--- title: "Court Reporting Glossary: Terms From CAT to Errata | DepoStack" description: "Plain definitions of court reporting terms, from CAT software and realtime to errata sheets, designations and the RPR, with sources and related Field Notes." url: "https://depostack.com/glossary/" --- # Court reporting glossary. The words around the record, defined plainly, with the Field Notes that use them. 47 terms. Sources checked October 12, 2026. ## A **AAERT, also called American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers** The professional association for digital reporters and transcribers. It offers education and three certifications: CER, CDR and CET. Source: [AAERT certification program](https://aaert.org/become-certified/certification-program/) (aaert.org) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [The State of Scoping and Transcript Review in 2026: Drafts, Audio, AI, and Who Decides](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-transcript-review-2026/) **Agency, also called court reporting firm** A firm that schedules reporters and videographers, books rooms and remote sessions, and produces, bills and delivers the transcripts for the law firms it serves. In Field Notes - [What I Learned Running Technology at a Court Reporting Firm](https://depostack.com/blog/running-technology-court-reporting-firm/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) **Appearance fee, also called per diem** A charge for the reporter’s time at the proceeding, billed separately from the transcript pages. It is one line of the invoice, beside the page rate. In Field Notes - [How Much Do Court Reporters Make in 2026? Freelance vs. Official vs. CART](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporter-salary/) - [Court Reporter Per-Page Rates Explained: Originals, Copies & Expedites](https://depostack.com/blog/per-page-rates/) ## C **CART, also called Communication Access Realtime Translation** The instant translation of the spoken word into text, written on a stenotype machine with realtime software, so a person who is deaf or hard of hearing can read along as it is said. Source: [What is captioning (NCRA)](https://www.ncra.org/home/the-profession/Captioning) (ncra.org) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [Realtime Court Reporting: Equipment, Setup & Getting Started in 2026](https://depostack.com/blog/realtime-court-reporting/) - [How Much Do Court Reporters Make in 2026? Freelance vs. Official vs. CART](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporter-salary/) **CAT software, also called computer-aided transcription** The software that translates a stenographic reporter’s strokes into English through the reporter’s own dictionary, then holds the editing, formatting and production of the transcript. Eclipse and Case CATalyst are two widely used examples. In Field Notes - [What Is CAT Software? A Guide for New Court Reporters](https://depostack.com/blog/what-is-cat-software/) - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) **CER, CDR and CET** AAERT’s certifications for the digital record: Certified Electronic Reporter (recording court and non-court proceedings), Certified Deposition Reporter (recording depositions) and Certified Electronic Transcriber (transcribing recorded proceedings). Source: [AAERT certification program](https://aaert.org/become-certified/certification-program/) (aaert.org) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [The State of Scoping and Transcript Review in 2026: Drafts, Audio, AI, and Who Decides](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-transcript-review-2026/) **Certification, also called reporter’s certificate** The reporter’s signed statement that the witness was duly sworn and that the transcript accurately records the testimony. In federal depositions, Rule 30(f)(1) requires the officer to certify in writing; it is the reporter’s act, never the software’s. Source: [Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 30 (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_30) (law.cornell.edu) In Field Notes - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) - [The State of Scoping and Transcript Review in 2026: Drafts, Audio, AI, and Who Decides](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-transcript-review-2026/) - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) **CLVS, also called Certified Legal Video Specialist** NCRA’s credential for legal videographers. NCRA describes it as setting and enforcing standards for competency in the capture, use and retention of legal video. Source: [What is certified legal videography (NCRA)](https://www.ncra.org/home/the-profession/what-is-certified-legal-videography) (ncra.org) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) **Copy** A transcript bought after the original has been ordered, at a lower per-page rate. In the federal rate schedule the first party to order pays the original rate and later parties pay a copy rate. Source: [Federal Court Reporting Program, transcript rates (U.S. Courts)](https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/federal-court-reporting-program) (uscourts.gov) In Field Notes - [Court Reporter Per-Page Rates Explained: Originals, Copies & Expedites](https://depostack.com/blog/per-page-rates/) - [How Much Do Court Reporters Make in 2026? Freelance vs. Official vs. CART](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporter-salary/) - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) **CRR, also called Certified Realtime Reporter** NCRA’s realtime certification. A candidate must be an NCRA member holding the RPR or higher, and pass