All Non-licensee-owned Entities Must Register with the California Court Reporters Board
Effective July 1, 2022, all non-licensee-owned entities providing court reporting services in California must register with the California Court Reporters (Board) and designate a California Licensed Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) to be their reporter-in-charge. All registered non-licensee-owned entities will be under the jurisdiction of the Board and on a list which will be made available on the Board’s website. In 2021, Senate Bill (SB) 241 was passed, implementing the new requirements. The new requirements do not impact California court reporting firms that are wholly owned by California licensed CSRs. These firms do not need to register but may voluntarily register at no charge.
Firms not owned by licensees must be approved for registration by the Board after meeting specified requirements, including paying an annual registration fee to the Board in an amount of $500 and designating a board-certified reporter-in-charge, as specified. A registration is valid for one year and provides for the suspension and revocation of a registration by the Board under specified circumstances.
California licensed CSRs may only work for firms providing court reporting services that are wholly owned by California licensed Certified Shorthand Reporters or entities that are registered with the Board.
For answers to frequently asked questions on the new requirements visit the Firm Registration FAQs on the Board’s website. If you need the services of a court reporter, make sure they are licensed by the Board. You can verify a license or a firm’s registration status by visiting https://search.dca.ca.gov.
