Oregon CSR Requirements
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STATE COURT ADMINISTRATOR POLICIES FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF SHORTHAND REPORTERS

ADOPTED DECEMBER 1, 1997

WITH AMENDMENTS ADOPTED THROUGH APRIL 1, 2006
LEGAL AUTHORITY: ORS 8.415 to 8.455 and 44.320

TABLE OF SECTIONS

INTRODUCTION

1. REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION GENERALLY
1.1 Applicant Qualifications
1.2 Date of Issue/Expiration
1.3 Renewal of Certification
1.4 Expired Certificates
1.5 Use of Certified Shorthand Reporter Designation

2. EXAMS
2.1 Exam Dates, Notification, and Right to Cancel Exam
2.2 Exam Content
2.3 Exam Requirements
2.4 Grading Exams
2.5 Notice of Results
2.6 Review of Exam
2.7 Substitution for Oregon Exam

3. FEES
3.1 Fee Schedule
3.2 Refunds
3.3 Proration
3.4 Waiver of Application Fee after Passing Oregon Exam

4. DUTIES OF CSR CERTIFICATE HOLDERS
4.1 CSR Code of Conduct
4.2 Return of CSR Certificate and No Representation as a CSR
4.3 Notice of Change of Location or Name
4.4 Replacement Certificates and Identification Cards
4.5 Continuing Education

5. VIOLATIONS OF CSR POLICIES
5.1 Complaints
5.2 Grounds for Suspension, Revocation, and Refusal to Issue or Renew Certificate
5.3 Period of Suspension, Revocation, Resignation, or Refusal of Certificate
5.4 Reinstatement

6. PROGRAM RECORDS
6.1 Records Generally
6.2 Mailing Lists
6.3. Privacy

7. POLICY INTERPRETATION AND EXCEPTIONS
7.1 Interpretation of Policies
7.2 Granting Exceptions to Policies

INTRODUCTION

The State Court Administrator adopts the following policies and procedures pursuant to Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 8.415 to 8.455 and 44.320. The policies cover all certified shorthand reporters (CSRs) and applicants for certification. On the adopted date, these policies supersede and replace all previous rules and policies governing the certification of shorthand reporters.

DEFINITIONS
These definitions apply in these policies unless otherwise provided:

Certified Shorthand Reporter An individual who has been certified under these policies to engage in the practice of shorthand reporting.

Shorthand Reporter An individual who engages in the activities of shorthand reporting.

Shorthand Reporting The making and transcribing of a verbatim record of any court proceeding, deposition, hearing, or other matter where the verbatim record is required or requested by any court, grand jury, attorney, or referee to be made by means of a written system of either manual or machine shorthand procedures.

Verbatim Record The word-for-word record made using written symbols or abbreviations in shorthand or machine shorthand writing and the accurate transcription of that record by a shorthand reporter.

1. REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION GENERALLY

1.1 Applicant Qualifications

An applicant for certification or renewal of certification as a Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) must meet the following requirements:

(a) Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate.

(b) File a completed application on a current form provided by the Office of the State Court Administrator (OSCA).

(c) Pay the appropriate application fee.

(d) Pass all segments of the required exam (see Section 2) within the 24 months immediately preceding the date OSCA receives the completed application and application fee. This paragraph does not apply to applications for renewal filed within the time frames specified in Section 1.4 of this policy.

(e) Agree to abide by the CSR Code of Conduct in Section 4.1 of this policy.

(f) In accordance with Section 5.3 of this policy, not be serving a period of revocation or refusal of certification.

(g) Not be convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime in Oregon, or the statutory equivalent in another jurisdiction, that is substantially related to a shorthand reporter’s qualifications, functions, or duties. Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor substantially related to a shorthand reporter’s qualifications, functions, or duties, or knowingly making a false statement of a fact that is required to be revealed in an application for certification or renewal of certification, may be grounds for denial or revocation of certification

1.2 Date of Issue/Expiration

OSCA will certify an individual who meets all the requirements in Section 1.1.

A. An original certification expires two years after the last day of the calendar quarter in which OSCA received the candidate’s application for certification. For example, if OSCA receives a candidate’s application in February, and the candidate meets all the requirements for certification, OSCA will issue certification to the candidate with an expiration date of March 31 two years from the current year.

