California has a huge demand for court reporters.
You can expect higher-than-average pay and plenty of job security when you become a court reporter in the Golden State.
One reason for this high demand is that California has a large population.
The superior court in California hears 5 million dispositions each year.
Court reporters are responsible for transcribing court proceedings in real-time, which provides a written record of everything that is said.
How to Become a Court Reporter in California
You’ll need to complete several steps to become a court reporter in California.
These steps include:
- Complete a Court Reporter Education Program
- Apply for State Tests
- Pass the California Dictation and Transcription Exam
- Pass the California Written Exams
- Complete a Court Reporter License Application
Complete a Court Reporter Education Program
The Court Reporters Board of California oversees court reporter education and certification.
An education program must meet certain requirements to be certified.
The requirements include:
- English and Vocabulary 240
- Medical 120
- Legal 150
- Transcript procedures 25
- Apprenticeship 60
- Technology 60
- Resource materials
You’ll need a total of 660 academic hours, and 2230 machine shorthand and transcription hours.
Apply to Take the State Tests
The next step to becoming a court reporter in California is to apply to take the state exams.
You’ll need to complete the application.
You’ll also provide proof that you meet the requirements to take the test.
An accredited court reporter program is one way to meet the requirements.
Previous experience as a court reporter can also qualify you for the test.
Lastly, a national certification through the NVRA or NCRA is another way to meet testing requirements.
You’ll need to include a $40 registration fee and a $25 fee for each exam you plan to take.
Pass the California Dictation and Transcription Exam
Once you’ve mailed in your application, you’ll receive a final notice of examination letter.
This letter will include the time and location for your dictation and transcription exam.
This exam includes four voice dictations from a real court proceeding or deposition.
You’ll need to transcribe at 200 words per minute for 12 to 13 minutes.
You’ll have 3 hours to transcribe the material.
You’ll need to bring your stenotype machine, tripod, and two forms of photo I.D.
Pass the California Written Exams
You’ll need to pass two written examinations, an English exam, and a professional exam.
You’ll take these tests on a computer at a testing center.
You can sign up to take the tests with PSI, which is a third-party testing service.
You’ll have 120 minutes to take each test.
Complete a Court Reporter License Application
Once you’ve passed the state examinations, you can complete the court reporter license application.
You’ll need to apply, along with an application fee of $225.
Court Reporter Schools in California
Taft College 
Taft College offers an Associate of Science in Court Reporting.
To get your degree, you’ll need a C or better in each court reporting course.
You must take 39-49 general education credits, and 46 credits in court reporting.
You will need an overall GPA of 2.0 or better.
You are required to type shorthand at least 200 WPM and have typing skills of 45 words per minute.
Courses you’ll take include Machine Shorthand Speed Building, Beginning Machine Shorthand Theory and Lab, Introduction to Criminal Justice, Legal Terminology, and Proofreading for the Court Reporter.
Once you’ve completed your degree, you will be prepared to take the California certification exams.
Contact Information
- Address: 29 Cougar Ct, Taft, CA 93268, United States
- Website: https://www.taftcollege.edu/
- Phone: 661-763-7700
Cypress College 
Cypress College offers a few options for becoming a court reporter.
You can choose an Associate in Science Degree in Court Reporting, or a Court Reporting Certificate.
You’ll spend 2.5 years to earn your associate degree as a court reporter.
Once you’ve completed the program, you are prepared to take both the California exams and nationwide exams.
The school offers a variety of labs and training equipment.
You can also participate in one of eight internships, so you’ll have real-world experience.
The internship is 60 hours.
Courses start several times throughout the year.
You can choose from day or evening classes, so this program can fit into your schedule.
To get your associate’s degree, you’ll need a minimum of 60 credit hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 9200 Valley View St, Cypress, CA 90630, United States
- Website: https://www.cypresscollege.edu/
- Phone: 714-484-7000
West Valley College 
West Valley College offers an intensive court reporting program.
Most students take 3 to 4 years to complete the program.
You’ll need to spend about 5 hours a day practicing on your steno machine, in addition to academic work.
West Valley offers classes on campus and online through a synchronous learning model.
This means you’ll need to be on Zoom at the correct time if you choose online classes.
Contact Information
- Address: 14000 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070, United States
- Website: https://www.westvalley.edu/
- Phone: 408-867-2200
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to renew my court reporter license in California?
Yes.
You’ll need to renew your license each year.
You’ll send in an application that asks if you’ve received any criminal convictions in the last year, and a renewal fee of $225.
Is it hard to become a court reporter in California?
California’s need for court reporters makes it a lucrative career, but it can be hard to become a court reporter.
You’ll need to learn stenotype, type very fast, and have a great accuracy rate.
Are court reporters in demand in California?
In 2023, California employed 1,200 court reporters.
This year, they will need another 650 court reporters to meet their minimum capacity requirements.
74% of courts in California have court reporter positions open.
New applications have fallen by 62%, so the demand is likely to grow even larger in the next few years.
Court Reporter Salary Information
California is one of the top states for court reporters.
You can expect to earn an average of $68,892.
Salaries range from $49,707 to $90,170.
How much you earn can vary, based on your position, location, education, certifications, and job experience.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$49K |
|
$68K |
|
$90K |
Average Salary in California
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $70,122 |
| San Diego | $67,403 |
| San Jose | $78,385 |
| San Francisco | $78,073 |
| Long Beach | $69,641 |
| Fresno | $62,583 |
| Sacramento | $67,636 |
| Oakland | $76,199 |
| Santa Ana | $69,704 |
| Anaheim | $69,797 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | 40 | $97,110 | $46.69 | $112,410 | $60,070 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 640 | $89,800 | $43.17 | $132,000 | $36,460 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 30 | $98,410 | $47.31 | $130,780 | $62,080 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 110 | $85,320 | $41.02 | $109,060 | $47,720 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | 190 | $94,230 | $45.3 | $127,270 | $52,740 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 100 | $99,830 | $47.99 | $106,290 | $72,110 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 460 | $119,600 | $57.5 | $144,570 | $83,220 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 70 | $112,570 | $54.12 | $146,480 | $42,440 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | 30 | $98,650 | $47.43 | $112,830 | $35,870 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 60 | $96,640 | $46.46 | $121,600 | $78,490 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Court Reporter Programs by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
It’s refreshing to see detailed information specific to California’s requirements. Knowing the state’s nuances is key when embarking on a legal career path.