Learning to be a transcriptionist can be quite challenging. There are a
number of good services that provide online and distance learning
courses, and of course, there are also local career courses to choose
from. It can take six months to two years to become fully trained as a
medical or legal transcriptionist, depending upon the course you choose
and your level of expertise at the outset. Before choosing a
transcription course, be sure to check out the history of the business.
You will want to know how long the company has been in business, read
some good testimonials on their own website, be certain the company has a
verifiable physical address and phone number you can call for help and
check their rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Once you have settled on a transcription course and begun your lessons,
be sure to review all materials carefully and consult with your
instructors regarding any questions. A couple of specific concerns you
should address are timeliness of grading and the number of times you are
allowed to take the final exam.

Many distance learning transcription courses advise you not to submit
new lessons until you have gotten the graded results of those already
submitted, yet grading can take weeks or months, significantly adding to
the amount of time it takes for you to complete the course work.
Additionally, many distance learning courses provide several attempts to
pass the final exam, yet advise you not to attempt it until you have
completed all coursework.

If you are very proficient in English and have some understanding of
Latin (in the case of medical transcription) you may be able to zip
through your coursework more quickly than it can be graded. You may also
be able to pass the final exam with an early attempt. Even if you are
not able to pass it, you can gain significant insight into what is
expected by using one of your attempts before beginning your coursework.
If you are very confident in your abilities, you may be able to make
more efficient use of your time with quick submission of work and by
taking the exam early (provided you are allowed multiple attempts).

By choosing your transcription course carefully, asking lots of
questions and completing your course in the most efficient manner
possible, you could be well on your way to a career providing high
quality transcription services within the next year!