14.01 | Members of the Board14.02 | Officer of the Board – Meetings14.03 | Duties of the Board14.04 | Application for Certification14.05 | Eligibility for Certification14.06 | Admission Without Examination14.07 | Appointment of Official Court Reporters and Limited Authority to Appoint Temporary Court Reporters14.08 | Funds – Disbursement of14.09 | Continuing Education, Accreditation of Programs and Activities14.10 | Reporting Requirements – Sanctions – Review14.11 | Revocation or Suspension14.12 | Interpretation of Rule
First Adopted: June 25, 1974
Most Recently Effective: January 01, 2002
Rule 14 | Rules Governing The Missouri Bar and the Judiciary | Certified Court Reporters
14.01 | Members of the Board
(a) The "Board of Certified Court Reporter Examiners" shall be composed of nine members who shall be appointed by this Court. Five members shall be judges of the circuit or appellate courts. Three of the members shall have been official court reporters in Missouri. One member shall be a practicing freelance court reporter in Missouri. The court reporter members shall be citizens of Missouri for at least five years prior to their appointment.
(b) Members shall be appointed for three-year terms and shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. This Court shall fill a vacancy by appointing a member for the duration of an unexpired term and may remove a member for cause.
(c) Each member shall take an oath to fairly and impartially and to the best of the member's ability administer this Rule 14.
(Adopted June 25, 1974, effective January 1, 1975. Amended December 14, 1978, effective January 1, 1979; amended September 1, 1979, effective September 1, 1979; amended February 28, 2001, effective January 1, 2002.)
First Adopted: June 25, 1974
Most Recently Effective: January 01, 2002
Rule 14 | Rules Governing The Missouri Bar and the Judiciary | Certified Court Reporters
14.02 | Officer of the Board – Meetings
The board shall elect one of its members chair and one secretary, each of whom shall serve for one year and until a successor is elected. The clerk of this Court shall serve as treasurer. The board shall have an office in Jefferson City and shall hold such meetings, not less than one a year, at such time and places as the board shall designate.
(Adopted June 25, 1974, effective January 1, 1975. Amended December 14, 1978, effective January 1, 1979; amended September 1, 1979, effective September 1, 1979; amended February 28, 2001, effective January 1, 2002.)
First Adopted: June 25, 1974
Most Recently Effective: January 01, 2002
Rule 14 | Rules Governing The Missouri Bar and the Judiciary | Certified Court Reporters
14.03 | Duties of the Board
The board is charged with the duty and vested with the power and authority:
(a) To determine the content of examinations to be given to applicants for certification as "Certified Court Reporters;"
(b) To determine the applicant's ability to make a verbatim record of court proceedings by a recognized system designated by the board;
(c) To issue certificates to those found qualified as certified court reporters;
(d) To administer a continuing education program for certified court reporters; and
(e) To promulgate, amend and revise regulations relevant to the above duties and to implement this Rule 14. The regulations shall be consistent with the provisions of this Rule 14 and shall not be effective until approved by this Court.
Regulations of the Missouri Board of Certified Court Reporter Examiners
The Board of Certified Court Reporter
Examiners, hereinafter referred to as "the Board," hereby promulgates
the following regulations, as directed by Supreme Court Rule 14.03(e),
for implementation of the duties assigned herein.
1. Vacancies or newly established positions of official court reporters in courts of record of Missouri shall be filled by persons holding certificates as Certified Court Reporter, hereinafter referred to as "C.C.R.," issued by the Board as provided in Rule 14.07.
2. Applicants shall file not later than thirty days prior to the next examination a written application in the form prescribed by the Board together with a fee of $100.00 with the Clerk of the Supreme Court, which fee shall not be refunded in the event the applicant decides not to take the examination or fails the examination.
