Court reporters use a type of shorthand, known as stenography, to document every word of court proceedings.
Great accuracy is essential because mistakes can impact the future of a court case.
Idaho makes it relatively easy for you to become a court reporter, but there are still several steps you’ll need to follow.
How to Become a Court Reporter in Idaho
How you become a court reporter in Idaho will depend on your situation.
Are you just starting?
Are you finishing a court reporter program?
Have you moved to Idaho from another state where you worked as a court reporter?
Each of these situations requires different steps to become a court reporter.
Complete a Court Reporter Training Program
The first step in becoming a court reporter is completing an approved training program.
The Association for Court Reporters and Captioners, or NCRA, recognizes training programs that meet their standards.
Court reporter training programs typically take about 2 years to complete.
However, certificate programs can be finished faster.
Once you have completed the program, you are eligible for a license.
Apply for a Temporary License
Once you have finished a training program, you can get a temporary license.
This license is valid for one year, and it allows you to get a certification while working as a court reporter.
The cost of the temporary license is $50.
Get a Certification
Once you’ve completed a training program, you can pursue a certification.
Idaho recognizes several licenses offered by the National Association of Court Reporters, or NCRA.
The recognized licenses include:
- NCRA Registered Professional Reporter (RPR)
- NCRA Registered Merit Reporter (RMR)
- NCRA Registered Diplomate Reporter (RDR)
- NCRA Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR)
- NCRA Certified Real Time Captioner (CRC)
You can also take the exam provided by the Idaho Shorthand Reporters to get the Certified Shorthand Reporter, or CSR, certification.
The RPR is typically the first certification for court reporters.
You’ll need to take a written test and a skills test.
The written exam has 120 questions.
100 of these questions are graded, and you’ll need a score of 70% or better.
43% of the questions are about technology and innovation, 34% are about industry practices, and the remaining 23% are about professionalism and ethics.
The skills test has three components, known as legs.
You’ll need to reach 180 wpm on the literary portion, 200 wpm on the Jury Charge section, and 225 wpm on the Testimony/Q&A.
You’ll need an accuracy rate of 95%.
After the dictation, you have three minutes to attach your steno notes.
Then, you have 75 minutes to transcribe each portion.
You’ll need to pay a $300 exam fee to NCRA.
The Idaho Certified Shorthand Reporters exam is based on the NCRA exam.
You can take this exam onsite in March or September.
You’ll need a speed of 200 wpm for the Jury Charge, 180 wpm for the Literary portion, and 225 wpm for the Q&A section.
You’ll need an accuracy rate of 95% or better.
You’ll also take a multiple-choice written exam.
The exam costs $50.
You can purchase preparation materials for $20.
If you’ve passed a certification exam in the last two years, you are eligible for a license in Idaho.
You’ll need to pay a $50 application fee to become a Court Shorthand Reporter (CSR).
Endorsement License
The final way to become a Certified Shorthand Reporter in the State of Idaho is by endorsement.
If you have received an NCRA certification in the past, and have been working in another state for at least 3 out of the last 5 years, you qualify for an endorsement license.
Essentially, you have already proven your skills by working in another state, so Idaho will certify you as well.
Court Reporter Schools in Idaho
There are currently no in-person schools in Idaho offering court reporter training.
However, you do have a few options, most notably:
Arlington Career Institute 
Arlington Career Institute is located in Arlington, Texas.
However, they offer an online court reporting program that you can take from anywhere in the country.
This program is NCRA-approved and prepares you to take the PRP certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are court reporters in demand in Idaho?
Idaho has a low crime rate, which means there’s less need for court reporters.
However, many court reporters are nearing retirement, so there will be plenty of positions open in the state.
Court reporters are required for a court proceeding to take place, so some court reporters have to travel to meet the current need.
Will court reporters be replaced with technology?
It’s unlikely that technology, including AI, will replace human reporters.
Instead, reporters will continue to adapt to technology and use it to make their jobs easier.
How do I maintain my certification in Idaho?
You’ll need to renew your certification each year.
You’ll simply complete an application and send in a $75 fee.
To maintain an NCRA certification, you’ll need to have 3 continuing education credits every 3 years and complete the renewal application.
Court Reporter Salary Information
Court reporters make a good living in Idaho.
The average salary for court reporters in the state is $57,990.
Salaries usually range from $41,841 to $75,901.
How much you earn can vary widely based on your education, experience, and where you work.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$41K |
|
$57K |
|
$75K |
Average Salary in Idaho
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Boise | $58,166 |
| Nampa | $57,541 |
| Pocatello | $54,276 |
| Idaho Falls | $56,778 |
| Meridian | $58,103 |
| Coeur d'Alene | $60,984 |
| Twin Falls | $54,214 |
| Lewiston | $64,016 |
| Caldwell | $57,479 |
| Moscow | $60,983 |
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
The links to relevant organizations and resources make it easier to find further information and support. This guide is a must-read for anyone considering a career in court reporting in Idaho.
I found the breakdown of the certification process, including the exams and required skills, very informative. The advice on networking and finding job opportunities in Idaho is also practical and valuable.