Digital Court Reporter

Our Digital Court Reporter course prepares you to enter the high-demand field of court reporting. As litigation continues to rise nationwide and the technology used to capture testimony evolves, there is a tremendous need for digital reporters. Also, the industry has experienced a severe shortage of court reporters, with a need for an additional 10,000 nationwide. This well-established shortage presents a substantial opportunity for those seeking a rewarding career with a secure future. Digital reporters can work in the freelance market for a court reporting agency or as full-time government employees at a courthouse.

This digital court reporter certification course thoroughly prepares you for the national certification exams offered by AAERT (American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers). Upon completion, you will be well-prepared to succeed in both the Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) and Certified Deposition Reporter (CDR) exams. The AAERT certification is the leading certification for courts and businesses throughout the United States and is required by various court systems and agencies for employment. Start your new career as a successful digital court reporter by learning all about how to cover proceedings, the hardware and software needed to perform your responsibilities, legal system fundamentals, and essential industry terminology.

Note: If you are taking our court reporter training course to prepare for the certification exam, please research the locations you are interested in working at to determine whether they use digital reporting methods and ask if they recognize AAERT certification.

What you will learn

• Digital court reporting procedure for all types of proceedings, such as depositions, administrative hearings, court hearings, trials, and more
• Digital reporting hardware and software, including practice using digital recording software
• Fundamentals of the United States legal system
• Professionalism, ethics, and confidentiality best practices
• Essential legal, medical, and industry terminology

How you will benefit

• Develop the in-demand skills you need to become a successful digital reporter who can work in person in the field or at home
• Successfully prepare to sit for and pass the AAERT's (American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers) Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) and Certified Deposition Reporter (CDR) exam
• The AAERT certification will help improve your marketability when applying for work at court reporting agencies or court systems, some of which require the certification by law or because of government contracts

1. Course Introduction
2. The Legal System
1. Court System
2. Laws
3. Life Cycle of a Case
4. Types of Proceedings
5. Types of Court Reporters
6. Litigation Support Services
3. Terminology
1. Historic Terminology
2. Legal Terminology
3. Medical Terminology
4. Business Terminology
5. Pop Culture, Media, and Political Terminology
4. Hardware
1. Sound
2. Audio Equipment
3. Additional Equipment
5. Your Software and Annotations
1. Software
2. Annotations
3. Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR)
6. On the Job and On the Record
1. Before the Proceeding
2. During the Proceeding
3. After the Proceeding
4. Remote & Hybrid Working with an Interpreter
5. Working with a Legal Videographer
6. Covering EUOs
7. Court Work and Large Proceedings
1. Intro to Courtroom Proceedings
2. Types of Court Proceedings
3. Court Annotations
4. Large Proceedings
8. Annotation Assignments
9. Professionalism in the Legal System
1. Professionalism and Decorum
2. Ethics
3. Maintain Confidentiality
10. Course Wrap up
1. The Transcript
2. AAERT Certification Information
3. Final Test

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• You may use either a PC or a Mac for this course; however, please note that we do not provide support for Mac-specific issues. Additionally, if you intend to use the trial version of the DR (software included), a PC is required, as it is not compatible with Mac systems. (Most software providers in this field primarily support PC platforms.)
• If using a desktop with no internal sound card, it may be necessary to plug in an external microphone.
• A reliable Internet connection.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 11 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome is preferred. Mozilla Firefox and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word Online (free)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader (free)
• Free Express Scribe software. You will be provided with download instructions upon enrollment.
• A free trial of digital reporting software will be provided in the Software module of the course. Minimum Requirement: Windows 11 - The trial software is compatible with PCs and will not function with other operating systems commonly used on computers/devices, such as Mac, Android, Chromebooks, or iOS.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins, except for the Express Scribe and digital reporting software.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Prerequisites:

To complete this course, you will need the following:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Basic computer skills, for example:
  • Create folders (aka directories) and save files
  • Find files saved on a computer and upload them to a webpage
  • Use a web browser and search the Internet
  • Familiarity with a word processing program
  • Ability to use videoconferencing software, like Zoom
• Eligible for notary public commissions in your state

State Requirements:

Note: If you are taking this AAERT certification course to prepare for the exam, please research the locations where you are interested in working to determine whether they use digital reporting methods and recognize the AAERT certification.

Merritt Gilbert

Merritt Gilbert is legal professional with over 15 years of industry experience. She is a Certified Electronic Reporter (CER), Certified Deposition Reporter (CDR), and holds a Certificate of Voice Writing. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University.

