Title: REVISIONS TO RULES OF OK. ST. BD. OF EXAMINERS OF CERTIFIED SHORTHAND REPORTERS

State: oklahoma

Issuer: Oklahoma Supreme Court

Document:

REVISIONS TO RULES OF OK. ST. BD. OF EXAMINERS OF CERTIFIED SHORTHAND REPORTERS2003 OK 107Case Number: SCAD-2003-92Decided: 12/09/2003THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE
Pursuant to the authority granted to the Supreme Court by 20 O.S. § 1502, the revisions to The Rules of the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters (Appendix B) are hereby approved and become effective January 1, 2004.
DONE BY ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT IN CONFERENCE THIS 8th day of December, 2003.
/S/CHIEF JUSTICE
ALL JUSTICES CONCUR.
APPENDIX "A"
 RULES OF THE OKLAHOMA 
STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERSCERTIFIED SHORTHAND REPORTERS

RULE
 1.        
Administration 2.        Times and Place 
of Holding Examinations 3.        
Eligibility 4.        
Dictation Speeds Test 
Requirements 5.        
Transcripts - Supplies 6.        
Required Accuracy 7.        
Time 8.        Identity of 
Candidates 9.        Turning in of 
Transcripts and Notes10.       Property of the 
Board11.       Standards for Scoring 
Transcripts12.       Notification of Results 
of Examination13.       Destruction of 
Papers14.       
Enrollment15.       Certificates - 
Abbreviations - Seal16.       Duplicate 
Certificates17.       Change of 
Name18.       
Roll19.       
Reciprocity20.       Renewal 
Fees21.       
Repealed Continuing Education

 
Rule 1. 
            
Administration
The examination of a candidate who seeks enrollment as a 
certified shorthand reporter shall be under the direction and control of the 
Board.
Rule 2. 
            Time and 
Place of Holding Examinations
a.         An 
  examination for the qualification of candidates for certificates shall be 
  conducted at least once a year at a specific time and location selected by the 
  Board.
b.         
  Candidates who have been found by the Board to be qualified for the 
  examination, pursuant to the statute(s) and these 
  rules shall governing the practice of court reporting and these 
  rules, to sit for examination, shall be notified in writing of the time 
  and place of such examination not later than thirty (30) days 
  preceding prior to the examination date.
Rule 3. 
            
Eligibility
Every candidate who seeks to be examined for enrollment 
as a certified shorthand reporter shall:
a.                   
  Prove to the satisfaction of the Board that he/she 
  is:
1.      of legal 
    age;2.      meets the requisite standards of 
    ethical fitness;3.      and has at least a high 
    school education, or the equivalent thereof.
This information shall be furnished to the Board by a 
    sworn, notarized affidavit.
b.       Submit 
  to the Secretary of the Board, or a designee, a properly completed 
  application form provided by the Board, accompanied by such evidence, 
  statements or documents as therein required by the 
  Board, including an examination fee receipt from the Clerk of the 
  Supreme Court showing payment of $35.00 by Oklahoma residents 
  or $75.00 by out-of-state residents the fees required by the Board 
  and approved by the Supreme Court.
c.         Declare that 
  he/she is a writer of shorthand by one of the accepted methods set 
  forth in 20 O.S.2003 §1503 and;

e.         Academic 
  dishonesty during the examination process will result in the
A candidate who has previously failed an examination 
may be re-examined at any subsequent regular examination upon giving the 
Board notice via the standard application. The application must be 
accompanied by the examination fee as set by the Board and approved by the 
Supreme Court. of $35.00 for Oklahoma residents or $75.00 by out-of-state residents.  Applicants are no longer 
not allowed to rollover previous testing fees upon 
failure to pass an examinationor any portion 
thereof. 

 A candidate who has successfully completed the 
written knowledge portion of the examination may retain this credit for that 
portion of the examination for two (2) years from the date passed and will not 
be required to retake that portion of the examination during the two (2) year 
period.  There will be no reduction in examination fee for any applicant 
retaining credit for the written knowledge portion of the examination.
Rule 4. 
            
Dictation Speeds  Test Requirements

The examination for certified shorthand reporter shall 
consist of:
a.         
  A two-voice question and answer dictation of testimony at 200 words per minute 
  for five minutes.  Questions and answers will not be read nor counted as words, but 
  must be appropriately indicated in the transcript.
b.         A 
  five-minute dictation of literary material at 180 words per minute.  The 
  applicant will have two hours to transcribe both the question and answer 
  dictation and the literary dictation. One hour will be given for the 
  transcription of the question and answer dictation and one hour will be given 
  for the transcription of the literary dictation.
c.         Proof of 
  Passing the Registered Professional Reporter Examination of the National Court 
  Reporters Association or an equivalent test as authorized by the Supreme 
  Court, pursuant to the requirements of 20 O.S. 2003 §1503B(1) may be 
  substituted for the literary material and question and answer portions of the 
  examination. 
d.         A written 
  knowledge test of not less than twenty-five (25) multiple- choice questions 
  and/or true and false questions relating to Oklahoma law and court 
  rules.  This section of the examination will be administered in 
  forty-five (45) minutes.  Applicants will be provided with the study aids 
  from which the test questions will be taken. 
Rule 5. 
            Transcripts - 
Supplies
a.         
  The test transcript is to be typewritten and Each candidate 
  shall furnish all supplies and equipment necessary for taking 
  to take and transcribing transcribe the test, 
  with the exception of transcription paper. Prior 
  to each examination the Board will advise applicants of the permitted computer 
  and\or word processing equipment that may be used to transcribe the 
  examination.

