Licensing by state / Illinois

Court reporter licensing in Illinois

Illinois requires a state credential to work as a court reporter.

State credential required

Yes

Credential

Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR)

Issued by

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Certified Shorthand Reporters Board

How you qualify

The Illinois CSR examination is given through Continental Testing Services; the Illinois Court Reporters Association describes it as a written knowledge test (75% to pass) plus dictation at 200 wpm for 5 minutes at 95% accuracy and two-voice testimony at 225 wpm for 5 minutes at 95% accuracy, offered three times a year. IDFPR accepts an NCRA RPR or RMR certificate by examination in place of the state exam (acceptance of examination), and licenses by endorsement reporters certified in a state with substantially equivalent requirements (225 ILCS 415/16). A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

NCRA RPR accepted

Yes

Fees

68 Ill. Adm. Code 1200.50: $25 application and certificate fee plus any testing-service examination fee; renewal $20 per year; restricted certificate issued at the request of the Administrative Office of the Courts $35; restoration $50 plus lapsed renewal fees up to $150; inactive status $20. The Illinois Court Reporters Association lists an endorsement fee of $75 and acceptance-of-examination fee of $25.

Renewal

Biennial. All Illinois CSR licenses expire May 31 of each odd-numbered year regardless of issuance date (IDFPR qualifications sheet revised 01/30/2026).

Continuing education

10 hours of CE during each prerenewal period (the 24 months preceding May 31 of each odd-numbered year), 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1200.75; the first renewal is exempt. 225 ILCS 415/27 (as amended by P.A. 104-417, effective 8-15-25) lets full-time official court reporters employed under the Court Reporters Act apply for a CE waiver.

225 ILCS 415/3: no person may practice shorthand reporting on a temporary or permanent basis in Illinois without being certified, except a nonresident reporter for one single proceeding; uncertified practice carries a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per offense. The requirement covers official and freelance reporters, with a separate Restricted Shorthand Reporter certificate for official reporters appointed in counties under 1,000,000 population who earned an A proficiency rating under the Court Reporters Act. Voice writing is not licensable: IDFPR states that examinations or licensure based on voice writing (steno-masks, closed microphones) or audio or video recording will not be accepted, and the Act defines practice as manual or mechanical shorthand. Applicants must apply for the license within one year of passing the exam. The Act is scheduled to be repealed (sunset) on January 1, 2030 unless extended. New applications are filed through IDFPR's CORE portal.

Exam speeds and legs for the national credentials are on the certifications page; the path from school to the exam is in how to become a court reporter.