How to Become a Court Reporter in Michigan

A court reporter, also referred to as a court stenographer, real-time writer, or certified shorthand reporter (CSR), assumes the critical responsibility of transcribing every spoken word during legal proceedings, including trials and other legal procedures.

Their role holds immense significance within the justice system.

Individuals aspiring to become court reporters in Michigan must adhere to specific licensure prerequisites.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to the essential steps for obtaining licensure, so continue reading for more details.

Pursue Your Education as a Court Reporter in Michigan

The path toward acquiring a court reporter’s license mandates the successful completion of a recognized training program.

Additionally, the program’s approval by the Michigan Board of Court Reporting is imperative.

Prospective students should meet the following criteria to enroll:

• Being at minimum 18 years old
• Successful completion of high school education or equivalent (GED)

These accredited training programs encompass specialized areas such as:

• CART/Captioning
• Judicial Reporting
• Scoping/Proofreading
• Professional Transcription
• Office Assistant
• Court and Realtime Reporting

Prospective students must ensure that the curriculum aligns with the guidelines established by the Council on Approved Student Education (CASE).

The program should encompass subjects such as:

• Applied Writing I
• Medical Terminology
• Legal Terminology
• Civil and Criminal Law Terminology
• Realtime Reporting I
• Realtime Reporting II

Usually offered at the postsecondary non-degree level, these programs offer various credentials, including certificates, diplomas, associate’s degrees, and bachelor’s degrees.

Consider the following institutions for court reporting training in Michigan.

University of Michigan

The university offers a comprehensive course covering court reporting, closed captioning, and CART services.

This online course accommodates flexible, self-paced learning. There are no strict enrollment requirements.

The course aims to enable students to write at speeds of up to 225 words per minute.

The program costs $6,104 for individuals who do not require a steno machine, while those needing the machine must pay $7,899.

Students gain access to the CAT program during enrollment, with the option to purchase it for future professional use.

Michigan State College

The college provides an Associate in Applied Science degree in Court Reporting Technology for individuals aspiring to become court reporters.

Enrollment takes place only in the fall.

Need at least “C” in all Court Reporting classes as well as for specified NCRA Council courses.

Candidates must also achieve a minimum accuracy rate of 96% in four 5-minute tests, covering topics such as:

• Two-voice testimony at 225 words per minute
• Jury charge at 200 words per minute
• Literary passage at 180 words per minute

An internship of 50 hours is a mandatory component, with 40 hours focused on writing practice.

Obtain Licensure as a Court Reporter in Michigan

Upon completing education, candidates must successfully pass an examination to acquire a court reporter license.

This exam must be completed within 18 months of completing the training program.

A temporary license can be obtained during this period, although it cannot be renewed.

Aspiring court reporters can earn the following nationally recognized certifications:

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

In addition, candidates must pass a skills exam specific to Michigan licensure through one of the following organizations: NCRA, NVRA, or ACRA.

The process entails:

• Payment of requisite fees: $200 for the license and $50 for the application
• Presentation of proof of program completion
• Submission of the application form

The ACRA test closely resembles the NCRA and NVRA exams.

While the NCRA skills test is available online, the other two exams require in-person participation.

For those pursuing the Registered Professional Reporter certification, the fees are as follows:

• Non-member: $120
• Member: $95
• Student member: $77

The NVRA exam fee is $125. Candidates aspiring to become certified verbatim reporters can transfer for a fee of $50, provided they hold a registered professional reporter certification.

The Certified Court Reporter (CCR) skills exam costs $75 and comprises three 5-minute sections, each requiring transcription to meet specific word counts:

• Literary at 180 words per minute
• Jury charge at 200 words per minute
• Testimony/Q&A at 225 words per minute

Candidates have 75 minutes for transcription, with a minimum passing score of 95% accuracy in Michigan.

A knowledge-based written exam for the Registered Professional Reporter certification includes 120 questions covering technology, professional practices, ethics, and reporting practices.

The minimum passing score is 70, with fees varying:

• Non-member: $220
• Member: $195
• Student member: $160

The NVRA exam costs $125.

Court Reporter License Renewal in Michigan

Similar to other professional licenses, court reporters must periodically renew their licensure.

The renewal process entails specific fees:

• On-time renewal: $200
• Renewal until September 31st: $240
• Renewal by November 30th: $280

To complete the license renewal procedure, individuals must engage in 5 hours of continuing education annually.

These hours can be carried over to the subsequent year.

Continuing education credits must be earned through approved organizations like NCRA, NVRA, and ACRA.

Court Reporter Salary in Michigan

For those intrigued by the court reporter profession and its earnings potential, the median annual salary for court reporters in Michigan is around $61,313.

The table below highlights cities within the state with the highest median salaries in this occupation.

Regional Salary in Michigan

Court Reporter by State