Introduction
Court reporters are responsible for recording and transcribing legal proceedings accurately and efficiently. One of the essential skills required of a court reporter is typing speed and accuracy. Most jurisdictions require court reporters to pass an official court reporter typing test to demonstrate their typing skills. In this article, we will discuss the qualifications required to pass the court reporter typing test.
What is the Court Reporter Typing Test?
The court reporter typing test evaluates an individual’s ability to type at a certain speed while maintaining a high level of accuracy. This test measures both typing speed and accuracy, and the scores are used to determine whether an individual is qualified to work as a court reporter. The typing speed required varies depending on the jurisdiction where one is seeking to work.
Qualifications Required for the Court Reporter Typing Test
To qualify for the court reporter typing test, an individual must have the following qualifications:
1. Education: Individuals seeking to become court reporters must have a high school diploma or an equivalent such as a GED. Additionally, most jurisdictions require that individuals have completed a court reporting program from an accredited college or university.
2. Training: After completing a court reporting program, most jurisdictions require individuals to undergo on-the-job training. During this training, individuals learn how to use court reporting equipment, legal terminology, and become familiar with courtroom procedures.
3. Typing Speed: The typing speed required for court reporters varies depending on the jurisdiction where one is seeking to work. In general, court reporters must be able to type at a rate of at least 225 words per minute with 95% accuracy.
4. Certification: After passing the typing test, individuals must obtain certification from organizations such as the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) or the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT). Certification is an assurance that an individual has met the required standards for the profession.
Preparing for the Court Reporter Typing Test
Passing the court reporter typing test requires practice and dedication. Here are some tips to help prepare for the test:
1. Practice: The best way to prepare for the typing test is to practice regularly. One can use online typing programs or take typing courses to improve speed and accuracy.
2. Familiarize with Legal Terminology: Court reporters must be familiar with legal terminology and procedures. One can use study materials such as textbooks and online resources to improve knowledge and familiarity with legal terminology.
3. Use Appropriate Equipment: Court reporters must use appropriate equipment, including stenotype machines, keyboards, and transcription software. Familiarize yourself with the equipment required for the test and practice using it before the test date.
Conclusion
The court reporter typing test is an essential requirement for court reporters seeking to work in various jurisdictions. To pass the test, individuals must meet certain qualifications, including education, training, typing speed, and certification. Preparing for the test requires dedication, practice, and familiarity with legal terminology and procedures. By meeting the required qualifications and diligently preparing for the test, individuals can achieve their goal of becoming qualified court reporters.
What is a Typing Test?
A typing test is an examination implemented in order to evaluate and gauge the participant’s typing skills, as well as their proficiency in transcription. A typing test will typically render results in accordance with how many ‘words-per-minute’ were typed. The results are illustrated utilizing the common abbreviation ‘wpm’.
Levels of Professional Typing Positions
The varying degrees of proficiency expressed through the results rendered by a Typing Test typically exist in conjunction with the varying levels of typing positions. The following three levels are amongst the most common categorizations with regard to professional typists and transcriptionists:
Level I: A professional typist or transcriptionist producing up to 40 wpm as a result of the undertaking of a typing test;
Level II: A professional typist or transcriptionist producing up to 60 wpm as a result of the undertaking of a typing test;
Level III: A professional typist or transcriptionist producing over 60 wpm as a result of the undertaking of a typing test. Typically, Level III typists and transcriptionists will be required to possess supplementary degrees with regard to the nature of the professional field in which they will be employed.
Court Reporter Certifications
Within the legal field, the transcription of all natures of expressed speech oral and verbal in nature is required to be transcribed into written, tangible, and textual form(s). A court reporter is a professional transcriptionist who undertakes the transcription process with regard to such expressions existing within a legal hearing or trial.
Within each of the following certifications, a primary institution is responsible for not only the regulation of certifications granted to court reporters, but also for the oversight of the practice of legal transcription and court reporting. The following certifications are available for receipt within the field of professional stenography through both the completion of a variety of examinations and typing tests:
Registered Diplomate Reporter (RDR)
Classification: This certification is defined as the most prestigious certification within the field of court reporting.
Required Typing Test Results: Due to the fact that an individual candidate must already be in possession of a Registered Merit Reporter certification, a Typing Test is not required for the receipt of a Registered Diplomate Reporter certification. However, the typing test specific to Registered Merit Reporters must be satisfied.
Additional Requirements: Proficiency in shorthand and the operation of a Stenotype Machine, which is evaluated by a typing test, a required membership to the National Court Reporters Association exceeding 6 years’ time, and a valid membership at the time of participation in the typing test.
Accrediting Institution: The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA).
Registered Merit Reporter (RMR)
Classification: This certification is defined as the second-most esteemed court reporter certification after the Registered Diplomate Reporter certification.
Required Typing Test Results: Literary Legal Transcription (200 wpm), Jury Transcription (240 wpm), and Examination-based Testimony (260 wpm).
Additional Requirements: Proficiency in shorthand and the operation of a Stenotype Machine, which is evaluated by a typing test. Required membership to the National Court Reporters Association.
Accrediting Institution: The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA).
Certified Verbatim Reporter (CVR)
Classification: This certification is defined as the alternative certification program overseeing the authentication of professional court reporters.
Required Typing Test Results: Literary Legal Transcription (200 wpm), Jury Transcription (225 wpm), and Examination-based Testimony (250 wpm).
Additional Requirements: Proficiency in shorthand and the operation of a Stenotype Machine, which is evaluated by a typing test. Required membership to the National Verbatim Reporters Association.
Accrediting Institution: The National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA).
Registered Professional Reporter (RPR)
Classification: This certification is defined as the most common certification within the field of professional court reporting.
Required Typing Test Results: Literary Legal Transcription (180 wpm), Jury Transcription (200 wpm), and Examination-based Testimony (225 wpm).
Additional Requirements: Proficiency in shorthand and the operation of a Stenotype Machine, which is evaluated by a typing test.
Accrediting Institution: The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA).