3. Any applicant who fails to pass any or all sections of Part I, the skills exam, and/or Part II, the general knowledge test, of the examination shall be permitted to take a subsequent examination upon the filing of a new application, together with a fee of $100.00 as required in the preceding paragraph of this Regulation. Such an examination shall include only the sections previously failed by the applicant.
4. Upon request, the Clerk of the Supreme Court shall forward to any person application forms, certificate of character forms (when applicable), and copies of Rule 14 and the Regulations of the Board.
5. Examinations for certification shall be held at least semiannually at times and places to be set by the Board.
6. The C.C.R. certificate, once granted by the Board, shall remain in effect upon the payment to the Clerk of the Supreme Court of an annual fee of $100.00 on or before January 1 of each succeeding year unless suspended or revoked pursuant to Rule 14.10 or 14.11.
7. On July 1 of each year, all C.C.R. certificates which have not been renewed by the payment of the annual renewal fee shall expire. An expired C.C.R. certificate may be reinstated at any time pursuant to Rule 14.11(c).
8. Persons holding a C.C.R. certificate who have practiced court reporting for 40 years or more, or who have reached the age of 60 years and are then in good standing as a C.C.R., shall be excused from the payment of the annual fee thereafter upon making a written application to the Board of Certified Court Reporter Examiners showing such fact.
9. Each person who is issued a C.C.R. certificate shall be entitled to use the abbreviation "C.C.R." after their name. Such person shall be entitled to procure and use a seal, similar to seals provided for use of notaries public, upon which shall be engraved the name of the reporter and the words "Missouri Supreme Court-Certified Court Reporter."
10. No certificate shall be valid for any system of verbatim reporting other than that for which it is issued.
11. Any C.C.R. who desires to employ a different system of verbatim reporting other than that system in which they have already been certified by the Board shall, prior to employing said system, become certified in said system pursuant to Rule 14.
12. The examination shall be conducted in two parts:
In Part I, each applicant shall satisfy the following accuracy and speed requirements in the system of verbatim reporting for which he/she seeks certification:
Each five-minute dictation will include the requisite number of words, with each 15-second segment having a 1.4 syllabic density.
Applicants will be given a total of three (3) hours to transcribe the dictation, with an accuracy of 95 percent required to pass.
Applicants may employ any system of verbatim reporting by which a record is preserved, the accuracy of which shall be the personal responsibility of the court reporter, provided, however, no system of direct electrical recording shall be considered a system of verbatim reporting for purposes of these regulations.
Applicants shall be required to furnish the equipment and supplies necessary for the reporting and transcription of dictated matter.
Upon completion of the examination, all verbatim notes or records, including tapes, diskettes or computer discs, transcripts, and other papers in connection with the examination, shall be retained in the custody of the Board.
In Part II, each applicant shall be tested by written examination in the following subjects:
Applicants will be given one hour in which to complete the General Knowledge Test, with a minimum score of 80 percent required to pass.
The content and depth of the examination shall be a continuing subject of review and consideration by the Board, and changes may be incorporated by means of amendments to these regulations.
13. The Board shall maintain a roster, along with pertinent information, of all individuals who have been certified. The Board, in its discretion, may publish a list of all C.C.R.s who are in good standing, suspended or revoked, and whose temporary certificates have expired.
1. Vacancies or newly established positions of official court reporters in courts of record of Missouri shall be filled by persons holding certificates as Certified Court Reporter, hereinafter referred to as "C.C.R.," issued by the Board as provided in Rule 14.07.
2. Applicants shall file not later than thirty days prior to the next examination a written application in the form prescribed by the Board together with a fee of $100.00 with the Clerk of the Supreme Court, which fee shall not be refunded in the event the applicant decides not to take the examination or fails the examination.
3. Any applicant who fails to pass any or all sections of Part I, the skills exam, and/or Part II, the general knowledge test, of the examination shall be permitted to take a subsequent examination upon the filing of a new application, together with a fee of $100.00 as required in the preceding paragraph of this Regulation. Such an examination shall include only the sections previously failed by the applicant.