Rule 6. 
            Required 
Accuracy
In order to pass the examination, 
candidates applicant will be required to attain 95 
percent accuracy, which is defined as a 
maximum of fifty (50) errorson the question and answer 
portion of the skills examination and a maximum of forty-five (45) errors on the 
literary portion of the skills examination. A passing score on the written 
knowledge portion of the examination is seventy (70) percent or 
better.

Time for transcription of the skills portions of 
the test shall be one two (2) hours.The time 
for the written knowledge portion of the examination will be forty-five (45) 
minutes.

Rule 8. 
            Identity of 
Candidates
The identity of each candidate 
applicant shall be and shall remain unknown to the Board until after the 
final results are announced.  Before the commencement of the examination, 
an identifying number shall be assigned to each 
candidate applicant. by the 
Secretary of the Board.  The 
candidate applicant shall enter such number and date on 
each group of papers used in the examination and shall not enter his/her name at 
any place on the examination papers.  Failure to follow 
these procedures will result in automatic failure of the examination. 
Rule 9. 
            Turning in of 
Transcripts and Notes
Each candidate applicant, 
upon completion of the transcription of his/hers notes, shall turn in the 
transcript with the diskette record, if any, and the 
notes to the Board.  Each candidate applicant who 
commences but does not finish the assigned examination shall turn in 
his/hers the notes, together with 
the diskette record, if any, and the portion of the transcript, 
he/she that has been finished 
completed.  Each applicant An applicant who does 
not transcribe his/hers their notes shall turn in 
his/hers the notes and the diskette record, if 
any, before leaving the examination room. Computerized records not on diskette shall be erased by the 
applicant prior to leaving the examination room.

Rule 
10.           Property of the 
Board
Notes, examination papers, computer diskettes and transcripts shall become the property of the 
Board.
Rule 
11.           Standards for 
Scoring Transcripts
The following guidelines will be used by the Board in 
scoring transcripts:

a.                   
  One error will be counted for,
1.         Each wrong word or 
    wrong form thereof,2.         
    Each omitted, added or misplaced 
    word,3.         Each misspelled 
    word or proper name in common 
    use,4.         Each omitted 
    capital letter clearly 
    needed,5.         Each incorrect 
    number as it is 
    spoken,6.         Each improper 
    designation of either the Q or 
    A,7.         Each contraction 
    error, unless the difference in sound is not easily discernible, 
    and8.         Each 
    transposition of one or more words.
 
b.         Five 
  errors will be counted for an aggregate of punctuation errors, which reflect 
  an absence of knowledge on the part of the candidate on the basic rules of 
  punctuation.
c.         Each 
  segment of a hyphenated word is subject to one error.
d.         
  Each error will be indicated by a (_) (¼) right above it and in 
  case of omitted or added words, the number of omissions or additions will 
  precede the check mark.

e.         
  When five errors are assessed for an aggregate of punctuation errors, that 
  fact shall be indicated by the Board at the top of the first page of the 
  test.
f.          The following 
  will not be counted as errors:
1.         X-ing out of one 
    or more complete words, if done by 
    typewriter,2.         
    Hyphenation errors, including wrong end-of-line word 
    division,3.         Spacing 
    errors,4.         Optional 
    spelling of a word as indicated in a standard 
    dictionary,5.         
    Misspelling or phonetic spelling of unusual proper names, unless the correct 
    spelling has been given prior to the test, 
    and6.         Punctuation errors 
    not falling into the classification of 11(b.) 
above.
Rule 
12.           Notification of 
Results of Examination 

a.           Each 
  candidate who completes the test shall be notified in writing by the Secretary 
  of the Board whether he/she has passed or failed within thirty (30) 
  days from the date of the 
  examination.b.           
  A candidate who completes the test, but fails to pass and who desires to 
  inspect his/her examination papers, shall address a request in writing 
  to that effect to the Secretary of the Board within thirty (30) days of the 
  date appearing on the notification of the results of the examination.  
             
  c.         If one of the skills 
  examinations was a failing score, the second portion of the skills examination 
  is not graded and will not be sent to the applicant. 
  d.           
  The written knowledge portion of the 
  examination will not be returned to the applicant.

