Proofreading Certification [Everything You Need to Know]

At Proofread Anywhere, one of the most common questions we hear from prospective proofreaders is “How do I get my typo-catching talent officially certified?” How can you get a proofreading certification? Let us explain.

Well, let’s clear up a misconception first: In the United States, there is currently no official proofreading certification.

But that’s not to say you can’t get your eagle eyes verified in other ways. For example, there are online proofreading courses that offer a certificate of completion after you finish all the modules and pass the final exams.

A certificate of completion for a proofreading course can serve as tangible proof to clients that you’ve successfully undergone extensive training and are qualified for the role, especially if the certificate of completion is from an established institution that clients know and trust.

And not to toot our own horn, but our courses at Proofread Anywhere are highly rated among proofreaders and clients alike (stay tuned to find out why)!

How to Get a Proofreading Certificate

There is no such thing as a proofreading certification in the US. However, some colleges offer certifications in related fields such as editing, creative writing, and academic writing. Editing and writing certification programs may not be specifically tailored to proofreading, but they often have modules dedicated to essential proofreading skills, like mastering various publication formats and grammar fundamentals.

Getting certified in editing or technical writing from an accredited college can, therefore, still be a fantastic way to show clients that you have the necessary skills for academic proofreading. When advertising your services, you can discuss the modules you took that improved your grasp of the English language, and any assignments you completed that put proofreading-related skills into practice.

But our team at Proofread Anywhere knows firsthand that studying with an accredited college isn’t for everyone. Most come with insane enrollment fees and expect you to pay for course books and study guides, which can be a barrier for those with little income to spare.

Not only are accredited college programs expensive, but they also have strict project deadlines and require attendance on a set schedule. These time constraints can make a college course incredibly difficult to complete even if you have the necessary funds — especially if you’re already working a 9-to-5 or are a stay-at-home parent juggling the responsibilities of childcare.

That’s where a dedicated online proofreading certification course can come in! While online courses may not be accredited, they’re significantly cheaper than college programs (our PA courses cost a fraction of that) and they can be completed remotely at your own pace and schedule.

Unlike a technical writing or editing program, our proofreading courses focus exclusively on honing your proofreading chops. They teach the principles of grammar, punctuation, and sentence structures, as well as effective proofreading strategies and how to apply commonly used style guides (think Chicago, APA, MLA).

Some courses even go a step further and show you how to turn your newly acquired proofreading skills into a profitable freelance career, with modules on marketing your services and attracting prospective clients.

Whether you choose to study with Proofread Anywhere or another course provider, you just need to make sure the online proofreading course you choose is reputable, well-established in the publishing industry, and provides a certificate of completion that tangibly showcases your achievements… And, not to brag, our courses at Proofread Anywhere fulfill all of that criteria (and more!).

Online Courses With Proofreading Certificate

Our online courses at Proofread Anywhere are trusted, well-respected in the industry, and recognized all around the world! After all, they…

• Equip you with all the training, business info, and support you need to build a successful proofreading business
• Are presented clearly, with attention to detail, and with links to tremendously useful resources
• Have plenty of practice documents to hone your skills before taking the final exam, and a fantastic Facebook group to connect with and get help when needed
• Help you to reframe your mindset to think more positively

Don’t believe us? Well, here’s a little plot twist: Those sentences above weren’t written by us — they’re actually direct quotes taken from reviews left by our very own PA graduates! Our Trust Pilot is filled with 5-star reviews from those who have established their dream proofreading careers thanks to our courses (so definitely take a peak when you have the time).

Our proofreading courses also come with a completion certificate once you successfully pass their final exams with a score of 90% or above. You’ll receive the certificate in a convenient, shareable digital file, meaning you can easily (and seamlessly) add it to your freelance website, proofreading portfolio, or virtual resume. On top of that, the certificate is signed by PA team leaders Maia Xiong and Tanya Vaughan.

Since Proofread Anywhere is regarded as an industry leader in proofreading and editing, the certificate will be treated as a credible and respected “credential,” inviting your clients to feel confident to put their trust (and written materials) in your hands.

As a graduate of a PA course, you’ll also be provided with a “verified PA graduate” badge that can be added to your LinkedIn profile. The badge ensures you come across as a qualified professional to clients when you advertise your proofreading services, and it also helps your profile stand out to recruiters headhunting for full-time and freelance proofreaders online.

