Frequently asked questions about working as
E-Reporters and E-Transcribers

• Definitions:
  
  Electronic Court Reporter     View
  Electronic Court Transcriber     View
• How does one receive training?
  Do I go to a school to learn E-Reporting?
  Electronic court reporting uses professional-level audio-capture equipment, so hands-on exposure is needed to become technically adept.
  
  As with any technical endeavor, training involves:
   
  • reading the necessary procedures and relevant manuals,
  • reviewing them with your trainer[s],
  • observing skilled practitioners perform the procedures,
  • being observed while performing them yourself,
  • having your performance closely critiqued, and
  • in due course, being able to work independently, competently and consistently.
  
  Public sector or court staff generally obtain initial technical training from the system's vendor when it is placed in service, with further court-specific instruction provided in house.
  
  In the private sector, hands-on training occurs under the direct supervision of an established practitioner or firm.
  
  Beyond these basic initial skills, exposure to a wide variety of situations and the experience gained only with time are crucial to a successful career.  Thus, a permanent learning curve exists, as recording technology evolves and your job responsibilities expand.
  
  Of course, the underlying principles of E-Reporting or E-Transcription can be learned from resources such as AAERT's Certification Test Study Guide. Click here for an overview of the Guide's contents.
• Are there areas of knowledge, or aptitudes / characteristics commonly shared by E-Reporters?
  We believe so, yes.  Here are some areas of background information all reporters must possess:
  • A broad understanding of court procedures and principles -- not so much focused on "Pleadings are stapled to blue Form X," as to what is happening in a case, what must have already occurred, and what can be expected next in the standard order of trial;
  • General familiarity with the legal terminology commonly used by judges and attorneys;
  • Generic technical expertise --- how audio-capture functions;
  • Specific knowledge related to the electronic audio equipment and any associated software installed;
  • Awareness of reporters' standard responsibilities and the decorum / attire requirements (and limitations) imposed in legal settings.
  To get a quick idea if you share characteristics we find typically within the industry, click here.
• How can I contact an E-Reporting firm or practitioner to express my interest?
  Networking within AAERT has proven helpful to many.  Joining AAERT can demonstrate to potential employers or contractors your serious intent to become a successful E-Reporter.  Also, see Selected Professional Links.
• I am an experienced office transcriptionist.  How do I become an electronic court transcriber?
  You will need to add to your skills-set those elements unique to the legal field.  Be aware that having transcribed business letters via office dictation, or even having processed formal documents in a law firm, is not similar to what you will encounter with courtroom or deposition audio recordings, as you come to grips with hearing different voices, accents, and mannerisms in the rapid exchanges of conversational language --- and then faithfully reducing those to comprehensible text without distortion of content or meaning.
  To get a quick idea if you share the skills we find typically among electronic court transcribers, click here.
  
  Joining AAERT can demonstrate to potential employers or contractors your serious intent to become a successful E-Transcriber.
• Do I need to be certified in order to work in this field?
  Initially, no.  E-Reporters and E-Transcribers must have two years of full-time experience before they can take AAERT's certification tests.  However, becoming certified is both a goal and a professional milestone, and some employers / contractors may require CER/T status once you become eligible to take the exams.  Click here for information on AAERT's certification program.
• What about salaries?
  "Salary" implies full-time employment. Rest assured that such jobs are fully competitive in the labor market; however, salary levels vary across the country, depending on location and the extent of a specific job's duties.
  
  Part-time work is available, especially to freelance professionals.
  E-Reporters may be paid per engagement, or by the hour. E-Transcribers are generally paid a page-production rate, which will vary depending on the type of proceeding, method of its recording, and the transcript delivery period.
• What is the difference between analog and digital recording?
  Analog audio-recording electronically imprints sound patterns on magnetic cassette tapes.  AAERT recommends four-channel analog equipment, which provides the best voice separation between different speakers in the courtroom. Four-channel cassettes cannot be played on simple off-the-shelf tape-players.
  
  Digital audio-recording uses a laptop or other computer to transfer sound onto a CD-ROM disk instead of a tape, using a software program.  These programs permit note-taking during a trial or deposition.   Notes are keyed to the recording, so any part of the proceedings can be instantly replayed by selecting its note, or by entering a time.
  
  Both analog and digital systems depend upon the same microphone protocols for professional sound capture.
  To reiterate, in both systems AAERT recommends four-channel recording, which provides the best voice separation between different speakers in the courtroom.