Home Court Reporter Important Facts to Know About The National Court Reporters Association

Important Facts to Know About The National Court Reporters Association

Important Facts to Know About The National Court Reporters Association

The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) is a prominent organization that represents and supports professionals in the court reporting and captioning fields. Established to advance the industry, the NCRA offers various resources and opportunities for its members. In this article, we’ll delve into important facts you should know about the National Court Reporters Association, its role, and the benefits it provides to its members.

Who is the NCRA?

A Leading Organization: The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) is a leading professional organization for court reporters, captioners, and legal videographers in the United States. It was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Vienna, Virginia.

Advocates for the Industry: The NCRA is dedicated to advocating for the interests of its members and the profession as a whole. It works to maintain high standards of excellence and integrity within the industry.

Membership and Benefits

Diverse Membership: The NCRA boasts a diverse membership base that includes court reporters, broadcast and CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) captioners, legal videographers, and more. Members come from a variety of work settings, including courtrooms, deposition firms, and captioning services.

Benefits of Membership: NCRA members enjoy a range of benefits, including access to industry-specific resources, networking opportunities, and continuing education. The association offers support to professionals at all stages of their careers, from students to seasoned experts.

Access to Industry Insights: Members gain access to industry trends, best practices, and news, keeping them informed about the latest developments and technologies in the field.

Certification and Education

Certification Programs: The NCRA is responsible for certifying professionals in the court reporting and captioning fields. Some of the well-known certifications it offers include the Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) and the Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR).

Ongoing Education: The NCRA provides a wide range of educational resources and opportunities, from seminars and workshops to online courses. It offers resources to support professionals in their ongoing education and skill development.

Advocacy and Outreach

Advocating for the Profession: The NCRA actively advocates for the interests of its members and the profession as a whole. It works to ensure that the contributions of court reporters and captioners are recognized and respected in the legal and communication access industries.

Community Involvement: The NCRA also engages in outreach programs and community initiatives, providing services to underserved populations, including those with hearing impairments who rely on CART services and captioning.

Industry Standards and Ethics

Code of Professional Ethics: The NCRA has established a comprehensive Code of Professional Ethics for its members. This code outlines the ethical standards and principles that court reporters and captioners must adhere to in their work.

Promoting Excellence: The NCRA promotes excellence and professionalism within the industry, setting a high standard for the accuracy and impartiality of transcripts and captioning services.

Networking and Conferences

Annual Conferences: The NCRA hosts annual conferences, which serve as opportunities for members to network, learn, and explore the latest technology and trends in the field. These events feature workshops, seminars, and exhibitions.

Professional Connections: Membership in the NCRA allows professionals to connect with peers, mentors, and potential employers, fostering a sense of community within the field.

Conclusion

The National Court Reporters Association is a vital organization that plays a central role in advancing the court reporting and captioning professions. It provides valuable resources, education, certification, and advocacy for its members. By setting high standards, advocating for the profession, and fostering a sense of community, the NCRA contributes significantly to the growth and excellence of the industry. Whether you’re a student considering a career in court reporting or an experienced professional, the NCRA offers essential support and opportunities for growth.


What is the National Court Reporters Association?

The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) is considered to be the authoritative institution responsible for not only the regulation of certifications granted to Stenographers, also known as Court Reporters, but also for the oversight of the practice of legal transcription and court reporting.

The NCRA began as an institution specializing in shorthand with regard to the provision of expedited and accurate transcription of events. The National Court Reporters Association utilizes The Phrase Book of Pitmanic Shorthand with regard to the instruction of authorized legal and medical transcription.

With regard to their accreditation process, the National Court Reporters Association accredits fewer than 90 Stenography Educational Facilities. In many cases, a certification from an NCRA-accredited institution will be required for employment.

What is a National Court Reporters Association Certified Court Reporter?

Court Reporting, or Stenography, is the practice of legal transcription of speech into text taking place within a court hearing or trial performed by Court Reporters, who are licensed and certified professionals. Stenography positions are classified as legal occupations requiring earned certifications from NCRA-accredited institutions.

The mastery of Stenography requires the ability to produce accurate and expedited legal transcription of speech within a legal venue, which is accomplished through the proficiency in shorthand, stenography, and typing skills.

A Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) is the most common type of legal transcription certification, the National Court Reporters Association requires prospective court reporters to become proficient in the utilization of shorthand, stenography, and typing skills in order to ensure the production of accurate and expedited transcription of speech.

Equipment Regulated by the National Court Reporters Association

Court Reporting involves the use of the following equipment in order to provide for the transcription of oral speech into textual format:

Stenotype

A Stenotype, oftentimes referred to as a Stenograph machine, is a device that resembles a typewriter used by a Stenographer for the purpose of transcription. The stenotype was patented in 1879. Unlike a traditional typewriter, a stenograph machine contains only 25 individual keys and does not rely on the operation of the ‘QWERTY’ traditional keyboard format, in contrast to traditional keyboards typically associated with computers and typewriters.

National Court Reporters Association approved Stenotypes possess fewer keys, in addition to keys representing ‘whole’ words determined to be the most common within legal proceedings, allowing for the transcription of words in lieu of individual keys representative of individual letters.

Thyra D. Ellis is considered amongst the pioneers of stenography who assisted in the development of the requirements necessary for satisfaction by an individual stenographer interested in becoming a Registered Professional Reporter (RPR), which includes a standard for words-per-minute typed, the mastery of legal shorthand, and the adherence to the protocol required of legal transcription. Many of Ellis’s standards have been implemented by the National Court Reporters Association.

Standard legal transcriptions may involve the production of legal transcripts ranging from 100 to 300 words recited per minute.

Chording is a typing method utilized within the field of Stenography allowing court reporters to adequately and accurately transcribe legal hearing through the pressing of multiple keys in a single stroke. Chording allows stenographers to transcribe whole words in lieu of typing the word in a ‘letter-by-letter’ fashion, which results in stenography taking place in a ‘real time’ setting.

Alternative Equipment Recognized by the National Court Reporters Association

Court Reporting undertaken through the utilization of voice recognition technology relies on the digital processing of the distinctive and specific nuances latent within the human speaking voice. The National Court Reporters Association ensures the accuracy of utilization of this particular technology through certification that includes the proficiency in both proofreading and editing.