a five-minute realtime testimony test at 200 words per minute with 96 percent accuracy. Source: [Certified Realtime Reporter (NCRA)](https://www.ncra.org/certification/NCRA-Certifications/certified-realtime-reporter) (ncra.org) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) - [Realtime Court Reporting: Equipment, Setup & Getting Started in 2026](https://depostack.com/blog/realtime-court-reporting/) **CSR, also called Certified Shorthand Reporter** The title some states give their court reporter license; California’s Court Reporters Board, for example, licenses reporters through its CSR examination. Other states use other titles, such as CCR, and some require no license at all, so check the state where the proceeding is held. Sources: [State certification requirements (NCRA)](https://www.ncra.org/certification/NCRA-Certifications/state-certification-requirements) (ncra.org); [Voice writers, initial statement of reasons (Court Reporters Board of California)](https://www.courtreportersboard.ca.gov/lawsregs/voice_writer_isor.pdf) (courtreportersboard.ca.gov) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) ## D **Daily copy, also called next-day transcript** A transcript delivered the day after the proceeding. The federal rate schedule calls it a next-day transcript and prices it above three-day and seven-day delivery. Source: [Federal Court Reporting Program, transcript rates (U.S. Courts)](https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/federal-court-reporting-program) (uscourts.gov) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [Court Reporter Per-Page Rates Explained: Originals, Copies & Expedites](https://depostack.com/blog/per-page-rates/) **Deponent** The witness whose deposition is being taken. Source: [Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 30 (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_30) (law.cornell.edu) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) - [The State of Exhibit Marking in 2026: Stickers, Stamps, and PDF Exhibits](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-exhibit-marking-2026/) **Deposition** A witness’s sworn testimony, taken out of court by question and answer before an officer such as a court reporter, and recorded for use in the case. Source: [Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 30 (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_30) (law.cornell.edu) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [The State of Exhibit Marking in 2026: Stickers, Stamps, and PDF Exhibits](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-exhibit-marking-2026/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) **Designations, also called counter-designations** The page-and-line ranges of a deposition a party plans to present at trial in place of live testimony. The other side answers with counter-designations: other parts that in fairness should be heard with them. Sources: [Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 26 (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_26) (law.cornell.edu); [Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 32 (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_32) (law.cornell.edu) In Field Notes - [The State of Deposition Video Sync in 2026: Timecode, Transcript, and Designations](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-deposition-video-sync-2026/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) **Digital reporting, also called electronic reporting** Making the record by digitally recording the proceeding, with a reporter who runs and monitors the recording; the transcript is produced from the audio afterward. Source: [AAERT certification program](https://aaert.org/become-certified/certification-program/) (aaert.org) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [The State of Scoping and Transcript Review in 2026: Drafts, Audio, AI, and Who Decides](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-transcript-review-2026/) ## E **Errata sheet** The page on which a witness lists changes to the transcript after reading it, with the reason for each. Under federal Rule 30(e), a witness who asks to review before the deposition ends has 30 days to review and sign such a statement. Source: [Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 30 (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_30) (law.cornell.edu) In Field Notes - [The State of Deposition Video Sync in 2026: Timecode, Transcript, and Designations](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-deposition-video-sync-2026/) - [The State of Scoping and Transcript Review in 2026: Drafts, Audio, AI, and Who Decides](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-transcript-review-2026/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) **Exhibit** A document or object marked with a number during a proceeding so the testimony can refer to it exactly. In Field Notes - [The State of Exhibit Marking in 2026: Stickers, Stamps, and PDF Exhibits](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-exhibit-marking-2026/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) **Exhibit log, also called exhibit index** The running list of exhibits: each number, a short description and the transcript page where it was marked or offered. A transcript usually carries it in the index at the front. Source: [Transcript Format Requirements (U.S. Court of Federal Claims)](https://www.cfc.uscourts.gov/sites/cfc/files/transcript_format_requirements.pdf) (cfc.uscourts.gov) In Field Notes - [The State of Exhibit Marking in 2026: Stickers, Stamps, and PDF