Free Medical Transcriptionist Training & Courses Online

Updated on 9/22/2025

Medical transcriptionists play a vital role in healthcare, converting doctors' notes and recordings into accurate, written patient records. This career requires attention to detail, strong typing skills, and knowledge of medical terminology. With proper preparation, it offers flexible work opportunities, including remote positions.

For those exploring this career path, free medical transcriptionist training can provide an affordable starting point. These courses introduce essential skills, industry standards, and tools. Keep reading to discover top programs and helpful resources.

What Is a Medical Transcriptionist?

A medical transcriptionist listens to healthcare providers' audio recordings and accurately types them into written medical documents. Students who pursue medical transcription courses online gain training in medical terminology, anatomy, and transcription software. These professionals help maintain precise patient records, supporting healthcare teams with clear, organized documentation.

What Will I Learn in a Free Medical Transcription Course?

In a free medical transcription course, you'll learn medical terminology, anatomy basics, and transcription techniques. Training often covers grammar, editing, and formatting standards for clinical documents. Students also practice listening skills and typing speed, ensuring they can accurately convert healthcare providers' recordings into reliable patient records for medical use.

Best Free Medical Transcription Courses Online

Explore top free medical transcription courses that provide essential training, practical skills, and foundational knowledge for aspiring transcriptionists.

1. Alison – Basics of Medical Transcription

Alison's free, self-paced medical transcription course provides an excellent starting point for those interested in this career path. It begins with an overview of the transcriptionist role, the qualities needed for success, and how transcription supports healthcare.

The course then introduces the ''Big Four'' medical reports, referring to history and physicals, consultations, operative notes, and discharge summaries. Learners also review terminology, vocabulary construction, formatting, abbreviations, punctuation, and data-protection standards, building practical skills for creating accurate clinical documents.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Three to four hours

2. MedTranscription.com – Work at Home as a Medical Transcriptionist

This introductory class offered by MedTranscription.com is designed to simulate its live webinar. The course introduces the role of a medical transcriptionist, explains how audio recordings are converted into written medical documents, and explores the practical aspects of working from home.

Learners discover how transcription work is organized, the types of healthcare professionals they may support, and what tools or skills are essential. The presentation also discusses job opportunities, earning potential, and realistic steps for pursuing additional training or certification.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: One hour

3. Adams Academy – Medical Transcription

This self-paced introduction offers an overview of key transcription skills, including topics such as medical terminology, formatting rules, report types, and best practices. Learners explore how to convert spoken medical dictation into written documents accurately, covering common clinical reports, abbreviations, and file organization.

This online course also introduces transcription technology, emphasizing accuracy and attention to detail when handling patient medical records. With structured lessons and clear explanations, it serves as a strong foundation for beginners interested in entering the healthcare transcription field.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: One hour and 45 minutes

4. Transcribe Anywhere – Transcription Foundations

This self-paced, seven-lesson intro explains what transcription is and why it is in demand; it also covers the types of employers that hire transcriptionists, and the core keys to success. The course debunks common myths and offers guidance for deciding whether the work fits your skills and lifestyle. You'll also learn how to position your typing, writing, and editing strengths for client work.

Lessons also outline factors that affect earnings, where legitimate jobs come from, and recommended equipment to set up a home workstation, followed by clear next steps for beginning training and pursuing remote opportunities.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Self-paced, varies

5. Udemy – How to Transcribe and Excel In General Transcription

This free tutorial course, created by the Transcription Certification Institute, gives beginners a compact but solid introduction to transcription. You'll learn grammar, punctuation, parts of speech, and how to transcribe accented or multi-speaker audio. It explains what transcription work involves, what tools you'll need, and factors that affect earnings. 

The course also introduces formatting rules, strategies for improving speed and accuracy, and realistic insights into the daily work of transcriptionists. It includes free practice tests and offers a taste of what more extensive certification entails.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: One hour

6. Ishwarya Techno Solutions – Free Online Medical Transcription Training

Ishwarya Techno Solutions offers a free online medical transcription training program led by professional trainers. It covers medical terminology; specialties like gastrointestinal, cardiology, and respiratory systems; and standardized practices aligned with American Association for Medical Transcription (AAMT) norms. 