4. Upon request, the Clerk of the Supreme Court shall forward to any person application forms, certificate of character forms (when applicable), and copies of Rule 14 and the Regulations of the Board.
5. Examinations for certification shall be held at least semiannually at times and places to be set by the Board.
6. The C.C.R. certificate, once granted by the Board, shall remain in effect upon the payment to the Clerk of the Supreme Court of an annual fee of $100.00 on or before January 1 of each succeeding year unless suspended or revoked pursuant to Rule 14.10 or 14.11.
7. On July 1 of each year, all C.C.R. certificates which have not been renewed by the payment of the annual renewal fee shall expire. An expired C.C.R. certificate may be reinstated at any time pursuant to Rule 14.11(c).
8. Persons holding a C.C.R. certificate who have practiced court reporting for 40 years or more, or who have reached the age of 60 years and are then in good standing as a C.C.R., shall be excused from the payment of the annual fee thereafter upon making a written application to the Board of Certified Court Reporter Examiners showing such fact.
9. Each person who is issued a C.C.R. certificate shall be entitled to use the abbreviation "C.C.R." after their name. Such person shall be entitled to procure and use a seal, similar to seals provided for use of notaries public, upon which shall be engraved the name of the reporter and the words "Missouri Supreme Court-Certified Court Reporter."
10. No certificate shall be valid for any system of verbatim reporting other than that for which it is issued.
11. Any C.C.R. who desires to employ a different system of verbatim reporting other than that system in which they have already been certified by the Board shall, prior to employing said system, become certified in said system pursuant to Rule 14.
12. The examination shall be conducted in two parts:
In Part I, each applicant shall satisfy the following accuracy and speed requirements in the system of verbatim reporting for which he/she seeks certification:
(1) Five (5) minutes of one-voice dictation at 180 words per minute;
(2) Five (5) minutes of two-voice dictation at 200 words per minute; and
(3) Five (5) minutes of two-voice dictation at 225 words per minute.
(2) Five (5) minutes of two-voice dictation at 200 words per minute; and
(3) Five (5) minutes of two-voice dictation at 225 words per minute.
Each five-minute dictation will include the requisite number of words, with each 15-second segment having a 1.4 syllabic density.
Applicants will be given a total of three (3) hours to transcribe the dictation, with an accuracy of 95 percent required to pass.
Applicants may employ any system of verbatim reporting by which a record is preserved, the accuracy of which shall be the personal responsibility of the court reporter, provided, however, no system of direct electrical recording shall be considered a system of verbatim reporting for purposes of these regulations.
Applicants shall be required to furnish the equipment and supplies necessary for the reporting and transcription of dictated matter.
Upon completion of the examination, all verbatim notes or records, including tapes, diskettes or computer discs, transcripts, and other papers in connection with the examination, shall be retained in the custody of the Board.
In Part II, each applicant shall be tested by written examination in the following subjects:
(1) English, including grammar, vocabulary, punctuation, and spelling;
(2) Medical and legal terminology;
(3) Court and deposition procedures;
(4) Transcript preparation;
(5) Supreme Court Rules and statutes concerning court reporter duties; and
(6) Matters of general knowledge.
(2) Medical and legal terminology;
(3) Court and deposition procedures;
(4) Transcript preparation;
(5) Supreme Court Rules and statutes concerning court reporter duties; and
(6) Matters of general knowledge.
Applicants will be given one hour in which to complete the General Knowledge Test, with a minimum score of 80 percent required to pass.
The content and depth of the examination shall be a continuing subject of review and consideration by the Board, and changes may be incorporated by means of amendments to these regulations.
13. The Board shall maintain a roster, along with pertinent information, of all individuals who have been certified. The Board, in its discretion, may publish a list of all C.C.R.s who are in good standing, suspended or revoked, and whose temporary certificates have expired.