Rule 
13.           Destruction of 
Papers
The examination papers of all candidates shall be 
destroyed ninety (90) days following the date written notice of the result of 
the examination has been mailed to the examinees.
Rule 
14.           Enrollment 

a.                   
  All examinees who successfully pass the CSR examination and have otherwise 
  been found and approved by the Board to be fit and proper persons, in 
  accordance with the statutes and these rules, shall be recommended by the 
  Board to the Supreme Court for official enrollment as certified shorthand 
  reporters.

b.                  
  All persons who successfully pass all three four 
  elements of the CP or CM examinations (three (3) skills 
  elements and one (1) written knowledge element) of the RPR (Registered 
  Professional Reporter) or RMR (Registered Merit Reporter) examinations given 
  by the Board or recognized by the Board and who are certified shorthand 
  reporters employed by the State of Oklahoma shall be recommended by the Board 
  to the Supreme Court for official enrollment as certificate of 
  proficiency or certificate of merit shorthand reporters Registered 
  Professional Reporters or Registered Merit Reporters.  
  All persons who pass the one (1) element of 
  the CRR (Certified Realtime Reporter) examination or the written knowledge 
  element of the RDR (Registered Diplomate Reporter) examinations given by the 
  Board or recognized by the Board and who are certified shorthand reporters 
  employed by the State of Oklahoma shall be recommended by the Board to the 
  Supreme Court for official enrollment as Certified Realtime Reporters or 
  Registered Diplomate Reporters.

Rule 
15.           Certificates - 
Abbreviations - Seals 
Each person enrolled by the Supreme Court as a 
certified shorthand reporter or licensed shorthand reporter 
shall thereupon receive an appropriate certificate signed by the Chief Justice 
of the Supreme Court and attested by the Clerk.  In addition thereto, each 
person enrolled as a certified shorthand reporter shall be entitled to use the 
abbreviation C.S.R. after his/her name, and those who are residents of 
the State of Oklahoma shall receive from the Board, without additional charge, a 
stamp/seal with his/her name and the words "Oklahoma Certified 
Shorthand Reporter" embossed thereon.  Each person enrolled as a licensed 
shorthand reporter shall be entitled to use the abbreviation L.S.R. after 
his/her name and those who are residents of the State of Oklahoma shall 
receive from the Board, without additional charge, a stamp/seal with 
his/her name and the words "Oklahoma Licensed Shorthand Reporter" 
embossed thereon.
Rule 
16.           Duplicate 
Certificates 
Upon the written request of a certificate holder, 
accompanied by an affidavit showing to its satisfaction the loss, mutilation or 
destruction of his/her original certificate, the Board may authorize the 
issuance of a duplicate certificate.

Rule 
17.           Change of Name 
or Address

Whenever the certificate holder changes 
his/her name according to law and presents evidence satisfactory to the 
Board, upon surrender of the original certificate, the Board shall authorize the 
issuance of a duplicate certificate setting forth the name of the certificate 
holder as changed.
It is the responsibility of each certified, 
licensed or acting shorthand reporter to notify the Board or the Administrative 
Office of the Courts of any change of name or address.  
Rule 
18.           Roll

The Secretary of the Board or the Administrative 
Office of the Courts shall keep a current roll of certified, licensed 
shorthand reporters, official or unofficial, regular or 
temporary or acting shorthand reporters.  All mailings by the Board or the Administrative Office of the 
Courts concerning certificate or license renewal fees, continuing education or a 
possible disciplinary violation shall be made to the most recent address that 
the license or certificate holder has provided to the Board or the 
Administrative Office of the Courts.   

Rule 
19.           
Reciprocity

It shall be the responsibility of the Board to recommend to 
the Supreme Court for approval the court reporter tests deemed equivalent to the 
Registered Professional Reporter Examination of the National Court Reporters 
Association (NCRA), pursuant to 20 O.S. § 1503.  A person holding a current certificate from another state 
who has passed an examine holder of a Certificate of Proficiency or Certificate 
of Merit issued by indicating that he/she has passed an 
test approved by the Supreme Court or who is the holder of current Registered 
Professional Reporter (RPR) or Registered Merit Reporter (RMR) status with 
the National Shorthand Reporters Association, may be enrolled without 
examination as an Oklahoma certified shorthand reporter upon satisfying the 
Board that his credential are in proper order and that he is a resident of 
Oklahomawill not be required 
to take the skills examinations required by 20 O.S. 2003 § 1503 B. 1. The 
applicant must, prior to certification, pass the Oklahoma written knowledge 
portion of the examination.

Rule 
20.           Renewal Fees 

b.   On July 1st of each 
  year dues period, all certificates or licenses, which 
  have not been renewed by the payment of the annual renewal fee, shall 
  expire be suspended by the Supreme Court of 
  Oklahoma.

c.   A expired 
  suspended license may be reinstated at any time within the following 
  six four months, up to and including 
  December October 31st, by payment of the delinquent 
  renewal fees and any delinquent payment fee as set by the Board, with the 
  approval of the Supreme Court.  After that time, an expired 
  certificate or license shall not be subject to reinstatement without 
  re-examination be 
  revoked by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma and shall not be subject to 
  reinstatement without examination.

