Welcome

Are you considering a career in Court Reporting? If so, we’d like to help answer some of your questions.

What jobs are there within court reporting?

Court Reporting is a career that offers a great deal of flexibility. Options range from working as a salaried reporter for a California Court, to being your own independent contractor providing your services to the courts, law offices, or working through a reporting agency. You can work at an office, or at home. You can work full time, or part time. The choices are all yours.

If you would like more detailed information about careers in Court Reporting, we invite you to visit this web page provided by the California Official Court Reporters Association. Their web site has a wealth of information that can help you with your decision. http://www.cocra.org/careers/options.html

What is a court reporter’s income potential?

Income varies depending on the type of shorthand reporting job you choose, but to some degree, earning potential is limited only by the amount of time you are willing to work. Official court reporters in Fresno generally earn an annual salary of $60,000 - $75,000, plus a per page fee for transcripts produced. Freelance reporters are paid on a per job or per appearance basis, as well as the per page transcript fee, and can earn from $85,000 or more annually.

What is the demand for court reporters?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Job opportunities for court reporters are expected to be excellent as job openings continue to outnumber job seekers.” Demand for shorthand reporters is high and is expected to continue in the foreseeable future. Most of our graduates find immediate employment upon completion of their required education and training.

What are the benefits of a career as a court reporter?

• Above average income and financial security.
• Immediate employment opportunities.
• A choice in work environments with flexibility to match your lifestyle in either public sector, private sector, or freelance employment.
• The opportunity to be a part of the exciting disciplines of law, government, medicine and business.

For additional information about a career in court reporting, we invite you to download the California Court Reporters Association brochure entitled, "Careers in Court Reporting".

http://www.cal-ccra.org/careers.htm

What are the training and licensing requirements?

The ultimate goal is to become a licensed Certified Shorthand Reporter or CSR.  To do this, the prospective Court Reporter must pass a two-day test.  Part of the test is written and part involves using the steno machine.  The machine portion of the test involves successfully recording a dictation by four live speakers at 200 words per minute for 10 minutes.

As you can probably tell, to pass the CSR certification test is going to require some training, and that’s our whole reason for being here at Sierra Valley College of Court Reporting.  Our students learn machine shorthand theory, transcription, speed building, four-voice live dictation, legal and medical terminology, English grammar and punctuation, computer skills for court reporters, and apprenticeship training.

Most students complete the training within 3 years. Some take a little longer, some go a little quicker. 

How does a court reporting machine (Stenowriter) work?

The official Court Reporters Association web site will show you how. This web page has a very interesting explanation and demonstration. Just click the following link.
http://www.cocra.org/careers/read_write.html#steno

If you have other questions about Court Reporting as a career, or about our program at Sierra Valley College of Court Reporting, or about Financial Assistance, we would be happy to talk with you on the phone or at the college.

For more information please call us at 559-222-0947.

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