Court Reporter FAQ

Ever wonder what all those letters mean after our names? Allow us to share. The Oklahoma Certified Shorthand Reporter license is Oklahoma’s certification required for all working court reporters. It has changed over the years, but it includes transcribing testimony at 200 words per minute, as well as a written knowledge exam covering Oklahoma law and court rules, duties of certified shorthand reporters, and general court procedures. This is the only certification required to work as a court reporter in Oklahoma. All other certifications are voluntary.

The Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) certification is the National Court Reporters Association’s foundational certification, which includes transcribing testimony given at 225 words per minute, along with a written knowledge exam covering technology and innovation, industry practices, and professionalism and ethics.

The Registered Merit Reporter (RMR) certification is NCRA’s next-level skills certification, which includes transcribing testimony given at 260 words per minute. All RMR holders must first obtain the RPR certification.

The Registered Diplomate Reporter (RDR) is NCRA’s highest degree of certification designed for elite reporters desiring to join an exclusive club of reporting excellence. It consists of a written knowledge exam covering technology, industry practices, professionalism and ethics, and business practices. All RDR holders must first maintain the RMR certification.

The Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) certification is NCRA’s realtime proficiency certification demonstrating realtime competency. It consists of dictation at 200 words per minute, which must be submitted without editing and passed with a minimum of 96 percent accuracy. The Realtime Systems Administrator certification indicates the holder completed a two-step process consisting of lectures, followed by a practical assessment of their ability to perform the duties of a realtime systems expert in real-world situations.

All certifications require continuing education in order to maintain them. Out of more than 10,000 NCRA members, fewer than 6,000 hold the RPR, fewer than 2,000 hold the RMR, fewer than 1,000 hold the RDR, and fewer than 2,500 hold the CRR.

We are proud members of NCRA and adhere to the highest ethical standards and are proud member of NCRA Ethics First Program.