How to Become a Court Reporter in Oklahoma

A court reporter, also known as a court stenographer, real-time writer, or certified shorthand reporter (CSR), plays a pivotal role in legal proceedings by meticulously transcribing every spoken word.

Their contribution is integral to the functioning of the justice system.

For those aspiring to embark on a career in court reporting in Oklahoma, this article outlines the essential steps to obtain licensure, so please read on.

Completing Your Education as a Court Reporter in Oklahoma

Before becoming eligible for licensure, one must first complete a comprehensive training program.

Notably, the chosen program must hold approval from the Oklahoma Board of Court Reporting.

To enroll in such a program, candidates must meet the following prerequisites:

• Being over the age of 18
• Possess a high school diploma or a GED

Training programs in Oklahoma cover various specialized areas, including:

• CART/Captioning
• Judicial Reporting
• Scoping/Proofreading
• Professional Transcription
• Office Assistance
• Court and Real-time Reporting

Prospective students should ensure that the program’s curriculum is sanctioned by CASE (Council on Approved Student Education).

Typically, this curriculum incorporates subjects such as:

• Applied Writing I
• Medical Terminology
• Legal Terminology
• Civil and Criminal Law Terminology
• Real-time Reporting I
• Real-time Reporting II

These programs in Oklahoma are generally offered at the postsecondary level but do not confer a degree.

However, they offer options such as certificates, diplomas, associate’s degrees, and bachelor’s degrees.

Several educational institutions in Oklahoma provide training for aspiring court reporters.

Tulsa State University

This institution offers courses covering court reporting, closed captioning, and CART, which can be pursued at one’s own pace through online classes.

There are no specific prerequisites for enrollment.

The primary objective of this course is to enable students to write at a speed of up to 225 words per minute.

The program fee is $6,104 for those not requiring a steno machine, while students needing the machine will need to pay $7,899.

Students have access to the CAT program during enrollment, but they will need to purchase it for their professional careers.

Oklahoma City Community College

This college provides an Associate in Applied Science degree in Court Reporting Technology, catering to individuals who aspire to become court reporters.

Enrollment typically takes place during the fall semester, and successful graduation necessitates meeting specific requirements.

These requirements include scoring at least a “C” in all Court Reporting courses and any other courses mandated by NCRA’s Council.

Additionally, candidates must achieve a minimum accuracy rate of 96% in four tests, each lasting five minutes.

These tests encompass transcribing at speeds of 225 words per minute (two-voice), 200 words per minute for a jury charge, and 180 words per minute for literary material.

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

Becoming Licensed as a Court Reporter in Oklahoma

Upon the successful completion of your education, you must pass an examination to acquire your court reporter license.

You have an 18-month window from the conclusion of your training to achieve this milestone.

During this period, you can secure a temporary license. However, it is essential to note that this temporary license cannot be renewed.

There are two nationally recognized certifications available:

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

To obtain a license in Oklahoma, you must also pass a skills examination, which can be administered by any of the following organizations:

• NCRA,
• NVRA,
• ACRA.

This process involves the following steps:

• Payment of the requisite fees, including $200 for the license and $50 for the application
• Providing proof of completion of the approved training program
• Completing the application form

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

While the NCRA skills test is available online, the other two must be taken in person.

For those aiming to become a registered professional reporter, the fee structure is as follows:

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

The fee for the NVRA examination is $125. If you aspire to become a certified verbatim reporter, a transfer fee of $50 applies if you are already a registered professional reporter.

The Certified Court Reporter (CCR) skills examination carries a cost of $75.

The examination comprises three distinct sections, each lasting five minutes.

To pass, you must meet specified word count requirements in these three areas:

• 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 to transcribe their notes, and the minimum passing accuracy score in Oklahoma is 95%.

Furthermore, there is a knowledge written examination for registered professional reporters, consisting of 120 questions covering technology, professional practices, ethics, and reporting practices.

The minimum passing score is 70, and the associated fees are as follows:

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

The NVRA examination carries a cost of $125.

Court Reporter License Renewal in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Board mandates annual license renewal.

The renewal process encompasses the next fees:

• $200 for timely renewals
• $240 for renewals up to September 31st
• $280 for renewals completed by November 30th

Individuals must complete 5 hours of continuing education annually for the license renewal process.

Court Reporter Salary in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, the median annual salary for a court reporter is $57,160.

The table below provides insight into the cities within the state where court reporters can anticipate the highest median salaries for this profession.

Court Reporter by State