The US has a pretty formulaic justice system.
By that, we mean there are a lot of formalities and steps put in place to keep things as professional as possible.
The more professional, the more trustworthy the process is supposed to seem.
One thing that helps keep that process on the up and up is the court reporter.
This is a person who creates a live transcript of everything said in the court of law.
That means there is no waiting for a video to load or a need to hit the rewind button on a recording device.
A court reporter is detailing everything in the moment.
At any time, the judge can ask for a statement to be recalled from a few minutes earlier, and it can be done with the snap of a finger.
If the thought of being responsible for keeping the courtroom honest appeals to you, read on.
How to Become a Court Reporter – Step by Step
Enroll in a Court Reporting Program
The best way to get your foot in the door is to prove a knowledge on the subject.
In fact, in order to take the licensing exam in Nevada, you’ll have to show proof of a completed program.
What you do have a choice in, though, is the type of education you’d like to get.
You can choose to get a certificate in court reporting or go all the way through with an associate’s degree.
If you’re wondering why anyone would get two years of school instead of a certificate, it really boils down to career goals.
Do you plan on using education, experience, and training to find more unique job opportunities within the reporting field?
For someone who likes the thought of advancement, an associate’s degree might align better with their professional goals.
Of course, you can get a certificate now and decide later to go back for further education.
Get Certified
Okay, so you’ve taken the time to learn all the things relating to court reporting.
Now, it’s time to apply to take the exam.
The State of Nevada Certified Court Reporters Board is where the application comes from and the governing body it will be returned to.
To qualify for the exam, students must pay a fee, have a valid ID, and show a certificate of completion that is in good standing.
If you want to get certified in voice writing, that is an additional fee.
The exam takes place five times a year, so plan ahead.
Apply for Jobs
Once certified, the courtroom is your burrito.
Plainly put, you’re now free to apply anywhere that needs a court reporter.
This is another opportunity that taking a two-year degree over a certificate can be beneficial.
It’s likely that to graduate, you’ll need to have some sort of internship.
That internship could lead to a real paying gig upon certification.
Internship or not, it can be helpful to sign up for the Nevada Court Reporters Association and court reporting boards across a wide area, in case competition is fierce.
Court Reporter Schools in Nevada
Western Nevada College
For just under $800, you can take a self-paced course on court reporting.
Students learn more than just how to type for a court setting, but also ethics, legal procedure, professionalism, as well as how the court system works.
Once you sign up online, the course is available to begin within two days of payment.
Students may go as fast or as slow as they want, but the time available to finish the course is six months.
Though the class isn’t live, the instructor is always available by email.
Completing this course should make you ready to apply for the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are court reporters in high demand?
America is a very litigious society.
So, essentially, court reporters will always be in need.
That includes every part of the country and at every level.
It will always be vital for court proceedings to be represented in an accurate and unbiased way.
That’s why having a person record everything as it happens is crucial to the legal process.
Is being a court reporter stressful?
Court reporting can be quite a heavy load to bear.
The reason lies in the accuracy required to retain the position.
Court reports exist to keep the courts honest, so to speak.
That honesty comes from having a reliable record of events.
Not only do you have to be fast, but you have to be accurate with your words.
Knowing shortcuts like the back of your hand is how a court reporter is able to keep up.
Being able to not only get the shortcuts right but be able to pay attention as things go, no matter the speed, can be tough.
However, that’s what the training is all about.
On the flip side, court reporting is extremely reliable work.
The schedules stay more or less the same and the work stays in the courtroom.
What else do court reporters do?
Aside from the obvious, there’s an aspect many don’t associate with court reporting.
That aspect is all about the small screen.
Yes, court reporters are also tasked with putting together transcripts for television.
That’s mostly thanks to closed captioning.
Another benefit of court reporting is making sure those who are hearing-challenged can learn what’s being said.
When the info is needed for press conferences or meetings, a court reporter is tasked with presenting it to whoever needs it.
Court Reporter Salary Information
The median annual salary for a court reporter in Nevada is $64,000.
If you are brand new to the field and get work in a less-funded part of the state, you might be looking at closer to $32,000 a year.
On the contrary, if you’ve been court reporting for a while in a city like Reno or Las Vegas, that might have you looking at numbers closer to $102,000.
Of course, it’s important to remember that these are estimates that can vary depending on location and experience.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$45K |
|
$63K |
|
$82K |
Average Salary in Nevada
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $63,604 |
| Reno | $63,160 |
| Henderson | $63,354 |
| North Las Vegas | $63,604 |
| Sparks | $63,160 |
| Carson City | $63,072 |
| Sun Valley | $63,160 |
| Boulder City | $62,728 |
| Mesquite | $62,666 |
| Fallon | $62,178 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV | ** | $53,330 | $25.64 | $70,640 | $38,880 |
* 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
This article is very informative. The tips on finding the right court reporting school in Nevada are particularly helpful.