Exhibits](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-exhibit-marking-2026/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) **Exhibit marking** Labelling each exhibit with its number, traditionally with a sticker or a stamp, so it can be identified in the record. Under federal Rule 30(f)(2), documents produced at a deposition must, on a party’s request, be marked for identification and attached to it. Source: [Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 30 (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_30) (law.cornell.edu) In Field Notes - [The State of Exhibit Marking in 2026: Stickers, Stamps, and PDF Exhibits](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-exhibit-marking-2026/) - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) **Expedite** Delivery faster than the standard turnaround, billed at a higher per-page rate. The federal schedule’s expedited tier is seven days; three-day, next-day and two-hour delivery cost more again. Source: [Federal Court Reporting Program, transcript rates (U.S. Courts)](https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/federal-court-reporting-program) (uscourts.gov) In Field Notes - [Court Reporter Per-Page Rates Explained: Originals, Copies & Expedites](https://depostack.com/blog/per-page-rates/) - [How Much Do Court Reporters Make in 2026? Freelance vs. Official vs. CART](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporter-salary/) - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) ## L **Legal videographer** The professional who records a deposition on video and keeps the video record, which is often synced to the reporter’s transcript. Source: [What is certified legal videography (NCRA)](https://www.ncra.org/home/the-profession/what-is-certified-legal-videography) (ncra.org) In Field Notes - [The State of Deposition Video Sync in 2026: Timecode, Transcript, and Designations](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-deposition-video-sync-2026/) - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [What I Learned Running Technology at a Court Reporting Firm](https://depostack.com/blog/running-technology-court-reporting-firm/) ## N **NCRA, also called National Court Reporters Association** The national association of stenographic court reporters, captioners and legal videographers. It awards certifications such as the RPR, RMR, CRR and CLVS. Source: [NCRA certifications](https://www.ncra.org/certification/NCRA-Certifications) (ncra.org) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) - [The State of Scoping and Transcript Review in 2026: Drafts, Audio, AI, and Who Decides](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-transcript-review-2026/) **Notice of deposition** The written notice a party serves to take a deposition. In federal practice it states the time and place, the deponent’s name and address if known, and the method for recording the testimony. Source: [Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 30 (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_30) (law.cornell.edu) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) **NVRA, also called National Verbatim Reporters Association** A national association of verbatim reporters, voice writers among them. It offers entry-level and advanced certifications for court reporters, CART providers and captioners, scopists and transcriptionists. Source: [National Verbatim Reporters Association](https://nvra.org/) (nvra.org) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) ## O **Oath, also called swearing in** The oath or affirmation the officer gives the witness before testimony begins. In federal depositions it is part of the officer’s opening statement on the record. Source: [Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 30 (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_30) (law.cornell.edu) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) - [The State of Scoping and Transcript Review in 2026: Drafts, Audio, AI, and Who Decides](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-transcript-review-2026/) **Official reporter, also called official court reporter** A reporter employed by or contracted to a court to make the record of its proceedings. A freelance reporter covers depositions and other matters for agencies and law firms. In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [Court Reporter Per-Page Rates Explained: Originals, Copies & Expedites](https://depostack.com/blog/per-page-rates/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) **On the record, also called off the record** While on the record, every word is taken down. Going off the record pauses the transcript, usually by agreement of everyone present, and the reporter notes the times on the record. In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) - [The State of Deposition Video Sync in 2026: Timecode, Transcript, and Designations](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-deposition-video-sync-2026/) **Original** The first, certified transcript, billed to the party who orders it first at the original per-page rate; every later order is a copy. Source: [Federal Court Reporting Program, transcript rates (U.S. Courts)](https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/federal-court-reporting-program) (uscourts.gov) In Field Notes - [Court Reporter Per-Page Rates Explained: Originals, Copies & Expedites](https://depostack.com/blog/per-page-rates/) - [The State of Exhibit Marking in 2026: Stickers, Stamps, and PDF Exhibits](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-exhibit-marking-2026/) - [The State of Deposition Video Sync in 2026: Timecode, Transcript, and