Stenographs are small devices similar in appearance to laptops that court reporters use to record what was said as it is said during a deposition or in the courtroom. To maximize typing speeds, these machines are built to record phonetic sounds instead of letters. Court reporters must press several keys at once to ensure the proper pronunciation is noted for later use.

Court reporters must complete training at a state-recognized court reporting school, where they receive certification upon completion. The reporter then must move onto the state exam and pass to earn their Certified Shorthand Reporter License. Many court reporters go on to further their education and receive addition certifications from the National Court Reporting Association (NCRA).