Training involves transcription of dictated medical material, with multiple review passes to catch errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Learners use tools like medical dictionaries and drug books, and are taught to manage common errors in documents, tracking mistakes like typographical, grammatical, or punctuation errors systematically.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Self-paced, varies

7. Meditec (via Scribd) – Free Medical Transcription Course PDF

This downloadable, 28-page PDF mini course from Meditec serves as a self-assessment and primer for medical transcription. It includes an overview of the profession, sample lessons, and aptitude tests so learners can judge whether transcription is the right path. Topics include English grammar, medical vocabulary, anatomy and physiology basics, and proofreading and editing practice.

The material also describes required equipment and software, touches on job market conditions, and explains what certification and training commitments are typically needed.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Self-paced, varies

8. Skillshare – Learn How To Transcribe

This multi-lesson video course walks beginners and intermediates through core transcription skills, including comprehension, accuracy, formatting, and spelling. It also contrasts verbatim versus non-verbatim transcription, shows tools used, and gives tips on where to find transcription work.

With lessons like ''Common Homophones,'' ''Transcription Accuracy,'' and ''Formatting,'' you gain practice applying rules, such as punctuation, labeling speakers correctly, and consistency in style. Project work includes transcribing short files in different styles to build confidence. Skillshare is a subscription-based service, but it offers a seven-day free trial.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Two hours and 15 minutes

9. SafetyCulture Training – Medical Transcription Training Material

This free resource provides sample training materials and micro-learning modules around medical transcription basics. It includes content like sample transcripts, micro-lessons, and excerpts from the Book of Style for Medical Transcription to help users get accustomed to terminology, formatting, documentation rules, and editing. 

It allows learners to explore these materials on any device, and there's a platform option where existing sample content can be transformed into interactive lessons. Good for refining accuracy, style, and consistency in transcription workflows.

• Cost: Free
• Course length: Self-paced, varies

How To Become a Medical Transcriptionist

Starting a career in medical transcription involves education, training, and practice to build the skills needed for accuracy and success.

• 1. Earn a high school diploma or equivalent: A basic educational foundation is required before entering medical transcription training or pursuing entry-level opportunities.
• 2. Complete a medical transcription training program: Specialized courses teach medical terminology, anatomy, and transcription techniques essential for accurate documentation.
• 3. Develop typing and technical skills: Strong keyboarding speed, computer literacy, and familiarity with transcription software improve efficiency.
• 4. Consider earning professional certification: Credentials demonstrate expertise and may improve job prospects with healthcare employers.
• 5. Gain work experience: Practical experience, internships, or entry-level jobs help refine skills and build confidence in the field.

FAQs About Free Medical Transcriptionist Training

Explore frequently asked questions to better understand free medical transcriptionist training and what to expect from these learning opportunities.

How Much Does It Cost To Get a Medical Transcription Certificate?

The cost of earning a medical transcription certificate can vary widely, depending on the program and school. While some free introductory courses exist online, formal certificate programs often range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Expenses usually cover tuition, training materials, and sometimes software or practice tools.

How Can I Become a Medical Transcriptionist With No Experience?

You can become a medical transcriptionist with no prior experience by starting with low-cost or free online courses. These provide exposure to medical terminology, grammar, and transcription software. Building typing accuracy and practicing with sample files helps develop skills. Entry-level positions or internships then offer practical, hands-on experience.

Can Anyone Become a General Transcriptionist?

Yes, almost anyone can become a general transcriptionist with practice and training. Unlike medical transcription, it doesn't require specialized medical knowledge. Strong listening, grammar, and typing skills are essential, along with attention to detail. Free online tutorials and practice exercises can help beginners build competence before seeking entry-level opportunities.

Explore Medical Transcriptionist Programs

Discover more opportunities and resources to advance your career. Visit Learn.org today for additional guidance on medical transcriptionist training and education.