Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts

The hiring of an official court reporter is a collaborative effort between the AOC and the hiring judge. The AOC will accept applications based on the qualifications listed below. Applications that meet the qualifications will be forwarded to the hiring judge for further review and consideration.

For contract reporters, the AOC accepts resumes on a continual basis. Qualifications are evaluated and references will be verified. If criteria are met, the applicants are mailed a contract.

The AOC requires that all reporters possess a high school diploma or equivalent; completion of court reporter training or practical court reporting experience is also required; preference is given to reporters using shorthand machines with a CAT system or voice writing; notaries public are also preferred. All reporters will be required to produce transcripts.

The General Assembly enacted Public Chapter 450 in 2009, which requires that all court reporters be licensed to engage in the practice of court reporting on and after July 1, 2010. Please click here for more information about the licensure process.