Rule 
21.           Continuing 
Education
a.   All court reporters 
certified, licensed, or the holder of a temporary certificate as an acting court 
reporter by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma must complete a total of four (4) 
hours of continuing education per calendar year.   
All official court reporters and all court 
reporters temporarily employed by the District Courts of Oklahoma, the Workers' 
Compensation Court and the Corporation Commission must complete one (1) hour of 
continuing education per calendar year on Oklahoma Court Rules and 
Procedures.  This shall be included in the required four (4) hours of 
continuing education.   
b.   Reporters are exempt from this 
requirement if they file a verified oath requesting exemption with the Board and 
said exemption is approved by the board.  The oath     shall 
include one of the following grounds for exemption:  
i.        
  The reporter attained the age of sixty-five (65) before or during the 
  calendar year for which the reporter seeks an exemption; 
  ii.       The reporter is a 
  member of the armed forces on full-time active duty during the entire calendar 
  year for which the reporter seeks an 
  exemption;iii.      The reporter has 
  provided written verification by a licensed physician that a medical condition 
  has prevented the court reporter from working as a court reporter and 
  completing continuing education for the calendar year for which the reporter 
  seeks an exemption.  
c.   The following standards will govern 
the approval of continuing education programs by the Board.   

d.   The program must have significant 
intellectual or practical content and its primary objective must be to increase 
the court reporter's professional competence as a reporter.  

e.  The program must be offered by a sponsor 
having substantial, recent experience in offering continuing court reporter 
education of demonstrated ability to organize and present effectively continuing 
court reporter education.  Demonstrated ability arises partly from the 
extent to which individuals with court reporter and/or legal training or 
educational experience are involved in the planning, instruction and supervision 
of the program. 
f.   The program itself must be conducted 
by an individual or group qualified by practical or academic experience. The 
program including the named advertised participants must be conducted 
substantially as planned, subject to emergency withdrawals and 
alterations.
g. Thorough, high quality, readable, and carefully 
prepared written materials must be made available to all participants at or 
before the time the course is presented, unless the absence of such materials is 
recognized as reasonable and approved by the Board. A mere outline without 
citations or explanatory notations will not be sufficient.
h.  The program must be conducted in a 
comfortable physical setting, conducive to learning and equipped with suitable 
writing surfaces.
i.   Approval may be given for programs where 
audiovisual recorded or reproduced material is used. Television video programs 
and motion picture programs with sound shall qualify for CE credit in the same 
manner as a live CE program provided: (a) the original CE program was approved 
for CE credit as provided in these regulations or the visual recorded program 
has been approved by the Board under these rules, and (b) each person attending 
the visual presentation is provided written material as provided above and there 
are a minimum of five (5) persons enrolled and in attendance at the presentation 
of the visually recorded program. 
j.   Programs that cross academic lines may 
be considered for approval except for that portion of the education that must be 
on Oklahoma Court Rules and Procedures.
k.  Continuing legal education programs 
sponsored by the following organizations are presumptively approved for credit, 
provided that the standards set out in these Rules are met:
l.   Approved seminars may be advertised in 
informational brochures and program materials provided by the sponsoring body. 
The organizations whose programs are presumptively approved shall give adequate 
notice that a program or seminar it conducts is not approved for CE credit in 
the event the program or seminar does not meet the standards set forth 
above.  The Board may at any time re-evaluate and grant or revoke 
presumptive approval of a provider.
m.  Any organization not included paragraph k 
above, desiring approval of a course or program shall apply to the Board by 
submitting an application in letter form with supporting documentation at least 
ninety (90) days prior to the date for which the course or program is scheduled. 
The Secretary of the Board will advise the applicant in writing by mail whether 
the program is approved or disapproved. 
n.   The application required by paragraph 
m, above, must contain the following information, in written form:   

1.      The location of 
  the training;2.      The date of the 
  training;3.      A complete agenda of the 
  training, to include the faculty;4.      
  The number of hours of training to be 
  dedicated to Oklahoma Court rules and procedures must be clearly indicated in 
  the request for approval of continuing education credit.

o.    A court reporter desiring 
  approval of a course or program which has not otherwise been approved shall 
  apply to the Board by submitting an application in letter form with supporting 
  documentation as follows:
(i) If approval is requested before the course or 
    program is presented the application and supporting documentation shall be 
    submitted at least sixty (60) days prior to the date for which the course or 
    program is scheduled.
(ii) If approval is requested after the applicant 
    has attended a course or program the application and supporting 
    documentation shall be submitted within ninety (90) days after the date the 
    course or program was presented or prior to the end of the calendar year in 
    which the course or program was presented, whichever is earlier.
The Secretary of the Board shall advise the court 
    reporter by mail whether the program is approved or disapproved.  If 
    the course is approved, the court reporter(s) attending the course for 
    credit must arrange with the provider to provide directly to the Board a 
    list of attendees as provided in paragraph q below.  No verification of 
    attendance will be accepted directly from the court 
  reporter.
p.   The provider of an approved 
  continuing education program may announce or indicate as follows:
This course has been approved by the State Board 
    of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters for ________ hours of CE 
    credit.
q.   The Board or the Administrative 
  Office of the Courts, upon approval of a continuing education program or the 
  announcement of a continuing education program by an approved sponsor, may 
  submit to the program provider a list of  name and address information 
  for court reporters as listed on the Roll of Certified, Licensed or Acting 
  Court Reporters or mailing labels for those reporters. It is the 
  responsibility of the sponsor to notify court reporters of the training and to 
  request the mailing labels. 
r.    Within thirty days (30) days 
  following an approved continuing education program the sponsor or accrediting 
  entity shall furnish to the Board and/or the Administrative Office of the 
  Courts an alphabetized list of attendees.  No other verification of 
  attendance at any continuing education program will be accepted.  No 
  verification of attendance may be made directly by the court reporter to the 
  Board.
s.    On or before February 15th of each 
  year, every person with the status of certified, licensed or acting court 
  reporter granted by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma shall submit a report on a 
  form as prescribed by the Board or the Administrative Office of the Courts all 
  information concerning such court reporter's completion of, or approved 
  substitute for, the minimum hours of instruction for the proceeding calendar 
  year.
t.    Sponsors of the seminars or 
  courses qualifying for Mandatory Continuing Court Reporter education credits 
  shall keep records of attendance for a period of two (2) years following the 
  date of the course or seminar.
u.   Failure to complete the 
  continuing education and to document the completion of same may result in the 
  suspension, revocation, or cancellation of the court reporters' license or 
  certificate by the Board, upon approval of the Supreme Court.
APPENDIX "B"
RULES GOVERNING DISCIPLINARY 
PROCEEDINGS OFTHE STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS OFCERTIFIED SHORTHAND 
REPORTERS 

