How to Become a Court Reporter in Colorado

A court reporter, known as a court stenographer, real-time writer, or certified shorthand reporter (CSR), assumes a critical role in transcribing spoken communication during various types of legal proceedings and trials.

This role holds a significant position within the justice system domain.

For those aspiring to pursue a career as a court reporter in Colorado, obtaining a license becomes a pivotal achievement.

Read on to find out how you can become a court reporter in this state.

Complete Your Education as a Court Reporter in Colorado

Becoming a licensed court reporter requires the successful completion of an accredited training program.

Additionally, getting a license is necessary before commencing work as a court reporter in the state.

For that, you need to attend a training program.

The chosen program must be endorsed by the Colorado Court Reporters Board.

You should also comply with the following rules:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Get a high school diploma or a GED

Many schools may have additional prerequisites, such as passing various drug and health tests.

Some of the subjects you need to take and get knowledge on:

• English
• Legal studies
• Medical terminology
• Transcript preparation
• Utilization of resource materials
• Apprentice training
• Technological proficiency

Upon program completion, graduates should possess a minimum typing speed of 45 words per minute and fulfill a total of 660 academic hours alongside 2,300 machine hours.

Colorado doesn’t have a suitable training program for this profession, but you can enroll at an out-of-state university.

To graduate, you will have to obtain scores above “C” in most subjects.

Auburn University

This course covers court reporting, closed captioning, and CART.

You have the flexibility to take the class online and proceed at your preferred speed.

Enrollment in this course has no specific prerequisites.

The class aims to enhance your writing speed to 225 words per minute.

For those not requiring a steno machine, the program fee is $6,104.

However, students needing the machine will incur a cost of $7,899.

While enrolled, students can access the CAT program, which they can purchase for their future careers.

Obtaining Licensure as a Court Reporter in Colorado

After finishing the program, passing an examination becomes crucial for obtaining a court reporter license.

This achievement must be reached within eighteen months following the conclusion of your training.

During this period, an option exists for obtaining a non-renewable temporary license.

Two nationally recognized certifications are available:

• National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) certification
• National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA) Certified Verbatim Reporter (CVR) certification

To secure official licensure in Colorado, successful completion of a proficiency examination is necessary.

This assessment is administered by either NCRA, NVRA, or ACRA.

For this, the following steps are required:

• Payment of required fees: $200 for the license and $50 for the application
• Proof of completion of the training program
• Submission of the application form

The ACRA examination closely mirrors both the NCRA and NVRA assessments.

While the NCRA skills test is available online, the NVRA and ACRA examinations necessitate in-person attendance.

For those aiming to achieve the Registered Professional Reporter designation, the associated fees are as follows:

• $120 for non-members
• $95 for members
• $77 for student members

The NVRA examination incurs a fee of $150.

Candidates seeking the certified verbatim reporter title can transfer their Registered Professional Reporter status by paying a $50 fee.

Meanwhile, the Certified Court Reporter (CCR) skills examination carries a cost of $75.

This assessment consists of three distinct segments, each lasting five minutes.

Meeting the required word count is crucial for success in these three areas:

• Literary transcription at a speed of 180 words per minute
• Jury charge transcription at a pace of 200 words per minute
• Testimony/Q&A transcription at a velocity of 225 words per minute

Candidates have 75 minutes to transcribe their recorded notes, with a minimum accuracy score of 95% being essential for success.

Moreover, a comprehensive written knowledge examination is conducted as part of the registered professional reporter certification.

This assessment covers 120 questions spanning technology, ethical considerations, professional norms, and reporting methodologies.

A score of at least 70 is required to pass, along with the following fee structure:

• $220 for non-members
• $195 for members
• $160 for student members

The NVRA examination carries a fee of $125.

Renewing Your Court Reporter License in Colorado

Similar to many certifications, the court reporter license requires periodic renewal.

Court reporters in Colorado need to renew their credentials annually.

For this, they must complete a Renewal Conviction Certification form and pay a $125 renewal fee.

Court Reporter Earnings in Colorado

After obtaining your license, you might be curious about potential earnings as a court reporter in Colorado.

The average salary for this profession in Colorado is approximately $62,458 per year.

Keep in mind that your earnings may be influenced by various factors, including your workplace location and residency area.

A glance at the table below will offer insights into prevailing salary ranges for this profession in Colorado.

Regional Salary in Colorado

Court Reporter by State