• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical transcriptionists are specialists in medical language and health care documentation. They are trained to understand medical terminology and abbreviations to translate a health care professional's language into a comprehensive record that becomes part of a patient's permanent medical files. Those in the field have the option to earn a nationally-recognized credential by passing the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity's (AHDI) certification exam. There is no state certification for medical transcriptionists and those who earn certification will be eligible to work in the state of Washington.
  
  

Education

• Those interested in a career as a medical transcriptionist will have to earn a post-secondary degree or certificate. Students pursuing an associate degree take courses in English, mathematics and science courses. Students who already hold a post-secondary degree should enroll in a certificate program, usually lasting about one year. Both courses of study include courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic procedures, pharmacology and treatment assessments. Recent graduates will have the same level of medical understanding as a first-year medical student.
  
  

Experience

• A medical transcriptionist's level of experience will determine which credentialing exam he will sit for. Recent graduates, or those with less than two years of experience as a medical transcriptionist in an acute care setting will sit for the Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) exam. Those with two or more years of experience may sit for the Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) exam. Work in a hospital setting, or a setting that treats a wide variety of conditions qualifies as acute care experience.
  
  

Examinations

• Registration is the same for both the RMT and the CMT exams. The exams are computer-based and delivered at electronic testing centers run by the testing company Thomson-Prometric. The test takes roughly four hours to complete. Candidates must complete an application and submit it to the AHDI along with a $10 processing fee. After the application is approved, candidates have 90 days to register at a test center and take the exam
  
  

Re-Certification

• Both the RMT and the CMT certifications are valid for three years, after which candidates will have to re-certify to maintain their credentials. RMT re-certification candidates will have to pay a renewal fee to ADHI and pass an online course and final exam during the three-year cycle. CMTs will have to pay a renewal fee and earn 30 continuing education credits.