Certifications

The Registered Diplomate Reporter (RDR) represents the top tier of achievement in the National Court Reporters Association. This certification was designed to recognize the experience and knowledge of the profession's elite.

To qualify to sit for the RDR exam, candidates must be an RMR and a member of NCRA for six continuous years. They must then pass a rigorous examination focusing on reporting, transcript production, management, education, marketing and professional issues.

Only the top 1% of reporters nationwide have achieved this distinction, among them the principals of Sonntag Reporting Service.

The Registered Merit Reporter (RMR) is an attainment of distinction. Having first attained their Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) certification, RMR candidates, in addition to passing a comprehensive written examination, must also demonstrate their proficiency by reporting and transcribing material dictated at speeds up to 260 words per minute with 95% accuracy.

Several of Sonntag Reporting Service's affiliated reporters have achieved RMR status, joining the top 5% of reporters nationwide

The Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) exam is a nationally recognized certification validating reporter competency. Each RPR candidate must be an NCRA member in good standing, pass a written exam on a wide range of reporting-related subjects and prove his or her entry-level competence by reporting and transcribing material dictated at speeds up to 225 words per minute with 95% accuracy.

The Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act of 1984 mandates that all individuals practicing court reporting in Illinois must first pass a written knowledge exam and then demonstrate shorthand proficiency at speeds up to 225 words per minute. CSRs are also required to complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years.

Each of our reporters is certified by the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Advances in technology now make it possible for a highly-skilled reporter to instantaneously translate the spoken word into English via computer and transmit the text to an attorney's computer by a process known as "realtime reporting." This method is especially useful for hearing-impaired litigants or when instant access to the record is necessary for impeachment, clarity or summarization.

Through testing, Certified Realtime Reporters exhibit the superior concentration ability necessary to differentiate homonyms and correctly transcribe technical terms and proper names at speeds up to 3.5 words per second, producing a highly accurate instantaneous text feed.

The Certified Realtime Reporters of Sonntag Reporting Service possess technical knowledge and experience in on-site realtime hookup and realtime via the Internet, in addition to communication access realtime (CART) for the hearing impaired.

A Certified Legal Video Specialist (CLVS) is an individual who has the proven ability to professionally conduct videotaping services for the legal community.

Candidates for certification must participate in an intensive seminar, pass a written knowledge test addressing video production, judicial procedures and professional ethics, and successfully complete a hands-on production examination in a mock deposition setting.

Sonntag Reporting Service's videographers possess the CLVS designation, assuring you of a high-quality, professionally conducted video experience.

Fellowship in the Academy of Professional Reporters is a professional distinction conferred upon a person of outstanding and extraordinary qualifications and experience in the field of shorthand reporting. Candidates for Fellow are required to have been in the active practice of reporting for at least 10 years and have attained distinction as measured by performance, which includes publication of important papers, creative contributions, service on committees or boards, teaching, etc.

Gary L. Sonntag and Melanie L. Humphrey-Sonntag have earned this prestigious designation.