A court reporter makes a verbatim record of legal proceedings in a courtroom or deposition setting and provides a certified transcript for use by the legal profession. Conferences also may be reported and transcribed. Texas State law requires that shorthand reporters be certified to work in the courts or as freelance reporters. Persons not certified may work in business, civil service, or medical transcription using machine shorthand skills. Those with excellent machine shorthand skills may caption for television or write realtime for the hearing impaired. The San Antonio College Court Reporting Program offers a "conflict-free," computer-compatible theory. This program provides the proficiencies needed to pass the certification examination administered by the Court Reporter Certification Board of Texas and the Registered Professional Reporter examination administered by the National Court Reporters Association.
