Should I Become a Court Reporter in Maryland?
Are you interested in becoming a court reporter in the state of Maryland? Read this article for more details.
Featured Programs and Schools
| Education | Diploma or an Associate’s Degree |
| Area of Study | Court reporting, Stenography, Typewriting, etc. |
| License/Certification | Compulsory |
| Experience/Training | On-the-job training is mandatory |
| Key Skills | Strong listening skills, Great concentration, Attention to detail, Patience, etc. |
| Annual Mean Salary – US (2020) | $66,710 (Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners) |
| Annual Mean Salary – Maryland(2020) | $56,270 (Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners) |
| Job Outlook – Maryland(2018-2028) | 3% (Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners) |
How to Become a Court Reporter in Maryland
The Maryland Court Reporting Manual dated February 16, 2005, defines court reporting as follows:
This section not only identifies who court reporters are (audiographers, reporters, videographers, stenographers, etc.), but also what they do and accentuates their importance by stating that court reporters make the official verbatim record. If you would like to join this challenging field in Maryland then continue reading as only educated and skilled individuals can become court reporters.
Requirements to Become a Court Reporter in Maryland
These requirements are twofold – education and certification.
As mentioned earlier, court reporters perform a very important role in the State of Maryland’s judicial system by making the official verbatim record, which is accurate. In order to do this, you must be able to type fast and accurately, while using a variety of equipment. A successful court reporter is an active listener, who is skilled in shorthand and typing. These are skills which can be learned by enrolling in a technical institute or community college’s court reporting program. These programs are typically offered at diploma and associate degree levels. While a diploma program is shorter in duration, it is also less comprehensive, compared to an associate degree in court reporting.
You must be certified in order to work as a court reporter in Maryland. There are no specific certifications that the state prefers, however the following are the main certifying bodies in the United States:
- The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) – This national body offers many certifications, including the Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) certification, which is recognized in the State of Maryland.
- The National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA) – This nationally recognized body of verbatim reporters also offers many certifications, including the Certified Verbatim Reporter (CVR) certification, which is recognized in the State of Maryland.
Once you are certified, it is time to look for a court reporter’s position. One of the ways is to visit your local courthouse and enquire about court reporters vacancies. You can also become a member of the Maryland Court Reporters Association (MCRA) where you will get ample opportunities to network with your peers and seniors and learn more about this profession. In addition, you may also find current court reporters vacancies on the association’s website.
Once you have found the job you’ve been looking for, do not forget that your certification is for three years after which it will need to be renewed with continuing education credits.
Steps to Become a Court Reporter in Maryland
To work as a court reporter in Maryland, all aspiring candidates have to follow the following steps.
In order to work as a court reporter in Maryland, you have to get a diploma, or even better, an Associate’s degree in the field of court reporting. Quite a few schools in the state are offering these diplomas and degrees in the state and you can pick the school of your choice.
Depending on the type of court reporter you want to become, make sure you pick the right certification. The National Court Reporters Association and the Registered Professional Reporters are two associations that are widely accepted all across the country.
Once you have completed all the above-mentioned requirements, you can start looking for jobs. There are different options available to you like private and government jobs.
Career Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that court reporters and simultaneous captions all across the US will experience a 3% increase in job opportunities over the next ten years, 2020 – 2030.
How Much Do Court Reporters Earn in Maryland
According to the latest figures published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, court reporters and simultaneous captions employed in Maryland earned an annual mean salary of $56,270 in the year 2020.
Latest News
- Buckle in: Supreme Court prepares for dramatic four-week sprint to end the term
- Veritext Legal Solutions Expands Court Reporting Student Scholarship Program
- Reporter sues Baltimore City Circuit Court administrative judge over denial of audio recording of proceedings
- Journalists, community advocates file lawsuit challenging Maryland’s ban on broadcasting recordings of criminal trials
- State Roundup, May 29, 2019
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