High School Diploma or GED

Graduate from a Court Reporting Program

Pass an exam to be State Certified

Have a Good Eye for Detail

Education after high school Most court reporters earn a certificate from a professional-technical school. Students learn recording principles, court procedures, and how to use shorthand machines. Many programs are taught at night and take two to three years to complete. Work experience Experience working in an office or legal setting is good preparation for this work. On-the-job training Newly hired court reporters often receive training that lasts up to three months. You learn the procedures and rules. Military training Some branches of the military train people to be court reporters. Training lasts from six to ten weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Usually work a standard 40-hour week if employed full time.

May work evenings in large cities where court sessions are scheduled during evening hours.

Generally work an established schedule.

COURT REPORTERS will:

Record every spoken word at legal proceedings

Use computer-aided transcription (CAT)

May transcribe television shows for the hearing impaired

COURT REPORTERS frequently:

Sit for long periods of time.

Repeat the same movements.

Use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

It is important that COURT REPORTERS be able to:

Understand the speech of another person.

See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.

Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.