This proposed fee increase is not reasonable nor equitable. Certified reporters receive no services or benefits from these licensing fees, other than a "certificate" card that arrives in July or August for the current year - after we have submitted fees months in advance. Every year it is a technological struggle to even renew as the website is so poorly designed it doesn't function as it should. I have had to personally call for assistance each year for the past three years to try and obtain assistance. No one in the CLD is dedicated to assist us, has no clue as to how, and usually no one even answers the phone. It is frustrating and unprofessional to say the least.
We deserve some form of services and benefit for the money we pay. The Board is certainly quick to investigate complaints of misconduct but unable or unwilling to provide us with assistance with unethical reporting firms or attorneys.
We have no ability to file complaints and/or receive assistance in collecting monies owed for services rendered to attorneys or others who engage us. Superior Court transcript fees are abysmally low and certainly are not adjusted yearly based on the Consumer Price Index, and thus we would essentially be losing the ability to offset these increases resulting in lower income.
I have been an Arizona reporter for 35+ years. I am counting the days until I can retire. We are not valued any longer as the official Keeper of the Record as evidenced by the introduction of digital recording in the courts. Criminal defendants are not receiving due process when the record consists of transcripts prepared by untrained people sitting at a keyboard. Civil matters suffer the same fate as attorneys are often required to hire outside reporters - if they can find one willing to appear - and then charge their clients for a service that should be provided through the Courts.
Raising fees is not the answer to any of these issues. I urge you to reconsider this Proposal. Thank you.

As a newly certified Court Reporter, I can say that AZ already has one of the (if not the) highest costs to certify in the nation. With the additional startup costs to begin this career, this adds an unnecessary burden to newly certified reporters. I am not sure what these funds go to, or what benefit we receive other than certification.

In many states, passing national exams is enough to prove that we can do the job, so I'm not sure what benefit the certification provides us? Additionally, it is not even for a full year. My certification is only good for 10 months, and I paid $372 for it. And that does not include the cost of the written knowledge test. Additionally, the study materials for the written knowledge test that's required as part of certification has not been updated to reflect current information that is on the exam.

In UT, where I am also certified, it was only $45. In WA, it was only $165. Why are fees so high? When will there be a rate increase for what we're paid commensurate with the increase in certification fees?

It is not worth certifying in AZ for the cost of certification, and I will certainly not be renewing my certification after my first year, since I can take remote work elsewhere and make more money. The only thing this certification increase will accomplish is providing fewer certified reporters for the state of AZ, which already has a shortage of certified reporters.

I strongly urge you to reconsider this proposal. I also strongly urge you to consider raising rates for reporters in the state, because I have no idea when that was last done.

I oppose the proposed increase in certification fees for Arizona court reporters.

According to research, Arizona already has among the highest fees in self-funded states. Increasing costs further will discourage new certifications, cause current reporters to leave the profession, and worsen the existing shortage.This directly threatens the public’s access to justice by limiting the availability of certified reporters to produce accurate, reliable records.

I urge the AOC to reconsider and seek alternatives that support this essential profession rather than strain it.

Kristen L. Wunsch
Surprise, Arizona
Certified Reporter No. 50719
21 years of service

I am submitting this comment in opposition to the proposed increase in certification fees for Arizona’s Certified Court Reporters.

Raising the certification fee will place an unnecessary financial burden on all certified reporters in Arizona.
As a freelance reporter, I have to pay for all my software and equipment. I have to pay for all costs associated with the mandatory continuing education units required every year. We do not get any financial support from the state.

Arizona already has one of the highest certification fee structures among self-funded states. Please see the example below.

State Annual Fees Self-Funded
California $225 Yes
Nevada $200 Yes
Georgia $125 Yes
Tennessee $100 Yes
Texas $200 Yes
New Mexico $130 Yes

Increasing the cost even further will:
(1) Deter new reporters from becoming certified in Arizona
(2) Cause dual-certified reporters to drop their Arizona license
(3) Accelerate the loss of experienced professionals from the field
(4) Deepen the existing court reporter shortages, which is already straining the legal system.

The result? Fewer certified court reporters, more delays in the justice system, and a risk to the integrity of the official record. This will directly threaten the public’s access to justice by limiting the availability of certified reporters to produce accurate, reliable records.

I urge you to reconsider this proposal and explore other options that do not put further financial strain on reporters who are committed to serving Arizona’s legal system with professionalism and integrity.


Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Terry Libretti
Certified Reporter No. 50974