(a) The commission may waive any prerequisite to obtaining a court reporter certification for an applicant after reviewing the applicant’s credentials and determining the applicant holds a certification or license issued by another jurisdiction that has certification or licensing requirements substantially equivalent to those of this state.
(b) The commission shall develop and periodically update on a schedule established by the commission a list of states that have certification or licensing requirements for court reporters substantially equivalent to those of this state.

Terms Used In Texas Government Code 154.1012

  • Court reporter: A person who makes a word-for-word record of what is said in court and produces a transcript of the proceedings upon request.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
  • Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).

(c) The commission shall certify to the supreme court the name of each qualified applicant who:
(1) holds a certification or license to engage in court reporting issued by another state that, as determined by the commission:
(A) has certification or licensing requirements to engage in court reporting that are substantially equivalent to the requirements of this state for a court reporter governed by this chapter and Chapter 52; or
(B) is included on the list developed by the commission under Subsection (b); and
(2) before certification in this state:
(A) passes Part B of the examination required by § 154.103; and
(B) provides proof acceptable to the commission that the applicant has been actively performing court reporting in another jurisdiction for at least three of the preceding five years.
(d) A reciprocity agreement approved by the supreme court under § 152.202(b) must require an applicant who holds a certification or license to engage in court reporting issued by another state and who applies for certification as a court reporter in this state to:
(1) pass Part B of the examination required by § 154.103;
(2) provide proof acceptable to the commission that the applicant has been actively performing court reporting in another jurisdiction for at least three of the preceding five years; and
(3) hold a certification or license that the commission determines is at least equivalent to the registered professional reporter designation or similar designation.
(e) A person who applies for certification as a court reporter in this state and meets the requirements under Subsection (c) is not required to meet the requirement under Subsection (d)(3).
(f) Subject to § 152.101, the commission may adopt rules requiring the issuance of a provisional certification under § 154.1011 to an applicant described by Subsection (c) or (d) that authorizes the applicant to serve as a court reporter in this state for a limited time and under conditions the commission considers reasonably necessary to protect the public interest.