22-203. Application; qualifications; renewal of certification.

     A.  Application.  An applicant seeking certification as a certified court reporter or certified court monitor shall apply on forms approved by the board and obtainable from the board.

     B.  Qualifications.  Prior to the issuance of a certificate as a New Mexico certified court reporter or court monitor, an applicant must meet the following minimum qualifications:

          (1) be of good moral character;

          (2) possess a certificate or diploma evidencing graduation from high school;

          (3) if the applicant is a court reporter, the applicant must demonstrate reasonable proficiency in making verbatim records of judicial or related proceedings by means of machine shorthand. If the applicant is a court monitor, the applicant must demonstrate reasonable proficiency in the operation of audio recording devices. "Reasonable proficiency" must also be demonstrated in the creation of tapes or other audio logs. For the purpose of this rule, the applicant's demonstration of "reasonable proficiency" shall be determined by the applicant's ability to pass an examination for certification approved by the board pursuant to these rules;

          (4) be in compliance with the Rules Governing the Recording of Judicial Proceedings and any rules and regulations adopted by the Supreme Court;

          (5) be in compliance with all support obligations as provided in the Parental Responsibility Act, Sections 40-5A-1 through 40-5A-13 NMSA 1978; and

          (6) pay the appropriate annual certification fee.

     Once the applicant has met and satisfied the above qualifications, the board shall issue the applicant a certificate as a New Mexico certified court reporter or court monitor. The reporter certificate shall be valid until December 31 of the year of its issuance. The court monitor certificate shall be valid until July 31 of the year following the year of issuance.

     C. Renewals. A person holding a certificate as a New Mexico certified court reporter or court monitor shall be responsible for applying for an annual renewal of that certificate, on forms approved by the board. Upon receipt of the appropriate renewal application, continuing education activities reporting form, the annual certification fee and the continuing education reporting fee, the board shall issue the applicant a one-year renewal certificate or other appropriate document evidencing that the applicant is licensed as a New Mexico certified court reporter or court monitor unless the applicant:

          (1) is found by the board to be, or to have been in violation of these rules or any rules or regulations of the board;

          (2) has not been actively practicing for three (3) years;

          (3) cannot demonstrate reasonable proficiency, if required to do so;

          (4) has not complied with the Parental Responsibility Act [40-5A-1 to 40-5A-13 NMSA 1978], if applicable; or

          (5) has failed to comply with continuing education requirements, if applicable.

     The board shall revoke the license of a court reporter or court monitor who has failed to comply with the annual renewal requirements.

     [Adopted, effective August 1, 1977; as renumbered and amended effective January 1, 1983; as amended, effective February 15, 1986; April 1, 1989; December 1, 1993; January 1, 1996; June 8, 1998; February 16, 2004; as amended by Supreme Court Order No. 11-8300-047, effective January 27, 2012.]