Frequently Asked Questions
I just graduated from the Legal and Realtime Reporting Program at NAIT. How do I become a Certified Shorthand Reporter?
You must apply to the Registrar of the ASRA for full Certified Shorthand Reporter status after you have graduated from NAIT and have been working for six months. A letter of recommendation from your employer is required, along with a photocopy of your NAIT diploma and payment of your membership dues ($10 for Associate members, $100 for Participating Members and Certified Shorthand Reporters) .
I am currently a Certified Shorthand Reporter in Alberta, but plan on moving to another province to work. I am wondering whether I should continue my membership in the ASRA.
ASRA members who wish to renew their membership after a lapse must successfully challenge the NCRA RPR examination (given twice yearly by NCRA) or spend one year as a participating member, during which time they must attend at least one ASRA-sponsored function. At the completion of that year, their Certified Shorthand Reporter status will be reinstated. A reporter is not allowed to use the "CSR(A)" designation when certifying a transcript until they become a CSR. "CSR(A)" is a trademark of the ASRA. Violation of such is subject to legal action.
What happens if my Certified Shorthand Reporter status is revoked or I voluntarily decide to change my membership category?
In order to maintain CSR(A) status, all CSRs must attain 30 credits of continuing education each three-year block. The continuing education year runs from January 1 to December 31. When a Certified Shorthand Reporter has not attained sufficient continuing education credits, their CSR(A) status will be revoked, and their membership will switch to that of a participating reporter provided their membership dues are current. Some reporters have voluntarily made this change in membership, thereby alleviating the necessity of earning continuing education credits. However, when Certified Shorthand Reporter status is revoked, either voluntarily or otherwise, the reporter is not allowed to use the "CSR(A)" designation when certifying a transcript. "CSR(A)" is a trademark of the ASRA. Violation of such is subject to legal action.
I am a reporter from another province or state. What do I need to do to become a member of the ASRA?
A reporter who has successfully challenged all legs of the NCRA RPR examination is automatically granted Certified Shorthand Reporter status within the ASRA and allowed to certify their transcripts with the designation "CSR(A)". Others who do not possess the RPR designation are welcome to join the ASRA. If they have been a working reporter with five years' experience, they will need to complete one year as a participating member, during which time they will be required to attend at least one ASRA-sponsored function. After the completion of that one-year period, they will become a Certified Shorthand Reporter and be allowed to use the "CSR(A)" designation. For a complete listing of all requirements for all categories of membership, please review our POARA regulation .
How long do I need to keep my shorthand notes for?
According to ASRA Bylaws : (excerpted)
"47(3)(m) The shorthand reporter should preserve the shorthand notes in accordance with statute or court order, or for a period of not less than 2 years from the date of delivery of a transcript and not less than 5 years from the date of the assignment where no transcript has been ordered."
The Alberta Rules of Court does not provide any further direction in this regard. The standard practice for proceedings taking in criminal court system is to retain shorthand notes for a period of 10 years, after which time they are destroyed. However, civil shorthand notes may be destroyed in accordance with the above-noted bylaw.
