Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Oregon Judicial Department Logo

Oregon Certified Shorthand Reporters

Certified Shorthand Reporters

The Oregon Certified Shorthand Reporters (CSR) Program verifies and certifies that shorthand reporters (one type of “court” reporter) meet certain standards for speed, conduct, and continuing education. 


Please review the Oregon CSR Policy Manual (link below) and the FAQs at the bottom of this page for additional information on the Oregon CSR Program.

**Please provide the Oregon CSR Program with your current email address as renewal materials are currently being sent electronically to the email address on file.**


Oregon CSR Policy Manual (includes Code of Conduct)

Forms



Contact:

Greta Lemon
Certified Shorthand Reporters Program
1163 State Street
Salem, OR 97301-2563

Email



Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The information on this page does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; it is for general informational purposes only. This information may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. Individuals should contact an attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter – the Oregon Certified Shorthand Reporters Program is not able to provide such advice. Individuals should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of this information without first seeking legal advice from an attorney in the relevant jurisdiction. Use of, and access to, this website or any of the resources contained within the site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

​The Continuing Education Log is a required document for recertification, even if you are also submiting an education log or education transcript from a state or national association. Make extra copies of the Continuing Education Log document if you need to list more than three events. When handwriting, use ink and print legibly.

The following sections must be completed on the Continuing Education Log form - incomplete forms cannot be accepted and will be returned for completion:

  • Name
    • Your name as it appears on your certificate. Include on each log page.
  • CSR #
    • Your six-digit Oregon Certified Shorthand Reporter certificate number.
  • Event
    • The official event title. List a convention or conference containing multiple sessions as one event.
  • Date(s)
    • The date(s) of a conference, seminar, class, lecture, or other qualifying event.
  • ​Sponsor​​
    • The name of the organization, business, etc. that sponsored the event (OCRA, NCRA, Salem Memorial Hospital, etc.)
  • ​Location
    • The city and state or full address of where the event was held.
  • Subject
    • A brief description of the court content.
  • Hours
    • The total hours you spent in the lecture, convention session, etc. Do not include break time.
  • CEU
    • ​The total CEU you earned for the event, as shown in the required supporting documentation. The policy generally allows for 0.05 CEU for each full half-hour of instruction in qualified courses.
    • Examples
      • ​1/2 hour​​   = 0.05 CEU
      • 1 hour      = 0.10 CEU
      • 1.5 hours  = 0.15 CEU
      • 2 hours     = 0.20 CEU
      • 10 hours   = 1.00 CEU
      • 30 hours   = 3.00 CEU​
  • ​Signature
    • Your signature and the date you signed the form. You must sign and date every log page.
  • Supporting Documentation
    • Attach your Continuing Education Log to your renewal application and attached photocopied documentation required for each event. Documentation must include legible, official documentation (not slides or course handouts) showing the following:
      • Agenda or Course Description
      • Sponsor
      • Course Date(s)
      • Hours of actual education
      • Proof of your attendance
The Oregon CSR Continuing Education Log can be found here https://www.courts.oregon.gov/forms/Documents/Proof%20of%20Attendance.pdf​.

For additional information on renewing Oregon CSR certification (See Section 3) and other information about the Oregon Certified Shorthand Reporters Program, please review the Oregon CSR Policy Manual https://www.courts.oregon.gov/programs/csr/Documents/CertificationOfShorthandReportersPolicy.pdf.

​The requirements listed below​ are the only options to become an Oregon CSR - there are no other options, such as reciprocity for being certified in another state. 

You must apply for certification, simply meeting the requirements for certification does not automatically make you an Oregon Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR). 

​​To qualify for initial certification as an Oregon CSR, an individual must meet the following requirements:

1. Have a high school diploma or GED certificate;

2. Have either:

    a. Met the requirements for first-time certification based on qualifying national certification (see Section 2.2), OR

    b. Pass all skills segments of a qualifying exam (see Section 2.3).

