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Stenographers

Certification, Licensing, and Special Requirements

Certification or Licensing

To work for the federal government, stenographers must pass a civil service test and be able to take dictation at the rate of 80 words per minute and type at least 40 words per minute. Tests of verbal and mathematical ability are also required. Employers in the private sector may require similar tests. The American Association for Electronic Reporters and Transcribers, National Court Reporters Association, and the National Verbatim Reporters Association offer certification for advanced jobs such as court reporters, real-time captioners, and medical transcriptionists.

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