How to Receive a Certificate to Be a Stenographer
- 1). Enroll in a stenography program, often offered by vocational or technical colleges. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, learning to become an official stenographic court report typically takes about 33 months. To find a stenographic program, go to the website of the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), which recommends over 60 certified programs.
- 2). Complete the course requirements and master the equipment. The program you enroll in will teach you how to use technology for audio-capture. In a program that is certified by the National Court Reporters Association, you are required to "capture" verbal words at a rate of at least 225 words per minute. To achieve this, learn the code of symbols that stenographers type into the stenotype machine to translate into words.
- 3). Join the National Verbatim Reports Association (NVRA) in order to be eligible to become certified through the organization. You may register on their website or download a membership application to mail in.
- 4). Select a certification that you wish to receive. The NVRA offers certifications for broadcast captioners and Communicaton Access Real-Time Translation (CART). CART reporters often work with deaf and English as a Second Language students. NVRA also offers the CVR certification, or the Certified Verbatim Reporter, as well as the Real-Time Verbatim Reporter certificate.
- 5). Register for the test that you would like to take for each certification. If you would like to earn a CVR certification, NVRA requires you to take a CVR workshop first. Register for the workshop by calling them or following instructions on their website. The workshop fee, as of 2010, is $125. Following your successful completion of the workshop, register for the CVR test on NVRA's website. Register for both the skills test ($150 as of 2010) and the written knowledge test ($125).
- 6). Read the manual for testing procedures, available on NVRA's website. The organization has strict rules regarding testing policies. If you violate them, you may be asked to leave. You may also be barred from testing in the future. For example, no personal electronic devices may be on and you must not have any personal possessions on your desk. Set up your equipment promptly and be on time, or you will be asked to leave. Additionally, talking or "mouthing along" to the words are both grounds for disqualification.
- 7). Complete the dictation test by following the directions of the proctor. Turn your test materials in. Expect to receive notification of your test results within a month. If you pass the test, you have earned your certification. If you fail the test, you may consider taking it again to earn certification. A passing grade for the CVR test is 95 percent.
- 8). Take the written knowledge test, which is offered within two weeks following the skills test. Take no more than two hours to complete the 100 multiple choice questions. This test is completed via computer, so you will have instant access to your scores upon completion. A passing score for this test is 90 percent or higher.
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