Licensing by state / Iowa

Court reporter licensing in Iowa

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

State credential required

Yes

Credential

Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR)

Issued by

Iowa Board of Examiners of Shorthand Reporters (administered by the Iowa Judicial Branch Office of Professional Regulation)

How you qualify

Board exam with a skills portion at 180 wpm (technical Q&A), 200 wpm (multivoice) and 225 wpm (Q&A), each at 95 percent accuracy, plus a written test on a reporter's duties, Iowa legal procedure and English usage at 70 percent or better (Iowa Court Rule 46.2(1)). To sit for the skills exam an applicant must show 200 wpm proficiency in a reporting course, two years of verbatim reporting experience, or graduation from an NCRA or NVRA approved school (Rule 46.4). Holders of an NCRA RPR or NVRA CVR in good standing need only pass the written test.

NCRA RPR accepted

Yes

Fees

Examination $200; annual renewal $100; late annual report $100; reinstatement from suspension $100 (Iowa Court Rule 46.7, July 2026 edition). The written exam is available online year round; the full exam is given about twice a year in Des Moines.

Renewal

Annual. The continuing education report and annual renewal fee are filed electronically on or before December 1 each year (Rule 46.10).

Continuing education

At least 3.0 CEUs (30 hours) in each three-year period, reporting cycle October 1 to September 30; proof of current NCRA RPR or NVRA CVR continuing education compliance is accepted instead (Rule 46.8).

Iowa Code 602.3201 states that a person shall not engage in the profession of shorthand reporting unless certified under the chapter, and only a certified person may use the title or the abbreviation C.S.R. Rule 46.2(3) defines shorthand reporting to cover both official and freelance reporters and depositions, so the requirement applies to both. Voice writing is included in the definition of shorthand (Rule 46.2(2)) and the CVR is recognized, but the Board's page says skills testing for stenomask reporters is not yet offered. Reciprocity for reporters certified in another state with substantially equivalent standards still requires passing the Iowa written exam (Rules 46.16 and 46.17). The next full exam listed is November 20, 2026 with applications due October 21, 2026.

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.