(Adopted June 25, 1974, effective January 1, 1975. Amended December 14, 1978, effective January 1, 1979; amended September 1, 1979, effective September 1, 1979; amended February 28, 2001, effective January 1, 2002. Regulations approved June 25, 2019, effective July 1, 2019.)
First Adopted: June 25, 1974
Most Recently Effective: July 01, 2019
Rule 14 | Rules Governing The Missouri Bar and the Judiciary | Certified Court Reporters
14.04 | Application for Certification
Every applicant for the Missouri examination for certification as a certified court reporter or for certification as a certified court reporter without further examination as provided in Rule 14.06 shall file with the clerk of this Court a written application in the form prescribed by the board. The applicant shall pay a fee to the clerk of this Court at the time the application is filed. The fee shall be in an amount provided in the regulations of the board and shall not be subject to withdrawal by the applicant in the event the applicant decides not to take the examination or is denied the right to take the examination. Upon request, the clerk of this Court shall forward to any interested person application forms together with the text of this Rule 14 and copies of regulations promulgated by the board under the provisions of Rule 14.03(e).
(Adopted June 25, 1974, effective January 1, 1975. Amended December 14, 1978, effective January 1, 1979; amended September 1, 1979, effective September 1, 1979; amended February 28, 2001, effective January 1, 2002; amended June 25, 2019, effective July 1, 2019.)
First Adopted: June 25, 1974
Most Recently Effective: July 01, 2019
Rule 14 | Rules Governing The Missouri Bar and the Judiciary | Certified Court Reporters
14.05 | Eligibility for Certification
An applicant who is at least eighteen years of age, is of good moral character, and has passed the Missouri examination or has been admitted without examination under Rule 14.06 or Rule 14.07 shall be issued a certified court reporter certificate.
(Adopted June 25, 1974, effective January 1, 1975. Amended December 14, 1978, effective January 1, 1979; amended September 1, 1979, effective September 1, 1979; amended February 28, 2001, effective January 1, 2002; amended June 25, 2019, effective July 1, 2019.)
First Adopted: June 25, 1974
Most Recently Effective: September 01, 2023
Rule 14 | Rules Governing The Missouri Bar and the Judiciary | Certified Court Reporters
14.06 | Admission Without Examination
(a) A certified court reporter certificate issued before July 1, 2002, or a certified court reporter certificate containing the designation "(G)" issued before December 31, 2001, shall remain in full force and effect unless thereafter revoked or suspended as provided by this Rule 14.
(b) An applicant who holds a registered professional reporter certificate from the National Court Reporters Association or a certified verbatim reporter certificate from the National Verbatim Reporters Association and is in good standing with the certifying association shall, upon application to the Board of Certified Court Reporter Examiners pursuant to this Rule 14 and payment of an application fee as provided in Rule 14.04, become a Missouri certified court reporter upon successfully passing a written examination with respect to their knowledge of the duties of a court reporter, of court procedure, and general legal terminology.
(Adopted June 25, 1974, effective January 1, 1975. Amended December 14, 1978, effective January 1, 1979; amended September 1, 1979, effective September 1, 1979; amended February 28, 2001, effective January 1, 2002; amended December 5, 2005, effective January 1, 2006; amended June 25, 2019, effective July 1, 2019; amended August 15, 2023, effective September 1, 2023.)
First Adopted: June 25, 1974
Most Recently Effective: July 01, 2019
Rule 14 | Rules Governing The Missouri Bar and the Judiciary | Certified Court Reporters
14.07 | Appointment of Official Court Reporters and Limited Authority to Appoint Temporary Court Reporters
A court reporter who has not successfully passed the Missouri examinations for certification or has not been admitted without examination under Rule 14.06(b) shall not be appointed as an official court reporter by any judge in any circuit court of this state.
In the absence of an official court reporter because of illness, physical incapacity, death, dismissal or resignation, a judge may appoint a temporary reporter who meets the requirements of Rule 14.05 or Rule 14.06(b) or (c). The temporary reporter shall not serve more than six months without obtaining a certificate pursuant to Rule 14.05 or Rule 14.06(b).
