Should You Be Certified as a Registered Professional Reporter?
The Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) certification offered by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) is designed to test a court reporter’s basic skills and knowledge of the court reporting profession. Receiving the RPR certification gives you credibility in the legal industry because it is widely recognized by attorneys, legal professionals and court reporters as a high-quality certification. Taking and passing the RPR exam can be good for your career in many ways.
Is the RPR certification helpful if I am already a working reporter?
Most court reporters who acquire an RPR certification have been working in the field for some time. Some states require a state license to work as a court reporter and some do not. If your state does not require a license, holding an RPR certification allows you to receive instant credibility with attorneys and other court reporters. Holding an RPR certification confirms that you possess the technical skills and specialized knowledge of a court reporter.
If your state does have a state license requirement, this means you have passed the testing required by your state to demonstrate competence. But each state has different requirements. Holding an RPR certification signifies to attorneys and paralegals that you hold the same high standard of skill and knowledge as do other Registered Professional Reporters.
How do I receive RPR certification?
The Registered Professional Reporter testing is made up of two parts; technical skill and written knowledge test. The written test consists of questions that demonstrate your knowledge of technology, reporting practices and professional practices.
The skills portion of testing is made up of speed tests in Literary at 180 words per minute (wmp), Jury Charge at 200 wmp, and Testimony at 225 wpm. After dictation, you have 75 minutes to transcribe your notes from each leg.
More information on the RPR certification process can be found at the NCRA website.
What do I need to do to keep RPR certification?
All Registered Professional Reporters are required to earn continuing education credits (CEU). The National Court Reporters Association uses CEU credits to ensure that RPR recipients uphold a high level of skill and knowledge in a lot of different areas. This requirement will motivate you, as an RPR, to keep learning and increasing your knowledge and skills throughout your entire career.
There are many ways to earn CEU credits. The different types of CEU credits allows flexibility for each RPR to receive credits in the manner that best suits their learning style and time schedule. Here are just a few ways to earn CEU credits:
- College courses
- Webinars
- Teleseminars
- Vendor software training
NCRA also offers CEU credits for services performed that benefit the profession, such as:
- Providing pro bono services
- Serving as a board member of NCRA boards and committees
- Oral history transcription
- Participating in the mentoring program
Not only does earning CEU credits allow you to continue to hold your RPR certification, but the education and experiences received through each activity will help you develop as a professional court reporter. Holding an RPR certification demonstrates your commitment and dedication to your profession.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Susan Kay is a Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Brown & Jones Reporting, Inc. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Google+.
Tags: court reporters, Registered Professional Reporter
