How to Become a Court Reporter in Nebraska

A court reporter, known also as a court stenographer, real-time writer, or certified shorthand reporter (CSR), plays a vital role in transcribing spoken content during legal proceedings.

This role underscores the integral contribution of court reporters to the justice system.

For those aspiring to become court reporters in Nebraska, obtaining a license is a necessary step.

This article presents the essential pathway to licensure, so read on!

Complete Your Education as a Court Reporter in Nebraska

Achieving licensure necessitates the completion of an accredited training program.

Moreover, the chosen program must gain approval from the Nebraska Board of Court Reporting.

To enroll in such a program, you must satisfy these criteria:

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

Training programs can specialize in various areas, including:

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

Prospective students must verify that the curriculum aligns with standards set by CASE (Council on Approved Student Education).

The curriculum 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 educational institutions in Nebraska offer court reporting training.

University of Nebraska

This institution provides a comprehensive course covering court reporting, closed captioning, and CART.

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

Enrollment requirements for this course are minimal.

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

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

Enrolled students gain access to the CAT program, though a separate purchase is needed for future professional use.

Southeast Community College

This college offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in Court Reporting Technology for individuals aiming to become court reporters.

Enrollment takes place exclusively during the fall semester, with specific requirements for graduation.

A key requirement is achieving a minimum grade of “C” in:

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

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

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

Moreover, completing a 50-hour internship is mandatory, with 40 hours dedicated to writing practice.

Obtain Licensure as a Court Reporter in Nebraska

Upon completing your education, passing an examination is the next step toward acquiring a license.

An 18-month window is granted from the conclusion of your training to pass the exam.

During this period, obtaining a temporary license is optional, although renewal is not possible.

Certification can be obtained through the following avenues:

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

These certifications hold national recognition.

To secure an official license in Nebraska, a skills exam is also required.

The exam can be administered by the following organizations:

• NCRA
• NVRA
• ACRA

The process involves:

• Payment of the appropriate fees
  • $200 for the license
  • $50 for the application
• Submission of proof of graduation from the training program
• Completion of 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.

For those aiming to become certified verbatim reporters, a transfer fee of $50 can be paid if they are registered professional reporters.

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

The test comprises 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 are allotted 75 minutes to transcribe their notes, and the minimum passing score in Nebraska is 95% accuracy.

An additional knowledge-based written exam forms part of the registered professional reporter certification.

This exam covers 120 questions encompassing 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.

Renewing Your Court Reporter License in Nebraska

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

In Nebraska, you need to renew your certification once at 3 years.

Individuals are required to complete 5 hours of continuing education every year for the license renewal process.

Salary Outlook for Court Reporters in Nebraska

If you’ve read through this article, your interest likely centers on the occupation’s earning potential.

In this state, the median annual salary for court reporters is about $58,007.

Check out the salary table provided below for more info:

Regional Salary in Nebraska

Court Reporter by State