Licensing by state / Tennessee

Court reporter licensing in Tennessee

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

State credential required

Yes

Credential

Licensed Court Reporter (LCR)

Issued by

Tennessee Board of Court Reporting, Department of Commerce and Insurance (administered by the commissioner since July 1, 2025; previously under the Administrative Office of the Courts)

How you qualify

No state-written exam. Tenn. Code 20-9-609 requires passage of the NCRA Registered Professional Reporter exam, the NVRA Certified Verbatim Reporter exam, or the AAERT Certified Electronic Reporter and Certified Electronic Transcriber exams; the license shows the method or methods in which the applicant passed an approved exam.

NCRA RPR accepted

Yes

Fees

Tenn. Comp. R. and Regs. 0455-01-02-.04 (Cornell LII copy): application fee $50; license fee $200; renewal fee $200; late renewal $20 per month up to six months; temporary license $50 and temporary license renewal $50; reinstatement $500. The Department's current fee page (not opened, 403) was reported in search results as $250 initial or reciprocal application, $50 temporary, $200 renewal and $350 reinstatement, so verify current amounts with the Department.

Renewal

Two years. Licenses expire June 30 of the expiration year and renewals take effect July 1 (Tenn. Code 20-9-611); a license is valid for two years from issuance (20-9-609).

Continuing education

Two CE credits, defined as ten hours each, so 20 hours per 24-month renewal period preceding July 1 of the expiration year (Tenn. Comp. R. and Regs. 0455-01-06-.01).

Tenn. Code 20-9-603: no person may practice or hold themselves out as a court reporter without a license; the law does not require a reporter at any proceeding, but if one is retained the reporter must be licensed. It does not distinguish official from freelance reporters. Exemptions: court reporting paid for by a federal agency or US instrumentality, and services provided under Title 40 (criminal procedure). A licensed court reporter may administer oaths without being a notary. Unlicensed practice after January 1, 2011 carries a civil penalty up to $500 per day and bars suits to collect fees (20-9-608). Voice writing (NVRA CVR) and digital or electronic reporting (AAERT CER and CET) qualify alongside stenography. Nonresident reciprocity licenses run two years. NCRA's state table lists Tennessee as Mandatory with RPR, CVR or CER credentials.

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.