(Adopted June 25, 1974, effective January 1, 1975. Amended December 14, 1978, effective January 1, 1979; amended September 1, 1979, effective September 1, 1979; amended February 28, 2001, effective January 1, 2002; amended December 5, 2005, effective January 1, 2006; amended June 25, 2019, effective July 1, 2019.)
First Adopted: June 25, 1974
Most Recently Effective: December 02, 2016
Rule 14 | Rules Governing The Missouri Bar and the Judiciary | Certified Court Reporters
14.08 | Funds – Disbursement of
All fees and other monies accruing under this Rule 14 shall be deposited by the clerk of this Court in an account called "Certified Court Reporters." All expenses incurred by the board shall be paid out of this fund as authorized by the board and approved by the clerk. The traveling and other necessary expenses of the members of the board shall be paid from said fund.
(Adopted June 25, 1974, effective January 1, 1975. Amended December 14, 1978, effective January 1, 1979; amended September 1, 1979, effective September 1, 1979; amended February 28, 2001, effective January 1, 2002; amended December 2, 2016, effective December 2, 2016.)
First Adopted: June 25, 1974
Most Recently Effective: May 01, 2020
Rule 14 | Rules Governing The Missouri Bar and the Judiciary | Certified Court Reporters
14.09 | Continuing Education, Accreditation of Programs and Activities
(a) Each certified court reporter, including court reporters with temporary certificates pursuant to Rule 14.06(c), shall complete during each reporting year at least ten credit hours of continuing education from programs accredited by the board. A reporting year shall be from July 1 of each year through June 30 of the following year.
(b) A certified court reporter completing more than ten credit hours of accredited programs during one reporting year may receive credit in the next succeeding reporting year for the excess credit hours earned in the immediately preceding year.
(c) A certified court reporter is not required to complete any credit hours in the reporting year in which the reporter is initially or temporarily certified as provided in this Rule 14. Upon written application and for good cause shown, waivers or extensions of time of the credit hours or reporting requirements of this Rule 14 may be granted by the board in individual cases or classes of cases involving hardship or extenuating circumstances.
(d) Continuing education programs for court reporters shall be developed, reviewed and accredited by the board. The court reporter education committee is an accredited sponsor of such programs.
(e) A person meeting the following requirements shall be excused from the continuing education requirement:
(1) Has practiced court reporting for at least 40 years or has reached the age of 60 years;
(2) Holds a certified court reporter certificate;
(3) Is in good standing as a certified court reporter; and
(4) Has been excused from payment of the annual fee required to maintain certification.
(f) As a result of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the reporting year for 2019-2020 will be for the 15 months between July 1, 2019, and September 30, 2020.
(Adopted June 25, 1974, effective January 1, 1975. Amended December 14, 1978, effective January 1, 1979; amended September 1, 1979, effective September 1, 1979; amended February 28, 2001, effective January 1, 2002; amended June 3, 2003, effective January 1, 2004; amended February 4, 2020, effective February 4, 2020; amended May 1, effective May 1, 2020.)
First Adopted: June 25, 1974
Most Recently Effective: May 01, 2020
Rule 14 | Rules Governing The Missouri Bar and the Judiciary | Certified Court Reporters
14.10 | Reporting Requirements – Sanctions – Review
(a) On or before July 31 of each year, each certified court reporter shall report to the board the number of credit hours of accredited programs the reporter completed in the preceding reporting year.
(b) Each certified court reporter failing to meet the continuing education requirements of this Rule 14 shall be notified by mail addressed to the reporter's last known address. The notice shall advise the reporter that he or she has not filed the required report or completed the required number of credit hours and that the reporter, if required to meet the continuing education requirements of this Rule 14, may file, within thirty days of the date the notice was mailed, information establishing compliance. Within thirty days of the receipt of any information establishing compliance with this Rule 14 submitted by the reporter, the board shall determine if the reporter completed the required number of credit hours of accredited programs or if the reporter is entitled to a waiver of the requirement or an extension of time to comply with the requirement. The board shall notify the reporter of its determination of compliance with this Rule 14.
