Texas. Court Reporters Certification Board

The Texas Court Reporters Certification Board was created in 1977 (Senate Bill 586, 65th Texas Legislature, Regular Session) to recommend to the Supreme Court of Texas those persons who should be certified to practice court reporting (written shorthand, machine shorthand, oral stenography, or any other method authorized by the Supreme Court) for use in litigation in Texas courts. The board examines applicants to determine their qualifications, collects fees for certification and recertification, and disciplines certified reporters when necessary (through reprimands, suspension, or revocation of certification).

The agency was initially named the Texas Certified Shorthand Reporter Committee, then after only a month became the Texas Court Reporters Committee. The current name was adopted in 1983.

The Texas Court Reporters Certification Board consists of twelve members appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas for overlapping six-year terms. It includes one active district judge (who serves as chair of the board), two active attorneys licensed in Texas, three active official court reporters, three active freelance court reporters, and three members of the general public.

Prior to 1977, a statute from 1925 required that an official court reporter be appointed by a district judge and examined by three attorneys. The 1925 Act set out brief writing requirements that the individual must have met before receiving a certificate.

(Sources include: Guide to Texas State Agencies, 11th edition (2001); the agency web site ( http://www.crcb.state.tx.us/ ), accessed April 2012; and the enabling legislation, 1977.)

From the guide to the Court Reporters Certification Board minutes, 1977-2011, (Texas State Archives)