PA is offering General Proofreading and Transcript Proofreading courses with certificates of completion. General Proofreading is an introductory course ideal for total beginners, and Transcript Proofreading is best suited to those who already have fundamental proofreading skills but are looking to specialize in a lucrative niche (in this case, the legal field).

General Proofreading: Theory and Practice

If typos and comma splices set your cringe meter off the charts, then General Proofreading: Theory and Practice may be the perfect course for you! You’ll learn the basics of proofreading and kickstart your proofreading career from scratch.

The program is packed with over a dozen modules, several resource sheets and quizzes, and practice materials in a range of mediums and difficulties. Each module comes with hours of lesson content and is dedicated to helping you master a particular proofreading skill or self-marketing technique. You’ll also learn how to set up a freelance website and draft effective proposals.

The course is also regularly updated with new content to keep up with current trends and industry developments. We’ve actually just added a new module on Artificial Intelligence (AI), which covers the latest technologies like ChatGPT and how you can use them to ramp up your efficiency as a proofreader.

The General Proofreading: Theory and Practice course costs between $697 and $797, depending on whether you opt for the Ignite or Ignite Plus version. Most of our students complete the course within a month.

If you’re after the digital certificate of completion and badge, opt for the Ignite Plus membership version. This perk isn’t provided in the Ignite membership. Here’s a quick breakdown of the differences between the two tiers:

Not ready to jump in just yet? Try out our FREE Proofreading Workshop to find out if proofreading is right for you! You can also get a taste of what it takes to be a proofreader (while polishing up your grammar knowledge) with Grammar Lion’s refresher course.

Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice

If binge-watching true crime dramas is your guilty pleasure, transcript proofreading may be the perfect side hustle (or career shift) for you! As a transcript proofreader, you get to work directly with real-life legal cases by reviewing and cleaning up court transcripts (and this includes criminal cases too!).

Unlike general proofreading, transcript proofreading doesn’t just involve checking for spelling errors and correcting grammar mistakes; you’re often required to ensure dates are accurate, fill in omissions left out by transcription software, and format the document according to transcription style guidelines. You must also ensure any changes you make to the transcript preserve each speaker’s tone of voice.

Transcript proofreading is considered a specialty, or niche, and pays more than typical proofreading gigs because additional responsibilities like confidentiality and other complexities are involved — it can be a great next career step for general proofreaders who want to grow their income.

Our Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice course equips you with the skills, knowledge, and resources you need to excel as a transcript proofreader (regardless of whether you have a degree or former experience in the legal field). The course takes 3–6 months to complete and consists of 60 lessons across 13 modules, over 50 practice transcripts to put your skills to the test, and an in-depth word skills quiz.

Students also receive the following perks:

• Access to an exclusive student community for transcript proofreaders
• Two hand-graded exams
• Your profile is listed in a graduate directory
• Lifetime access to course content, including future updates

Just like our General proofreading course, you receive a digital certificate of completion and badge once you pass the final exam. The course costs a one-time fee of $997 for lifetime access to over $3,000 worth of content.

Transcript proofreading still sounds like a mystery? We’re on the case. Our FREE 7-day transcript proofreading course introduction can help you dive into the world of proofreading for court reporters and give you a “clue” of what to expect!

How a Proofread Anywhere Certificate Can Help You

A certificate of completion obtained through a PA course isn’t just a document that you can show off proudly to friends and family — it can truly make a difference in your career as a proofreader and help you secure long-term clients. After all, a certificate serves as proof that you:

• Have undergone thorough training to hone your proofreading skills.
• Have had your proofreading chops tested and verified by industry leaders in the proofreading field.
• Are a passionate learner committed to continuous growth.
• Have experience tackling documents of varying subject matters and forms, or in the case of transcript proofreading, have acquired the specialized knowledge and skillset needed to handle court transcripts with professional care.
• Know the importance of confidentiality, professionalism, and adhering to a client’s preferred style guidelines, whether in-house or Chicago.
• Are up-to-date with the latest technologies and industry practices (including AI-powered software).

But the best perk of all? The certificate can enhance your belief in your own capabilities, and encourage you to put your skills out there and pursue opportunities you may not have had the confidence to do so before! And just like that, you’ll be on your way to becoming a successful professional proofreader. 

If you have any more questions about an online certificate in proofreading and editing or simply want to learn more about our courses, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team directly. We’re always around to help. For more information and resources, you can also check out our Freelancer Resources page!