BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCRA MEMBER

  • Sooner Outline, a publication containing valuable information concerning their profession.

  • A skilled lobbyist to represent your profession.

  • Right to vote at the annual meeting on important issues concerning our profession.

  • A discussion forum which allows members to communicate with other reporters, or seek advice.

  • You support the organization that works for you and your profession.

  • The opportunity to earn state and national continuing education credits at local seminars.

  • Membership discounts for seminar registration.

  • Free listing in the OCRA Membership Directory and on the website.

  • Opportunity to hold an office on the OCRA Board or volunteer for a committee.

  • A website maintained on behalf of the Association and its members.

  • OCRA assists in national NCRA certification exams for reporters.

  • Sponsorship of an annual student scholarship.

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS


20O.S. 1503.1
A. Every certified shorthand reporter and every court reporter temporarily employed by the district court, Workers’ Compensation Court, or Corporation Commission shall annually complete at least four (4) hours of continuing education approved by the State Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters. Included in the four-hour minimum requirement for every official shorthand reporter and every court reporter temporarily employed by the district court, Workers’ Compensation Court, or Corporation Commission at least one (1) hour shall relate to Oklahoma court rules and procedures. All four (4) hours of continuing education shall be approved by the State Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters.
B. A certified shorthand reporter or court reporter is exempt from the requirements of subsection A of this section if the reporter verifies under oath to the State Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters that he or she:
1. Has attained the age of sixty-five (65) before or during the calendar year for which the reporter seeks an exemption;
2.Is a member of the armed forces on full-time active duty during the entire calendar year for which the reporter seeks an exemption; or
3.Has provided written verification by a licensed physician that a medical condition has prevented the court reporter from working in such capacity and completing continuing education for the calendar year for which the reporter seeks an exemption.


There are a variety of ways to earn CE credits. A few examples are:


OCRA sponsored seminars. A winter seminar is usually held in February or March in Tulsa, and a summer seminar is usually held in July or August in Oklahoma City.
OCRA sponsored online continuing education credits. Online credits are available towards the end of the calendar year.
NCRA accredited programs.
Additional sources:
Other state association seminars
Seminars offered by software vendors
Higher education classes
Adult education classes
Successfully passing the Written Knowledge test of the CSR exam.
*** All additional sources or programs must be approved by the CSR Board.


It is the responsibility of each court reporter to report their continuing education credit hours annually to the Administrative Office of the Courts by February15th of each year.


It is recommended that you maintain a record of CE points earned.
It is also recommended that you send your compliance form to AOC by registered mail as an extra precaution.

                                       WHO’S WHO


OCRA – Oklahoma Court Reporters Association


OCRA is a volunteer professional association of court reporters in the state of Oklahoma. The organization is committed to ensuring the future, through education, promotion and encouragement, of the profession ofc apturing and preserving the spoken word.
OCRA strives to afford the citizens of the State of Oklahoma total access to the spoken word. The Association implements programs to inspire the respect and credibility essential to the achievements of its mission.
For the benefit of the reporters in Oklahoma, OCRA sponsors two seminars a year and online opportunities for continuing education credits; employs a lobbyist to promote and protect the profession at the Legislature; is committed to training the officers of the Association and its members concerning technology, the profession, ethics, and ever changing laws and rules concerning court reporters.
The Association is governed by an eight member board which consists of working reporters that volunteer their time for our profession. Dues are paid yearly by the first day of January of each year.
OCRA is not directly connected with the CSR Board and AOC, but work in conjunction with them for the benefit of court reporters in the state of Oklahoma.


NCRA – NationalCourt Reporters Association


NCRA is a national association for court reporters. The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) promotes excellence among those who capture and convert the spoken word to text and is committed to supporting every Member in achieving the highest level or professional expertise.
Address
NationalCourt Reporters Association www.ncraonline.org
8224 Old Courthouse Road
Vienna,Virginia 22182-3808
Numbers
TollFree: (800) 272-6272 (NCRA)
Local: (703) 556-6272 (NCRA)
TTY:(703) 556-6289
Fax: (703) 556-6291
MemberServices & Information Center Email
msic@ncrahq.org

CSR Board – State Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters

This board consists of five members, all of whom are certified shorthand reporters, and appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Their duties include administering the CSR exam, review and approval of continuing education programs, and conducting disciplinary proceedings. All actions of the Board shall be supervised by the Supreme Court and be subject to approval by the Court.
For more information about the CSR Board or CSR exams, contact the Administrative Office of the Courts at 405-521-2450.

AOC – Administrative Office of the Courts.
The Administrator for the Courts and his staff, under supervision of the Chief Justice and the
Supreme Court, coordinates judicial operations and personnel throughout the state. Part of the duties include: handling payroll, training, data systems, maintaining a roll of certified reporters for the state, tracking reported CE credits, and other responsibilities. They also provide an Official’s Handbook of rules governing official reporters.
The AOC is also responsible for collecting the licensure fees of certified court reporters. At the present time, the biennial licensure fee is $60.00.
For further information, contact the AOC at 405-521-2450

                                                                                     FAQS

1. How many continuing education credits do I need?


Reporters in the State of Oklahoma are required to obtain four (4) hours of continuing education per year. Official reporters must include one (1) hour of Oklahoma Court Rules and Procedures as part of the four hours.