Designations](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-deposition-video-sync-2026/) ## P **Page and line** How testimony is cited: the page, then the line, as in 142:18. Every transcript page carries numbered lines, so a cite points to one line of the record. Source: [Transcript Format Requirements (U.S. Court of Federal Claims)](https://www.cfc.uscourts.gov/sites/cfc/files/transcript_format_requirements.pdf) (cfc.uscourts.gov) In Field Notes - [The State of Deposition Video Sync in 2026: Timecode, Transcript, and Designations](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-deposition-video-sync-2026/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) - [The State of Scoping and Transcript Review in 2026: Drafts, Audio, AI, and Who Decides](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-transcript-review-2026/) **Per-page rate, also called page rate** The price of a transcript per formatted page, which changes with original or copy and with the turnaround ordered. It is usually one line of a larger invoice. Source: [Federal Court Reporting Program, transcript rates (U.S. Courts)](https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/federal-court-reporting-program) (uscourts.gov) In Field Notes - [Court Reporter Per-Page Rates Explained: Originals, Copies & Expedites](https://depostack.com/blog/per-page-rates/) - [Realtime Court Reporting: Equipment, Setup & Getting Started in 2026](https://depostack.com/blog/realtime-court-reporting/) - [How Much Do Court Reporters Make in 2026? Freelance vs. Official vs. CART](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporter-salary/) **Proofreader** A reader who checks a finished transcript for typing, spelling and format errors. Unlike a scopist, a proofreader works from the text and does not compare it with the reporter’s steno notes. Source: [Scopists (NCRA)](https://www.ncra.org/home/the-profession/Court-Reporting/Scopists) (ncra.org) In Field Notes - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) - [The State of Scoping and Transcript Review in 2026: Drafts, Audio, AI, and Who Decides](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-transcript-review-2026/) - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) ## R **Read and sign, also called signature, waiving signature** The witness’s chance to read the transcript and sign it, listing any changes on an errata sheet; waiving signature gives it up. In federal practice the deponent or a party must ask for it before the deposition is completed. Source: [Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 30 (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_30) (law.cornell.edu) In Field Notes - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) - [The State of Deposition Video Sync in 2026: Timecode, Transcript, and Designations](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-deposition-video-sync-2026/) - [The State of Scoping and Transcript Review in 2026: Drafts, Audio, AI, and Who Decides](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-transcript-review-2026/) **Realtime** The reporter’s steno translated into text on screen as the words are spoken, so counsel can read along during the proceeding. The feed is an unedited draft, not the certified transcript. Sources: [What is court reporting (NCRA)](https://www.ncra.org/home/the-profession/Court-Reporting) (ncra.org); [Federal Court Reporting Program, transcript rates (U.S. Courts)](https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/federal-court-reporting-program) (uscourts.gov) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [Realtime Court Reporting: Equipment, Setup & Getting Started in 2026](https://depostack.com/blog/realtime-court-reporting/) - [Court Reporter Per-Page Rates Explained: Originals, Copies & Expedites](https://depostack.com/blog/per-page-rates/) **Remote deposition** A deposition taken by telephone or video with the participants in different places. Under federal Rule 30(b)(4) the parties may agree to one, or the court may order it. Source: [Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 30 (Cornell LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_30) (law.cornell.edu) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [The State of Exhibit Marking in 2026: Stickers, Stamps, and PDF Exhibits](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-exhibit-marking-2026/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) **RMR, also called Registered Merit Reporter** NCRA’s next-level skills certification for mid-career reporters. An NCRA member who holds the RPR passes three five-minute tests, at 200, 240 and 260 words per minute, with 95 percent accuracy on each. Source: [Registered Merit Reporter (NCRA)](https://www.ncra.org/certification/NCRA-Certifications/registered-merit-reporter) (ncra.org) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) **Rough draft** An unedited, uncertified version of the transcript, delivered soon after the proceeding for reference. It is not the record and can differ from the final transcript. In Field Notes - [The State of Scoping and Transcript Review in 2026: Drafts, Audio, AI, and Who Decides](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-transcript-review-2026/) - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) **RPR, also called Registered Professional Reporter** NCRA’s foundational certification. A candidate passes a written knowledge test and three five-minute skills tests (literary at 180, jury charge at 200 and testimony at 225 words per minute) with 95 percent accuracy on each. Source: [Registered Professional Reporter (NCRA)](https://www.ncra.org/certification/NCRA-Certifications/registered-professional-reporter) (ncra.org) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) - [Realtime Court Reporting: Equipment, Setup & Getting Started in 2026](https://depostack.com/blog/realtime-court-reporting/) **RTF/CRE, also called Rich Text Format, Court Reporter Extension** A file format for moving jobs between different CAT systems while keeping much of the transcript’s formatting. It may not carry every system-specific setting, so test it before a deadline depends on it. Source: [Export RTF/CRE (Stenograph)](https://solutioncenter.stenograph.com/en_US/export/exportrtf) (solutioncenter.stenograph.com) In Field Notes - [Eclipse vs. Case CATalyst: Price, Platform, and Fit in 2026](https://depostack.com/blog/eclipse-vs-case-catalyst/) - [Switching CAT Software: A Reporter's Migration Checklist](https://depostack.com/blog/switching-cat-software/) - [Why CAT Software Changes Slowly: Continuity, Cost, and Tradeoffs](https://depostack.com/blog/why-court-reporting-software-hasnt-changed/) ## S **Scopist** A professional transcript editor working for the court reporter, who compares the reporter’s steno with the translated text to catch mistranslations. The reporter still reviews and certifies the transcript. Source: [Scopists (NCRA)](https://www.ncra.org/home/the-profession/Court-Reporting/Scopists) (ncra.org) In Field Notes - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) - [The State of Scoping and Transcript Review in 2026: Drafts, Audio, AI, and Who Decides](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-transcript-review-2026/) - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) **Steno dictionary, also called job dictionary** The reporter’s own list of steno strokes and the words they stand for, which CAT software translates through. Reporters build it over years, often with a job dictionary of names and terms for each case. In Field Notes - [Switching CAT Software: A Reporter's Migration Checklist](https://depostack.com/blog/switching-cat-software/) - [Eclipse vs. Case CATalyst: Price, Platform, and Fit in 2026](https://depostack.com/blog/eclipse-vs-case-catalyst/) - [What Is CAT Software? A Guide for New Court Reporters](https://depostack.com/blog/what-is-cat-software/) **Stenotype, also called steno writer, steno machine** The shorthand machine a stenographic reporter writes on, pressing several keys at once to write a syllable, a word or a phrase in one stroke. In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [The State of Scoping and Transcript Review in 2026: Drafts, Audio, AI, and Who Decides](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-transcript-review-2026/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) ## T **Timecode** A running time reference recorded with the video, in hours, minutes, seconds and frames. Syncing ties each transcript line to its timecode. In Field Notes - [The State of Deposition Video Sync in 2026: Timecode, Transcript, and Designations](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-deposition-video-sync-2026/) - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) **Transcript** The written, verbatim record of a proceeding, produced and certified by the reporter. In Field Notes - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [The State of Deposition Video Sync in 2026: Timecode, Transcript, and Designations](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-deposition-video-sync-2026/) **Transcript format** The page rules a transcript follows: numbered lines, a set number of lines per page, margins and characters per line. Courts and states set their own; the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, for example, requires at least 25 numbered lines per page. Source: [Transcript Format Requirements (U.S. Court of Federal Claims)](https://www.cfc.uscourts.gov/sites/cfc/files/transcript_format_requirements.pdf) (cfc.uscourts.gov) In Field Notes - [Court Reporter Per-Page Rates Explained: Originals, Copies & Expedites](https://depostack.com/blog/per-page-rates/) - [The Art of the Transcript: Scoping and Proofreading Best Practices](https://depostack.com/blog/art-of-the-transcript/) - [The State of Deposition Video Sync in 2026: Timecode, Transcript, and Designations](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-deposition-video-sync-2026/) ## V **Video sync, also called synchronized video** Linking a deposition video to the transcript line by line, so any line can be played with its video and clips can be cut by page and line. In Field Notes - [The State of Deposition Video Sync in 2026: Timecode, Transcript, and Designations](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-deposition-video-sync-2026/) - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [The State of Scoping and Transcript Review in 2026: Drafts, Audio, AI, and Who Decides](https://depostack.com/blog/state-of-transcript-review-2026/) **Voice writing** Making the verbatim record by speaking the proceeding into a closed microphone or steno mask, which keeps the reporter’s voice silent in the room, and producing the transcript from that voice record. Source: [Voice writers, initial statement of reasons (Court Reporters Board of California)](https://www.courtreportersboard.ca.gov/lawsregs/voice_writer_isor.pdf) (courtreportersboard.ca.gov) In Field Notes - [Court Reporting Setups by Job Type: What Each Method Needs, and What the Rules Allow](https://depostack.com/blog/court-reporting-setups-by-job/) - [What Is CAT Software? A Guide for New Court Reporters](https://depostack.com/blog/what-is-cat-software/)