Licensing by state / Washington

Court reporter licensing in Washington

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

State credential required

Yes

Credential

Certified Court Reporter (CCR), also styled Certified Shorthand Reporter

Issued by

Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), Court Reporter Program

How you qualify

Three paths under RCW 18.145.080: (1) a current NCRA credential (Registered Professional Reporter, Registered Merit Reporter or Registered Diplomate Reporter) or a certificate of proficiency or merit from the national stenomask verbatim reporters association (NVRA); (2) a current certificate from another state (reciprocity); or (3) a department-approved examination, which under WAC 308-14-085 requires reporting and transcribing two-voice testimony at 200 wpm for five minutes at 95 percent accuracy.

NCRA RPR accepted

Yes

Fees

DOL fee page (2026) and WAC 308-14-200: certification application $165; renewal $138; late renewal penalty $138 (expired under 1 year $276, under 2 years $414, under 3 years $552 in total); verification $25; license print fee $5. Expired more than 3 years: re-apply and retake the exam. No separate state exam fee was listed.

Renewal

Annual; the certificate expires on the holder's birth date (WAC 308-14-100).

Continuing education

Five continuing education units (60 minutes each) per year, verified at renewal; excess units do not carry over (WAC 308-14-100).

RCW 18.145.010 makes it unlawful to represent oneself as a court reporter, shorthand reporter, certified shorthand reporter or certified court reporter without a DOL certificate, so the rule covers official and freelance reporters alike. Court reporting is defined to include machine writing and oral (stenomask or voice) recording. Exemptions: reporters licensed or certified under other Washington laws, federal employees performing federal duties, and the introduction of alternate technology. Washington does not issue temporary certificates. Applications go through SecureAccess Washington or a paper form.

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.