Rule
1.         
Persons to whom rules 
apply2.         Grounds for 
discipline3.         Administrative 
suspension for nonpayment of renewal 
fee4.         Administrative 
Suspension for failure to obtain the required hours of Continuing 
Education5.         
Complaints6.         Formal 
proceedings, how commenced7.         
Hearings8.         Transmittal of 
recommendation and review by Supreme 
Court9.         
Reinstatement 

 
Rule 1. 
            Persons to 
Whom Rules Apply
These rules shall apply to all persons certified or 
who are enrolled as court reporters under the rules of the Board of Examiners of 
Official Certified Shorthand 
Reporters, 20 O.S. § 2003, Ch. 20. App., all persons certified or licensed as 
court reporters by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, and all persons holding the 
status of acting court reporter, regular or temporary.  20 O.S. § 2003, 
Section 106.3B(c).  All of the foregoing persons are collectively referred 
to as "court reporters."



Rule 2. 
            Grounds for 
Discipline

The Board shall on complaint, or as otherwise 
hereafter provided, conduct proceedings, on reasonable notice, the object of 
which are is to recommend 
to the Supreme Court discipline of any court reporter, where it shall be 
determined there exists any of the following grounds. 

a.   Conviction 
  of a felony, or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude 
  Final conviction of a criminal offense which indicates a 
  clear and rational likelihood that the reporter will not properly discharge 
  the responsibilities of a person licensed or certified as a court reporter, 
  pursuant to 20 O.S. 2003 § 1501 et. seq. or serving as a Court Reporter 
  pursuant to 20 O.S. 2003 Section 106.3B;

b.   The intentional misrepresentation of any fact in 
  obtaining enrollment 
   licensure under Rule 14, 
  20 O.S. 1991, Ch. 20, App.or the gross negligence of any applicant in 
  representing as true any such facts ultimately determined to be 
  false; 
  

c.    Any intentional violation of, or noncompliance 
  with or gross negligence in complying 
  with any rule or directive of the Supreme Court; 
  
d.    Fraud, gross incompetence, or 
  gross or habitual neglect of duty;
e.    Intentional violation of duties, gross or habitual neglect of duties 
  as prescribed by statute, 20 O.S. 1991, Section 106.4, or any other duties 
  prescribed by law or rule of the Board Engaging in the 
  practice of shorthand reporting using a method for which the reporter is not 
  certified;

f.     Engaging in the 
  practice of shorthand reporting while certification is 
suspended;

          g.    Nonpayment of renewal dues 
  and/or delinquent fees;

h.   Failure 
  to obtain the required number of hours of continuing education in any calendar 
  year; 
  
i.     A violation of 20 
  O.S. Section 1513.

Rule 3.     Administrative 
Suspension for Nonpayment of Renewal Fee

Suspension of a court reporter for nonpayment of 
renewal fees shall be as provided in Rules of the State Board of Examiners of 
Official Certified Shorthand 
Reporters, and as set forth below.  20 O.S. 
§ 
2003, Ch. 20, 
App., Rule 20.  The 
formal disciplinary procedures provided for by these rules have no application 
to suspensions based solely on nonpayment of renewal dues. 

a.    The Board will administratively 
  suspend by transmitting to the Supreme Court a list  of those persons who 
  have not paid their renewal dues by July 1st of each odd-numbered year dues period, and further 
  the Board will notify all such persons, by certified mail, return receipt 
  requested, to the last known address of the person provided to the 
  Secretary or the Board or the Administrative Office of the Courts that they have been suspended for 
  nonpayment of renewal dues 
  

b.    Payment of such renewal dues, 
  and/or delinquent fees at any time within the next six(6)  four (4)  months shall 
  entitle such person to reinstatement without hearing. 
  
c.    At the end of the 
  succeeding six four (4) months, or 
  January 1st October 31 of the 
  following same year, the licenses and certificates of those who have 
  not paid their renewal dues and/or delinquent fees  shall be revoked 
  administratively without further notice.  In order to obtain a 
  reinstatement, all parties must comply with the provisions of Rule8 9 hereof. 
  
