Certified Verbatim Reporter Qualifications

Certified Verbatim Reporter Equipment and Ideology

The National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA) is primarily responsible for the oversight and regulation of Certified Verbatim Reporter certifications that are granted to individuals who desire to gain employment through a Court Reporter position. The NVRA authenticates all expressed requirements with regard to the granting of Certified Verbatim Reporter certifications.

A Stenograph machine, also called a Stenotype, does not utilize a ‘QWERTY’ system including keys designated for individual lettering. Rather, a Stenotype utilizes 25 keys allowing a Certified Verbatim Reporter to transcribe common legal phrases and articles. ‘Chording’ is a methodology undertaken by a Certified Verbatim Reporter allowing for the transcription of whole words and phrases.

Stenography undertaken through the utilization of voice recognition technology relies on the digital processing of the distinctive and specific nuances latent within the human speaking voice. In order to ensure the accuracy of this particular technology, an extensive regimen of proofreading and editing may be required by the Certified Verbatim Reporter administrating the transcription process.

Certified Verbatim Reporter Certification

In order to be awarded certification as a Certified Verbatim Reporter, or a ‘CVR’, a student of stenography will be required to satisfy the following requirements:

CVR Examination

The Written Knowledge Test required by prospective Certified Verbatim Reporter’s is an examination used to gauge the skill of an individual stenographer student. The individual stenographer will be required to display the ability to produce transcription of events, proficiency in the operation of a stenograph machine, and a review of background knowledge and professional acumen.

The CVR examination is comprised of 100 questions, which the prospective Certified Verbatim Reporter will be required to complete within 90 minutes. A score of 70% or higher is necessary in order to receive a passing grade on the Certified Verbatim Reporter Examination.

CVR Typing Requirements

The ability to produce an expressed amount of words within a finite period of time is required. The classification of which is also known as ‘words per minute’, or ever ‘wpm’, these requirements vary with regard to the nature of the testimony.

The Certified Verbatim Reporter typing examination will require the individual to complete 3 sections. The prospective Certified Verbatim Reporter is given 5 minutes to complete each of the requirements of the following 3 sections:

1) Literary Legal Transcription (200 wpm)

2) Jury Transcription or Jury Charge (225 wpm)

3) Examination-based Testimony or ‘Questioning and Answering’ (250 wpm).

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