Court reporting is one of the fastest-growing career areas in the legal system. This 100% online course will prepare you to enter the court reporting field as a digital court reporter and a legal transcriber. You will be fully prepared to pass the Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) and Certified Electronic Transcriber (CET) exams offered by the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT). The AAERT's nationally recognized certifications are leading credentials required by various court systems and agencies.

Note: If taking the course to prepare for the exam, please research the locations you are interested in working to determine whether they use digital reporting methods. Then ask if they recognize AAERT certification.

What you will learn

• How to create an accurate legal transcript
• Transcript formatting, focusing on federal court systems
• Parts of speech, proper legal punctuation, and spelling
• Legal, medical, and industry terminology
• Fundamentals of the United States legal system
• Professionalism, ethics, and confidentiality
• Legal, medical, and industry terminology
• Digital reporting hardware and software, including practice using digital recording software
• Transcript formatting, focusing on federal court systems

How you will benefit

• Develop the skills you need to become a successful digital reporter and legal transcriber who can work in the field and at home.
• Be in a position to sit for and pass the AAERT's (American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers) Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) and Certified Electronic Transcriber (CET) exams.
• AAERT certification vastly improves your marketability when applying for work at freelance agencies or court systems, some of which require the certification by law or because of government contracts.

1. Digital Court Reporter
   1. The Legal System
      1. Court System
      2. Laws
      3. Life Cycle of a Case
      4. Proceedings
      5. Types of Court Reporters
   2. Terminology
      1. Historic Terminology
      2. Legal Terminology
      3. Medical Terminology
      4. Business Terminology
   3. Hardware
      1. Sound
      2. Audio Equipment
      3. Additional Equipment
   4. Your Software and Annotations
      1. Software
      2. Annotations
      3. Annotation Practice
   5. On the Job and On the Record
      1. Before the Proceeding
      2. During the Proceeding
      3. After the Proceeding
      4. Working with a Legal Videographer
   6. Court Work and Large Proceedings
      1. Intro to Courtroom Proceedings
      2. Types of Court Proceedings
      3. Court Annotations
      4. Large Proceedings
   7. Professionalism in the Legal System
      1. Professionalism and Decorum
      2. Ethics
      3. Maintain Confidentiality
   8. Course Wrap up
      1. The Transcript
      2. AAERT Certification Information
      3. Final Test
2. Legal Transcription
   1. Transcriptionist Software Setup
   2. English Language
      1. Parts of Speech
      2. Confusing Words
      3. Spelling Rules
      4. International English
   3. Terminology
      1. Historic Terminology
      2. Legal Terminology
      3. Medical Terminology
      4. Business Terminology
   4. Grammar and Punctuation
      1. Capitalization
      2. Numbers
      3. Introduction to Punctuation
      4. Sentence Punctuation
      5. More Punctuation and Formatting
   5. Building the Transcript
      1. Annotations from Reporter
      2. Transcript Formatting
      3. Proofreading Assignments
      4. Researching
      5. Transcription Assignments
   6. Transcription Assignments & Working Environment
      1. Working Environment
      2. Transcription Assignments
   7. Transcription Assignments & Course Wrap Up
      1. Transcription Assignments
      2. Certification
      3. Final

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course must be taken on a PC. Macs are not compatible.
• If using a desktop computer with no internal sound card, it may be necessary to plug in an external USB microphone.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 10 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome is preferred. Mozilla Firefox and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word: Preferably Microsoft Word 2016, 2019, or Office 365.
• Microsoft Word Online
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Express Scribe software. You will be provided with download instructions upon enrollment.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins, except for the Express Scribe software.
• Reliable Internet.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The supplies required for this course are included in enrollment. The following will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

• AltoEdge USB foot pedal
• Transcriber Headphones

Prerequisites:

To complete this course, you will need the following:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Basic computer skills, for example:
  • Create folders/directories and save files
  • Locate files saved on a computer and upload them to a webpage
  • Use a web browser and search the Internet
  • Familiarity with a word processing program
  • Ability to use videoconferencing software, like Zoom
• Eligible for notary public commissions in your state

Does this course prepare for a certification?

Yes, you will be prepared to sit for the AAERT's (American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers) national certification, CER (Certified Electronic Reporter) and CET (Certified Electronic Transcriber) exams.

What are the certification exam requirements?

Preparing for an AAERT Certification Exam

You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the CET and CER certification exam through AAERT.

• AAERT members in good standing, who are eligible for notary public commissions in their states;
• have obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent; and
• have one-year* of experience in reporting or transcribing.

*Note: A member with less than one year of experience may sit for examinations if provided with (1) a letter of recommendation from an AAERT-certified member or a current employer** or (2) a certificate of completion from an AAERT-approved course. (This course is approved.) A referral must be signed and submitted in writing to AAERT or your exam(s) will be canceled. Apprentice Members MAY NOT sit for any AAERT certification exam. You MUST be an active Individual Member or Corporate Member to take an exam.

What is a notary and how do I become a notary?

Notaries review and validate signatures made on documents, as well as swear-in witnesses to testify under oath. Learn how to become a notary here.

What skills do you need for this career?

This career requires excellent English written and verbal skills, professionalism, visual and tactile acuity, and being comfortable with technology.

Can I register for a course if I am an international student?

Yes, ed2go courses are completely online. However, keep in mind that not all certifying bodies or industry-specific certifications are recognized internationally. Please review your country's regulations prior to enrolling in courses that prepare for certification.

When can I start the course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive six (6) months to complete the course.

What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

The course instructor will be available by email to answer any questions and provide feedback on your performance. Occasionally, your course may be supported by a team of industry experts. You will also receive support from the student advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Am I guaranteed a job?

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

Can I get financial assistance?

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.