The Continuing Education Compliance Report must be filed with the Administrative Office of the Court on or before February 15th of each year.


2.  When and where is the next seminar?


You can find information on OCRA sponsored seminars under the Calendar and/or Store sections of our website. Traditionally, OCRA sponsors a winter seminar in Tulsa and a summer seminar in Oklahoma City. OCRA also sponsors online CE Credits towards the end of each year to assist reporters obtaining the required CE credits before the deadline.


3.  What are the test requirements for the Oklahoma CSR?


A two-voice question and answer dictation of testimony at 200 words per minute for five minutes and a five-minute dictation of literary material at 180 words per minute. Applicants must attain 95 percent accuracy.
Also, a written knowledge test of not less than 25 questions relating to Oklahoma law and court rules. Applicants must attain a passing score of 70 percent or better.
Contact the AdministrativeOffice of the Courts for testing information at 405-521-2450.

5.  Does Oklahoma recognize other state certifications?

Any questions concerning reciprocity should be directed to the CSR Board.


6.   I have already paid my OCRA dues, now I have received a bill from the Administrative Office of the Courts. What is this for?


The money paid to the Administrative Office of the Courts is a mandatory  renewal fee for your CSR license.


OCRA is a voluntary organization; the dues are renewable yearly by December 31st.

                                                                                         OKLAHOMA CERTIFICATION


20 O.S. 1503
 A. Every applicant who seeks to be examined for enrollment as a certified shorthand reporter shall prove to the satisfaction of the State Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters that he or she:
   1. Is of legal age;
   2. Meets the requisite standards of ethical fitness; and
   3. Has at least a high school education or its equivalent.
 B. The examination for certification in one or more authorized methods of shorthand reporting consists of two parts, designated Part 1 and Part 2 as follows:
   1. Part 1 consists of the test as authorized by the Supreme Court consisting of the following requirements: demonstrated proficiency in reporting testimony and proceedings at a speed of not more than two hundred (200) words per minute in taking a question-and-answer type dictation and at a speed of not more than one hundred eighty (180) words per minute in taking literary materials which shall be designed to test the ability of an applicant to accurately prepare a transcript of testimony and proceedings that is reasonably free from spelling errors. The Board may not increase or decrease such minimum speed requirement, by rule or otherwise; and
   2. Part 2 is the Oklahoma Written Knowledge test which consists of not less than twenty-five multiple choice questions relating to Oklahoma law and court rules, duties of certified shorthand reporters, and general court procedure. The examination shall be approved by the Supreme Court. A person who has tested with the Board and successfully completed the written knowledge portion of the examination shall be allowed to retain the credit for that portion for two (2) years from the date passed, and shall not be required to retake that portion during the two-year period.
 C. An applicant who is academically dishonest when taking any authorized examination is disqualified and may not take the examination again until two (2) years have elapsed from the date of the examination at which the applicant was disqualified.
 D. A certification issued under this section must be for one or more of the following methods of shorthand reporting:
   1. Written shorthand;
   2. Machine shorthand; or
   3. Any other method of shorthand reporting authorized by the Supreme Court.
 E. No person may engage in shorthand reporting in this state unless the person is a licensed or certified shorthand reporter or otherwise authorized by law or the Supreme Court.

20 O.S. 1503.1
 A. Every certified shorthand reporter and every court reporter temporarily employed by the district court, Workers’ Compensation Court, or Corporation Commission shall annually complete at least four (4) hours of continuing education approved by the State Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters. Included in the four-hour minimum requirement for every official shorthand reporter and every court reporter temporarily employed by the district court, Workers’ Compensation Court, or Corporation Commission at least one (1) hour shall relate to Oklahoma court rules and procedures. All four (4) hours of continuing education shall be approved by the State Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters.
 B. A certified shorthand reporter or court reporter is exempt from the requirements of subsection A of this section if the reporter verifies under oath to the State Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters that he or she:
    1. Has attained the age of sixty-five (65) before or during the calendar year for which the reporter seeks an exemption;
    2. Is a member of the armed forces on full-time active duty during the entire calendar year for which the reporter seeks an exemption; or
    3. Has provided written verification by a licensed physician that a medical condition has prevented the court reporter from working in such capacity and completing continuing education for the calendar year for which the reporter seeks an exemption.

20 O.S. 1505
A person holding a license from another state which is deemed by the State Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters to be equivalent to that of an Oklahoma certified shorthand reporter, or holding current national certification as a shorthand reporter, or holding both an equivalent license from another state and national certification, may be enrolled without examination as an Oklahoma certified shorthand reporter upon satisfying the Board that the credentials of the applicant are in proper order and that the person is a resident of Oklahoma.
Contact the Administrative Office of the Courts for information: 405-521-2450

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