How to Become a Deposition Reporter

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Should I Become a Deposition Reporter in the US?

If you are fascinated by court proceedings and want to see how they take place, then a career as a court or a deposition reporter can be an option for you.

Educational Requirements	Post-secondary education or an Associate’s degree
Experience/Training	Certification and License
Key Skills	Assertiveness, Client Relationship & Confidentiality, Communication and Verbal Skills, Morality, Unbiased Approach, Promptness, Ability to Work Independently, Grammar, Punctuation and Proofreading, Listening Skills, Proficiency with Voice & Typing equipment, Accuracy
Annual Mean Salary – US (2021)	$ 65,240
Job Outlook – US (2020-2030)	3%

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Career Outlook

Deposition court reporters are an integral part of courtroom settings and some even work as legislatures. A flexible career, deposition court reporters have the option to work freelance, while those who prefer to be a part of a company, can join law firms or organizations pretrial depositions. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, a 3% employment growth is projected between 2020-2030 for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners in the US. Below are the States with the highest employment level in court reporters and simultaneous captioners:

State	Employment
California	1,400
New York	1,250
Michigan	990
Florida	810
Indiana	790

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021)

Steps to Become a Deposition Reporter in the US

If you are interested in becoming a deposition reporter, then you need to complete certain steps, which are:

Get a Postsecondary Nondegree Award

To start your career as a deposition reporter, you will have to get a postsecondary nondegree award as the minimum education requirement. Better education will increase your chances of getting a job.

Select the Field

You will have to select the field of court reporting/deposition reporting you would want to join. This is a very important step because this will tell you what you need to do in order to work professionally.

Prepare for the Program

To become a court reporter in the US, you will have to graduate from a recognized court reporting program. The education offered by different institutions will vary. You can get a certificate or an Associate’s Degree, depending on the educational institution you pick.

Meet State Requirements

Some US states make it mandatory for court reporters to get a state-issued license. You will have to clear a written exam and a skill-based test to pass. Few states also deem the RPR (Registered Professional Reporter) designation administered by the National Court Reporters Association or the Certified Verbatim Reporter’s (CVR) by the National Verbatim Reporters Association as acceptable.

Duration to Become a Deposition Reporter in the US

The time it takes you to become a deposition reporter in the US will depend on different factors. The education you get, the time you take to pass the exam, and the state requirements will determine how much time it will take you to become a deposition reporter. Generally, the duration falls from 2 to 4 years.

What Are the Requirements to Become a Deposition Reporter in the US?

Get a postsecondary nondegree award.
Pick your career path.
Get ready for the exam.
Pass the state licensing requirements, if needed.

How Much Will I Earn as a Deposition Reporter in the US?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021, the annual mean wage of court reporters in the US is $ 65,240. Salary range also varies from state to state, and also depends on the qualification and experience of a reporter. Below are the top paying states for court reporters and simultaneous captioners:

State	Annual Mean Wage
New York	$ 100,270
California	$ 83,720
Texas	$ 81,460
Iowa	$ 77,090
Colorado	$ 76,410