Apply Now
Apply Today | Registration Process | Commissioner for Oaths | International and Out-of-Province Applicants
Registration Process
When you are ready to begin the journey to become a Certified Shorthand Reporter, the registration process is simple. First, you will apply to become a Participating Member.1 You must work as a Participating Member for one full year under the supervision of a firm owner or other supervising reporter who is in good standing with the ASRA before you can apply to become a Certified Shorthand Reporter. Once that year is completed and all pertinent documents have been sent to the Registrar, you are ready to apply for your Certified Shorthand Reporter membership and receive your CSR(A) designation.
Applying for a Participating Shorthand Reporter Membership – PSR(A)
Once you have completed your schooling, you are ready to become a Participating Member with the ASRA.
How to Apply:
- Apply for your membership here, and the Registrar will be in touch with you shortly to confirm your status
- The $125 application fee will be put towards your first year of dues
It is your responsibility to contact the Registrar when your year as a Participating Member is complete. The ASRA will not contact you first. Please make sure to mark your one-year anniversary down in your calendar so that you can apply for your CSR(A) as soon as possible
If you have completed your Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) designation with the NCRA, you are automatically eligible to obtain your CSR(A) designation and do not need to become a Participating Member first.
Applying for a Certified Shorthand Reporter Membership – CSR(A)
After one year as a Participating Member, you may then apply to become a Certified Shorthand Reporter.
How to Apply:
- Obtain a signed and dated letter of recommendation from your supervisor or firm owner who is a member in good standing with the ASRA
- Email the Registrar at registrar@asraonline.com to let them know you are ready to obtain your CSR(A) designation
- Provide the Registrar with a copy of your diploma and the letter of recommendation
Please allow us three months from the date of application for our Registration Committee to review and respond. If your application is rejected, you will be notified in writing and given the chance to appeal. If you wish to appeal, three ASRA board members will be chosen at random to make up that Appeal Committee.
Commissioner for Oaths
Every working reporter in Alberta must have their Commissioner for Oaths in order to administer oaths. For more information on how to apply for your Commissioner, click here.
International and Out-of-Province Applicants
Our Registration Committee would be happy to review applications from court reporters who obtained their education and training outside of the program offered by NAIT. If you are an international or out-of-province applicant, there are three options to obtain your certification in Alberta:
Option 1 – For those who have graduated from an NCRA-accredited school
If you have graduated from an NCRA-accredited school, you may apply to the ASRA as a Participating Member. You must work as a Participating Member for one year under the supervision of a firm owner or supervising reporter in good standing with the ASRA before you can obtain your CSR(A) designation. Please see above for more information on how to apply.
Not sure if your school is accredited? Click here to see a list of NCRA-accredited schools.
Option 2 – For those who have obtained their Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) designation
If you have obtained your RPR designation, you are automatically eligible to apply for your CSR(A) designation. Please see above for more information on how to apply.
Option 3 – For those who have five years of work experience
If you have five years of work experience, you may apply to become a Participating Member with the ASRA. Please send a letter of reference from your employer to the Registrar at registrar@asraonline.com proving your five years’ experience. Once approved, you must work as a Participating Member for one year under the supervision of a firm owner or supervising reporter in good standing with the ASRA before you can obtain your CSR(A) designation.
Please allow us three months from the date of application for our Registration Committee to review and respond. If your application is rejected, you will be notified in writing and given the chance to appeal. If you wish to appeal, three ASRA board members will be chosen at random to make up that Appeal Committee.
- If you already have your Registered Professional Reporter designation, you are automatically eligible for your CSR(A) and do not need to be a Participating Member first ↩︎