Careers in Stenography (DiscoverSteno®)

Program Quick links

NCRA A to Z® Program FAQs
Contact: atozprog@ncra.org

NCRA A to Z® Online Program

LearnSteno

Attend a FREE online NCRA A to Z® Intro to Steno Machine Shorthand program

Learn more about the career at DiscoverSteno.org or research NCRA-approved court reporting programs at NCRA.org/schools.
Take our FREE 6-week online course to learn the basics of steno writing and discover if a career in captioning or court reporting is right for you.
Registration is as easy as 1 - 2 - 3! Please follow the steps below.

Review program options

Select a tab below to review each program option.

Option A

On-Demand/Asynchronous Online Program

OPTION A: On-Demand/Asynchronous Online Program

REGISTRATION FOR 2025 IS CLOSING SOON!

You will have 45 days to complete the program. The course is facilitated by volunteer court reporters and captioners who will rotate on a monthly basis to answer your questions. To register, continue to steps 2 & 3 prior to 11/6/25.

PROOF OF MACHINE (Step 3) is due by 11/6/25. You will receive a follow up email on or before 11/10/25 and must complete the registration process by 11:59pm on 11/11/25.

*Note: The 2026 Program will open for registration on 1/5/26

Option B

Online Program with supplemental Live Zoom

OPTION B: Online Program with supplemental Live Zoom - (Available at varied times throughout the year)

2026 LIVE REGISTRATION OPENS 1/12/26

This course will include a supplemental live Zoom component, hosted on Wednesday evenings beginning on 2/11/26 at TIME TBD. In the event you cannot attend live, you can watch a recording posted the following day. You cannot go ahead in the course, one Module will open each week for the course of 6 weeks. (Live Zoom: 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18)

Do not submit PROOF OF MACHINE (Step 3) until 1/12/26.

*A limited number of machines will be available to rent for this session from Stenograph and ProCAT. Please check back on 1/12/16 for information on rental machines

At this time, machine rentals are not available.

Option C

Local Member-Hosted Programs

OPTION C: Local Member-Hosted Programs

Registration takes place through local leaders.

Steps 2 and 3 below do NOT apply to this option.

Member-hosted programs use the same content as Headquarters-hosted programs and award a certificate of completion, but do not use the NCRA Learning Center. Program Leaders will submit documentation of your completion status to NCRA. Programs may be held in-person, online, or hybrid. Please do not contact NCRA regarding these programs, contact the Program Leader at the information provided below.

December 1 to December 18 (Mondays & Thursdays)
7:00pm - 8:30pm Central Time, Instructor Cathy Penniston. For information and to register, contact carlette.jennings@ccr.edu

Secure a machine

Choose ONE of the following.

Purchase iStenoPad app for iPad Users

iStenoPad app

The iStenoPad app by Gigatron Software Corp. allows you to download a steno keyboard onto your iPad which functions like a steno machine. It will show your steno and English translations, and it has some fun features like turning off/on the letters on the keyboard or changing from regular to wide keys. This is available from the Apple App Store for a one-time price of $19.99.

It is ONLY available for iPads. It cannot be used with iPhones or Android devices.

Features

Write steno with the iPad touch-screen
Instant real-time translation
Writing speed display (strokes-per-minute)
Customize the steno key style, text size, and colors

Purchase here

Obtain a physical stenography machine

Borrow a machine from someone at the local level. You can reach out to local courthouses and/or court reporting firms in your area.
Reach out to an affiliated court reporting association in your state to ask if they have machines or a possible local contact. There is no guarantee that state associations can assist with such requests.
StenoWorks offers rental options for a fee ("A-Z Basic Training" only, no add-ons required). Please visit their website for more information. Please note, if no options are available under Basic Training, they are sold out.
You can email your location (city & state) to our Program Coordinator at atozprog@ncra.org to inquire about a possible state contact. State representatives are limited, and not all states are represented. There is no guarantee that we will have a contact person for your area.
If you are starting a school/program in the future, you may use your own machine.

Purchase an alternative machine keyboard on your own

Purchase a "plug-in" / hobbyist steno keyboard that uses Microsoft Word (TinyMod)
Purchase a hobbyist steno keyboard that uses Plover (Such as Stenoob, Uni, EcoSteno, etc)
Please note, NCRA does not have tech support available for hobbyist keyboards, therefore all questions should be directed to the supplier. Additionally, should you choose to continue with your study of stenography, a hobbyist keyboard is likely not sufficient for certification testing or most formal school programs.

Proof of machine

Email proof of your machine (photo, screenshot, receipt, or shipping confirmation) to atozprog@ncra.org *You must first secure a machine in order to register*

Once received, you will be sent instructions (within approx. 3 business days) on how to create an account in our Learning Center and register.

The buzz about NCRA A to Z® Intro to Steno Machine Shorthand program

Free test drive...

"I was apprehensive about court reporting. After taking NCRA A to Z all of my worries were gone and I knew that I was ready to begin school. The extra bonus was that it was a free “test drive” and if I didn’t like it, I did not have to commit or lose any money."
Sara Jacobson, Birmingham, AL

Hands-on training...

