The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) awards two voluntary designations, the Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) and the Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT).

Registered Medical Transcriptionists are medical transcriptionists who are recent graduates of educational programs with less than 2 years experience in acute care. A formal test is administered and the designation is considered Level 1. Maintenance is provided via continuing education.

The Certified Medical Transcriptionist designation requires at least 2 years of acute care experience working in multiple medical specialties using different format and report styles. Dictaton should be from multiple physicians including those with foreign accents. A formal examination is administered in a professional testing center and includes transcribing dictation, editing, and proofreading.

RMTs and CMTs must earn continuing education credits every 3 years to be recertified. At this time, we know of no governing (state or province) authority that requires medical transcriptionists to carry RMT or CMT certification.