Section 1200.20  Application for Examination/Licensure

a)         An applicant for examination/licensure shall file an application on forms supplied by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation-Division of Professional Regulation (Division) at least 60 days prior to an examination date.  The application shall include:

1)         Certification of graduation from high school or its equivalent;

2)         Either:

A)        An Affidavit of Ability, signed by an official of a shorthand reporter school,  stating that the applicant has successfully completed a verbatim record of unfamiliar testimony dictated for 5 minutes at a minimum speed of 225 words per minute with at least 94% accuracy; or

B)        Proof that the applicant possesses at least minimum competency skills to sit for the examination, as recommended by the Certified Shorthand Reporters Board of Examiners (Board) and approved by the Division. In determining competency the Board shall review the applicant's education, training and/or experience (such as practicing with a restricted license in the court system pursuant to Section 6 of the Act or practice in another jurisdiction); and

3)         The required application and examination fees specified in Section 1200.50.

b)         An applicant who submits an official copy of a Registered Merit Reporter or a Registered Professional Reporter certificate by examination issued by the National Shorthand Reporters Association shall not be required to sit for the examination. The Division, upon recommendation of the Board, has determined that the examinations given by the National Shorthand Reporters Association are equivalent to the examination set forth in Section 1200.30.

(Source:  Amended at 38 Ill. Reg. 19662, effective October 10, 2014)