d.  Renewal fees shall be payable on or 
  after the 1st day of January of each year dues period, or as directed by the State 
  Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters and as approved by the 
  Supreme Court, and as provided in the Rules of the State Board of 
  Examiners of Official Certified 
  Shorthand Reporters, 20 O.S. 
  § 
  2003, Ch. 20, 
  App., Rule 20 . Failure of a court reporter to pay renewal 
  fees on or before the first day of July of each odd-numbered year dues period, or as directed by the 
  Board, shall result in the Board recommending to the Supreme Court the 
  suspension of the court reporter's license or certificate.  The order of 
  the Supreme Court approving the recommendation of the Board shall operate to 
  suspend the license or certificate of the court reporter without necessity of 
  hearing.  The court reporter shall be notified by certified mail to 
  the last known address of the reporter as provided to the Secretary of the 
  Board or the Administrative Office of the Courts, of the order of the 
  Court.  Within six (6) four 
  (4) months of the order, but not later than the last day of December October of each odd-numbered year in which dues are payable, 
  should the court reporter suspended for nonpayment of renewal fees pay all 
  renewal fees and delinquent fees then due, the court reporter shall be 
  administratively reinstated without need for application or hearing.  The 
  continued delinquency of renewal fees beyond one 
  year ten months shall result in the revocation of the court 
  reporter's license or certificate without further action of the Board or the 
  Supreme Court.  Thereafter, reinstatement of the court reporter shall be 
  as provided in Rule 8 9 
  hereof.
Rule 
4.       Administrative Suspension for Failure to 
obtain the required hours of Continuing Education

Suspension of a certified/licensed, or acting court 
reporter, pursuant to 20 O.S. 2003 § 106.3B for failure to obtain the required 
hours of continuing education in any calendar year, defined as January 1 through 
December 31 of any year, shall be as provided in Rules of the State Board of 
Examiners of Official Shorthand Reporters and as set forth below. The 
formal disciplinary procedures provided for by these rules have no application 
to suspensions based solely on failure to obtain the required hours of 
continuing education.
a.         The Board will 
  administratively suspend by transmitting to the Supreme Court a list of those 
  persons who have not filed a compliance report concerning the previous year's 
  continuing education by February 15 of each year, and further the Board will 
  notify all such persons, by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the 
  last known address provided to the Secretary of the Board or the 
  Administrative Office of the Courts, that they have been suspended for failure 
  to obtain the required hours of continuing education. 
b.         Filing 
  of a complete compliance report at any time within the next six (6) months 
  shall entitle such person to reinstatement without hearing.  In no case 
  may continuing education hours be used for more than one calendar year's 
  compliance report.The State Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reports 
  may set a reinstatement or delinquent filing fee with the approval of the 
  Supreme Court.
c.         At 
  the end of the six months, or no later then December 31 of the same year, the 
  licenses, certificates or acting status as a court reporter of those who have 
  not fulfilled their continuing education requirement and filed a compliance 
  report shall be revoked administratively without further notice.  In 
  order to obtain a reinstatement, all parties must comply with the provisions 
  of Rule 9 hereof.

d.         Continuing education 
  compliance reports must be filed by February 15 of each year, setting forth 
  the previous year's continuing education, as provided in the Rules of the 
  State Board of Examiners of 
  Official Shorthand Reporters.  Failure of a court reporter to file a 
  compliance report on or before the fifteenth day of February of each year 
  shall result in the Board recommending to the Supreme Court the suspension of 
  the court reporter's license or certificate.  The order of the Supreme 
  Court approving the recommendation of the Board shall operate to suspend the 
  license or certificate of the court reporter without necessity of 
  hearing.  The court reporter shall be notified by certified mail to the 
  last known address of the reporter as provided to the Secretary of the Board 
  or the Administrative Office of the Courts of the order of the Court.  
  Within six (6) months of the order, but not later than the last day of 
  December of each year, should the court reporter suspended for failure to file 
  a compliance report, file a documented and correct report, the court reporter 
  shall be administratively reinstated without need for application or 
  hearing.  The continued delinquency in the filing of a compliance report 
  beyond six months from the date of the order suspending the reporter's license 
  or certificate shall result in the revocation of the court reporter's license 
  or certificate without further action of the Board or the Supreme Court.  
  Thereafter, reinstatement of the court reporter shall be as provided in Rule 9 
  here in.

 

Rule 5. 
            
Complaints
 The procedure for filing a complaint against a 
court reporter and the investigation of such complaint shall be as follows:
a.         The 
  Board shall furnish forms for a request for investigation to each person who 
  alleges misconduct of a court reporter.  Each complaint shall be in 
  writing, although not necessarily in the prescribed form, and signed by the 
  complainant.  A complaint may be filed by any person, including other 
  court reporters, who has knowledge or information of misconduct of a court 
  reporter.
b.         
  Complaint shall be filed with the Secretary of the Board, who shall transmit 
  copies to all members of the Board.  The Board shall conduct preliminary 
  investigation to determine whether there are facts sufficient to warrant 
  formal disciplinary proceedings.
 1.        
    The Board may, in its sound discretion, solicit additional information from 
    the complainant;
 2.        
    Interview or subpoena potential witnesses; and/or
 3.        
    Inform the court reporter involved of the nature of the complaint and afford 
    the court reporter an opportunity to respond thereto in 
  writing.
c.         
  Should the Board vote not to commence formal disciplinary proceedings, the 
  complainant and the court reporter involved shall be promptly so notified by 
  the Secretary of the Board.  The complainant may by Petition for Review 
  filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court not more than thirty (30) days from 
  the date of the decision seek to have such decision reviewed, and such petition shall be processed by the Court 
  as in other appeals from recommendations of the Board or as hereinafter 
  provided.



