Stenography Certification
About Stenography
Stenography is the process of writing in shorthand, or a system of abbreviated writing. It is used to quickly and efficiently transcribe spoken words, such as in court proceedings, meetings, and lectures.
A stenographer uses a stenotype machine, which is a specialized keyboard with a limited number of keys, to transcribe speech at a high speed. The machine has a keyboard with a few keys that correspond to several phonetic sounds, the stenographer uses these keys to press several sounds at once, this allows to write faster than traditional typing. The machine then translates the keystrokes into standard text.
Stenographers are typically trained in the use of a specific shorthand system, such as Gregg shorthand or Pitman shorthand. These systems use a combination of symbols, abbreviations, and phonetic sounds to represent words, phrases, and sounds.
Stenography is widely used in courtrooms and legislative chambers, where it is important to have a verbatim record of proceedings. It is also used in closed captioning for television and live events, and in various other settings, such as business meetings, conferences and other settings where is needed to keep a written record of the proceedings.
Who should take the Stenography Certification exam?
A Stenography course is appropriate for individuals who are interested in learning how to transcribe speech quickly and accurately into written form. This course is usually recommended for people who are looking to become court reporters, captioners or real-time stenographers. The course would teach the students the skill of shorthand writing, transcribing and machine shorthand. It is also beneficial for people who want to improve their typing skills, or for people who have an interest in legal or medical transcription. Additionally, those who wish to work in any profession which require them to transcribe speeches, meetings or interviews will find stenography course valuable.
Stenography Certification Course Outline
Some common topics covered in a stenography course may include:
Basic theory of shorthand and how to write shorthand symbols and phrases
Speed building exercises to improve shorthand writing speed and accuracy
Transcription practice to improve shorthand reading and typing skills
Keyboard skills and typing techniques, including touch typing and use of stenography machine
Legal and medical terminology and practices for court reporting and closed captioning
Audio-transcription, and the use of specialized software
Preparing for and taking a certification exam, such as the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) certification exam
Professional skills and ethics, including client management, confidentiality and work environment.