-2020)	7% (Court Reporters)

Job Outlook

As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Court Reporters in the US are expected to enjoy a 7% growth in employment opportunities between 2018 and 2028. This figure is slightly higher than the national average for all other occupations which is 5%.

Steps to Become a Court Reporter in Iowa

You have to complete the following steps to become a court reporter in Iowa:

Step 1: Complete Postsecondary Education

After high school, you will have to complete some postsecondary education in court reporting to start your career. This can be in the shape of a certificate program or an advanced degree like an Associate’s or a Bachelor’s degree.

Step 2: Get Certified

The next step is to obtain a certification from a professional association. You can get that certificate from the National Court Reporters Association. The NCRA offers different certifications so you can check your state requirements before applying.

Step 3: Get State Certification

You will also have to get a state certification or a license. Apply to the concerned authority and meet the requirements to get the certificate/license.

Step 4: Get Training

You will have to get on-the-job training because this is a mandatory requirement set by every state in the US.

Step 4: Get Continuing Education

Every state in the US requires its court reporters to go for continuing education to keep their state certification/license.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Court Reporter in Iowa?

The duration varies as per the education requirements you opt for. Normally it takes 2 to 3 years to become a court reporter but if you go for a higher degree like a bachelor’s, then the duration will be increased to anywhere between 4 to 5 years.

What Are the Requirements to Become a Court Reporter in Iowa?

The requirements are:

Go for postsecondary education
Complete a certificate course from a professional association
Get state approved license or certification
Get practical training
Go for continuing education

How Much Does a Court Reporter Earn in Iowa?

Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners in Iowa earned $66,890 in annual mean income in 2019. This figure was considerably higher than the national mean salary figure of $64,990. This information has been obtained from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Court Reporter Jobs and Training Opportunities in Iowa