A career in court reporting can be very rewarding and fulfilling. This is especially true if you have the right certification. While it may not seem like a huge issue, becoming a certified court reporter actually allows you to enjoy plenty of benefits that may not be available to you if you don’t have the certification.
In this post, we have gathered some of the advantages that you can accrue by becoming a certified court reporter. Let us look at how getting the right certification can propel your career to the next level.
Recently, the state of New Hampshire expressed interest in enacting legislation to get rid of some of the certification boards including one that is responsible for court reporting. Unsurprisingly, this move elicited concern among many court reporters in the state who feared that this would negatively impact their ability to find work. Through intensive lobbying, they were able to delay the legislation for a year, which was such a huge win for workers in this profession. This was a clear signal of the robustness of certification in this career.
So, what are the benefits of becoming certified in this line of work?
Well, for starters, many states have certification requirements for anyone seeking to work as a court reporter. This means that you need to be certified in order to get a job as a court reporter in these states. Although there are some states in which certification for court reporting is optional, having a certificate still improves your employability and increases your chances of finding work a lot easier.
It is worth noting that court reporters play a very fundamental role in the litigation process, without which the court systems would be dysfunctional. For this reason, court reporters are required to meet very high standards of professionalism and must have the right skill set for the job. Having a certification, therefore, serves as proof that you are highly qualified and able to carry out the tasks in your job description to the level that is expected.
The NCRA is the organization that is tasked with setting the national certification standards for court reporters as well as administering the certification (although this duty is sometimes done by the states themselves). The National Conference of State Associations seeks to set up the requirements for licensing and certification as well as instituting certification programs that are recognized nationally. Individuals who are looking to become certified court reporters can take the Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) certification, which is now recognized in 22 states.
When it’s all said and done, getting a certification will enable you to get employment in organizations that have a preference for certified court reporters. This makes you more valuable in your field and you will undoubtedly become a highly sought after professional. So, if you are keen on impressing your potential employers and improving your reputation as a court reporter, getting a certification will enable you to achieve that!