On behalf of its members, the Arizona Court Reporters Association (ACRA) strongly opposes the Administrative Office of the Courts’ (AOC) proposal to increase certification fees for Certified Court Reporters in Arizona.

The proposed fee hike—combined with the ongoing cost of fulfilling mandatory continuing education requirements—would place a significant financial burden on court reporters across the state.

Based on ACRA’s research, Arizona already has the highest certification fees in the nation. Below is a sample comparison of annual certification fees in other self-funded states:

Arizona is already experiencing a shortage of certified court reporters. An increase in fees will only exacerbate this issue by discouraging new reporters from becoming certified in our state and prompting current dual-certificate holders to forego renewal. We are already hearing from members who have decided not to renew their certifications after this year due to cost concerns.

This growing shortage directly affects the public’s access to justice. Every litigant is entitled to an accurate, impartial, and certified verbatim record of their proceedings. Without sufficient certified court reporters, the integrity and availability of the official record are at risk.

For these reasons, ACRA urges the AOC to reconsider this proposed fee increase and to explore alternative solutions that do not place additional financial strain on a critical profession already under pressure.

Thank you.
Arizona Court Reporters Association

June 18, 2025
To the AOC and Certification and Licensing Division:
I am submitting this comment in opposition to the proposed increase in certification fees for
Arizona’s Certified Court Reporters.
This increase would significantly and unfairly impact working reporters across the state. As
professionals who already fund our own continuing education, software, and equipment— with no
financial support from the state—raising certification fees places an additional, unnecessary
financial burden on us.
Arizona already has the highest certification fee structures among self-funded states, according to
recent research. Increasing the cost even further will:
• Deter new reporters from becoming certified in Arizona
• Cause dual-certified reporters to drop their Arizona license
• Accelerate the loss of experienced professionals from the field
• Deepen the existing court reporter shortage, which is already straining the legal
system
The result? Fewer certified court reporters, more delays in the justice system, and a risk to the
integrity of the official record. These consequences affect everyone, not just those in the
profession.
I respectfully urge you to reconsider this fee increase and instead work with the court reporting
community to find sustainable solutions that protect both the profession and the public’s access to
accurate, certified court records.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely,



Doreen Sutton, RPR, RMR, RDR, FAPR CR #50076
CA CSR #11144
Professional reporter for 33 years

I have been working as a court reporter in Arizona for 35 years, and I strongly oppose the proposed increase in certification fees for Arizona court reporters.

Arizona already has some of the highest fees among self-funded states. Also, those of us working in Arizona courts are bound by the statutory rates that have not increased in 40 years! Between the low page rate and an increased certification fee, Arizona will not be able to attract new court reporters to the state, worsening the existing shortage.

Please don't increase our fees.

Sincerely,
Linda Cantrell
Kingman, Arizona
[email protected]
Mohave County Official Court Reporter (30 years)
#50051

To Whom it may concern: Please see my attached letter and consider these comments for the raised dues proposal.

Sincerely, Cathy Miccolis, AZ Certified Reporter #50068

I am submitting this letter in opposition to the proposed fee rate increase. Arizona has one of the highest certification rates in the country already. Our page rates have not increased since the '70's. I am semi-retired and the proposed rates would be prohibitive to me.