Opportunities in Texas for Entry Level Court Reporter

Court reporters create word-for-word transcripts of legal proceedings, meetings, conversations, speeches and other such events. Those court reporters who work in legal settings are responsible for producing a complete and accurate legal transcript of courtroom proceedings, depositions, and witness testimonies. However, not all court reporters work in legal settings. They may work for hearing-impaired and transcribe speech to text for them. Some court reporters chose to work for themselves. All in all, it is a profession which is both fulfilling and rewarding.

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Should I Become a Court Reporter in Texas?

Determining your career path and then opting for a degree program that prepares you for the job is a big decision. Whichever career you decide for yourself, it is always best to carry out thorough research and find out all the requirements. To become a court reporter in Texas it is important to have certain skills like reading, communication, writing, and listening skills. Here are some of the basic requirements to become a court reporter in Texas.

Educational RequirementsPost-secondary education or an Associate’s degree
Experience/TrainingCertification and License
Key SkillsAssertiveness, Confidentiality, Communication Skills, Morality, Courage, Grammar, Punctuation and Proofreading, Listening Skills
Annual Mean Salary – Texas (2021)$ 81,460
Job Outlook – US (2020-2030)3%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021) and O*Net Online

Texas is one of those states which employs the largest number of court reporters and pays them handsomely too. Becoming a court reporter in Texas requires you to complete the following steps:

Step 1: Pass a Court Reporting Program

To enroll in a court reporting program, you need at least high school education or an equivalent GED certificate. Please note that it is mandatory that the program you opt for is accredited by the National Court Reporters Association, also known as NCRA. You can take different types of court reporting programs. These programs are offered by community colleges and vocational institutes.

Step 2: Clear the State Exams

You will have to sit for and clear the Texas court reporting state exam. It has to be cleared in order to become eligible to apply for licensure.

Step 3: Get the Certificate

The final step pertains to applying for a state issued court reporting certificate issued by the Judicial Branch of Certification Commission (JBCC). Make sure you complete the entire application process completely and pay the fee in order to get the license.

Requirements to Become a Court Reporter in Texas

If you want to become a court reporter in Texas then you must learn the profession of court reporting by passing tests and exams, getting certified and fulfilling continuing education requirements to remain certified.

Educational Requirements

While there is no mandatory post high school educational requirements to become a court reporter in Texas, many prospective court reporters enroll in an accredited court reporting program. Such programs hone their skills and brighten their chances of employment. These programs may be offered by your local community college or technical institute. Depending upon your career path, these programs will either lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree.

Once you have fulfilled the educational requirements, you will need to get certified especially if you intend to work in legal settings. This is mandatory since only certified individuals can engage in shorthand reporting in the state.

A certification must be for one or more of the following methods of shorthand reporting:

  • Written shorthand
  • Oral stenography
  • Machine shorthand
  • Any other method of shorthand reporting authorized by the Supreme Court of Texas

In order to qualify for one of the above certifications, a person must comply with the application procedures, pay all required fees and comply with the following requirements:

  • Pass the Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) Examination
  • Provide their criminal history
  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent

To apply for CSR certification, you must:

  • Submit the application for certification
  • Submit the application for exam eligibility
  • Submit the application fee
  • Pass all parts of a Commission-approved exam
  • Clear a criminal history background check by the FBI and DPS

The Texas Court Reporting Exam
This exam consists of two parts:

  • Part A – Skills portion
  • Part B – Written knowledge portion

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

If you chose to pursue a certificate program in court reporting, it will probably take you 18 months or longer to complete. However if you pursue the Associates of Applied Science Degree in Court Reporting, it may take you 2 years to graduate with full-time enrollment.

Passing the CSR certification exam and criminal history verification check may take a few months. All in all, you are looking at a significant time investment in becoming a court reporter in Texas.

How Much Does a Court Reporter Make in Texas?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021, Texas is the third highest paying state for court reporters in terms of salary. Court reporters and simultaneous captioners earned an annual mean wage of $81,460.

Career Outlook for Court Reporters in Texas

The 2021 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveal that Texas employed 620 court reporters and the trend is expected to increase. The growing number of elderly people in the state increases the demand for simultaneous captioners and court reporters who provide real-time translation. Court reporters and simultaneous captioners in the US are expected to experience a job growth of 3% across the US between 2020 and 2030.

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Summary

If you want to become a court reporter in Texas then:

  • Have a high school diploma or GED
  • Pass the state certification exam
  • Pass a federal and state criminal history background check

Once again, these are bare minimum requirements and therefore do not necessarily ensure your entrance into your preferred career.
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