BECOME A COURT REPORTER FOR THE NYS COURTS:
- Court Reporter-Trainee (JG-22)
- Court Reporter (JG-24)
- Senior Court Reporter (JG-27)
The Role of Court Reporters
Court Reporters are responsible for the verbatim recording and transcription of testimony at informal and formal court proceedings, including trials, hearings, conferences and arraignments. They are responsible for maintaining the official record of court proceedings.
- Play an integral role in the fair administration of justice
- Record, transcribe and preserve word-for-word accounts of trials testimony and other court proceedings (create transcripts of proceedings)
- Maintain chronological record of witnesses
- Mark exhibits
- Read back portions of prior testimony when instructed by the judge to assist jurors, counsel and the public with factual information regarding a case
- May provide real-time translation services for the benefit of judges, litigants and the deaf and/or hard of hearing
Salary, Career Progression & Benefits
Starting salaries effective April 2024. Additional $4,775 location pay in NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester & Rockland; Additional $2,388 location pay in Orange, Dutchess & Putnam.
- Court Reporter - Trainee (JG-22): $77,911
- Court Reporter (JG-24): $86,737
- Senior Court Reporter (JG-27): $102,060.
Career Progression
Court Reporter-Trainees (JG-22): Court Reporter-Trainees serve a one-year traineeship under direct supervision. Court Reporter-Trainees (JG-22) automatically promote to Court Reporter (JG-24) after successful completion of one (1) year in the Trainee title.
Court Reporters (JG-24) and Senior Court Reporters (JG-27) may advance into supervisory positions such as Supervising Court Reporter (JG-25), County Supervising Court Reporter (JG-25), Citywide Supervising Court Reporter (JG-26) and Principal Court Reporter (JG-28).
Benefits
- 13 Paid Holidays
- 20 Paid Vacation Days in the First Year
- 27 Paid Vacation Days by the Seventh Year
- 13 Paid Days of Sick Leave
- Excellent Retirement Benefits including New York State Pension and Deferred Compensation
- Union Benefits
- Comprehensive Health Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and NYS-Ride
Minimum Qualifications to Become a Court Reporter
Minimum Qualifications to Become a Court Reporter-Trainee (JG-22)*:
Completion of a formal program in court reporting no more than two (2) years prior to appointment.
* Automatic promotion from Court Reporter-Trainee (JG-22) to Court Reporter (JG-24) after successful completion of one (1) year in the Trainee title.
Minimum Qualifications to Become a Court Reporter (JG-24):
- Certification in Court Reporting by an approved credentialing authority and
- Completion of a formal program in court reporting and one (1) year of full-time general verbatim
reporting experience or - High School diploma or the equivalent and two (2) years of full-time general verbatim reporting
experience
Minimum Qualifications to Become a Senior Court Reporter (JG-27):
- Pass the open-competitive/promotional Senior Court Reporter (JG-27) Exam (Exam Announcements & Study Guides) and
- High School Diploma or the equivalent and three years of full-time general verbatim reporting experience or
- Completion of a formal program in court reporting and two years of full-time general verbatim reporting experience or
- (Promotional only) One year of service as a Court Reporter (JG-24) in the NYS Courts
How Do I Become a Court Reporter?
Court Reporter - Trainee (JG-22) & Court Reporter (JG-24):
To Apply: Send your resume, school or professional certification, your associate degree if applicable, and UCS-5 to the following email address: courtreporterrecruit@nycourts.gov
Senior Court Reporter (JG-27):
Take the Exam: Take the open-competitive/promotional Senior Court Reporter (JG-27) Exam (Exam Announcements)
Exam Material Information and Study Guides: Study Guides