3. Not be serving a period of suspension, revocation, resignation or denial of any shorthand reporter certification, license, or registration from any state or national entity for any reason other than failing to meet documentation requirements;

4. Not have any convictions for a crime related to a shorthand reporter's qualifications, functions, or duties. (The State Court Administrator has discretion to decided what crimes are related to a shorthand reporter's qualifications, functions, or duties);

5. Submit to the Office of the State Court Administrator a completed Oregon CSR application, any required documentation, and the initial certification fee; and

6. Agree to follow the Oregon CSR Code of Conduct (see Section 7).


For additional information on qualifying for initial certification (See Section 2) and other information about the Oregon Certified Shorthand Reporters Program, please review the Oregon CSR Policy Manual https://www.courts.oregon.gov/programs/csr/Documents/CertificationOfShorthandReportersPolicy.pdf​. 

​If an individual does not meet the requirements for initial eligibilty through a national certification, or if the individual does not renew their Oregon CSR certification within the grace period of their certification expiration date, the individual must pass all skills segments of a qualifying exam (along with all the other requirements for certification) within the 24 months before the Office of the State Court Administrator (OSCA) receives the individual's application for certification. The Oregon CSR Program does not administer an exam and does not have any sample testing materials to provide or recommendations for testing, other than the information listed below and in Section 2.3 of the Oregon CSR Policy Manual (https://www.courts.oregon.gov/programs/csr/Documents/CertificationOfShorthandReportersPolicy.pdf​).

Only stenographic and voicewriting skills exams that meet or exceed the following minimum standards for content, speed, and accuracy qualify. Three, five-minute dictation segments of:

1. Literary at 180 words per minute (up to 45 errors allowed);

2. Jury charge at 200 words per minute (up to 50 errors allowed); and

3. Two-voice testimony at 225 words per minute (up to 57 errors allowed).

​OSCA recognizes the following exams offered by the NCRA (visit ​https://www.ncra.org/certification/test-center for information on NCRA testing) and NVRA (visit https://nvra.org/page/TestingScheduleandRegistration​ for information on NVRA testing) as meeting or exceeding the minimum standards:

1. NCRA's PRP exam

2. NCRA exams open only to PRPs as a prerequisite

3. NVRA's CVR exam

4. NVRA exams open to CVRs as a prerequisite

For additional information on qualifying exams (See Section 2.3) and other information about the Oregon Certified Shorthand Reporters Program, please review the Oregon CSR Policy Manual https://www.courts.oregon.gov/programs/csr/Documents/CertificationOfShorthandReportersPolicy.pdf.

​Oregon CSR certificaiton is valid for three years. Certificates expire on one of four set expiration dates: March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31. If the required materials are not received by the Office of the State Court Administrator within the grace period of the expiration date, the individual will have to apply by meeting the requirements for initial certification under the qualifying exam requirements​ (qualifying under national certification will no longer be an option).

To qualify for certification renewal, an Oregon CSR must: 

1. Earn sufficient continuing education units (CEU) in qualified courses prior to the expiration of the current certification (required CEUs ​earned during the grace period cannot be used to qualify for renewal).

2. Not be serving a period of suspension, revocation, resignation, or denial of any shorthand reporter certification, license, or registration from any state or national entity for any reason other than failing to meet documenation requirements.

3. Not have any convictions for a crime related to a shorthand reporter's qualifications, functions, or duties. (The State Court Administrator has discretion to decided what crimes are related to a shorthand reporter's qualifications, functions, or duties.)

4. Submit a completed renewal application, required documentation, and renewal fees to the Office of the State Court Administrator no later than the end of the grace period (currently 30 days after the expiration of the certification).

5. Agree to follow the Code of Conduct.


For additional information on renewing Oregon CSR certification (See Section 3) and other information about the Oregon Certified Shorthand Reporters Program, please review the Oregon CSR Policy Manual https://www.courts.oregon.gov/programs/csr/Documents/CertificationOfShorthandReportersPolicy.pdf.​​

​No. There are no exceptions or other options other than the requirements listed below.

