How to Become a Legal Transcriptionist in 2025: Training, Certification, Jobs, and Tools

Legal transcription is becoming one of the most in-demand career paths in today’s digital world. If you're someone who loves typing, has an ear for detail, and enjoys legal content, this might be the perfect opportunity for you. In this guide, we'll show you how to start, what skills you need, and how to grow as a legal transcriptionist.

What is a legal transcriptionist? 

A legal transcriptionist is someone who listens to audio from legal proceedings and types them out into written documents. You might transcribe courtroom hearings, depositions, interviews, or legal memos. The goal is to produce accurate and well-formatted text that lawyers, judges, and legal teams can use.

While legal transcriptionists and court reporters may seem similar, they're quite different. Court reporters work live in courtrooms using shorthand tools. A legal transcriber, on the other hand, typically works remotely with audio recordings.

Legal transcription requires sharp listening skills and a good understanding of legal language. It also demands a high level of confidentiality, since you'll often handle sensitive material. The job is a mix of typing speed, legal knowledge, and accuracy.

Read more: How to Become a Transcriptionist

Legal transcription training: How to get started

You don’t need a college degree to become a legal transcriptionist, but you do need the right training. Many people choose online legal transcription courses to get started. These courses often teach legal terminology, transcription formats, and audio editing tools.

Some popular legal transcription schools offer full certification programs and hands-on practice. These programs are helpful if you're new to the legal field and want a solid foundation. They typically last a few weeks to a few months, depending on the provider.

You can also learn on your own using tutorials and transcription software. But we recommend formal legal transcription training for better job opportunities. AI tools can support your learning by helping you analyze transcripts and detect quality issues.

Certification: Becoming a certified legal transcriptionist

While legal transcription certification isn’t always mandatory, earning it can significantly boost your professional credibility. Clients and employers are more likely to trust certified legal transcriptionists, as certification signals that you’ve invested in formal training and mastered the skills needed for the job.

One of the most recognized credentials in the industry is the Certified Electronic Transcriber (CET) designation from the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT). Many training providers, both in-person and online, offer courses that prepare you for this exam. When choosing a program, make sure it covers essential areas such as grammar, formatting, and legal terminology.

To become certified, you’ll need to pass both a written exam and a transcription skills test. Some programs bundle the training and testing into a single package, making the process more straightforward. Once certified, you can proudly add the credential to your résumé and online profiles, giving you an edge in the job market.

United States 

1. Liberty University Online

A 100% online course designed to prepare students for the AAERT’s CET exam, covering legal fundamentals, formatting, grammar, terminology, and ethical considerations.

2. Transcribe Anywhere 

A self-paced, comprehensive program that includes lifetime support, real-world practice assignments, and business-building guidance for aspiring legal transcribers.

3. BlueLedge

A 100-hour online course dedicated to CET preparation, with expanded options (up to 180 hours) that also cover digital court reporting. Includes specialized prep modules for exam success.

Other options in the U.S. include the Transcription Certification Institute and Digital Court Reporting programs at various colleges, many of which prepare students for the AAERT exam.

Canada

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)

A two-year, in-person diploma program specializing in machine shorthand transcription (stenography). It includes legal studies, English, and transcription software training. Graduates must meet rigorous speed and accuracy standards to qualify.

Australia

Certificate of Legal Transcription (AUS)

A self-paced program covering transcription fundamentals, including typing, formatting, grammar, software, time coding, and accuracy improvement.

U.K. and Europe

Currently, there are no widely recognized or standardized legal transcription certification programs equivalent to AAERT in the U.K. or continental Europe. Instead, learners often turn to general transcription training, professional development workshops, or institution-specific programs. While these may not carry a formal “Certified Legal Transcriber” title, they can still build the core skills needed for legal transcription work.

Why certification matters

While not always mandatory, earning a certification such as the CET, especially through AAERT, significantly enhances credibility. It demonstrates mastery of legal formatting, vocabulary, ethics, and transcription practices, which clients and employers highly value

Skills and tools every legal transcriber needs

You need a mix of soft skills and technical resources to excel in legal transcription. Accuracy is paramount, just one misplaced word can alter the meaning of a legal document and cause significant delays.

Typing speed is also critical. Most employers expect at least 65 words per minute, so regular practice with typing software or transcription drills is essential.

When it comes to tools, start with a good-quality headset, a foot pedal for playback control, and comfortable, ergonomic peripherals to reduce strain. Many legal transcribers also invest in noise-cancelling headphones, dual monitors, and document management systems for efficiency.