B. A renewed certification expires two years after the expiration date on the CSR’s previous certificate.

1.3 Renewal of Certification

A. OSCA urges every CSR to complete and submit the required documents and fees for renewal as soon as feasible after the CSR receives a renewal notice and renewal forms from OSCA. This will allow the CSR maximum time to correct any deficiencies before the CSR’s certificate expires. Insufficient documentation, fees, or continuing education units in approved courses will not be grounds for extending deadlines for renewal of certification.

B. No later than 60 calendar days before a certificate expires, OSCA will send a renewal notice and renewal forms to the most recent mailing address on file for the certified shorthand reporter.

C. Application to renew certification must be on a current form provided by OSCA, affirmed by the applicant as true and complete, and be accompanied by

(1) the required fee;

(2) a completed CSR Continuing Education Log; and

(3) continuing education supporting documentation and proof of attendance as required in Section 4.5(C) of this policy.

1.4 Expired Certificates

A. A certification expires if OSCA does not receive a completed renewal application, fully paid fees, and other required documentation on or before the certificate expiration date.

B. Except as otherwise provided in this policy, a CSR may renew an expired certification without penalty if OSCA receives all the required, completed paperwork and fully paid renewal fees no later than 30 calendar days after the certification expired. A certification renewed during this 30-day grace period is retroactive.

C. A CSR cannot use the 30-day grace period to obtain additional continuing education units needed to meet renewal requirements.

D. If OSCA receives a renewal more than 30 days after the existing certificate expired, OSCA will send the applicant a notice of expiration and refund renewal fees paid.

E. OSCA will not renew certification after the 30-day grace period has passed. An individual whose certificate has expired and who did not renew within the grace period, but who still wants to be certified, must reapply for certification and meet all the requirements in Section 1.1, including exam requirements.

1.5 Use of Certified Shorthand Reporter Designation

In accordance with ORS 8.435(5), an individual engaged in shorthand reporting in Oregon may not assume or use the title or designation Certified Shorthand Reporter or the abbreviation “C.S.R.” or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviation, sign, or device tending to indicate that the person is a certified shorthand reporter, unless the person has a current Oregon certificate as provided in these policies.

2. EXAMS

2.1 Exam Dates, Notification, and Right to Cancel Exam

A. Exams will be held at least annually and at times the State Court Administrator determines to be appropriate.
B. At least 60 days before an exam, OSCA will notify the following organizations of the exam date, time, registration deadline, and registration process.
(1) Oregon Court Reporters Association (OCRA) (2) National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) (3) Any entity or organization that requests notice
C. The exam registration deadline is 15 calendar days before the exam date. OSCA will state the registration deadline in the exam notice and on the registration form.
D. The State Court Administrator has discretion to cancel an exam. OSCA will provide notice of cancellation to all registrants as soon as reasonably practicable and refund any registration fees collected.

2.2 Exam Content

A. The exam will consist of three five-minute segments of dictation as follows:
(1) Literary at 180 words per minute. (2) Jury charge at 200 words per minute. (3) Two-voice testimony at 225 words per minute.
B. All candidates will begin transcription at the same time, as the exam administrator directs. A maximum of 3 hours and 30 minutes will be allowed to transcribe all three segments; if a candidate transcribes only two segments, 2 hours and 20 minutes will be allowed; if a candidate transcribes only one segment, 1 hour and 10 minutes will be allowed.

2.3 Exam Requirements

A. OSCA must receive a completed registration form and exam fees (see Section 3.1) paid in full no later than the registration deadline shown on the exam notice. Candidates who fail to submit complete registration materials and full payment by the registration deadline will not be allowed to take the exam; OSCA will refund any exam fees paid.
B. Candidates are responsible for providing all necessary equipment and supplies including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) stenotype machine, computer, printer, typewriter, or other electrical or mechanical equipment (2) cables and power cords (3) extension cord (4) power strip (5) surge protector (6) blank diskettes or other media (7) steno pads, transcript paper, etc. (8) dictionary (9) pens and pencils
C. No candidate may use an audio recording device or receive help from any other individual during an exam. The candidate’s exam will be invalid and will not be scored if this policy is violated.
D. Candidates must show one piece of photo identification that includes the candidate’s current address. If a candidate has moved recently, the candidate may present a current utility bill that includes the candidate’s new address in addition to photo identification that includes the candidate’s previous address.

2.4 Grading Exams

A. The CSR Advisory Committee or their delegates will grade all exams, with at least one CSR Advisory Committee member present.
B. Passing score for each test segment is 95 percent.
C. A candidate must pass all three segments of the exam to qualify for certification.<...>