There are only two options to be qualified to become an Oregon Certified Shorthand Reporter: 

1. Meet the requirements for first-time certification based on qualifying national certification (see Section 2.2), OR

2. Pass all skills segments of a qualifying exam (see Section 2.3).

​You must also meet the following requirements:

A. Have a high school diploma or GED certificate;

B. Not be serving a period of suspension, revocation, resignation or denial of any shorthand reporter certification, license, or registration from any state or national entity for any reason other than failing to meet documentation requirements;

C. Not have any convictions for a crime related to a shorthand reporter's qualifications, functions, or duties. (The State Court Administrator has discretion to decided what crimes are related to a shorthand reporter's qualifications, functions, or duties);

D. Submit to the Office of the State Court Administrator a completed Oregon CSR application, any required documentation, and the initial certification fee; and

E. Agree to follow the Oregon CSR Code of Conduct (see Section 7).


For additional information on qualifying for initial certification (See Section 2) and other information about the Oregon Certified Shorthand Reporters Program, please review the Oregon CSR Policy Manual https://www.courts.oregon.gov/programs/csr/Documents/CertificationOfShorthandReportersPolicy.pdf​. ​




​ORS 44.320 Authority to take testimony and administer oath or affirmation. Every court, judge, clerk of a court, justice of the peace, certified shorthand reporter as defined in ORS 8.415 or notary public is authorized to take testimony in any action or proceeding, as are other persons in particular cases authorized by statute or the Oregon Rules of Civil Procedure and is authorized to administer oaths and affirmations generally, and every such other person in the particular case authorized. (Emphasis added).​

​ORCP 38 Persons Who May Administer Oaths for Depositions; Foreign Depositions.

ORCP 38A Within Oregon

A(1) Within this state, depositions shall be preceded by an oath or affirmation administered to the deponent by an officer authorized to administer oaths by the laws of this state or by a person specially appointed by the court in which the action is pending. A person so appointed has the power to administer oaths for the purpose of the deposition.

A(2) For purposes of this rule, a deposition taken pursuant to Rule 39 C(7) is taken within this state if either the deponent or the person administering the oath is located in this state.


ORCP 38B Outside the state. Within another state, or within a territory or insular possession subject to the dominion of the United States, or in a foreign country, depositions may be taken:
B(1) on notice before a person authorized to administer oaths in the place in which the examination is held, either by the law thereof or by the law of the United States;
B(2) before a person appointed or commissioned by the court in which the action is pending, and such a person shall have the power by virtue of such person's appointment or commission to administer any necessary oath and take testimony; or
B(3) pursuant to a letter rogatory. A commission or letter rogatory shall be issued on an application and notice on terms that are just and appropriate. It is not requisite to the issuance of a commission or letter rogatory that the taking of the deposition in any other manner is impracticable or inconvenient; and both a commission and letter rogatory may be issued in proper cases. A notice of commission may designate the person before whom the deposition is to be taken either by name or descriptive title. A letter rogatory may be addressed “To the Appropriate Authority in (here name the state, territory, or country)." Evidence obtained in a foreign country in response to a letter rogatory need not be excluded merely for the reason that it is not a verbatim transcript or that the testimony was not taken under oath or for any similar departure from the requirements for depositions taken with the United States under these rules.​

​The Oregon Certified Shorthand Reporters Program does not have a searchable directory for the public, but upon request a PDF list of the current Oregon Certified Shorthand Reporters with only mailing address contact information can be provided.

For other available directories you can visit the Oregon Court Reporters Association https://www.orcra.org/member-directory or the National Court Reporters Association https://www.ncra.org/.​

​For questions about Oregon Notary Publics please contact the Oregon Secretary of State. Contact information for the Secretary of State is available at https://sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/notary.aspx.