(c) A certified court reporter may file a written request for reconsideration within fifteen days of the date of board's notice pursuant to Rule 14.10(b) that the reporter has not filed the required report or completed the required number of credit hours. The reporter requesting reconsideration shall submit written documentation accompanying the reporter's request for reconsideration in support of the request. The board shall reconsider its decision and shall make a decision within 45 days of the filing of any request for reconsideration. The reporter shall be notified of the decision within ten days of the board's decision regarding the request for reconsideration.
(d) Each certified court reporter to whom a notice is sent pursuant to Rule 14.10(b) shall pay a late filing fee of $25. Payment of this fee shall accompany the late-filed information establishing compliance with the continuing education requirements of this Rule 14. Failure to pay the fee shall be considered a failure to comply with these requirements.
(e) The board annually shall report to this Court the name of each certified court reporter not meeting the continuing education requirements of this Rule 14 and may recommend, pursuant to Rule 14.11(a), revocation or suspension of the certification of any court reporter not meeting the continuing education requirements.
(f) As a result of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the reporting deadline for the 2019-2020 reporting year is extended until October 31, 2020.
(Adopted June 25, 1974, effective January 1, 1975. Amended December 14, 1978, effective January 1, 1979; amended September 1, 1979, effective September 1, 1979; amended February 28, 2001, effective January 1, 2002; amended May 1, 2020, effective May 1, 2020.)
First Adopted: June 25, 1974
Most Recently Effective: January 01, 2002
Rule 14 | Rules Governing The Missouri Bar and the Judiciary | Certified Court Reporters
14.11 | Revocation or Suspension
(a) This Court, for good cause shown after a hearing by the board, may revoke or suspend any certificate issued by the board.
(b) The clerk of this Court shall notify or cause to be notified the clerk of each circuit court, the court administrator of the circuit courts of St. Louis City and Jackson and St. Louis Counties, and the clerk of each district of the court of appeals of the name and certificate number of any court reporter whose certificate has been revoked or suspended. If a certificate that has been revoked or suspended is reinstated, the clerk of this Court shall notify or cause to be notified the clerk of each circuit court, the court administrator of the circuit courts of St. Louis City and Jackson and St. Louis Counties, and the clerk of each district of the court of appeals of the name and certificate number of any court reporter whose certificate has been reinstated.
(c) A certified court reporter who has allowed a certification to lapse due to nonpayment of the renewal fee may request reinstatement by the board upon payment of all back fees plus a penalty of $25 for each year, to a maximum of $100, of nonpayment and proof of compliance or request for waiver of the provisions of Rule 14.09 and Rule 14.10.
(Adopted June 25, 1974, effective January 1, 1975. Amended December 14, 1978, effective January 1, 1979; amended September 1, 1979, effective September 1, 1979; amended February 28, 2001, effective January 1, 2002.)
First Adopted: June 25, 1974
Most Recently Effective: January 01, 2002
Rule 14 | Rules Governing The Missouri Bar and the Judiciary | Certified Court Reporters
14.12 | Interpretation of Rule
Nothing in this Rule 14 shall be construed as a limitation upon the powers of this Court, the court of appeals, or the circuit court to govern the conduct of and to discipline official court reporters. Nor shall this Rule 14 be construed as any limitation upon the rights of any individual to seek any remedy afforded by law, nor as an exclusive mode of regulating court reporters.
(Adopted June 25, 1974, effective January 1, 1975. Amended December 14, 1978, effective January 1, 1979; amended September 1, 1979, effective September 1, 1979; amended February 28, 2001, effective January 1, 2002.)