Licensing by state / Louisiana

Court reporter licensing in Louisiana

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

State credential required

Yes

Credential

Certified Court Reporter (CCR); a separate Certified Digital Reporter (CDR) certificate exists for official court employees only

Issued by

Louisiana Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters

How you qualify

Board exam consisting of a 100-question written knowledge test (50 English, 25 medical terms, 25 legal terms, one hour, no references) and dictation at 180 wpm literary, 200 wpm jury charge and 225 wpm two-voice Q&A (LAC 46:XXI.307). Before applying, a candidate must pass a qualifying test of five minutes of two-voice Q&A at 225 wpm with 95 percent accuracy (from a court reporting school within the prior year, or given by the Board for a $50 fee), or hold another state's CSR issued at a 225 wpm standard (LAC 46:XXI.301). The Board accepts an NCRA RPR (or CM) exam or an NVRA exam of equivalent standard in place of its own exam for reporters domiciled in Louisiana (LAC 46:XXI.317).

NCRA RPR accepted

Yes

Fees

Qualifying test $50; skills portion of the exam $125; written knowledge portion $140; issuance and annual renewal of a certificate $175 plus at least one $20 seal; reciprocal certificate without exam $175 plus seal; reinstatement of a suspended certificate is all delinquent fees plus $50 (up to one year delinquent), $175 (up to two years) or $250 (two or more years) (LAC 46:XXI.901, Louisiana Administrative Code November 2024 edition). The Board's FAQ for the 2027 renewal cycle lists a $50 reinstatement fee for renewals not received by the deadline and a $5 state charge for online payment.

Renewal

Annual, calendar year. All certificates are suspended at midnight December 31 if not renewed (LAC 46:XXI.501); the Board renews online from November 1 to December 31.

Continuing education

12 continuing education credits per two-year cycle (January 1 of the odd year through December 31 of the even year), one credit per half hour of instruction, of which four credits must be Louisiana court reporting ethics and Board rules; reported to the Board by December 31 of each even-numbered year (LAC 46:XXI.603).

R.S. 37:2554 and 37:2555 set up the certificate and define the practice of court reporting to include court proceedings, depositions, sworn statements and public hearings; general and freelance certificate holders may use the abbreviation C.C.R. and the certificate and seal authorize taking depositions. The Board lists CCRs as 'Official and Freelance' and CDRs as 'Official Only'. Stenomask (voice) candidates are tested under NVRA standards for silence (LAC 46:XXI.307(G)). The Board may waive the exam for a holder of a comparable CSR from another state (R.S. 37:2554(B)(1)). AAERT electronic reporter certificate holders can be certified but are barred from freelance or general reporting (LAC 46:XXI.317(B)). Under La. R.S. 13:3823, as summarized in the Board FAQ, a reporter certified in another state may take a deposition for a Louisiana case where that state's law authorizes it. Upcoming 2026 exam dates on the Board site: CCR qualifying exam August 21, 2026 and CCR certification exam September 25, 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.