Wyoming takes a unique approach to court reporting. Instead of being part of a pool, each court reporter is assigned to a judge.
Wyoming is the least populated state in the U.S. There are only 24 judges in the state, which means there are only 24 reporters needed.
Wyoming’s population is spread out, with much of the state being unspoiled land.
This means Wyoming court reporters may need to travel as part of their job.
If you want to work in the legal field and become part of a close-knit team, you should consider being a court reporter in Wyoming.
How to Become a Court Reporter in Wyoming
To become a court reporter in Wyoming, you’ll need to complete a training program and get an NRCA certification.
If you are already certified in another state, this qualifies you to be certified in Wyoming as well.
Complete a Court Reporter Training Program
Once you decide you want to be a court reporter, you’ll need to complete a training program.
This will teach you everything you need to know about court reporting, including legal and medical terminology, court procedures, English and grammar, and stenography.
Most courses take two years to complete, but some programs can be completed sooner.
Get Your NCRA Certification
Once you’ve completed a training program, you are ready to get your NCRA certification.
The Association of Court Reporters and Captioners, or NCRA, offers a RPR, or Registered Professional Reporter, certification.
To get the certification, you’ll need to pass a written exam and a skills test.
The skills test has three components.
The Literary portion is 180 wpm.
The Jury Charge portion requires a speed of 200 wpm, and the Testimony/Q&A portion requires a speed of 225 wpm.
Each portion is 5 minutes long.
You’ll have 3 minutes to attach your steno notes, and 75 minutes to transcribe the dialogue for each section.
You must have an accuracy rate of 95% for each section to pass.
The skills test costs $86-$137, depending on your NCRA membership.
The written exam has 120 questions.
100 of these questions are graded.
You must get a score of 70% or better to pass this portion of the exam.
You’ll pay $173-$242 for this test, depending on your membership.
Consider Becoming a Certified Real-time Reporter
Court reporting positions in Wyoming are competitive, and becoming a Certified Realtime Reporter, or CRR, gives you an advantage over other court reporters.
To become a CRR, you’ll need to have your RPR certification.
Then, you’ll take a skills test.
The test is a testimony/Q&A at 200 wpm.
You must complete the transcription in real-time, with an accuracy rate of 96% or better.
The CRR skills test costs $217.
Join the Wyoming Professional Court Reporters Association
The Wyoming Professional Court Reporters Association, or WPCRA, supports Wyoming court reporters and provides valuable information.
Membership costs $75 a year.
Reciprocal Certification
If you have a court reporter certification in another state, this can allow you to be a court reporter in Wyoming.
You’ll simply need proof of your certification in your previous state.
Find a Job as a Court Reporter
Once you have your NCRA certification, you can begin applying for jobs as a Wyoming court reporter.
You can find job openings on the WPCRA website.
Court Reporter Schools in Wyoming
Unfortunately, there are no physical court reporter training programs in Wyoming.
However, there are online programs that can give you the skills you need.
NCRA A to Z Program
If you want to get started in stenography or see if it’s right for you, you should check out the NCRA A to Z program.
This program will teach you the basics of stenography, so you can see if this is the career for you.
The program is free and takes 6 weeks to complete.
It’s important to note that this program alone will not teach you the skills to pass the NCRA certification, but it is a great starting point.
College of Court Reporting
The College of Court Reporting offers a certificate in court reporting and an Associate of Applied Science in Court Reporting.
The certificate program is 5 semesters long for full-time students.
You’ll complete the courses on your own schedule.
It’s typically completed in 75 weeks, but you have 120 weeks to complete it.
The program requires 55 credit hours to get your certificate.
These credits can be transferred if you want to earn an Associate’s degree.
The Associate of Applied Science degree program takes 7 semesters for full-time students.
Most students complete the program in 28 months, but you will have 44 months to finish the program.
You’ll need a total of 85 credit hours to earn your degree, and credits are transferable.
Both programs require a 60-hour internship.
You’ll also need to pass several tests, including RPR skills test and a CRR test.
Once you’ve completed the program, you will be ready for NCRA RPR and CRR certifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I work as a court reporter in Wyoming?
You can work with one of the 24 district courts in Wyoming.
You can also work with an agency, like NAEGELI Deposition and Trial, or as a freelance court reporter.
Are court reporters in demand in Wyoming?
Yes.
Wyoming has a small population, and only 24 courts.
However, there is typically at least one position open.
If you are certified, you can find work as a court reporter in Wyoming.
Do I need to renew my court reporter certification?
Yes.
You’ll need to renew your NCRA certification every 3 years.
You’ll need 3 continuing education credits.
Court Reporter Salary Information
Court reporters in Wyoming make an average of $57,449 a year.
Salaries typically range from $41,451 to $75,193.
Those with a CRR certification typically make more than those with a RPR certification.
Your experience, skill level, and the setting you work in will also affect how much you earn.
Item | Percent |
---|---|
$41K |
|
$57K |
|
$75K |
Average Salary in Wyoming
City Name | Salary |
---|---|
Cheyenne | $57,530 |
Casper | $58,667 |
Laramie | $57,441 |
Gillette | $55,924 |
Rock Springs | $58,506 |
Sheridan | $59,256 |
Green River | $58,506 |
Evanston | $58,506 |
Riverton | $57,729 |
Cody | $59,256 |
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 post provides a clear roadmap for anyone interested in becoming a court reporter in Wyoming. The information about certification requirements is particularly helpful for planning ahead.
The flexibility of training options mentioned here is reassuring for anyone considering this career change. It’s good to know there are multiple paths to becoming a court reporter in Wyoming.
Wow, I had no idea about the demand for court reporters in Wyoming. It’s inspiring to see such detailed guidance on how to enter this profession.