The court reporting industry is in search of qualified court reporters. With flexible education requirements and many other advantages, court reporting is a great career option for young professionals. However, many young professionals are likely asking the same question “how long does it take?”. Connor Reporting is committed to helping young professionals enter the court reporting industry, so in this post, we will explain a bit more about exactly how long it takes to become a court reporter.
Each state has its own requirements for a court reporter, but Indiana does not have legislatively mandated licensing procedures. The unofficial requirements include:
While the education requirements are flexible, typically, a court reporter will earn a two to four-year degree from an accredited NCRA school. Many schools offer a two-year program or an online program, making it accessible for professionals currently working. Court reporters must then maintain certification from national agencies.
Given the requirements, the time it takes to become a court reporter varies based on a number of factors. For example, the College of Court Reporting offers the accredited program with a minimum time frame of 28 months, and a maximum time frame of 44 months. How long it takes a student to complete the program depends on the class load they can carry each semester. In addition to the academic course work, students also must complete skill development, and the time frame for skill development depends on how quickly the student learns, develops, and progresses their skill.
After graduating, you must earn certification from the NCRA through continuing education. There are many different option for NCRA continuing education which can be found on their website, each with different potential time commitments. Upon being hired for your first court reporting job, you must also complete some training before becoming an official court reporter.
Overall, the time it takes to become a court reporter depends on a number of factors, but will likely take you at least two years should you choose to earn a college degree. For those who are looking for a career change, it is possible to become a court reporter while in your current job but will simply take a bit longer than if you focus on becoming a court reporter full time.
The current job prospects for court reporters is incredibly high, so there is no better time to become a court reporter than the present. Considering becoming a court reporter? Connor Reporting is always looking to add strong members to our team. Whether you are fully certified and ready to begin reporting or just looking for more information about the field, contact us today.
