Have you ever wondered how court reporters manage to record all the information tossed around a courtroom at rapid-fire pace? How can anyone type that fast? Here's the secret: court reporting is a skill, and with the proper training from court reporting schools, you can bring courtroom drama to life, too.

The Players
Those interested in fast-paced court reporting careers must be able to create verbatim transcripts of speeches, conversations, legal proceedings, meetings, and other events. This is an important job, as court reporters are responsible for ensuring complete, accurate, and secure legal records. Other growing court reporting services include closed-captioning and real-time translating to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

There are several avenues to explore in court reporting schools: stenographic, real-time, electronic, and voice-writing court reporting. Stenotypists use stenotype machines that allow them to press multiple keys at a time. Real-time court reporters use stenotype machines linked directly to computers so that text appears on the screen instantly. Electronic reporting employs audio equipment to record proceedings, which are then transcribed. Using voice writing, a court reporter speaks into a voice silencer and produces a transcript in real time using computer speech recognition technology.

The Script
It usually takes less than a year to become a voice writer, but it takes almost three years to become a stenotypist. The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) has certified about 70 court reporting schools, which offer courses in stenotype computer-aided transcription as well as real-time reporting. NCRA is not an accrediting agency; however, all NCRA-certified programs are accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. So when you choose NCRA-certified programs, you can rest assured that you are enrolling in accredited court reporting schools. Browse a state-by-state list of accredited court reporting schools here. Court reporting programs may be available on-site or online.

After completing study at court reporting schools, you may be eligible to take NCRA exams to become a registered professional reporter, registered merit reporter, or registered diplomate reporter, which is the highest level of certification available. The NCRA also offers the certified realtime reporter, certified broadcast captioner, and certified CART provider designations.

For the voice-writing method of court reporting, the National Verbatim Reporters Association offers three certifications: certified verbatim reporter, certificate of merit, and real-time verbatim reporter. For electronic court reporting, the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers offers three certificates: certified electronic court reporter, certified electronic court transcriber, and certified electronic court reporter and transcriber.

Opening Night
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, court reporters held about 19,000 jobs in 2006. And employment of court reporters is projected to grow 25 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations between 2006 and 2016. Job opportunities are expected to be excellent, as job openings continue to outnumber jobseekers. Of course, those who have completed programs at accredited court reporting schools and earned certification should have the best opportunities in their court reporting careers.

In May 2008, court reporters had median annual earnings of $49,710, with the highest paid 10 percent earning more than $83,500.

Translate the drama into real-life career success at court reporting schools today.