how to become a stenographer

4 Things You Must Know in order to Become a Stenographer

The Definition
of a Stenographer

A Stenographer – also known as a 'Court Reporter'
– is a licensed and certified professional responsible for the transcription of
speech into text taking place within a court hearing or trial. The
transcription of legal proceedings from speech form into textual form is
regarded as legal transcription.

tenographer positions are classified as legal
occupations requiring specific certifications from accredited institutions.

Stenographer
positions are offered in a multitude of professional settings, which include a
varying degree of courts and legal venues, including municipal courts, city
courts, state courts, district courts, circuit courts, superior courts,
appellate courts, and the Supreme Court. The field specialties required within
the varying degrees of Stenographer positions are vast, ranging in salary,
legal setting, and equipment used.

National Court Reporters Association (NCRA)

The National Court Reporters Association is deemed
as the authoritative institution responsible for not only the regulation of
certifications granted to Stenographers, but also for the oversight of the
practice of legal transcription and stenography.

The NCRA began as an
institution specializing in shorthand with regard to the provision of expedited
and accurate transcription of events. The NCRA teaches the methodology
expressed in The Phrase Book of Pitmanic Shorthand with regard to the
authorized transcription of legal and medical proceedings.

The Origins of Stenotypes

A Stenograph machine – oftentimes referred to as a
Stenotype machine – is a device that resembles a typewriter, used by a
Stenographer for the purpose of transcription. The stenotype was patented in
1879. However, unlike a traditional typewriter a stenograph machine contains only
25 keys and does not operate on a traditional keyboard format such as 'QWERTY'.

In contrast
to traditional keyboards typically associated with computers and typewriters,
stenotypes possess fewer keys. In addition, keys representing 'whole' words
determined to be the most common within legal proceedings exist, allowing for
the transcription of words in lieu of single letters.

Standard legal transcriptions may involve the
production of legal transcripts ranging from from 100 to 300 words recited per
minute. A Stenographer must maintain the ability to accurately transcribe the
speech of an event in real time.

Thyra D. Ellis is considered amongst the pioneers
of stenography who assisted in the development of the requirements necessary
for satisfaction by an individual stenographer interested in becoming a
Registered Professional Reporter (RPR), which includes a standard for
words-per-minute typed, the mastery of legal shorthand, and the adherence to
the protocol required of legal transcription.

Stenographer Certification

In order to be awarded certification as a
Registered Professional Reporter (RPR), the individual will be required to
satisfy the following requirements:

Stenographer Written Knowledge Test

In order for an applicant to receive a passing
grade on the Written Knowledge Test – an examination used to gauge the skill of
an individual stenographer student – the individual stenographer will be
required to display the ability to produce a transcription of events,
proficiency in the operation of a stenograph machine, and a review of
background knowledge and professional acumen.

Words per Minute Typed (WPM)

The ability to produce an expressed amount of words
within a finite period of time is required. These requirements vary with regard
to the nature of the testimony:

Literary Legal Transcription (180 wpm);

Jury Transcription (200 wpm);

Examination-based Testimony (225 wpm).

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