How Do I Get the Best Legal Transcription Training?

When choosing legal transcription training, you should evaluate your career prospects and goals, your budget, and the reputation of any training program that you consider. There are several options for receiving legal transcription training, including court reporter training, specialized classroom and distance learning courses, as well as on-the-job training. The training formats that you choose should correspond to your career ambitions. You'll also want to think about your personal schedule and finances before making a decision regarding course enrollment. If you choose to receive formal training through school, it is a good idea to determine whether it is accredited or otherwise recognized by legal transcription professional associations.

Legal transcription involves typing out recordings of various types of legal proceedings, including court cases, depositions, and other legal matters. While legal transcription training is typically a part of the education required for court reporters, not all legal transcriptionists are court reporters and you may not be interested in that particular career path. Some vocational schools offer training in transcription, either as a stand-alone course or as part of a training program for legal secretaries.

It is possible to also receive legal transcription training from another experienced transcriptionist at your workplace. This can be a good option if you don't want to become a court reporter and don't have a lot of time or money to spend on taking vocational courses. The downside to this approach is that your training may not be as comprehensive as what you could receive through a formal training program. If you do choose on-the-job training, you may wish to keep up to date in your reading of professional literature to increase your knowledge of legal transcription and continually improve your skills.

When investigating legal transcription training programs, learn more about the school that offers the course. At the very least, the school should be licensed to operate in the jurisdiction where you live. You will also want to find a school that is either accredited by a recognized education body or that is recommended by a professional association for legal professionals, court reporters, or transcriptionists.

In addition to obtaining legal transcription training, you may also wish to eventually become certified as a transcriptionist. Several professional organizations offer transcriptionist certification and may also be able to provide you with continuing education courses or other learning opportunities. Before you decide to pursue transcription training, you may wish to contact a professional organization and ask its advice for selecting an educational opportunity.