Rule 6.  
           Formal Proceedings, 
How Commenced
a.         Upon an 
  affirmative vote of the Board to commence formal disciplinary proceedings, the 
  Secretary of the Board shall prepare a formal complaint.  The formal 
  complaint shall be styled:
               
BEFORE THE STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF OFFICIAL 
CERTIFIED                                                 
SHORTHAND REPORTERS 

The State of Oklahoma ex rel. State Boardof 
    Examiners of Official 
    Certified Shorthand 
    Reporters, 
    
Complainant,                                                                                                          
    No. 
                        

v.
(Name of 
  Accused),Respondent,


COMPLAINT

The Complaint shall state the specific facts 
constituting the alleged misconduct, whether prior misconduct has resulted in 
discipline, and whether prior investigations of misconduct are to be relied upon 
to enhance discipline.  Any prior act or conduct relied upon to enhance 
discipline shall be so stated and set forth by specific allegation of fact. The 
complaint shall be attested by the Chairman of the Board.

b.  
         Should the complaint allege as grounds 
  for discipline thefinalconviction of a court reporter 
  of a felony or of a misdemeanor involving moral 
  turpitude, in any 
  jurisdiction,of a criminal offense which indicates a 
  clear and rational likelihood that the court reporter will not properly 
  discharge his or her duties and responsibilities as a certified or licensed 
  shorthand reporter, there shall be attached thereto a certified copy of 
  the charges upon which such conviction was had and a certified copy of the 
  judgment and sentence of conviction.   Such documents, regardless of the 
  pendency of an appeal, shall constitute the charge and be conclusive evidence 
  of the commission of the crime upon which the judgment is based and shall 
  suffice as the basis for discipline in accordance with these rules.  
  Thereafter, the issues in a formal proceeding shall be limited to whether the 
  misdemeanor conviction involves moral turpitude and the nature of the discipline imposed 
  falls within the requirement 
  that the conviction of the said crime will preclude the court reporter from 
  performing his or her duties under the statutes and rules relating to court 
  reporters.

If an appeal is perfected from the judgment of 
  conviction and such judgment is reversed, the disciplinary proceedings based 
  on such conviction shall be dismissed immediately and the court reporter 
  involved restored to his/her former status.  Nothing contained herein 
  shall prevent the Board from initiating and conducting formal disciplinary 
  proceedings upon charges identical to those set forth in a criminal complaint, 
  indictment, or information, notwithstanding the pendency or final disposition 
  of the criminal action.
 c.      The Secretary 
  of the Board shall cause the complaint together with notice of a hearing 
  before the Board thereon to be sent to the court reporter involved.  
  Hearing before the Board shall not be set for earlier than thirty (30) days 
  from date of mailing of the complaint and notice.  The Board may in its 
  discretion grant continuances for good causes shown.
d.        Upon timely 
  written request therefore, but not less than ten (10) days prior to hearing 
  date, the court reporter involved is entitled to be provided with a list of 
  all witnesses the Board reasonably anticipates may be called as witnesses 
  against the court reporter and copies of all documentary evidence supporting 
  the allegations of the complaint.  (These will be submitted by the 
  Attorney General or one of his staff.)  The court reporter, not less than 
  five (5) days prior to hearing, shall submit a list of all documentary 
  evidence the court reporter intends to introduce as evidence in defense of the 
  charges in the complaint or as to mitigation of discipline.  The Board 
  may in its discretion and for good cause shown modify time limits herein 
  imposed.
Rule 7. 
            Hearings
a.         The 
  Board, under signature of the Chairman on behalf of the Board, shall have 
  power to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses on behalf of 
  the State or the court reporter involved.  The Chairman shall preside 
  over formal disciplinary hearings and, if necessary, rule on questions of 
  procedure.  A complete stenographic record of formal disciplinary 
  hearings before the Board shall be kept.
b.          
  The formal rules of evidence shall not apply to disciplinary hearings before 
  the Board.  Any evidence offered on behalf of the State Complaintant or the court reporter 
  shall be received and considered unless clearly irrelevant to the proceedings. 
  The court reporter shall have the right to appear personally or through 
  counsel, cross-examine witnesses and present evidence on his/her own 
  behalf.  The State 
  Complaintant shall have the burden of persuasion on 
  the material elements of the Complaint.  Hearings may be adjourned or 
  continued to a date certain, as the Board in its discretion shall 
decide.

c.         All 
  proceedings before the Board shall be open and conducted in full compliance 
  with the Open Meeting Law (25 O.S.2003 § 301, et seq.), except that the Board, 
  when acting in its capacity as a quasi-judicial body, may adjourn to an 
  executive session for purposes of deliberations only.  All votes of the 
  Board on disciplinary matters shall be publicly cast and 
recorded.

