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Court Reporters and Recorders

Certification
Complaints
Court Reporting and Recording Board of Review
Currently Certified Reporters, Recorders, and Operators
Digital Audio and Video Court Recording
Examination Forms
Examination Schedule
Manual for Court Reporters and Recorders
Reciprocal Certification
Renewal and Renewal Instructions
Review
Revocation
Temporary Certification
Testing
Workshop Information

Testing and Certification

Only certified reporters and recorders may record or prepare transcripts of proceedings held in Michigan courts or of depositions taken in Michigan as regulated by Michigan Court Rule 8.108(G). Certification is accomplished through a testing process administered by the Court Reporting and Recording Board of Review through the assistance of the State Court Administrative Office.

The examinations are held twice each year to test knowledge and speed, and, as to a recorder, familiarity with basic logging techniques and transcript production. The Board determines the passing score. In order to be eligibile for registration for an examination, an applicant must be at least 18 years of age, be a high school graduate, and not have been under sentence for a felony for a period of two years. An applicant for the certified shorthand reporter examination must have satisfactorily completed an approved, accredited, or recognized course of study in court reporting. Seating capacity for the examination is limited; it is recommended that you register early. The registration fee is $60. Access application forms from this website. >>

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Board Approved Workshop

Recorders (CER) and Operators (CEO) registering for examinations must attend a board approved workshop before testing. To ensure eligibility to take the examination, it is recommended workshops be taken well-before registering for the examination. Workshop information is available from the Michigan Electronic Court Recorders Association at www.mecra.info. Stenomask reporters (CSMR) must contact SCAO for workshop information. Workshop registration is separate from examination registration.


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Examination Schedule

CER - April 21, 2008 (closed - examination full)
CSR - April 22, 2008 (deadline to apply is March 1, 2008)
CSMR - April 23, 2008 (deadline to apply is March 1, 2008)
CEO - April 23, 2008 (deadline to apply is March 1, 2008)

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Reciprocal Certification

A reporter or recorder certified in another state may apply to the board for certification based on the certification already obtained.

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Temporary Certification

A new reporter or recorder may receive one temporary certification to enable him or her to work until the results of the next test are released. If the person does not take the test, the temporary certification may not be extended unless good cause is shown. If the person takes the test and fails, the board may extend the temporary certification.

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Renewal, Review, and Revocation of Certification

Certifications under this rule must be renewed annually through the Court Reporter and Recorder Certification System (CoRRecs). If you experience difficulty creating a user account, contact the Court Reporter and Recorder Program Assistant at CtRec-Info@courts.mi.gov. The fee for renewal is $30. Renewal means both completing the renewal application and paying the renewal fee. Application for renewal and payment must be received August 1. Late renewals will be charged an additional $100.

If a renewal application and/or payment has not been received by August 31, a written request must be sent to the Court Reporting and Recording Board of Review to complete the application process. . The board may require certified reporters and recorders to submit information necessary to determine that the reporter or recorder has used his or her reporting or recording skills during the preceding year.

The board will review the certification of a reporter or recorder who has not used his or her skills in the preceding year, and will determine whether the certification of such a reporter or recorder may be renewed without the necessity of a certification test.

The board may review the certification of a reporter or recorder and may impose sanctions, including revoking the certification, for good cause after a hearing before the board.

If, after a reporter's or recorder's certification is revoked or voided by the Board and a reporter or recorder applies to take the certification examination and passes, the Board may issue a conditional certification for a prescribed period of time invoking restrictions or conditions which must be met for continued certification. At the end of the conditional period, an unconditional certification may be issued. Access application forms from this website. >>

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Court Reporting and Recording Board of Review

The Board of Review, staffed by the State Court Administrative Office, establishes criteria for certification of court reporters and recorders and administers tests for certification of court reporters and recorders in accordance with Michigan Court Rule 8.108. The State Court Administrative Office provides an executive secretary for the Board, and is responsible for administration of tests, maintaining certification lists, and enforcement of sanctions for failure to conform to certification and other rules, and it publishes guidelines for the work of court reporters and recorders in the form of a Manual for Court Reporters and Recorders.

Complaints against court reporters and recorders should be made, in writing, to the Court Reporting and Recording Board of Review at PO Box 30048, Lansing, Michigan 48909.

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Court Reporter and Recorder Certification Examination Forms

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The Court Reporter and Recorder Certification Examination forms on this site can be filled in on-line and printed or they can be downloaded - this ability comes from free software provided by Adobe Acrobat called Acrobat Reader. Forms that have been filled in on-line cannot be saved. Some web users have reported problems viewing PDF files through their respective web browsers. To circumvent this problem, please right click on the link and save the file to your computer.

Electronic Recorder Registration for October examination (scao4.pdf)
Electronic Recorder Registration Retest for October examination (scao4a.pdf)
Electronic Operator Registration (scao5.pdf)
Shorthand/Stenotype Reporter Registration (scao6.pdf)
Shorthand/Stenotype Reporter Registration Retest (scao6a.pdf)
Stenomask Reporter Registration (scao7.pdf)


For more information about testing and certification see the Manual for Court Reporters and Recorders or contact the State Court Administrative Office at CtRec-Info@courts.mi.gov or (517) 373-9526.

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Currently Certified Reporters, Recorders, and Operators

To verify if a court reporter, recorder, or operator is eligible to report proceedings in the State of Michigan, click on the appropriate certification designation below. Names are listed alphabetically by last name.

CER - Certified Electronic Recorder. Records digitally or with analog tapes.
CSR - Certified Stenotype Reporter. Reports using steno equipment.
CEO - Certified Electronic Operator. Operates equipment (can not type transcripts).
CSMR - Certified Stenomask Reporter. Reports using voice recording equipment.

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