AAERT Certification: What it is and Why it Matters
What Is AAERT Certification?
AAERT stands for the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers. It is the national organization that certifies professionals in the legal transcription and digital reporting industry.
To become certified, a transcriptionist must pass a comprehensive exam that covers:
Legal terminology and procedures
Transcript formatting and standards
Grammar, punctuation, and clarity
Ethics, confidentiality, and professional conduct
There are three primary certifications:
CET (Certified Electronic Transcriber)
CER (Certified Electronic Reporter)
CDR (Certified Deposition Reporter)
At Access Transcripts, we actively support AAERT certification for our team and prioritize it in our hiring and training practices.
Why Certification Matters
Legal transcription is not just about typing fast. It is about accuracy, comprehension, and accountability. Certification ensures that transcriptionists:
Understand the legal context of what they are transcribing
Follow proper formatting for appellate court submissions
Protect sensitive case information
Deliver accurate, complete transcripts every time
For attorneys, court reporters, and courts, AAERT certification offers confidence that the record is in capable hands.
Our Commitment to Quality
At Access Transcripts, we do not just meet the standard, we set it. Many of our transcriptionists are certified or working toward certification, and our internal processes include multiple quality control checkpoints. We believe that excellence is not optional. It is essential to the work we do, the clients we serve, and the legal record we help preserve.
AAERT certification is more than a credential. It is a a commitment to excellence, ethical standards, and the responsibility that comes with preserving the legal record. Certified transcriptionists are also required to maintain their credentials through continuing education, which ensures they stay current with industry standards, legal practices, and emerging technologies. It represents the knowledge, care, and professionalism our clients can expect from every transcript we produce.
