Medical Transcriptionist Education Requirements

Usually, medical transcriptionists don't need a college education. The most common degree for medical transcriptionists is associate degree with 35% graduates, with only 28% medical transcriptionist graduates earning bachelor's degree. Medical transcriptionists who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or Central State University. Some good skills to have in this position include computer skills, listening skills and time-management skills.

To succeed in medical transcriptionist careers it is a good idea to earn popular professional certifications among medical transcriptionists like, Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT), Medical Assistant, or Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM). To improve medical transcriptionist qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in medical transcriptionist education paths.

Medical Transcriptionist JOBS

What Education is Needed to Become a Medical Transcriptionist?

What Degree Should I Get to Become a Medical Transcriptionist?

The most common degree for medical transcriptionists is associate degree 35% of medical transcriptionists earn that degree. A close second is bachelor's degree with 28% and rounding it off is high school diploma with 13%.

  • Associate, 35%
  • Bachelors, 28%
  • High School Diploma, 13%
  • Diploma, 10%
  • Other Degrees, 14%

What Should I Major in to Become a Medical Transcriptionist?

Most medical transcriptionists, 35% to be exact, major in health care administration. Some other common majors for a medical transcriptionist include business and secretarial and administrative science majors.

20 Best Online Courses for Medical Transcriptionists

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1. Transgender Medicine for General Medical Providers

coursera

The course is a comprehensive set of didactic lectures surveying fundamentals of transgender medical and surgical treatment. The material is meant to provide the student with core knowledge that is essential for current primary care providers caring for transgender patients. There are 10 modules led by the expert clinical faculty from the pioneering Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, located within the Mount Sinai Health System and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New...

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2. Medical Emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation

coursera

In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to: 1) assess a basic medical patient 2) describe general pharmacologic principles and the skills associated with medication administration, 3) explain airway physiology, the assessment of the airway and available interventions for airway management, 4) identify, assess and formulate a plan to stabilize a patient with a...

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3. Traditional herbal medicine in supportive cancer care: From alternative to integrative

coursera

Please join us for an exciting and innovative journey, examining one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of the oncology setting: Traditional Herbal Medicine in Supportive Cancer Care. This course is presented with short lectures offering a wide range of issues related to the principles and practice of herbal medicine in cancer care. The course includes interviews with leading world experts from the field of Integrative Oncology, from the U.S. and Canada, as well as Europe, the...

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4. Medical Cannabis for Pain Control

coursera

Cannabis is a group of flowering plants that has been long used for industrial, recreational and medical purposes. When relating to its medical use, the terms "Medical Cannabis" or "Medical marijuana" has become prevalent. In this course we will use the term "Medical Cannabis". Nowadays, Medical Cannabis involves multiple medical disciplines such as neuroscience, pain, pharmacology, oncology, psychiatry and more. Moreover, it has cultural, agricultural and social, legal and political...

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5. Trauma Emergencies and Care

coursera

Welcome to Trauma Emergencies and Care. In this course, you will learn about some of the mechanics and physics of trauma on the human body, and how this can cause injury. You will continue to expand your new vocabulary with medical terminology, and learn how to describe the different injuries you may see. You will also learn about the trauma system itself- and when it is important to transport patients to a trauma center. Then we will dive into specific injuries based on what part of the body...

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6. Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care

coursera

This course presents basic principles of cancer survivorship to primary-care physicians. Developed by a team of experts in caring for cancer survivors, and narrated by a primary-care physician, this course provides practical tips and tools that can be easily integrated into medical practice. You will learn about the complex physical and psychosocial needs and concerns of the growing number of cancer survivors, along with the key role that primary care physicians have in guiding these patients...

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7. Acute and Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Comprehensive Review

coursera

Welcome to Acute and Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Comprehensive Review This course, offered by the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is designed to inform primary care physicians and general otolaryngologists, as well as nurses, physician assistants and medical assistants, about the differences between acute and chronic rhinosinusitis and how to distinguish and treat them. It is also applicable to individuals who wish to broaden...

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8. Medical Emergencies: CPR, Toxicology, and Wilderness

coursera

In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to: (1) Identify the signs and symptoms associated with a patient in shock, to describe the major categories of shock, to assess a patient with signs of shock and formulate a plan for treatment to stabilize the patient for transport, (2) Identify a patient in cardiac arrest and to describe the components of high performance CPR...

