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Digital Court Reporter

Our Digital Court Reporter course prepares you to enter the high-demand field of court reporting. Currently, the industry is experiencing 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 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 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 proceedings, hardware, and software needed to perform your responsibilities, legal system fundamentals, and essential industry terminology.

What you will learn

  • Digital court reporting procedure for all types of proceedings, such as depositions, 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 will you 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) exam
  • The AAERT certification will help improve your marketability when applying for work at freelance agencies or court systems, some of which require the certification by law or because of government contracts

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

Requirements

Hardware Requirements:

  • This course must be taken on a PC. Macs are not compatible
  • A microphone

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 10 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome is preferred. Mozilla Firefox and Safari are also compatible.
  • Microsoft Word Online
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • A free trial of digital reporting software will be provided in the Software module of the course.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins, except for the digital reporting software.
  • Reliable Internet

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.

State Requirements:

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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 member of AAERT within 30 days to receive and hold your certification. A Professional Membership is $125.

  • 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?

    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. Digital reporters must obtain their Notary license in order to swear 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.

  • 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 UNF 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.

  • How can I get more information about this course?

    If you have questions that are not answered on our website, you can contact our office at unfpll@unf.edu or call us at 904-620-4200.