Texas Judicial

Branch

Court Reporters Certification

Full Certification Requirements & Fees 

A person may not engage in shorthand reporting in this State or be appointed an official court reporter or deputy court reporter unless that person is certified as a shorthand reporter by the Supreme Court of Texas.

A certification must be for one or more of the following methods of shorthand reporting:

  1. Written shorthand;
  2. Machine shorthand;
  3. Oral stenography; or
  4. Any other method of shorthand reporting authorized by the Supreme Court of Texas.

To qualify for full certification, a person must: 

  • Pay all required fees.
  • Comply with application procedures.
  • Pass the CSR Examination.  
  • Have a High School Diploma or GED equivalent.     
  • Pass a state (DPS) and national (FBI) background check.

In order to apply to become a fully certified shorthand reporter (CSR), you must:

  1. Submit the Application for Certification. You must apply for certification via our online licensing and certification system. To apply online, please go to the online certification and licensing system on our home page. 
    • The name listed on your Application for Certification must be your legal name (i.e., the name indicated on your government issued identification or driver's license). Preferred names are not permitted.
    • You must register for the exam with TCRA.
      • Do not register for the exam in the JBCC online system. Applications submitted to the JBCC will be withdrawn.
      • Refer to the Exam Procedures on the Exam page of our website for additional information.
  2. Submit the application fee. Please see the Fees section of this page for information on amounts due, acceptable forms of payment, etc.
    • When paying the application fee on the Credit Card page of the application, the payment portal vendor requires you to enter the billing address on file with the credit card company of the cardholder.

  3. Pass a criminal history background check by DPS and the FBI. 

      • Applicants that apply for certification online will receive the service code form via the automated email confirmation they receive after submitting their application for certification.
      • They must check their inbox (and spam folder) for this correspondence.

  4. Pass the required CSR examination.

Fees

All fees are non-refundable. However, if you have a fee dispute you must submit it to courtreporting@txcourts.gov for resolution. 

Application for Full Certification: $200.00

Acceptable forms of payment: Credit Card or Debit Card