Court Reporters Certification

See section 3.2 of the JBCC Rules and section 154.107 of the statute for requirements on reinstating a certification or registration that has been expired for 1 yr. or more.

Important Note: Before starting the reinstatement process, you must email the licensing specialist at courtreporting@txcourts.gov so they can reactivate your profile, thereby allowing you to submit the application online. Do not create an online profile.

Reinstating an Expired Court Reporter Certification 

The three options for reinstating a certification expired for one year or longer are indicated below. 

Option #1: Applicants reinstating an expired certification must meet the same requirements as new applicants if they do not meet the requirements established under option #2 below.

1. First, login to your existing certification profile (do not create a first-time applicant profile) in the online licensing system

   • If you do not know your login credentials, follow the instructions in section XIII of the pdf Guide to Using the Online System located on the home page of our website to obtain your login name and reset your password.
   • If you've never created an online profile, email staff so they can provide the instructions you need to create one. Once your profile is created, proceed to the step below.
2. Second, click the button to apply for reinstatement and follow the instructions accordingly.
   • When paying the application fee on the Credit Card page of the application, the payment portal vendor requires you to enter the billing address on file with the credit card company of the cardholder.
3. Third, submit the exam paperwork and exam fees to the exam vendor (TCRA). 
   • Do not register for the exam using the JBCC online licensing system. You can only register for the exam with TCRA.
   • Refer to the Exam Procedures on the Exam page of our website for additional information.

Option #2: Former TX court reporters who lived in state, moved out of state, and are returning to Texas may reinstate without examination only if they meet the following criteria:

1. You were certified (and living) in Texas prior to moving out of state;
2. You are currently certified in the other state;
3. You have been practicing court reporting in the other state for a period of at least 1 year preceding the date of application for recertification in Texas; and,
4. Your certification is currently in good standing.

If you meet the criteria in option #2 you may become recertified in Texas without retesting by following the procedures below:

1. Login to your existing certification profile in the online licensing system

   • If you do not know your login credentials, follow the instructions in section XIII of the pdf Guide to Using the Online System located on the home page of our website to obtain your login name and reset your password.
   • If you've never created an online profile, email staff so they can provide the instructions you need to create one. Once your profile is created, proceed to the step below.
2. Click the button to apply for reinstatement and follow the instructions accordingly.
3. Upload the required copies of your CE documentation (i.e., copies of your certificates of attendance) to the Additional Supporting Documents portion of your application.
4. Upload all required paperwork (along with documentation confirming the above four criteria) to the Additional Supporting Documents portion of your application. Please refer to section 3.2 (g) of the JBCC Rules for details.
5. Pay the reinstatement fee that is twice the normally required renewal fee. 
   • When paying the application fee on the Credit Card page of the application, the payment portal vendor requires you to enter the billing address on file with the credit card company of the cardholder.
   • Note: the online app will assess the initial $200 fee, and the remaining amount due will be assessed via a staff generated invoice so that the total you pay will be twice the normally required renewal fee.
   • To prevent delays with your application, after you've paid the invoice, you must email the court reporting department to inform them. They are not automatically notified when payments are made.

Option #3: Provisional Certification. Please refer to the Provisional Certification page of our website for details on this option.

Should you have questions not addressed online, please submit inquiries to courtreporting@txcourts.gov.