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.

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).

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.