
The Basics
Education and Training
In addition to having your GED or high school diploma, you’ll need to complete a certified medical transcription training program, usually a 6-month to 2-year certificate, diploma, or associate’s degree program.
Graduates must understand medical terms, their meanings, spelling and pronunciation, and possess hands-on transcription experience.
Course work generally includes the following subjects:
Medical Transcriptionist Certification
Certification is optional, but highly recommended. Medical transcriptionists who pass the national exam given by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) will earn the title Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT). Every 3 years, CMTs must earn continuing education credits to be re-certified.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics; Medical Transcriptionists.
*The salary information listed is based on a national average, unless noted. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors. National long-term projections of employment growth may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.