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To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to respectfully express my strong opposition to the proposed increase in certification fees for Certified Court Reporters in Arizona.
As a working reporter in this state for 25 years, I already shoulder the cost of continuing education, professional-grade equipment, software, and national certification requirements. Arizona’s certification fees are already among the highest in the country for self-funded states. Increasing them further would create an unsustainable environment for many of us and actively discourage others from pursuing or maintaining certification in Arizona.
Arizona is currently experiencing a shortage of certified court reporters, and this proposal will only deepen that crisis. I know of colleagues who have already decided not to renew their certifications after this year due to financial strain. Others—despite being certified in other states—are opting not to pursue Arizona licensure because of the excessive costs.
This issue affects more than just the professionals in our field—it threatens the public's access to justice. Certified court reporters are essential to ensuring an accurate, impartial, and protected record of legal proceedings. Weakening our numbers and deterring new professionals will have long-term consequences for the courts and the communities they serve.
For context, here’s a comparison of annual certification fees in other self-funded states:
State Annual Fees Self-Funded
California $225 Yes
Nevada $200 Yes
Georgia $125 Yes
Tennessee $100 Yes
Texas $200 Yes
New Mexico $130 Yes
In addition, the cost to even begin a career as a court reporter after you have obtained a degree/certification is substantial:
• $6,299 – Steno writer *1
• $4,299 – CAT software *2
• $2,000 – Laptop
• $300 – National Court Reporters Association NCRA membership
• $110 – NCRA Each skills test (3 required to become certified) *3
• $220 – NCRA Written knowledge test (required to become certified) *3
• $50 – Arizona state exam (required to become certified) *3
• $500+ – Ongoing CEUs
That’s well over $13,000 in startup costs before paper, ink, maintenance, or additional certification fees are even factored in.
I urge you to reconsider this fee increase and instead explore solutions that support and strengthen the profession—rather than making it harder for court reporters to enter or remain in the field.
Sincerely,
Angela Furniss Miller, RPR
AZ CR50127
Litchfield Park, Arizona
25 Years Freelance Certified Reporter
*1. NexGen Stenographer Machine | Advanced Reporting Technology (Sale price of $4.999.00 limited time)
*2. Case CATalyst Pro | Advanced Transcription Software
*3. ACJA Section 7-206 Subsection E. Initial Certification. All candidates for certification as a certified reporter shall successfully pass the National Court Reporters Association’s Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) examination or the National Verbatim Reporters Association’s Certified Verbatim Reporters (CVR) examination, and a written knowledge test of rules and Arizona statutes relating to certified reporters. All potential candidates for certification must take and pass the examinations to be eligible for certification.
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