Last updated 2026-08-18
TL;DR
Delaware requires a license from the Board of Court Reporting to work as any court reporter, digital included. First you hold a national certification (NCRA's RPR, NVRA's CVR, or AAERT's CER), then you apply with a $131 fee. Total startup runs about $530 with exam fees. Plan on 3 to 6 months from exam to license. No separate digital license exists.
Do you need a license to work as a digital court reporter in Delaware?
Yes. Delaware law requires anyone doing court reporting to hold a license from the Delaware Board of Court Reporting [1]. The statute defines the work as making a verbatim record by "written symbols, stenomask, or electronic devices" [1]. Digital recording is an electronic device. Digital reporters are covered.
There is no separate digital license. Every court reporter gets the same license type. Work without one in Delaware courts or depositions and you risk fines and legal action. So a digital reporter meets the same requirements as a stenographic reporter, and that path starts with a national certification.
The Board sits under the Division of Professional Regulation. That office handles the paper. There is no separate digital bureau. If you work only as a videographer or a sound tech and never produce a verbatim record, you fall outside this license. The moment you produce a transcript or certify a record, you are doing court reporting under the statute. I would not take a Delaware deposition until the license number is in my hand.
How much does a digital court reporter license cost in Delaware?
Delaware charges a $131 application fee and a $262 biennial renewal fee [3]. Those are the only state fees. Before you apply, you have to pass a national certification exam from a group like AAERT or NVRA, and those exam fees are separate.
For digital reporters, the AAERT Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) exam costs $175 for the written knowledge test and $225 for the practical if you are a nonmember. That is $400 total [4]. The NVRA CVR exam runs about $250 to $350. So your first outlay for license plus certification lands somewhere around $380 to $530. A one-time $199 resource like DigitalReporterPath's Digital CSR Path Kit walks you through exam prep and the paperwork.
Costs shift if you move. For how other states handle this, see California (/articles/costs-and-fees/digital-court-reporter-board-california), Florida (/articles/costs-and-fees/digital-court-reporter-board-florida), and Georgia (/articles/costs-and-fees/digital-court-reporter-board-georgia).
How long does it take to get licensed as a digital court reporter in Delaware?
Plan on 3 to 6 months from your first study session to a license in hand. Most candidates spend 2 to 4 months preparing for the national exam [4]. After you pass, you send the Delaware application with proof of certification, transcripts, and the $131 fee.
The Board meets monthly and reviews applications there. Approval usually takes 30 to 60 days from submission [5]. There is no required training period beyond the exam, but you will spend a few weeks buying and testing equipment.
Holiday weeks and incomplete packets slow everything down. Mail the application with a check that matches the posted fee. A missing transcript or cert card is the usual reason a file waits for a second review cycle. Call the licensing coordinator if you have heard nothing after 45 days. Do not start a Delaware job on a pending application. Pending is not licensed.
What national certifications does Delaware accept for digital court reporting?
Delaware statute says you must hold "a certification as a Registered Professional Reporter from the National Court Reporters Association, or an equivalent certification from another nationally recognized court reporting association" [2]. For digital reporters, the two certs treated as equivalent are the AAERT Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) and the NVRA Certified Verbatim Reporter (CVR) [7].
NCRA's RPR is a stenography credential. If you are a digital reporter without steno skills, that route is not practical for you. The Board names only NCRA in the statute and does not pre-approve other certs by name. So if you plan to use a cert other than the two above, write to the Board before you spend a dollar. The licensing coordinator can confirm whether a given certification qualifies.
Step-by-step: getting a Delaware court reporter license as a digital reporter
1. Choose your certification path. AAERT CER or NVRA CVR are the common digital routes. Confirm with the Board if you are unsure [6]. 2. Prepare for the exam. Learn digital recording procedures, annotation, and transcript production. People study solo or take a course. 3. Take and pass every part of the certification exam. 4. Gather your proof: exam scores, official transcripts if you have them, high school diploma or GED, and a photo ID. 5. Complete the Delaware Court Reporter license application from the Division of Professional Regulation and include the $131 application fee [6]. 6. Submit and wait. The Board reviews applications at its monthly meetings. Expect a decision in 30 to 60 days. 7. Once approved, you get your license number and can start working. Keep your national certification current to renew the state license. Ready to begin? Head to /start for a clear map.
Can digital reporters work in Delaware courtrooms and depositions?
Yes. A licensed digital court reporter has the same authority as a stenographic reporter. You can take depositions, court proceedings, and administrative hearings.
Each court sets its own rules on recording equipment and file formats, so check with the specific court before your first job. The Delaware Supreme Court and Superior Court accept transcripts from licensed digital reporters. Some lawyers still prefer a stenographic reporter for real-time work, but no statewide rule bars digital reporting as long as you hold the license.
What equipment do I need as a digital court reporter in Delaware?
You need professional digital recorders (a primary and a backup), good boundary or tabletop microphones, headphones, a laptop with transcription software, and an external drive for archiving. A basic setup costs $1,000 to $3,000.
