How to Become a Court Reporter in Montana

A court reporter is also known as a court stenographer.

The name of the profession is a synonym with a real-time writer, or a certified shorthand reporter (CSR).

The person plays a crucial role in transcribing spoken content during legal proceedings.

This pivotal function renders court reporters an essential component of the justice system.

Individuals aspiring to become court reporters in Montana must obtain a license, and this article outlines the required pathway for licensure.

Fulfill Your Education as a Court Reporter in Montana

Achieving licensure mandates the completion of an approved training program.

Furthermore, the chosen program must be sanctioned by the Montana Board of Court Reporting.

To enroll in such a program, the following criteria must be met:

• Attainment of at least 18 years of age
• High school graduation or possession of a GED

Training programs can focus on various areas, including:

• 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 set by CASE (Council on Approved Student Education).

Curriculum content should encompass subjects such as:

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

Typically, these programs are offered at the postsecondary level without conferring degrees.

Certificate, diploma, associate’s, and bachelor’s degree programs are all acknowledged and accepted.

Several institutions offer court reporting training in Montana.

University of Montana

This institution provides a comprehensive program encompassing court reporting, closed captioning, and CART.

The course is available online, allowing students to learn at their own pace.

Enrollment prerequisites for this course are minimal.

The course aims to develop the ability to transcribe at speeds of up to 225 words per minute.

For those not requiring a steno machine, the program costs $6,104, while students needing the machine will incur a fee of $7,899.

Students have access to the CAT program during enrollment, though a separate purchase is needed for future careers.

Missoula College

The college offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in Court Reporting Technology, catering to individuals aspiring to become court reporters.

Enrollment is confined to the fall semester, with specific requirements for graduation.

A primary requirement is achieving at least a “C” grade in:

• All Court Reporting courses
• Any other courses mandated by NCRA’s Council

Additionally, a minimum accuracy rate of 96% must be achieved in four 5-minute tests, covering:

• 225 words per minute testimony (two-voice)
• 200 wpm jury charge
• 180 wpm literary

Furthermore, a 50-hour internship is mandatory, of which 40 hours must be dedicated to writing practice.

Obtain Licensure as a Court Reporter in Montana

Following completion of your education, passing an examination is the next step to obtaining a license.

A window of 18 months is provided from the conclusion of your training to pass the exam.

During this period, obtaining a temporary license is optional, although it cannot be renewed.

Certification can be secured through the following:

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

These certifications are nationally recognized.

For official licensure in Montana, a skills exam is also required.

The exam can be administered by the following organizations:

• NCRA
• NVRA
• ACRA

The process involves:

• Paying the relevant fees
  • $200 for the license
  • $50 for the application
• Presenting proof of graduation from the training program
• Completing the application form

The ACRA test closely mirrors both the NCRA and NVRA exams.

The NCRA skills test can be taken online, while the other two must be taken in person.

For aspiring registered professional reporters, the fees are as follows:

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

The NVRA exam fee is $125.

Those aiming for certified verbatim reporter status can pay a transfer fee of $50 if they are registered professional reporters.

The Certified Court Reporter (CCR) skills exam costs $75.

The test consists of three separate sections, each lasting five minutes.

To pass, candidates must meet word count requirements in the following areas:

• 180 wpm for literary
• 200 wpm for jury charge
• 225 wpm for testimony/Q&A

Candidates have 75 minutes to transcribe their notes, and the minimum passing score in Montana is 95%.

The knowledge-based written exam is also a component of the registered professional reporter certification.

This exam includes 120 questions covering technology, professional practices, ethics, and reporting practices.

A minimum passing score of 70 is required, and fees are as follows:

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

The NVRA exam costs $125.

Court Reporter License Renewal in Montana

As with many professions, court reporters must renew their licenses periodically.

In Montana, license renewal is mandated annually by the Board.

A renewal fee is associated with this process, as outlined below:

• $200 for timely renewals
• $240 for renewals until September 31st
• $280 for renewals by November 30th

License holders must complete 5 hours of continuing education each year to meet renewal requirements.

Excess hours can carry over to the subsequent year.

These educational hours must be completed through NCRA, NVRA, and ACRA.

Court Reporter Salary in Montana

If you’ve followed this information thus far, it’s evident that you’re interested in this profession and its potential earnings.

In the state of Montana, the median annual salary for a court reporter averages around $56,516.

Refer to the provided table below for a breakdown of cities with the highest median salaries.

Court Reporter by State