Kentucky Court Reporter Basics
A court reporter is a highly skilled legal professional who has been trained to record and transcribe verbatim testimony taken in courtrooms, law offices, and corporate boardrooms across America.
Today’s stenographers use the latest tools and equipment to record and transcribe testimony using high-speed transcription techniques.
If you’re thinking about becoming a court reporter in Kentucky and need step-by-step guidance, this is the guide for you!
Our guide provides an in-depth overview of the steps needed to become a certified KY court reporter from start to finish.
Read on to learn how to become a court reporter in Kentucky and how to earn the most sought-after court reporter certifications online.
How to Become A Court Reporter in Kentucky Step by Step
Complete Your High School Education
Completing a high school diploma or an equivalent is the first step to take toward becoming a court reporter in Kentucky.
National and state-based court reporter training programs that lead to a diploma or degree will require proof of high school education before entry.
Enroll in an Approved Court Reporter Training Program
High school graduates and equivalent certificate holders will need to find an approved court reporter training program through local state resources offered by the AAERT, the Kentucky Court Reporters Association, or the National Court Reporters Association.
- The American Association of Electronic Recorders and Transcribers offers widely accepted certification options for students seeking to earn their credentials online.
- The Kentucky Court Reporters Association offers voluntary certification options for local Kentuckians seeking to earn the state-level Certified Court Reporter (CCR) designation.
- The National Court Reporters Association sets national standards and issues nationally recognized credentials for high-speed verbatim reporters.
Pass Court Reporter Certification Exams
Graduates from court reporter training programs will need to pass relevant certification exams to earn their desired credentials.
Kentucky’s reporters can choose from the Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) credential issued by the AAERT, the local Certified Court Reporter (CCR) credential issued by the KYCRA, or the Registered Skilled Reporter (RSR) certification issued by the NCRA.
Find a Court Reporter Job in Kentucky
Certified court reporters in Kentucky are eligible to work for a variety of employers including courts, municipalities, educational institutions, and corporations.
Find court reporter jobs and related resources on the AAERT, KYCRA, or NCRA websites.
Maintain Your Certification Credential Through Continuing Education
Credentialed court reporters must earn the required number of continuing education credits to maintain their certification.
Contact your certification agency to learn more about how to earn continuing education credits.
Court Reporter Schools in Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky University 
About the School
The online digital court reporter training program equips students with the fundamental skills needed to use digital reporting software and equipment to transcribe legal proceedings.
Their comprehensive program readies students to pass the AAERT Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) exam.
Courses Offered
- AAERT Certification Test Prep
- On the Job and On the Record
- Working with a Legal Videographer
Contact Information
- Address: 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, Kentucky – 40475
- Website: https://careertraining.eku.edu/training-programs/digital-court-reporter/
- Phone: 855-520-6806
College of Court Reporting
About the School
CCR provides online court reporter training for students interested in earning an Associate of Applied Sciences degree and passing national certification exams to earn NCRA-issued credentials.
Their NCRA-approved program operates completely online and takes most students between 28 and 44 months to complete.
Courses Offered
- Court Reporting Internship
- Court Reporting Procedures
- Foundations of Law
- Introduction to Realtime Technology
- Medical Terminology
Contact Information
- Address: 455 West Lincolnway, Valparaiso, Kentucky – 46385
- Website: http://www.ccr.edu/
- Phone: 866-294-3974
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to work as a certified court reporter in Kentucky?
Kentucky court reporters are not required to carry an occupational license to work in an official capacity.
New reporters in KY must seek the appropriate education, training, and certification credentials most employers accept as proof of competency to remain competitive.
Students can get court reporter training to prepare for national certification at approved community colleges, technical colleges, and online court reporting schools from one of three well-known certification bodies.
- Students can gain their education, training, and certification credentials at the state level by completing the voluntary program offered by the Kentucky Court Reporters Association.
- Aspiring reporters can take online certification courses from Kentucky-based colleges and universities that partner with online education provider Ed2Go and the AAERT.
- Court reporter trainees can select and enroll in an NCRA-approved certification program to take web-based coursework and complete local internships.
What agency certifies court reporters in Kentucky?
Kentucky is among the few states that offer state and national-level certification options for new court reporters.
The Kentucky Court Reporter Association has options for candidates to demonstrate their level of skill and competency to local employers and colleagues via the CCR.
Candidates seeking more widely accepted certification credentials and those seeking employment beyond Kentucky can follow certification pathways laid out by the National Court Reporters Association which issues the RSR credential, or the AAERT which administers CER training.
How long does it take complete court reporter training in Kentucky?
The time it takes to complete education, training, and hands-on practice requirements can vary between students.
Most court reporter students can complete all components of their training and earn national or state certification credentials within two to three years.
What are the key components of NCRA-approved court reporter certification programs?
Court Reporter Certifications – Kentucky
Registered Professional Reporter (RPR)
Typing speed of 225 words per minute with almost 100% accuracy
Court Reporter Salary Information
Court reporter trainees with state or national certification credentials can make as much as $100,000.00 as freelance court reporters working in Kentucky.
The average salary for KY-based court reporters falls under the national average at around $58.567.00 per year.
Reporters on the lower end of the salary spectrum make around $42,257.00 annually according to online salary data from Salary.com.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$42K |
|
$58K |
|
$77K |
Average Salary in Kentucky
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Lexington | $58,674 |
| Louisville | $59,400 |
| Owensboro | $58,766 |
| Bowling Green | $56,704 |
| Covington | $61,189 |
| Hopkinsville | $56,315 |
| Frankfort | $57,203 |
| Henderson | $59,141 |
| Richmond | $58,099 |
| Albany | $56,972 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 30 | $44,670 | $21.48 | $51,530 | $36,980 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | ** | $48,350 | $23.25 | $53,010 | $46,150 |
* 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
I had no idea there were specific requirements for court reporters in Kentucky. This breakdown really helps clarify the path forward!
It’s encouraging to see that the demand for court reporters is growing in Kentucky. Definitely something to consider for those looking for stable employment.