"This program was an absolutely phenomenal way to get a solid preview of what writing on a steno machine looks and feels like, and provided great exposure to the varied avenues this fascinating career field can lead to! I cannot recommend this program highly enough to anyone interested, or simply curious, as I was, in getting a closer look at the world of steno!"
Marisa Perez, Riverside, CA

Experienced facilitators...

"Learning from people who have gone through the course and are employed in the field, giving you insight into life in and after school - that was a huge positive. Most of the teachers were enthusiastic, and knowing they volunteered their time was touching."
Marie Foreman, Edmonton, Canada

Jonathan is a gamer. He took the NCRA A to Z program before starting at San Antonio Technical College.

I'm grateful for everyone's time and I'm astounded by the generosity of time and resources given to us for a free course. I would probably still be trying to make a decision. This program gave me enough confidence to move forward.
Natasha Kellogg

NCRA A to Z® Online Program FAQS

What is the goal of the A to Z® Intro to Steno Machine Shorthand program?

The goal of the program is to introduce you to the basics of the steno machine to help you gauge your interest and determine if perusing further education is right for you. We hope to help you with making this career decision prior to formally enrolling in a program. You will learn the letters A to Z on the steno machine and the numbers 0 to 9. You will also practice putting together some letters to create basic words.

What materials do I need to be successful?

You will need access to a desktop or laptop to log into the NCRA Learning Center. Our videos and lessons are not optimized for mobile viewing and therefore we strongly recommend against using a mobile device for accessing the lessons. In addition, you will need access to a steno machine.

You stated that we need access to a steno machine. How can I get one to use?

You need to secure your own machine either via a one of our rental partners (live sessions only), your state association, or a local court reporter. If you have an iPad, you can download the iSteno app by StenoCAT from the App Store. While a working steno machine is encouraged, the goal of this course is to gain familiarity with the keyboard and therefore a non-working or older machine can be used. You will need to submit a photo/ screenshot of your machine in order to access the learning materials within the course.

What are the similarities and differences between live and asynchronous sessions?

Our program runs two different models to host the maximum number of sessions per year. Both the asynchronous and live courses include six modules and run for six weeks. You must complete each module before the next module will be activated.

The live class has more of an established pace because each week features a live class session held over Zoom and is an opportunity for direct interaction with classmates and the instructor. The sessions are recorded for those who are unable to attend. Each week one more module is ready to open, which keeps you on pace for the session. The live course sessions are open for machine rentals.

In contrast, the asynchronous model allows students to access all materials at their own pace, as long as all required items are completed by the end of the session. Asynchronous courses typically overlap with live sessions and therefore are not open for machine rentals.

What if I am in a different time zone or cannot attend the live class? Can I still sign up?

Yes! The Zoom courses are recorded and posted the following day. You can meet the course requirements by viewing the recording.

Who is the course facilitator?

Classes are led by a court reporter, either freelance, official, CART captioner, a court reporting instructor, or someone in a combination of these roles. The NCRA A to Z program leaders all have diverse backgrounds and experience that will help you get a feel for what possibilities this exciting profession holds.

How much time will this course take?

The course will take a minimum of 15 hours; however, that does not consider the practice time necessary to truly learn the material. You should anticipate at least one-to-two hours per day of practice time. This is an amount that will prepare you for the number of required practice hours while attending court reporting school should you choose to further your education.

What if I need help during the course?

Our course platform includes a discussion forum for posting questions regarding the class content. For the asynchronous class, this is the primary form of communication between you and the instructor. The live class also has this feature, as well as the ability to ask questions directly during the live session. If you have difficulty navigating the Learning Center platform, technology related issues, or general course questions, you may direct your inquiry to our Program Coordinator at atozprog@ncra.org.

Are there refunds available if I don’t like the course?

This is a free course through NCRA, therefore there is no refund necessary. The cost associated with renting a machine is to cover the cost of shipping. Any additional questions regarding the machine rentals fees and shipping should be sent directly to our machine partners.

When do I return the machine?

We ask that you return the machine promptly and with care immediately following the close of the class. These machines are serviced by our rental partners in preparation to be shipped for our future classes. For other students to use this offer, we need the machines returned quickly.

What are the benefits of earning an NCRA A to Z Program Certificate?

The A to Z program certificate is held in high regard at court reporting schools because it demonstrates your willingness to investigate if this is the right career path. Many court reporting schools express that completion of the NCRA A to Z introductory program sets students up to feel more confident and comfortable as they begin their formal education. Students also have shared this sentiment. NCRA has many partnerships with industry leaders (Stenograph, ProCAT and Advantage Software) for discounted student machines and/or software. In addition, NCRA offers student scholarships exclusively for NCRA A to Z certificate holders. From time to time, NCRA also has other opportunities available for those who complete the program which will be advertised on the Association’s website and social media platforms.

How do I get my NCRA A to Z Program certificate?

A personalized certificate is available for you to download and print at the end of the course. Please save this in a secure location for future reference.

Can I get a job in court reporting after this course?

This is not a certification to work. In most cases, to become a certified stenographer you will need to attend two-three years at a court reporting school/program and pass state/national requirements. NCRA encourages you to review this list of questions to ask a prospective school that is approved by its Council on Approved Student Education (CASE). A list of NCRA approved programs is available on the Association’s website. Should you enroll in a school, NCRA hopes to continue its partnership with you by having you enroll as an NCRA Student Member to take advantage of additional opportunities the Association offers.