d.         
  Decisions of the Board shall be in writing with findings of fact and 
  conclusions of law as applicable.  The decision of the Board shall 
  reflect the votes of the members for or against the Board's 
  recommendation.  The written decision of the Board shall constitute its 
  recommendation to the Supreme Court for or against discipline and shall state 
  facts and circumstances of each case.  If the recommendation is for 
  discipline, the Board may recommend:
 1.        
    Suspension for a period of time up to one year; or
 2.        
    Cancellation of enrollment of a certified court reporter or revocation of 
    the license of a licensed court reporter or of the status of acting court 
    reporter.
Rule 
8.            Transmittal 
of Recommendation and Review by Supreme Court

a.         The 
  decision of the Board, which constitutes its recommendation, shall be 
  immediately transmitted to the Supreme Court, and copies thereof mailed to the 
  court reporter involved.  The record of the proceedings before the Board 
  relative to any decision shall be transmitted to the Clerk of the Supreme 
  Court not later than forty-five (45) days after the date of the Board's 
  decision, unless an extension of time for preparation of the record is granted 
  by order of the Supreme Court.  The Secretary of the Board shall promptly 
  notify the court reporter involved and the complainant of the completion and 
  transmittal of the record.
b.         Either 
  the complainant or the court reporter may, within twenty (20) days of receipt 
  of notice of completion and transmittal of the record, file their 
  brief-in-chief contesting the Board's recommendation or any part 
  thereof.  Answer brief shall be filed ten (10) days after the filing of 
  brief-in-chief.  Reply briefs may be filed five (5) days after filing of 
  answer briefs.  Briefs shall be subject to the provisions of the Rules of 
  the Supreme Court, Rules 10-24, 12 O.S., Ch. 15, App. 1, as amended and Rules 
  of Appellate Civil Procedure, 12 O.S., Ch. 15, App. 2, Rule 1.28(b)-(f), as 
  amended.
c.         
  After filing of briefs the decision and recommendations of the Board shall 
  stand submitted to the Supreme Court which may, in its sole discretion, adopt 
  or reject such recommendations in whole or in part, remand with instructions 
  or make such other disposition as the Supreme Court may deem proper, with or 
  without oral argument or formal written opinion.  Either party aggrieved 
  by the decision of the Supreme Court may make application for rehearing as 
  provided by the Rules of the Supreme Court, 12 O.S., Ch. 15, App. 1, Rule 
  28.
Rule 9.     Reinstatement

a.         Any 
  court reporter who has been disciplined by suspension under order of the 
  Supreme Court for a period of one (1) year or less shall be reinstated without 
  further proceedings before the Board or order of the Supreme Court upon the 
  filing of a verified application with the Secretary of the Board and a copy 
  thereof with the Clerk of the Supreme Court, which shall state:
 1.        
    That the term of the suspension as ordered by the decision of the Supreme 
    Court has expired;
 2.        
    That all costs of the formal disciplinary proceedings, including transcript 
    costs, as well as renewal fees, have been paid by the applicant; and
 3.        That there 
    does not is not currently pending before the Board any complaint of misconduct against 
    the applicant. 
    
 4. 
            That the applicant has not 
    engaged in the practice of court reporting during the term of 
    suspension.

Material deletions or misrepresentations in the 
  application shall be grounds for discipline.
b.         Any 
  court reporter who has been disciplined by having had his/her enrollment 
  canceled, who has had his/her license revoked or who has had his/her status of 
  acting court reporter revoked by order of the Supreme Court after formal 
  disciplinary proceedings, may seek reinstatement by filing a verified 
  application with the Secretary of the Board and a copy with the Clerk of the 
  Supreme Court, which application shall state:

 1.        
    The applicant's current home and business address, together with a narrative 
    of his/her residence and employment history during the period of 
    cancellation or revocation;
 2.        
    That the applicant has not, during the period of his/her cancellation or 
    revocation, been finally convicted of a criminal offense which indicates a 
    clear and rational likelihood that the reporter will not properly discharge 
    the responsibilities of a person licensed pursuant to 20 O.S. §§ 1501 et. 
    seq. and 20 O.S. §106.3B;
 3.        
    The names of at least five (5) persons who will testify as to the good moral 
    character of the applicant;
 4.        
    That the applicant has paid all costs of the disciplinary proceedings 
    resulting in his/her discipline, all renewal fees due but unpaid at the time 
    of cancellation or revocation and will pay all costs attendant to processing 
    of his/her application for reinstatement;
 4.        That the 
    applicant has not engaged in the practice of court reporting during the term 
    of suspension; and 

 5.        
    That the applicant has taken and successfully passed the examination 
    prescribed by the Board for certification of shorthand 
  reporters.
Upon receipt of an application for reinstatement, the 
  Secretary of the Board shall transmit copies of said application to all 
  members of the Board.  The Secretary shall thereafter cause said 
  application to be set for hearing before the Board.  Notice of hearing on 
  the application shall be sent to the applicant and shall be published in the 
  Oklahoma Bar Journal and in a newspaper of general circulation in the county 
  of the residence of the applicant and, if different, also in the county of the 
  applicant's residence at the time of his/her cancellation or revocation.  
  The cost of such publication shall be included in the costs to be paid by the 
  applicant.  Said notice shall be published in one (1) issue of each such 
  periodical and shall advise interested persons when and where the hearing will 
  be conducted.