Court reporters are a critical part of the legal system.
They document each word spoken in court proceedings, so there’s an accurate record.
Court reporters must have great attention to detail, impeccable grammar, and fast typing speed.
Court reporters are in demand, making it a great choice if you want long term job security.
How to Become a Court Reporter in New Hampshire
To become a court reporter in New Hampshire, you’ll need training as a court reporter.
You’ll also need to pass a national certification exam, and meet all the requirements for licensing in the state.
Meet the Requirements for Licensing in New Hampshire
To become a court reporter in New Hampshire, you’ll need to meet some basic requirements.
You must be at least 18 years old, and have the legal right to work in the U.S.
You must have a high school diploma or GED, and have good moral character.
If you have any convictions or have been disciplined by a licensing board in another state, this may prevent you from becoming a court reporter.
If you have any concerns about your record, contact the New Hampshire board before you begin the court reporter process.
Complete a Training Program
If you haven’t had any formal training in court reporting, this is the next step.
New Hampshire doesn’t require a degree in court reporting, but you will need the knowledge and skills gained in a training program to be certified.
Most court reporting programs take 2 years to complete.
Some programs may be shorter, depending on the content of the course.
Get a National Certification
To get your court reporter license in New Hampshire, you’ll need a national certification.
You can choose the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) certification as a Registered Professional Reporter (RPR), or the National Verbatim Reporters Association certification (NVRA) as a Certified Voice Reporter (CVR).
Written Knowledge Test
To get a RPR or CVR certification, you’ll need to pass a written exam.
The exam is multiple-choice, and has 100 graded questions.
You’ll need a score of 70% or better to pass.
The NCRA test covers technology, reporting practices, and professional practices.
The NVRA test focuses on verbatim record reporting, transcript production including vocabulary and punctuation, professional responsibilities, and ethics.
Fees for the NCRA test are $173-242, depending on your membership.
The NVRA written test costs $160.
Skills Test
Both certifications also require a skills test, which has three components.
The Literary portion requires a speed of 180 wpm.
The Jury Charge portion requires a speed of 200 wpm, and the Question and Answer Testimony portion requires you to reach 225 wpm.
Each portion is 5 minutes long.
You’ll have 75 minutes to transcribe each section.
You must have an accuracy rate of 95% or better on each section to pass.
The online skills test from the NCRA costs $86-$137, depending on membership level.
The NVRA skills test costs $185. NVRA offers an optional test readiness class for $125.
Get Surety Bonded
This part of the process is fairly simple.
You’ll need a $1,000 surety bond before becoming a court reporter in New Hampshire.
Most insurance companies offer surety bonds.
Apply for Licensing in New Hampshire
Once you have a national certification, you can apply for your New Hampshire Court Reporter License.
You’ll complete an application.
Along with the application, you’ll send proof of your certification, surety bond, and a $300 licensing fee.
Court Reporter Schools in New Hampshire
International Realtime Court Reporting Institute 
The International Realtime Court Reporting Institute offers online court reporter training.
Rather than stenography, the Institute teaches speech to text technologies.
You’ll learn proper grammar and punctuation, how to prepare legal transcripts, voice writing theory, Dragon Professional and Eclipse Vox.
There’s a total of 36 classes in the program.
You can complete the coursework on your own time. Most students finish the program in 12 months.
Alfred State College of Technology 
Alfred State College of Technology was named the #1 best court reporting school in America.
This program is approved by the NCRA, and prepares you for your RPR certification once you complete the program.
Courses in the program include Realtime translation theory, Speedbuilding, English/grammar, Law/legal terminology, and computer aided transcription.
This course is performance based.
This means that how long it takes to complete will depend on how quickly you progress and reach performance goals.
To graduate, you must pass a skills test based on the NCRA skills test.
This includes a Testimony (Question/Answer) portion at 225 words per minute.
In addition to coursework, you’ll need to spend 18 to 25 hours a week practicing your typing and transcription skills.
Students who spend more time practicing generally progress faster than those who don’t.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to renew my court reporter license in New Hampshire?
Yes.
You’ll need to renew your license yearly, before November 30.
You’ll need 5 hours of continuing education each year.
You’ll also send a fee of $155 for renewal.
To maintain your NCRA license, you’ll need 3 continuing education credits every 3 years.
For the NVRA, you’ll need 2 continuing education credits every 2 years.
Are court reporters in demand in New Hampshire?
There’s a nationwide demand for court reporters.
The industry is expected to grow by 9% in the next decade, and there’s currently a 20% drop in active court reporters.
Where can I work as a court reporter in New Hampshire?
Court reporters are hired by Supreme, Superior, and Circuit courts.
You can also work as a freelance court reporter, which allows you to choose which jobs you want to take.
Court Reporter Salary Information
Court reporters in New Hampshire make an average of $63,283.
Salaries range from $45,660 to $82,829.
How much you can earn will depend on your experience, where you choose to work, and your certifications.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$45K |
|
$63K |
|
$82K |
Average Salary in New Hampshire
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Manchester | $64,199 |
| Nashua | $67,828 |
| Concord | $64,211 |
| Derry | $65,940 |
| Rochester | $64,249 |
| Salem | $66,827 |
| Dover | $64,512 |
| Merrimack | $67,828 |
| Keene | $64,853 |
| Portsmouth | $64,512 |
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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