Top 10 Online Medical Transcription Certificate Programs 2025

A medical transcription certificate program provides focused training in transcribing and editing healthcare records. With an online format, students can learn how to do this at their own pace while preparing for certification exams. Below, we discuss some of the top programs available for remote learners.

Are There Online Medical Transcription Courses With Certificates?

Yes, there are many medical transcription online training programs that offer certificates upon completion. These programs are designed to teach students the skills needed to transcribe and edit medical records accurately.

What Will I Learn in an Online Medical Transcription Certificate Program?

Those taking medical transcription courses online will learn how to convert audio recordings from healthcare providers into accurate, complete medical records. They'll study medical terminology, anatomy, and pharmacology to understand the content they're transcribing.

The program also covers proper grammar, punctuation, and document formatting for professional medical records. Students gain practical skills in editing, proofreading, and using transcription software to prepare for real-world healthcare documentation roles.

Top Online Medical Transcription Courses and Certificates

You can learn how to become a transcriptionist through online courses. We've compiled a list of the top online medical transcriptionist training programs, so keep reading to learn more.

1. Medical Transcriptionist Training Program � Penn Foster

Students can complete the online Medical Transcriptionist Training Program through Penn Foster. The courses include:

• medical billing and health insurance
• body systems, anatomy, and medical terminology
• medical transcription

As a self-paced program, remote learners have the flexibility to study whenever works best for their schedules.

• Cost: $839
• Program length: Seven months
• Certificate included: Yes

2. Online Medical Transcription Certificate Program � U.S. Career Institute

The Online Medical Transcription Certificate Program from U.S. Career Institute is a flexible, self-paced program for remote learners. Students gain real-world skills to help them enter the medical industry. They learn from actual doctors' dictation to prepare for entry roles.

• Cost: $1,239
• Program length: Six months
• Certificate included: Yes

3. Medical Transcription Fundamentals � Ashworth College

At Ashworth College, students can take a Medical Transcription Fundamentals program entirely online. Enrollees have access to professional tools and software to prepare for entry-level transcriptionist roles.

• Cost: $629
• Program length: Varies
• Certificate included: Yes

4. Medical Transcription Program � Blackstone Career Institute

Blackstone Career Institute offers comprehensive training designed to prepare students for the demands of healthcare documentation. Participants study medical terminology, anatomy, pharmacology, and transcription practices in depth, ensuring a strong academic foundation.

The curriculum is aligned with the standards of the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity. Graduates are eligible to pursue the Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist (RHDS) exam, a credential that can strengthen career opportunities.

• Cost: $2,586
• Program length: Four to 12 months
• Certificate included: Yes

5. Medical Transcription & Editing � University of Central Missouri

The University of Central Missouri offers a Medical Transcription & Editing certificate program. It's a self-paced, online course, allowing students to study at any time or place that works for them.

The time it takes to complete the 630-hour program varies. Training includes practice with hundreds of real physician dictations and prepares students to adapt to the growing use of speech recognition technology in the industry. The curriculum includes courses on subjects such as medical language, pharmacology, and proofreading.

• Cost: $3,799
• Program length: Varies
• Certificate included: Yes

6. Medical Transcriptionist � Durham College

Durham College offers a Medical Transcriptionist certificate program. Students can complete the program online at their own pace. Students pay for each course when they register for it. Prices range from $300 to $400 per course.

• Cost: $5,000
• Program length: Varies
• Certificate included: Yes

7. Medical Coding/Transcriptionist Certificate � Herkimer College

At Herkimer College, online learners can complete a Medical Coding/Transcriptionist Certificate program. Students gain skills in medical coding, transcription, and medical terminology. Graduates are prepared for jobs in hospitals, doctors' offices, insurance companies, and other healthcare settings.

• Cost: $5,116
• Program length: One year
• Certificate included: Yes

8. Healthcare Documentation Specialist � Richland Community College

Richland Community College offers a Healthcare Documentation Specialist certificate program that can be completed in one year. The program trains students to transcribe medical information into electronic medical records. The curriculum includes foundational medical courses and hands-on experience to ensure students are well-prepared for the workforce.

• Cost: $5238
• Program length: One year
• Certificate included: Yes

9. Medical Transcription Editing Program � University of Utah

The University of Utah Professional Education offers a Medical Transcription Editing Program. It's a self-paced program in an online format, where students enjoy flexibility during their studies.

The curriculum teaches students how to proofread medical reports and transcribe a doctor's notes. Graduates earn an official University of Utah Medical Transcription Editing Certificate and are prepared to pursue industry credentialing and enter the healthcare industry.

• Cost: $3,799
• Program length: Four to six months
• Certificate included: Yes

10. Medical Transcription Editing Program � California State University-Bakersfield

This self-paced, 100% online program is designed to prepare students for the RHDS certification exam. The curriculum focuses on transcribing physicians' notes and editing speech-recognition-generated medical documents for official patient medical records.

• Cost: $3,799
• Program length: One year
• Certificate included: Yes

How We Select Certificate Programs

We selected the programs on this list based on several criteria. Our methodology includes:

• Program cost: We selected programs with a range of tuition rates under $6,000 to ensure affordability.
• Program value: The programs on this list offer quality programs that prepare students to enter the field of medical transcription.
• Certification options: We chose programs that offer certificates and may lead to official certification with recognized agencies.

FAQs About Medical Transcription Online Courses

If you're thinking about entering this field, consider the questions below. We discuss prerequisites, costs, and more important information.

How Much Does It Cost To Become a Medical Transcriptionist?

The programs listed above vary in tuition costs. Some are less than $1,000, while others are above $5,000. It's important to consider the length and rigor of the program when selecting a provider.

What Skills Are Taught in a Medical Transcriptionist Training Program?

Students acquire a range of career-ready skills through a comprehensive program. These will likely include:

• medical terminology
• anatomy
• pharmacology
• grammar and punctuation
• electronic health record management
• transcription techniques from audio recordings
• editing and proofreading
• HIPAA-compliant documentation skills.

How Do You Get Certified in Medical Transcription?

Certification is typically earned by passing exams such as the RHDS or CHDS offered by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity. Some programs also provide prep courses that align with these credentialing exams.

How Long Is Schooling for a Medical Transcriptionist?

Online medical transcribing schools can have programs that range from six months to one year for certificate courses. However, associate degree programs may take two years of full-time study. Online programs with self-paced coursework may allow students to finish more quickly depending on their schedule.

What Are the Prerequisites for Enrolling in a Medical Transcription Certificate Program?

Applicants typically do not need any college credits to enroll. However, students should have a high school diploma or GED.

Discover Online Certificate Programs

Find online certificate programs here on Learn.org and take a step closer to your career goals. Contact individual program providers for more information.