Natalie Hartsfield

Natalie Hartsfield is court reporter with more than 20 years of experience in the legal field. She has taught court reporting since 2007. Natalie holds an Occupational Associate Degree in Court Reporting from Stenotype Institute and is a Certified Electronic Transcriber (CET).

What is the cost of an AAERT certification?

The AAERT certification exam has a registration fee of $275. Upon passing the certification exam, you need to become a Professional Member of AAERT ($125/year) within 30 days to receive and hold your certification.

Where can I work as a digital reporter?

Digital reporters work remotely or in person, depending on the company they choose to work with and the need within their area. Digital reporters can work throughout the United States on federal cases and with some agencies or as freelancers. Local agencies and/or courthouses may vary in employing digital reporters depending on state legislation.

How much do digital reporters make?

According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for a digital court reporter in the U.S. is $67,770 ($33 per hour). Many court reporters work as independent contractors, so their pay depends on how much they are able to work.

Does this course prepare you for a certification?

Yes. You will be prepared to sit for the CER (Certified Electronic Reporter) and CDR (Certified Deposition Reporter) exams through AAERT (American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers).

What are the certification exam requirements?

Preparing for an AAERT Certification Exam

In order to sit for the exam(s), testers must:

1. be eligible for a notary public commission AND
2. have obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent.

For a greater likelihood of passing the exam, the following is recommended (not required) for testers:

1. have one year of experience as a reporter or transcriber; OR
2. have completed a course of study in court reporting.

What is a digital reporter?

Digital reporters play a key role in the legal system by capturing and maintaining a verbatim record of court proceedings. Within the legal industry, digital reporters might also be known as electronic reporters. Some digital reporters must obtain their notary license if they will be swearing in witnesses. To create an accurate and detailed record of case events, digital reporters operate digital recording software to record, annotate, and submit court proceedings. Some digital reporters also create the official transcript of the court proceedings they cover.

Is this course compliant with California Assembly Bill 156?

Yes. This course aligns with the terminology requirements outlined in California Assembly Bill 156, issued in September 2022.

I often hear the term deposition officer. Does this course prepare me for that role?

Yes. Companies and courthouses sometimes use different titles for the role of a digital reporter. Examples include deposition officer, courtroom deputy, and digital monitor.

What is a notary and how do I become a notary?

Notaries review and validate signatures made on documents, as well as swear-in witnesses to testify under oath. Learn how to become a notary here. Digital reporters who only work in court, may not need to obtain their notary license.

What skills do you need for this career?

This career requires excellent English written and verbal skills, professionalism, visual and tactile acuity, and being comfortable with technology.

When can I start the course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive six (6) months to complete the course.

What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

The course instructor will be available by email to answer any questions and provide feedback on your performance. You will also receive support from the student advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Am I guaranteed a job?

Job placement is not guaranteed. This course prepares students for national certification through AAERT, and it will provide students with the skills needed to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

Can I get financial assistance?

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.

I really loved that the tests were allowed to be re-taken multiple times. For some people (like me), I am not a great test taker and the amount of pressure the first time can get to you! But this allowed me to go back, see what I got wrong, go back to the lesson and my notes for review, and then take the test again for a better score- LOVED THIS!

As a hairdresser/salon owner for 21 years, I must be crazy going to school for digital reporting, right? I’m loving it! The support from my instructor is fabulous. This program is built for success. Excited to see what’s in store for my second career.

I was a bit nervous to take a course online as this was a new career change. However, the guidance and direction I received from my instructor made the experience much more manageable than I had expected. I feel I’m prepared to start working.

AI is everywhere - while highly experienced - eventually I would be phased out for someone with less experience who is supported through AI. It was my love for watching and listening to true crime podcasts and real court cases that I witnessed firsthand the importance of the digital court reporter in preserving the record. I became interested in what was involved in this career. The assistance I received from my initial reach out to sign-up for the program and getting set up was amazing. Once I started the program, I reached out several times for assistance and always received a prompt reply - whether from tech support, the advisors, or my teacher. Responses were thorough, and the guidance provided each time helped me achieve success to move forward.

I just took and passed my test on the first try with 92.5%. I'm overjoyed and proud of myself. This is a wonderful self-paced program. Knowledge that assistance from advisors is an email or call away, and the most knowledgeable teachers who are ready, willing, and able to help you succeed. I am thrilled I did this digital court reporting program. It is so well rounded and covers literally everything you need to be successful.