HI Court Reporter study guide
HI Court Reporter · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Hawaii Shorthand Reporter license is a professional credential issued by the State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) through its Professional and Vocational Licensing Division (PVL). It is intended for shorthand reporters who record verbatim proceedings - court hearings, depositions, and other legal or administrative proceedings - and who wish to be licensed to practice in Hawaii. This independent study guide is written for candidates preparing for that licensing exam; it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by DCCA, PVL, or any Hawaii state board. Because the official board page could not be retrieved when this material was compiled, no verified exam specifications - question count, time limit, passing score, fee, retake policy, or license validity period - are stated here. The HI Court Reporter study guide has 4 sections and about 1,502 words.
01Shorthand Reporting Skills and Transcription
Domain 1 tests the technical core of court reporting: capturing spoken proceedings in machine shorthand, translating notes accurately, and producing a readable certified transcript. Questions can target stenographic theory, conflict resolution, dictionary and brief management, punctuation, speaker identification, and transcript format.
371 words, about 2 min02Courtroom and Deposition Procedures
Domain 2 tests how a reporter functions in live court and deposition settings: administering oaths, marking exhibits, handling objections, protecting the record, and managing deposition logistics. The exam expects procedural judgment: what belongs on the record, what the reporter must record verbatim, and what the reporter must not decide.
391 words, about 2 min03Hawaii Statutes, Rules, and Professional Regulation
Domain 3 tests the Hawaii statutes, court rules, and regulatory structure that govern court reporters. Expect questions on certification, the oath, transcript production, appellate deadlines, deposition rules, fees, and retention.
384 words, about 2 min04Professional Ethics and Business Practices
Domain 4 tests the non-stenographic duties that protect the profession: impartiality, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, transcript integrity, and sound business practices. Hawaii expects a reporter to serve the record, not the retaining attorney, and to avoid arrangements that compromise independence.
356 words, about 2 min