If you've ever watched a courtroom drama on television, then you've seen a courtroom reporter, diligently typing up a transcript of the goings-on in the courtroom, being told to make notes of certain statements on the record and being told to strike other things from the record altogether. While it may seem glamorous to some and hopelessly boring to others, being a court reporter is actually an important and interesting job for those who are interested in legal proceedings, but don't want to have to deal with the pressure of getting a law degree. Getting court reporting training is actually quite simple.

Many online universities offer court reporting training. They offer courses that will teach you the basic skills and information necessary to become a fast and accurate court reporter. You'll be trained to listen carefully, transcribe what you hear quickly and accurately, and to make notes as you're instructed. It helps if you already have great listening and typing skills, since you won't be allowed to move on until you can prove that you can transcribe at a rate that is standard for the industry. This is helpful, since you won't be able to find a job unless you can type at that rate anyway.

In order to be eligible for court reporting training, some online universities require you to have completed at least two years of college, or that you have active military status. This is because court reporting is a serious responsibility, and they want to make sure that they are training only the most serious and committed candidates for this high-demand career. Spending time pursuing a college education or serving in the military shows that you have the discipline it takes to become a reliable court reporter. Some programs don't have this requirement, but you should be aware of the fact that some programs do.

When looking for a good court reporting training program, it's important to make sure that the program you're considering is approved by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA). The NCRA only approves programs that are strenuous enough to train people for the rigors of a career as a court reporter. These programs supply training that prepares its students for all of the obstacles that they may face in the world of courtroom reporting, and equips them with all the skills that they need to be reliable court reporters, from accuracy to speed to discretion.

Getting court reporting training is a crucial step in the process of becoming a courtroom reporter, but it's not always the only step. Many states require their courtroom reporters to undergo a certification process, which may or may not include passing an exam to show that you have the necessary skills, speed, and accuracy to become a court reporter. Once you earn this certification, you'll then be eligible to work as a court reporter for the government. But, without the certification, you may still be able to find work in lawyers' offices. But you won't get anywhere unless you get the training you need first.