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9. Advanced Crystal Reports 2011 Training Video

udemy
4.3
(358)

A Comprehensive Crystal Reports Training Course That Takes Your Crystal Reports Skills To The Next Level...

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10. Beginners Crystal Reports 2013 & 2011 Tutorial Video

udemy
4.3
(691)

Learn How To Use Crystal Reports Quickly. A Comprehensive Crystal Reports Tutorial for Beginners. Covers 2013 & 2011...

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11. SQL Server Reporting Services Part 2 (SSRS)

udemy
4.5
(862)

SQL Server Reporting Services Part 2 (SSRS): Deployment, Security, Report Builder, Mobile Report Publisher...

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12. Learn SSRS SQL Reporting & Business Intelligence Essentials

udemy
4.3
(954)

SQL Reporting using SSRS gives you hands-on knowledge to make great SQL reports with Business Intelligence essentials...

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13. Introduction to Medical Imaging

udemy
4.4
(642)

Your guide to the history, science, math, and economics of medical imaging systems (e.g, X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound)...

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14. Mastering SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) From Scratch

udemy
4.6
(883)

Learn How to Create Reports using SSRS 2017 From Scratch Step By Step...

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15. Medical Terminology

udemy
4.7
(1,834)

Introduction to the meaning of various roots, terms and combining forms that are components of medical words...

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16. SQL Server Reporting Services Part 1 (SSRS)

udemy
4.5
(2,050)

Learn how to create from simple to complex reports for your business decision making needs...

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17. Internal audit on Medical Device QMS - ISO 13485:2016

udemy
4.4
(294)

Successfully conduct an internal audit based on requirements of ISO 13485:2016 for Medical Device Development and QMS...

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18. Medical Device Regulation 2017/745 EU regulatory affairs.

udemy
4.4
(451)

Understand regulations for medical devices in simple terms to gain market approval of a medical device in the EU...

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19. Medical Terminology 101

udemy
4.6
(608)

For those in healthcare, billing, and more. Boost earning ability and marketable skills by learning to "speak medicine."...

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20. Medical Terminology

edX (Global)

Medicine has a very distinct and highly specialized language. It is necessary for any student wishing to pursue a successful career in the medical field to acquire comprehension in this system of communication, including Allied Healthcare professionals. Learners will receive thorough instruction in developing fluency with medical terms. Medical vocabulary will be taught with specific emphasis on root (or stem words), prefixes, suffixes and abbreviations. By the end of this course learners will...

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Best Medical Transcriptionist Certifications in 2023

1. Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT)

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? No
Certifying Website
Certified Medical Transcriptionist
Certifying Organization
National Healthcareer Association
This Certificate Is Also Popular Among
Details Details

2. Medical Assistant

The medical assistant job description varies depending on the employer's needs. A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional and an asset to a physician.

The medical assistant job description varies depending on the employer's needs. A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional and an asset to a physician.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 1 year(s)
Certifying Organization
American Society of Phlebotomy...
This Certificate Is Also Popular Among
Details Details

3. Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)

Experienced medical office professionals with exceptional administrative skills are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) exam. To attain CMOM certification, all candidates must demonstrate a high level of knowledge in financial management, managed care contracting, personnel, and time management. Risk management, medical record keeping and facility management issues should also be mastered.

Experienced medical office professionals with exceptional administrative skills are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) exam. To attain CMOM certification, all candidates must demonstrate a high level of knowledge in financial management, managed care contracting, personnel, and time management. Risk management, medical record keeping and facility management issues should also be mastered.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? 
Certifying Website
Certified Medical Office Manager
Certifying Organization
Practice Management Institute
This Certificate Is Also Popular Among
Details Details

4. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) performs routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices and clinics of physicians running smoothly.

A Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) performs routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices and clinics of physicians running smoothly.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
Certifying Website
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant
Certifying Organization
National Healthcareer Association
This Certificate Is Also Popular Among
Details Details

5. Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS)

Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) uses a scenario-based approach to develop the critical thinking and problem solving skills that drive better patient outcomes. Consistent with AHA Guidelines for CPR/ECC. Covers breathing and cardiac emergencies - including CPR, AED, and obstructed airway - for adult, child, and infant patients. Free, two-year digital "Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers" certificate upon course completion..

Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) uses a scenario-based approach to develop the critical thinking and problem solving skills that drive better patient outcomes. Consistent with AHA Guidelines for CPR/ECC. Covers breathing and cardiac emergencies - including CPR, AED, and obstructed airway - for adult, child, and infant patients. Free, two-year digital "Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers" certificate upon course completion..

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? 
Certifying Website
Basic Life Support for...
This Certificate Is Also Popular Among
Details Details

6. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
Certifying Website
Emergency Medical Technician
Certifying Organization
National Registry of Emergency...
This Certificate Is Also Popular Among
Details Details

7. Nationally Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA)

Medical Office Assistants typically perform administrative duties for health care providers in office settings, although some may also perform basic clinical tasks (as allowed by state laws). Their responsibilities will vary by employer, but may include answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing medical records, completing insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, and handling billing or bookkeeping.

Medical Office Assistants typically perform administrative duties for health care providers in office settings, although some may also perform basic clinical tasks (as allowed by state laws). Their responsibilities will vary by employer, but may include answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing medical records, completing insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, and handling billing or bookkeeping.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 1 year(s)
Certifying Website
Nationally Certified Medical Office...
Certifying Organization
National Center for Competency...
This Certificate Is Also Popular Among
Details Details

8. Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI)

The mission of the National Board is to foster improved healthcare outcomes, patient safety and patient/provider communication, by elevating the standards for and quality of medical interpreting through a nationally recognized and accredited certification for medical interpreters.

The mission of the National Board is to foster improved healthcare outcomes, patient safety and patient/provider communication, by elevating the standards for and quality of medical interpreting through a nationally recognized and accredited certification for medical interpreters.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
Certifying Website
Certified Medical Interpreter -...
Certifying Organization
National Board of Certification...
This Certificate Is Also Popular Among
Details Details

9. Registered Medical Assistant

Registered Medical Assistant : EDUCATION or Experienced 1. Completion of an Approved Medical Assistant Program 2. Minimum of 200 Hours Lecture 3. Minimum of 80 Clinical Rotation In Physician's Office or Urgent Care Center 4. Or A Minimum of 1 Year of MA Experience in Physician's Office 5. High School Diploma or G.E.D 6. Successful Completion of Certification Exam

Registered Medical Assistant : EDUCATION or Experienced 1. Completion of an Approved Medical Assistant Program 2. Minimum of 200 Hours Lecture 3. Minimum of 80 Clinical Rotation In Physician's Office or Urgent Care Center 4. Or A Minimum of 1 Year of MA Experience in Physician's Office 5. High School Diploma or G.E.D 6. Successful Completion of Certification Exam

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
Certifying Website
Registered Medical Assistant
Certifying Organization
American Phlebotomy Association
Details Details

10. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (NHA)

A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant is an unlicensed multi-skilled healthcare practitioner who is competent in both a wide variety of clinical and laboratory procedures, as well as many administrative roles. A CCMA may perform some or all of the following duties. However, they are not limited to just these responsibilities:Interviews patients and measures vitals signsPrepares treatment roomsGives injections or treatments and performs venipuncture and laboratory testsCleans and sterilizes equipment.

A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant is an unlicensed multi-skilled healthcare practitioner who is competent in both a wide variety of clinical and laboratory procedures, as well as many administrative roles. A CCMA may perform some or all of the following duties. However, they are not limited to just these responsibilities:Interviews patients and measures vitals signsPrepares treatment roomsGives injections or treatments and performs venipuncture and laboratory testsCleans and sterilizes equipment.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 2 year(s)
Certifying Website
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
Certifying Organization
National Healthcareer Association
Details Details

Entry Level Jobs For Becoming A Medical Transcriptionist

Average Medical Transcriptionist Salary by Education Level

Medical transcriptionists with a Associate degree earn more than those without, at $38,714 annually. With a High School Diploma degree, medical transcriptionists earn a median annual income of $38,357.

Medical Transcriptionist Education LevelMedical Transcriptionist Salary
High School Diploma or Less$38,357
Bachelor's Degree$37,263
Some College/ Associate Degree$38,714

Medical Transcriptionist Internship Jobs

Medical Transcriptionist Jobs

Updated March 16, 2023