Want to know more about transcription certifications?
You might be wondering if you need one, and which ones are actually worth doing.
Don’t worry – we’ll chat about all of that and more.
Keep reading to get the scoop.
Do you need a transcription certification?
You can start working as a transcriptionist without a certificate, but you might not earn as much at first.
As you learn more, you might wonder if getting certified is worth it.
From what I’ve seen, if you want to grow your business or start your own transcription company, getting certified is a great idea.
Here’s why:
1. Learn new skills – Learning new things is always good. You’ll need these advanced skills to make sure your work is topnotch. Plus, the extra practice will help you work faster, which means you can earn more money.
2. Show you’re a pro – A certificate tells potential clients that you know what you’re doing. It shows you have the skills and know-how to run your business the right way. This can help you get new clients and maybe even charge higher prices.
3. Get ready for bigger goals – The best certification programs help prepare you for even more advanced tests. These can earn you special titles that show you’re really serious about transcription. Some of these are known worldwide, some are for specific types of transcription (like TV captions or court reporting), and some require you to keep learning (like medical transcription).
When you look for transcription certifications, you’ll find a lot of options.
But most of these are for people just starting out.
In this article, I’m going to tell you about good programs that can help experienced transcribers get even better.
These programs teach the best ways to do things in the industry. They cover everything you need to know, like:
- Basic grammar and how to use word processing software
- Lots of practice with different types of audio, including hard-to-hear recordings, people speaking with different accents
They also teach you about starting your own transcription business. You’ll learn about:
- How to write contracts
- Dealing with taxes
- Keeping information private
One thing I really like is that you can do these courses at your own speed.
There’s no rush to finish, so you can study and practice when it works best for you.
Transcribe Anywhere
Transcribe Anywhere offers several transcription certifications that AAERT (a big transcription group) says are good.
They have courses for general transcription and legal transcription.
Here’s what’s cool about their courses:
- When you take the final test, a real person checks it and gives you helpful feedback.
- The legal course helps you get ready for two important AAERT tests: one to become an Electronic Transcriber and another to become a Certified Deposition Reporter.
Want to know if these courses are right for you? Their website has all the info you need:
- You can look at what each course covers.
- You can watch videos about the courses.
- They even offer a free mini-course so you can see if you like how they teach.
This way, you can decide if their program fits how you like to learn before you sign up.
Transcription Certification Institute
The Transcription Certification Institute offers a certification in general transcription, covering everything from the basics to more advanced skills.
You’ll learn how to handle tricky situations like transcribing conversations with interruptions, and you’ll get guidance on the privacy policies you’ll need when starting your own transcription business.
They also offer an internship, which might not be necessary if you’re already experienced and planning to start your own company.
However, this internship could be a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a new area of transcription.
It’s also a good way to explore different niches and see if one might be a good fit for you.
As your business grows and you need to hire, TCI can help by providing certified transcriber interns.
These interns will transcribe five hours of audio for free, and in return, you’ll need to provide them with a letter of reference.
Learn to Transcribe
Learn to Transcribe offers a range of programs, including mini-courses on specific topics.
While their mini-courses are designed for beginners, their standout program is the Legal Transcription with Paid Apprenticeship.
This program prepares you for the AAERT’s Certified Electronic Transcriber credential exam.
As part of the course, you’ll get paid to transcribe for a company for 30 days, gaining valuable experience right from the start.
Plus, once you establish your own business, you can apply to hire apprentices through their program.
Getting transcription certification brings so many benefits that it’s definitely worth the small investment of time and effort.
I encourage you to get started today because the sooner you’re certified, the sooner you can start earning more.
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