New FCRR Recipients

USCRA’s Reporter Testing Committee is pleased to announce the following reporters have attained FCRR certification through the examination administered October 11, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in conjunction with USCRA’s Annual Convention.

Lance Boardman – Fairview Park, OH

April Brott – Castro Valley, CA

Darlene Fuller – Macon, GA

Chandra Kean – Upper Marlboro, MD

Gregory Mizanin – Seven Hills, OH

Sharon Ricci – Philadelphia, PA

Joshua Tagoylo – San Francisco, CA

Congratulations to all for attaining this high distinction.

Congress passed the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, and President Bush signed it into law on Thursday, February 20, 2003.

If you have realtime certification, please remember that your local Human Resources office MUST send a completed AO-193 request form and a copy of your realtime certificate to the Administrative Office in order for you to be eligible to receive the 10 percent realtime salary increase approved by the Judicial Conference.

USCRA conducts board meetings and CEU-qualified seminars at its spring MidYear meeting and Annual Convention in autumn. And our quarterly publication, The Circuit Rider, contains articles geared to enhancing your career in the US District Court.

We have several programs to help increase your income. USCRA offers four FCRR testing opportunities per year to obtain realtime certification, recognized by the AO for salary increase. FCRRs may also charge for realtime services. And our yearly Realtime Speed Contest Champion is awarded a cash prize in addition to bragging rights and a beautiful trophy. Other available monetary benefits are announced elsewhere on our website and in The Circuit Rider.

Associate Members. Reporters outside the federal court system may apply for associate membership. All privileges of regular membership obtain, except voting and election rights. CLICK HERE TO JOIN.

Supporting Members. Those not actively engaged in verbatim reporting, who are interested in the preservation of our profession and not otherwise eligible for CLICK HERE TO JOIN.

Student Members. A student certified as being enrolled in a shorthand reporting program may apply as a student member. CLICK HERE TO JOIN.

USCRA focuses its attention on matters that affect court reporters who work in the United States District Court. The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) has a broader focus because they represent reporters working in all fields (i.e. freelance, deposition, official, captioning).

In this capacity, NCRA maintains a list of certified schools. If you are interested in pursuing a career in court reporting, USCRA recommends you check out NCRA’s website at ncraonline.org. That will lead you to a page that outlines their certification process. You can also access their list of approved schools.

If after reviewing NCRA’s website you need further information about court reporting educational opportunities, we encourage you to contact them at their toll-free number, 1-800-272-6272.

Find Your Circuit Rep.
Visit The Gallery of Shorthand
Work Measurement Study Updates – Instructions and updates.
Court Reporters Act, 28 USC Section 753
Obtain an Employer Identification Number – If you’ve ever wondered how to get an EIN, the Internal Revenue Service’s website has the information for you. You will need the Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number and the Instructions for Form SS-4. Consult your tax advisor to find out if an Employer Identification Number is right for you!