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Medical Transcriptionists

Certification, Licensing, and Special Requirements

Certification or Licensing

The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) offers voluntary certification to medical transcriptionists. Recent graduates of medical transcription education programs who have fewer than two years’ experience in acute care can earn the registered healthcare documentation specialist (RHDS) designation. RHDSs with a minimum of two years’ experience in acute-care transcription or multispecialty equivalent can earn the certified healthcare documentation specialist (CHDS) designation. Taking and passing an examination is required to earn each certification credential. 

While medical transcriptionists do not need to be certified to find a job, it is highly recommended as a sign of achievement and professionalism. Certified medical transcriptionists will probably more readily find employment and earn higher salaries.