Licensing by state / Texas

Court reporter licensing in Texas

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

State credential required

Yes

Credential

Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR)

Issued by

Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC), Office of Court Administration, certification issued by the Supreme Court of Texas

How you qualify

Texas CSR examination, registered and paid through the Texas Court Reporters Association (TCRA) as exam vendor after an application is on file with the JBCC. Oral (skills) exam: three five-minute dictations at 225 wpm two-voice Q&A, 200 wpm jury charge and 180 wpm literary, 95 percent accuracy on each, all three passed in one sitting, three hours to transcribe; plus a written exam on Texas laws governing court reporters. Both parts required for full certification.

NCRA RPR accepted

No

Fees

2026 JBCC and TCRA pages: application for full certification $200.00; oral exam $175.00, written exam $100.00, regrade $35.00 (exam fees due to TCRA); timely renewal $200.00, renewal expired 90 days or less $300.00, expired 91 days to 1 year $400.00. All fees non-refundable.

Renewal

Two years; certification expires on the last day of the month of the second anniversary of issuance.

Continuing education

10 hours per 2-year certification period, of which 2.5 hours must be in ethics, Texas rules, or both; up to 4 hours may be carried forward.

Texas Government Code 154.101 applies to both official and freelance reporters: a person may not be appointed an official or deputy court reporter, and may not engage in shorthand reporting in Texas, unless certified by the Supreme Court as a shorthand reporter or as an apprentice or provisional court reporter under 154.1011, and all depositions in Texas must be reported by a certified shorthand reporter (limited exceptions). Certification is issued by method: written shorthand, machine shorthand, oral stenography (voice writing) or another method the Supreme Court authorizes. Court reporting firms must register with the JBCC. Certification by endorsement is available only to reporters licensed by a state the JBCC lists as substantially equivalent, with 3 of the last 5 years of experience; association certifications such as the NCRA RPR do not qualify for endorsement and every endorsement applicant must still pass the Texas written exam. Apprentice and provisional certifications also exist. Exams are given online; the JBCC exam page showed an oral exam on 11/30/2026 and a written exam on 12/07/2026.

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.