Licensing by state / Wisconsin

Court reporter licensing in Wisconsin

Wisconsin does not require a state license to work as a court reporter. Our source for this page is a secondary summary; treat it as a lead, not the rule.

State credential required

No

Credential

None. No state credential exists.

Issued by

No state board; courts and agencies set their own hiring standards (see notes).

How you qualify

No state exam. Employers commonly ask for an NCRA or NVRA credential.

NCRA RPR accepted

Not applicable

Fees

None

Renewal

None

Continuing education

None required by the state

Wisconsin has no state license or certification for court reporters; the NCRA table lists No Certification. Official and district court reporters are state court system employees, and the Wisconsin Court System hiring standard for stenographic or voice-writer officials is one of three: graduation from an NCRA- or NVRA-approved court reporting school, passing the NCRA RPR, or passing the NVRA CVR. Digital court reporters are hired separately (AAERT CER/CET certification preferred). Freelance reporters contract with each of the nine judicial districts, are not court employees, need not meet the official hiring standard, and earn an added per diem if they have passed a recognized certification exam. Supreme Court Rule 71.01 requires that all circuit court proceedings be reported (verbatim record), with limited exceptions.

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.