A foot pedal for transcription and a label printer for exhibits help too. None of this is a licensing requirement, but you cannot work without it. Delaware venues expect a reliable kit.
Used gear is fine if you test it first. I would not buy a consumer voice recorder and pray the courtroom stays quiet. Courts want two independent recordings running. Budget another $200 for cables, cases, and spare SD cards. Not a license line item, but a first-year cost you will feel.
How much do digital court reporters make in Delaware?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports court reporters earned a median annual wage of $63,560 in May 2022 [8]. Delaware's cost of living sits near the national average, so an established digital reporter can expect to earn inside that range.
Freelancers charge per page or per day. Reporters with real-time skills and certification earn well above the median. Income tracks volume, so a steady client base decides your year.
Regional page rates often sit near $3.50 to $5.50 for an original, but there is no Delaware-only wage table from BLS. The closest official number is the national median of $63,560 from May 2022 [8]. Daily freelance rates swing with the notice and how many attorneys order copies.
What happens if you work without a license in Delaware?
Reporting without a license violates Delaware Code and can bring penalties from the Board plus the risk of legal action [1]. The Board may issue cease-and-desist orders. Practice unlicensed and a future application could be denied. The math is bad. Get licensed first.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate license to work as a digital court reporter in Delaware?
No. Delaware issues one court reporter license that covers stenographic and digital reporters alike. You meet the same requirements no matter your recording method. There is no special digital endorsement to chase.
How much does it cost to become a digital court reporter in Delaware?
State fees are $131 to apply and $262 for biennial renewal. National exam fees add about $400 for the AAERT CER or $250 to $350 for the NVRA CVR. So your initial cost lands near $380 to $530, before equipment.
How long does it take to get a digital court reporter license in Delaware?
Plan on 3 to 6 months from your first study session to a license in hand. Exam prep runs 2 to 4 months, exam and scores take a few weeks, and Board review takes 30 to 60 days after you submit a complete file.
Does Delaware require a state exam for court reporters?
Usually no. The law lets you qualify by holding a national certification from NCRA or an equivalent organization. The Board can administer an exam if it needs to, but most applicants qualify through certification alone.
What is the best national certification for a digital reporter in Delaware?
AAERT's Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) is built for digital reporters. NVRA's Certified Verbatim Reporter (CVR) is also widely accepted. Both count as equivalent to the NCRA certification named in Delaware law.
Can I use an NCRA certification as a digital reporter?
NCRA's RPR is a stenographic certification. Pass the steno skills test and you could use it. But a digital-only reporter usually goes through AAERT or NVRA instead. The Board accepts either path.
Do I need to renew my Delaware court reporter license?
Yes. Licenses renew every two years, and the renewal fee is $262. You also keep your national certification current. If that national cert lapses, your state license can be suspended.
What equipment is required for digital court reporting in Delaware?
The state does not spell out equipment for licensing, but to work you need a professional digital recorder, a backup, microphones, a laptop with transcription software, and storage. A starter kit runs $1,000 to $3,000.
What is the job outlook for digital court reporters in Delaware?
Nationwide, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3% growth for court reporters from 2022 to 2032. Delaware demand holds steady, especially for freelance depositions. Digital reporters keep gaining acceptance.
Can I work in Delaware if I have a license from another state?
Delaware has no reciprocity with other states. You still meet Delaware's qualifications, which usually means holding the national certification and applying for a Delaware license. An out-of-state license alone is not enough.
What happens if I work without a license?
It violates Delaware Code. The Board can issue fines, cease-and-desist orders, and refer matters for prosecution. It can also deny you a license later. Not a gamble worth taking.
Where can I find the application form?
The Delaware Division of Professional Regulation hosts the Court Reporter license application and current fee schedule. Start at dpr.delaware.gov and open the Board of Court Reporting pages. Download the application, attach your national certification proof, and pay the $131 fee. If a link is down, call the Division and ask for the court reporter packet by mail. Do not send an incomplete file. Incomplete packets sit until the next Board meeting.
Sources
- Delaware Code Title 24, Chapter 48, §4802: Definition of court reporting includes making a verbatim record by electronic devices
- Delaware Code Title 24, Chapter 48, §4807: License qualification requires NCRA certification or an equivalent from another nationally recognized association
- Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, Court Reporter Fee Schedule: Application fee $131, biennial renewal $262
- AAERT, Certification Fees: AAERT CER exam fees: $175 written knowledge (nonmember), $225 practical (nonmember), total $400
- Delaware Board of Court Reporting, Board Meetings: Board reviews applications at monthly meetings, typical approval 30-60 days
- Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Court Reporting: License Application Information: Application process, required documents, and fee payment details
- NVRA, Certification Overview: NVRA offers the Certified Verbatim Reporter (CVR) certification for digital reporters
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners: Median annual wage for court reporters was $63,560 in May 2022