Frequently Asked Questions

A Anyone who is interested in getting into a highly professional, well-paid career! High school students can begin our program with a counselor’s permission, and we have just the right class for you! Check out CRCC 139, Exploring Career Opportunities in Court Reporting. Anyone admitted to the college can sign up for the court reporting program. There are recommendations for many of the classes (these replace prerequisites), so you may have to discuss your program with us in the court reporting department. Almost all applicants can sign up for the Theory and Theory Review classes and CRCC 139, Career Opportunities. The listed recommendations are also listed with equivalents, so if you have a pretty good English background, there should be no delay. Check with our Department directly if you have any questions.

Q What do I need to get started?

A You are going to need a stenotype machine. We start on the lessons the first day of class! It is often possible to rent a machine. The usual rental is approximately $20 a month. Sometimes it’s wise to rent a machine while you try court reporting and see if it is something you might really like to do and can see yourself doing. Otherwise, used manual machines sell for approximately $150 to $200. We will provide you with information on vendors to call. We will have all the information the first day of class and ahead of time if you call our department at (562) 860-2451 ext. 2746. The student is also responsible for providing their own steno paper and ink and ribbons. Books are required for all classes to help you with your lessons. Some books will be used for several classes. (Note: you are soon going to need a computerized writer but a manual writer will get you through Theory and usually resell well.)

Another expense you need to consider is your computer hookup. You will eventually (probably sooner than later!) want to hook your stenotype machine to the computer. In the past, these connections were extremely expensive and most students had to wait their turn to borrow the school equipment. Now you can purchase a computerized writer (used in the range of $600-1200, new student model approximately $1500), and you can even purchase a switchplate that allows you to hook into the computer that you can install on most manual machines (approx. $500 additional). You do NOT need to have that when school first starts, a manual machine will be okay for getting through Theory and give you time to learn more about the machines available. The school computer lab is set up with all the equipment you need to get started. If you do purchase a machine, our Theory does NOT teach "wide keys". However, I recommend that you get wide keys if given the option as that will give you greater flexibility in the future. (Some machines come with wide DZ and asterisk keys, and that would be great. If the machine has a wide TS key, that is okay also.)

Q What other skills do I need to enter the program?

A You should have some typing skills. We do have typing classes available on campus. It is difficult to try to learn typing and court reporting at the same time, though. The keyboards are different! (Try some of our other links to learn more about how court reporting works. There are some excellent Internet sites.) Good English skills are a bonus. You take several English classes in the program, but if you are already knowledgeable, it will be that much easier for you.
(Note: Other academic classes include medical terminology and legal terminology. If you have an extensive background in either of these fields, challenge examinations are available and you will not have to repeat basic courses you have either completed in the past or learned well through experience.)

Q Does it cost money to belong to the Club?

A No. All students enrolled are automatically members of the Court Reporting Club, which is a very active club on campus.

Cerritos College

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