How can I get a steno machine to use?

You can secure a machine through a rental partner (live sessions only), your state court reporting association, or a local court reporter. iPad users can purchase the iStenoPad app from the App Store. A non-working or older machine can also be used, since the goal is familiarity with the keyboard. You must submit a photo or screenshot of your machine to access the course materials.

What are the differences between the live and asynchronous sessions?

Both formats include six modules over six weeks, and each module must be completed before the next opens. The live class features a weekly Zoom session with direct instructor and classmate interaction, follows an established pace, and is open for machine rentals. The asynchronous format lets students work at their own pace as long as everything is completed by the end of the session, and is typically not open for machine rentals.

Are refunds available if I do not like the course?

The course is free through NCRA, so no refund is necessary. Machine rental fees cover shipping costs; questions about rental fees should go directly to the machine partners.

When do I return the rented machine?

Return the machine promptly and with care immediately after the class ends. The machines are serviced by rental partners and shipped to students in future classes.

Questions?

Review Program FAQs
Email: atozprog@ncra.org

Home / Start your career / Careers in Stenography (DiscoverSteno®) / NCRA A to Z® Online Program

NCRA A to Z® Online Program

LearnSteno

NCRA A to Z logo

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 review the options and follow the steps for each below.

Review program options

Select a tab below to review each program option.

Option A

On-Demand/Asynchronous Online Program

OPTION A: Registration OPEN through November 10

Once registered, you will have 45 days to complete the program at your own pace. You may begin after you complete Step 3 on this webpage. The last day to start class is 11/10/26. Instruction is delivered via prerecorded videos, quizzes, and the use of the Handbook. The course is facilitated by volunteer court reporters and captioners who will rotate on a monthly basis to answer your questions on a Discussion Forum. To register please proceed to Steps 2 & 3 below.

Option B

Online Program with supplemental Live Zoom

OPTION B: Registration OPEN through September 1

Our Fall Program will run from September 3rd - October 11th 2026, with Live Zoom held on Thursday evenings for one hour. Upon registration, you will have access to the Getting Started Module and then Module 1.

Zoom Details: Module 1 must be opened to access the first Live Zoom link on 9/3. We recommend completing the Lessons in that Module (prerecorded materials, quizzes, handbook) before attending the Zoom practice dictation. The live Zoom will begin at 8pm Eastern on 9/3, 9/10 & 9/17, and at 8:30pm Eastern on 9/24, 10/1 & 10/8. If you cannot attend live, a recording will be made available after the event (approx. 1 business day later).

To register please proceed to Steps 2 & 3 below. As a note, there are a limited number of discounted rental machines available through our vendor partners. Please view the details below.

To secure a rental, complete the form below. Next, secure your rental with the vendor directly. Once you have secured your rental and have a shipping/order confirmation, proceed to Step 3 on this page.

NCRA A to Z® MACHINE INTEREST FORM

Please complete this form ONLY if you are planning to contact Stenograph/ProCAT for a machine rental. Next, contact the vendor DIRECTLY.

Name

Option C

Local Member-Hosted Programs

Steps 2 and 3 below do NOT apply to the local programs option.

Registration takes place through local leaders.

Member-hosted Live 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, live online, or hybrid.

Local programs

No local programs are available at this time.

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 $44.99.

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. (CA Residents: Please note that the Deposition Reporters Association of California does not have a machine repository)
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 hobbyist steno practice board or keyboard that uses the Stenoob Lab (Stenoob)
Purchase a hobbyist steno keyboard that uses Microsoft Word (TinyMod)
Purchase a hobbyist steno keyboard that uses Plover (Such as Uni/Polyglot/Asterisk, EcoSteno/PicoSteno/Multisteno, 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

OPTION A: On-Demand/Asynchronous Online Program
REGISTRATION OPEN

Machine proof required for registration

Before you can register, you must first secure a steno machine.

Use the form below to submit proof that you have secured your machine, such as a photo, screenshot, receipt, or shipping confirmation.
Allow approximately three business days for review.
Once approved, you will receive instructions to create an account in the NCRA Learning Center and register for the program.

Submit proof of machine rental

What students are saying

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.

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.