States licensed
51
Out of 51 jurisdictions tracked
2026 data 51 state boards official source
Court Reporter / Stenographer Licensing Requirements by State
Licensing requirements, fees, and renewal cycles across 51 state regulatory boards.
Creates verbatim transcripts of legal proceedings.
What the data says about Court Reporter / Stenographer licensing
Court Reporter / Stenographer is regulated across 51 states, with 51 of 51 (100%) requiring a passing exam score and 51 (100%) requiring a criminal background check before issuing a license. Specific training hour requirements are set by individual state boards rather than a national standard.
Continuing education requirements are minimal for this profession, with most states not mandating ongoing hours. Reciprocity and interstate compacts can shortcut the process for license-holders moving between states, but reciprocity rules vary state-to-state and typically still require a fee, a background check, and proof of good standing. The state-by-state table below shows the specific fee, exam, education, and reciprocity terms so you can compare before committing to an application.
Avg initial fee
$75
Application + first issuance
Adoption rates
States requiring an examination 100.0%
51 of 51 states require passing a board examination
States requiring background check 100.0%
51 of 51 states require a criminal-history check
State-by-State Requirements
51 states| State | Edu. Hours | Exam | Init. Fee | Renewal | Cycle | CE Hrs | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Alaska | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Arizona | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Arkansas | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| California | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Colorado | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Connecticut | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Delaware | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| District of Columbia | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Florida | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Georgia | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Hawaii | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Idaho | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Illinois | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Indiana | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Iowa | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Kansas | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Kentucky | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Louisiana | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Maine | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Maryland | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Massachusetts | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Michigan | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Minnesota | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Mississippi | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Missouri | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Montana | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Nebraska | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Nevada | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| New Hampshire | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| New Jersey | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| New Mexico | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| New York | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| North Carolina | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| North Dakota | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Ohio | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Oklahoma | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Oregon | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Pennsylvania | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Rhode Island | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| South Carolina | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| South Dakota | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Tennessee | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Texas | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Utah | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Vermont | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Virginia | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Washington | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| West Virginia | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Wisconsin | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
| Wyoming | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs | 0 | View → |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many states license Court Reporter / Stenographer professionals?
51 states require a license for Court Reporter / Stenographer practitioners. Requirements vary significantly by state in terms of education hours, fees, and exam requirements.
What education is required to become a licensed Court Reporter / Stenographer?
Education requirements vary by state. Check individual state requirements in the table below.
What is the average licensing fee?
The average initial licensing fee is $75, ranging from $75 to $75 across states.
Can I transfer my license to another state?
License reciprocity varies by state. Many states participate in interstate compacts that allow license portability. Check the reciprocity information in the state-by-state details for your specific situation.
Do Court Reporter / Stenographer licenses require an exam?
51 out of 51 states require passing an examination to obtain a court reporter / stenographer license. Exam requirements, names, and formats vary by state — check the state-by-state table above for specifics.
Is a background check required for Court Reporter / Stenographer licensing?
51 out of 51 states require a criminal background check as part of the court reporter / stenographer licensing process. Background check requirements and disqualifying offenses vary by jurisdiction.
Related Guides
Related Data Sources
Data Sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), State licensing board websites. Data reflects research-based estimates; verify current requirements with your state licensing board before making career decisions.
Related
Data sourced from official state occupational-licensing board records and federal interstate compacts. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCredential Editorial
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from NCSL and state licensing board databases. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state occupational-licensing board records and federal interstate compacts |