Louisiana court reporters are skilled professionals who have diverse skill sets.
The state of Louisiana sets regulations that residents must comply with if they want to work as a court reporter.
Adhering to the state statutes and the standards set by the Louisiana Court Reporters Association (LCRA) helps court reporters become and maintain their status as recognized leaders in their chosen careers.
Requirements to become a court reporter in Louisiana are less stringent than those of some other states.
Applicants do not have to have advanced degrees or pass multiple examinations.
They do have to comply with the state requirements and regulations.
How to Become a Court Reporter in Louisiana
People who live in Louisiana and who want to become court reporters are required to take a series of steps before the state allows them to work as a court reporter.
Louisiana Title 46, Professional and Occupational Standards, Part XXI Certified Shorthand Reporters provides the laws and regulations that govern initial certification and continued certification of court reporters.
Submit an Application with Required Documentation
Anyone who wants to become a court reporter in Louisiana completes an application on the official form that is provided by the Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters.
Applicants submit the required fee with their application.
The state requires applicants to submit proof that they are over the age of 18.
They submit documentation related to the education and examination for court reporters.
The state board notifies applicants if their application is incomplete or if the board needs more information or documentation.
Certified court reporter applicants who obtain their certification or licensure are allowed to work as an official court reporter for a judge, a freelance reporter, or both positions.
Applicants for the certified digital reporter certificate understand that the certification does not allow them to engage in freelance court reporting or in general reporting.
They are authorized to “practice court reporting only as an official or deputy official court reporter” who performs duties for the court of record.
Court reporter applicants must also submit proof that they have not been convicted of any felony offenses.
Complete Education Requirements
The Louisiana Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters indicates that although attending a court reporting school or completing a court reporting program is the most common educational route, the state does not require them to hold an educational degree.
The state requires applicants to submit proof that they have a high school diploma or its equivalent when they submit their application.
Many people who want to work as Louisiana court reporters do complete a court reporter program.
The court reporter applicant provides the board with one of two options.
One is an education-related option.
An applicant who chooses this option submits proof, by submitting an affidavit from a licensed Louisiana court reporting school, that they passed a qualifying test that consisted of “five minutes of two-voice Q & A at 225 wpm with 95 percent accuracy within one year prior to application to the board for examination.”
Complete Examination Requirements
Louisiana court reporter applicants who did not complete a court reporter program that consists of the qualifying exam must sit for the qualifying exam at a date determined by the board.
The qualifying exam is not the same as the main exam.
It tests the same skills as the test that applicants take if they attend a court reporter school.
Applicants who successfully complete the qualifying exam are eligible to sit for the main Louisiana Certified Court Reporter exam.
The exam consists of two parts.
Part one is the written knowledge part of the exam.
There are 100 multiple-choice questions.
Part two of the main exam is the dictated speed test.
It consists of five minutes of two voice Q&A at 225 wpm, and five minutes of jury charge at 200 wpm.
Part two also consists of five minutes of one-voice literary at 180 wpm.
Comply with Continuing Education Requirements
The state of Louisiana requires that court reporters complete at least 12 continuing education credits every two years.
The board awards one continuing education credit for each half-hour of instruction.
Four of the continuing education credits must be instruction that is related to Louisiana court reporting ethics, board rules, and regulations.
Court Reporter Schools in Louisiana
Baton Rouge School of Court Reporting
The Baton Rouge School of Court Reporting provides instruction in an online format.
Students engage in hands-on learning in a focused, user-friendly environment.
Some program courses include Theory Courses, Speedbuilding, and Legal Terminology.
The tuition for the 30-month Court Reporting Machine Writing is $11,250.
Tuition for the nine-month Voice Writing program is $5,409.
University of Louisiana – Lafayette
Students who enroll in the online University of Lafayette Digital Court Reporter program learn about the courts, the legal system, digital reporting software and equipment, and ethics.
They also learn about industry terminology and hardware.
The program consists of 60 course hours over six months.
The tuition is $795. Learners who complete the program will be eligible to sit for exams.
Stenomask Academy
Students who attend the Stenomask Academy Court Reporter program gain the skills needed for entry-level court reporters.
The curriculum helps students to master the basic skills of legal terminology, transcript preparation, procedures, and CAT technology software.
The program empowers students to successfully sit for exams.
Applicants complete an entrance exam. Tuition is $6,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Louisiana court reporters required to renew their certificates?
Court reporters must renew their certification annually by December 31.
Do I have to complete the continuing education hours?
Louisiana court reporters who do not complete the required continuing education credits will have their certification suspended or revoked.
Where Can I Find the Forms and Applications?
Links to the application forms and testing forms are on the Louisiana Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters website.
Court Reporter Salary Information
The median salary for Louisiana court reporters is $59,386.
The setting where court reporters work, and the city may determine the annual salary.
One example of salary differences is that the median salary for court reporters in Dupont is $55,053.
The median salary for court reporters in New Orleans is $61,149.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$42K |
|
$59K |
|
$77K |
Average Salary in Louisiana
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| New Orleans | $61,260 |
| Baton Rouge | $58,805 |
| Shreveport | $57,529 |
| Lafayette | $57,051 |
| Lake Charles | $56,701 |
| Kenner | $61,227 |
| Bossier City | $57,529 |
| Monroe | $56,352 |
| Alexandria | $55,439 |
| New Iberia | $56,718 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 130 | $63,710 | $30.63 | $85,160 | $33,030 |
* 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
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