On the software side, transcription platforms like Express Scribe, oTranscribe, or InqScribe offer features such as variable-speed playback, time-stamping, and hotkeys to speed up your work. Secure file-sharing tools like Dropbox Business or ShareFile are important for protecting confidential legal materials.

For AI-powered support, the Tomedes Transcription Tool lets you compare outputs from multiple AI engines, ChatGPT, Google Speech-to-Text, and Gemini, so you can choose the most accurate version and edit it directly. Other helpful AI tools include Sonix and Trint, which offer automated transcription with integrated editing environments. Together, these tools can help you work faster without compromising accuracy or confidentiality.

Read more: 9 Best AI Transcription Tools in 2025

Where to find legal transcription jobs

There are many places to look for legal transcription work, whether you prefer remote opportunities or in-person roles. Job boards like Indeed, Upwork, and FlexJobs often list openings for legal transcriptionists, and many companies are open to hiring entry-level professionals, especially if you can share a strong sample portfolio.

Freelancing is another great path. It gives you the flexibility to choose your clients, manage your own schedule, and build long-term relationships. You can also find steady work through language service providers, as companies like Tomedes and RWS Group are frequently on the lookout for certified legal transcriptionists to handle sensitive legal content with accuracy and confidentiality.

If you’re seeking remote roles, make sure to highlight your home office setup and the tools you use. Employers and clients often want reassurance that you have the right gear, transcription software, and a quiet workspace, demonstrating that you’re both prepared and professional.

Salary expectations: How much do legal transcriptionists make?

So, how much do legal transcriptionists make? The answer depends on your experience, certification, and work type. Beginners might earn around $20 to $30 per hour, while experienced transcribers can make up to $60 per hour.

Your income also depends on the industry. Legal, medical, and corporate transcription tend to pay higher rates. If you're working freelance, you can set your own rates depending on urgency and content complexity.

To increase your value, specialize in one area, like litigation or compliance. Having a niche allows you to charge premium rates and attract consistent work. This is especially useful if you're handling high-stakes material.

How to become a legal transcriptionist from home

You can absolutely become a legal transcriptionist from the comfort of your home. All you need is a reliable internet connection, a good computer, and the right software. It's a flexible career path, perfect for parents, students, or those switching careers.

Start by setting up a quiet home office with noise-cancelling headphones and a comfortable keyboard. Download transcription software and get familiar with it by practicing on sample audio. Our Tomedes AI transcription tool offers demo audio so you can practice right away.

You can find legal transcription online jobs on freelance platforms or specialized job boards. Be sure to tailor your resume to highlight transcription skills, training, and tools. Clients want to see that you're ready to hit the ground running.

Bonus path: From legal transcription to legal proofreading

If you're interested in going a step further, consider learning how to become a legal proofreader. This is a great next move for transcribers who want to increase their earnings. Proofreaders check for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors in legal documents.

Many skills overlap between transcription and proofreading, such as attention to detail and familiarity with legal language. You can use your transcription experience as a foundation. AI tools can help highlight errors and suggest improvements.

Some professionals even combine both roles to offer full-service document support. This makes you more valuable to law firms and legal teams. It also gives you a competitive edge in a crowded market.

Read more: With 20% AI Transcribers Failing, Businesses Turn to Human in the Loop to Get It Right

Is legal transcription right for you?

If you enjoy legal topics, have strong language skills, and like working independently, this might be the job for you. Legal transcription offers a stable income, flexible hours, and room to grow. Plus, it’s a great way to enter the legal field without a law degree.

With the help of tools like transcription tools and QA platforms, you can start strong and stay competitive. You’ll save time, reduce errors, and deliver better results to your clients. And remember, getting started doesn’t require a big investment.

Whether you want to learn legal transcription, work part-time, or launch a full career, now is the perfect time to start. The field is growing, especially for those who embrace AI technology. With dedication and the right tools, success is well within your reach.

Final thoughts

To recap, here’s how to become a legal transcriptionist: Get trained, get certified, master the tools, and find your first job. Start small and use every project to build your skills and confidence. Take advantage of free tools like those from Tomedes to help you at every stage.

As more legal processes move online, the demand for accurate and timely transcription will only increase. Whether you’re looking for a side gig or a full-time career, legal transcription is a smart choice. And with a little effort, you can turn this opportunity into lasting success.