Court reporters have an essential duty to provide accurate information in relation to court proceedings.
All transcriptions must be created word-for-word during administrative hearings, trials, hearings, depositions, and other types of legal proceedings.
If you’re contemplating becoming a court reporter and living in New York, this guide is for you.
You’ll learn, step by step, how to become a court reporter in addition to attending schools in your state that offer these programs.
How to Become a Court Reporter in New York (Step-by-Step)
Attend a Court Report Program or School
There are a variety of options available in New York in regard to education for court reporters.
You’ll have the opportunity to either earn a certificate in court reporting or an associate’s degree.
During your time in school, you’ll learn the ins and outs of the English language.
You’ll learn how to input this information in shorthand on a steno machine.
The goal is to type 225 words per minute or more.
You’ll have classes in the following subjects:
- Punctuation, spelling, and grammar
- Courtroom procedures
- Medical & legal terminology
- Rules and regulations in New York for court reporting
Take the CSR (Certified Shorthand Reporter) Exam in New York
New York does not require court reporters to have a license to work as a court reporter.
However, it does provide you with an edge.
In order to take this exam, you must be at least 21 years old and a U.S. citizen.
With regard to the exam, you will answer various questions on legal procedures and terms, 40 questions on vocabulary and spelling, and various typing tests.
After you have passed your test, you will then be able to submit your application along with a $173 licensing fee to the New York State Education Department.
Look for Employment as a Court Reporter in New York
New York court reporters work directly for the judicial system.
If you are unlicensed, you must first obtain a notary public license in order to work.
Walk-in exams are available and can be taken via the State Division of Licensing.
You must also bring identification and a money order or check.
This exam is 50 minutes long and consists of 30 questions on the following topics:
- Executing Affidavits
- Administering Oaths
- Reasons for Notarized Documents
- Taking Depositions
Your results will be emailed to you.
For information on exam sites and dates, you can reach out to the State Division of Licensing.
Continuing Education
Finally, you must participate in continuing education once you have completed court reporter school.
Court reporters aren’t legally required to undergo any type of continuing education.
But if you are a certified court reporter, you must earn at least 10 credits (5 hours) of continuing education every year when you renew your license.
You can earn these credits by enrolling in certain community classes or through seminars.
Court Reporter Schools in New York
Here is a list of schools in New York that offer court reporter programs:
Long Island Business Institute
6500 Jericho Turnpike l Commack, NY 11725 l 631-499-7100
At Long Island Business Institute, students will earn an associate’s degree.
The program takes two years to complete and is focused on helping students succeed in hospitality management, court reporting, accounting, and other fields.
The cost of tuition is $16,650 and includes fees, books, transportation, and a court reporting machine.
Plaza College
118-33 Queens Blvd l Forest Hills, NY 11375 l 718-779-1430
The program at Plaza College will provide students with instruction in case catalyst, medical terminology, legal terminology, real-time writing, and more.
Students must pay an application fee of $100 to apply, along with a registration fee of $100.
Students must pay $375 per semester, along with other fees. In total, the tuition for the court reporter program at Plaza College is $7,000.
The program takes two years to complete.
Stenographic Institute of WNY
4525 Main Street l Buffalo, NY 14226 l 716-839-1322
The Stenographic Institute of WNY offers evening classes for students.
Classes are two hours, twice a week.
You can complete the program in as little as 26 months.
Tuition is $9,750.00. However, you will still need to pay registration fees, book fees, and media fees.
In total, tuition costs $10,215.00.
This program will prepare students to enter the field of court reporting soon after graduation.
Program courses cover medical and legal terminology and much more.
There are also online schools, not located in New York, in which students can enroll in a program to become a court reporter.
SUNY at Alfred
10 Upper College Drive l Alfred, NY 14802 l 800-435-3733
The court reporting program at Alfred State College takes two years to complete.
Upon completion of the program, students will have the opportunity to work as a general freelance reporter, hearing reporter, real-time and closed captioning reporter, or legal office administration reporter.
Tuition costs a total of $22,732.
This includes housing, books, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a freelance court reporter apply for work in New York?
There are various employers in New York that employ freelance court reporters, including:
- Corporations
- Law Firms
- Trade Unions
- Colleges/universities
- Banking Institutions
- Television Broadcasting Companies
- Hospitals and Medical Institutions
How long does it take to receive my court reporter exam results in New York?
It can take anywhere between four and six months to receive your exam results.
You will receive your results via email.
Is there a way to practice for the exam?
You can take a practice exam by logging on to the RealTimeCoach website.
The email address that you used on your application will be the same email you used to log into RealTimeCoach.
You are able to take the practice test as many times as you wish.
Sample exam questions can be found on nycourts.gov.
Court Reporter Salary Information
On average, court reporters in New York can earn $73,389 per year.
The typical range may fall anywhere between $52,951 and $96,056.
However, this depends on a variety of factors, such as certification, education, additional skills, and more.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$48K |
|
$66K |
|
$87K |
Average Salary in New York
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $73,389 |
| Buffalo | $60,979 |
| Rochester | $61,571 |
| Yonkers | $71,993 |
| Syracuse | $62,117 |
| Albany | $63,383 |
| New Rochelle | $71,214 |
| Mount Vernon | $71,962 |
| Schenectady | $63,229 |
| Utica | $60,810 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY | 40 | $91,270 | $43.88 | $117,040 | $60,950 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 720 | $101,410 | $48.76 | $130,270 | $63,110 |
* 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
It’s refreshing to see a comprehensive guide tailored specifically to New York. The licensing requirements can be daunting, but your article provides clarity and guidance.