As court reporters and “keepers of the record,” we are tasked with maintaining an unbiased, neutral position in every matter we report. Our ethical obligations to our clients are always in the forefront of our minds, which is why it is so important that we proudly (and honestly) display our credentials on our certificate pages and business cards, as well as maintain our Continuing Education Units to keep our credentials current.
The benefits of certification are too numerous to list here, but they begin with the competitive advantage they offer when looking for work as an official or freelance reporter. Often, prospective employers wonder why, in parts of the U.S. where certification is preferred but not required, approximately 25 percent of reporters do not hold certifications, and 14 percent do not even join their national or state associations.
Court reporting is not a job. It’s a profession, one that is monitored in many states by its licensing arm or regulatory board. By sitting for state and/or national licensure and passing exams, reporters send the message that we are the most accurate means of taking and maintaining the record. Reporters who have taken the time to go through the certification process, yet fail to maintain their certifications, may find it very difficult, if not impossible, to regain certification.
NCRA’s Code of Professional Ethics preamble states that “a reporter must be truthful and accurate when making public statements or when advertising the member’s qualifications.” If you at one time held an NCRA certification, but later let your membership lapse, you no longer hold the certification. Certification through NCRA requires membership and continuing education.
We live in the age of post-nominal letters. When you hand your business card to a court reporting firm or a client, they will look first at your name, and then at your credentials. An RPR, RMR or RDR behind your name does make a difference — you recognize the importance of demonstrating your skills and knowledge within the profession.
Knowing how to list the designations is a crucial part of business etiquette. According to FormsofAddress.info, Wikipedia, and Workplace.StackExchange.com, in the U.S., individuals should use the highest and most pertinent post-nominal credentials when presenting their name to the general public. In plain English, this means that if you have earned your RPR, RMR and RDR, the only credential you list is RDR. However, if you have earned other certifications offered by NCRA which speak to an entirely different skill set, such as CRR, CBC, CCP, or CLVS, those may each be listed in addition to the RDR credential.
Your credentials are a phenomenal tool, especially in NCRA’s Membership Directory, on your letterhead, in your email and on your advertisements. According to NCRA’s Constitution and Bylaws, “Only a Registered Member in good standing in the Association may use the appellations ‘Registered Professional Reporter’ or ‘RPR,’” and “an individual will remain listed in the directory as long as such person is a member in good standing in the Association and fulfills such requirements as may be properly adopted by the Board of Directors.”
Certification is important – to the profession, to our clients, to the public, and to you, the reporter. Gone are the days of “I never needed to be certified.” Law firms and corporations are beginning to take notice and have begun requiring the use of credentialed court reporters. Those who have worked hard to attain and maintain certifications, particularly advanced certifications, are well positioned for continued success.