The main sources for typing certificates
Typing certificates come from three main sources: online platforms that test your speed and accuracy, community colleges and vocational schools, and professional typing organizations. The path you choose depends on whether you need the certificate quickly, what speed you want to demonstrate, and whether you need it recognized by employers in your field.
Online platforms like Typing.com, KeyBlaze, and Monkeytype let you test yourself and receive a certificate when ready after you pass. Community colleges offer more formal typing courses that end with a certificate and appear on an official transcript. Professional organizations like the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS) issue certificates that carry weight in specific industries.
Each route has different costs, timelines, and what the certificate actually proves about your skills. Understanding the difference helps you pick the one that matches what you need the certificate for.
Key Takeaways
- Online typing platforms issue certificates within minutes of passing a speed test, with no enrollment process or cost to most users.
- Community colleges and vocational schools offer semester-long typing courses that result in certificates on an official transcript, usually costing between $200 and $500.
- Professional organizations like NALS and the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) issue industry-specific certificates that require passing their own exams.
- Employer-based typing tests through platforms like Typeform or Vervoe create certificates that show a specific employer what your speed and accuracy are.
- The certificate's value depends on who will see it—a hiring manager, a licensing board, or a client—not just on where you got it.
Online typing platforms and speed tests
Typing.com is the largest free option and is used in schools across the United States. You create a free account, take a timed typing test (usually 1 to 5 minutes), and receive a certificate showing your words per minute (WPM) and accuracy percentage. The certificate downloads when ready and has no expiration date. Typing.com's tests are straightforward: you type a passage, the system measures your speed and errors, and you get a score.
KeyBlaze (owned by NCH Software) offers a similar model but charges a one-time fee of around $30 to $40 for lifetime access to their typing lessons and tests. Their certificates show your WPM and accuracy and can be printed or shared digitally. Monkeytype is free and popular with people who want to practice typing games while building speed; it also generates certificates showing your test results.
These certificates are useful for proving basic typing speed to an employer, a school, or a client. They are not formal credentials and do not require any enrollment or prerequisites. The downside is that they carry less weight than a certificate from a school or professional organization because anyone can take the test multiple times until they pass.
Community colleges and vocational schools
Most community colleges offer a typing or keyboarding course, usually called "Keyboarding I" or "Introduction to Typing," that runs for one semester (about 16 weeks). The course teaches proper finger placement, speed-building exercises, and often includes document formatting in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. At the end, you receive a certificate of completion that appears on your college transcript.
Costs vary by state and institution but typically range from $200 to $500 for a single course. Some colleges bundle typing with other office skills courses (like "Office Fundamentals") that result in a certificate in office administration or business technology. These certificates are more formal than online test certificates because they show you completed structured instruction, not just passed a one-time test.
Vocational schools and adult education programs run by school districts also offer typing certificates. Many are shorter than college courses—sometimes 4 to 8 weeks—and cost less. Check your local school district's adult education program or search for "vocational typing course near me" to find options in your area. These certificates appear on official school records and are recognized by employers as proof of formal training.
Professional organization certificates
The National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS) offers a Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) credential that includes a typing component. To sit for the exam, you typically need 3 to 5 years of legal secretary experience, though some states allow substitution of education for experience. The exam covers typing speed (usually 60 WPM minimum), legal terminology, and office procedures. The certificate is recognized in law offices and legal departments.
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) issues a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential that includes typing and medical transcription skills. You must complete an accredited medical assistant program and pass the AAMA exam. This certificate is valued in hospitals, clinics, and medical offices because it shows you have both typing skills and medical knowledge.
Other professional organizations that issue typing-related certificates include the National Court Reporters Association (for court reporting and stenotype) and various data entry certification programs through CompTIA or Pearson Vue. These certificates carry industry-specific weight because they are issued by the organizations that set standards in those fields. They typically cost between $100 and $300 to sit for the exam, plus any course fees if you take preparation classes.
Employer-based typing tests and certificates
Many employers use typing tests as part of the hiring process and issue certificates or score reports showing your results. Platforms like Typeform, Vervoe, and Indeed's typing test create certificates that employers can share with you after you complete the test. These are not formal credentials but rather proof that you tested at a specific company on a specific date.
Some staffing agencies (like Kelly Services or Adecco) test your typing speed as part of their intake process and issue a certificate showing your WPM. This certificate can help you get placed in temporary or permanent typing-heavy roles because the agency has verified your speed. The certificate is usually free because the staffing agency uses it to match you with jobs.
Employer-based certificates are most useful when you are explore to that employer or to similar companies in the same industry. They do not carry the same weight as a community college certificate or a professional credential, but they show a real employer has tested you under their own standards.
What to look for in a typing certificate
Before you pursue a typing certificate, think about who will see it and what they need to know. If you are explore for a job that lists "typing skills required," any certificate showing your WPM and accuracy will help. If you are pursuing a career in law, medicine, or court reporting, you need a certificate from a professional organization in that field.
Check the job posting or ask the employer what typing speed they require (usually 40 to 60 WPM for general office work, higher for specialized roles). Then choose a certificate source that tests at or above that speed. A free online certificate showing 65 WPM is more useful than a paid community college certificate if the employer only needs proof of 50 WPM.
Also consider whether you need the certificate on an official transcript (which only community colleges and vocational schools provide) or whether a digital certificate is enough. Some employers and schools care about the source; others only care about the speed number. Asking first saves you time and money.
Cost and timeline comparison
| Source | Cost | Timeline | What it proves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online typing platform (Typing.com, Monkeytype) | Free to $40 | Minutes to hours | Your WPM and accuracy on that day |
| Community college course | $200–$500 | 16 weeks | Completion of formal instruction; appears on transcript |
| Vocational school or adult education | $100–$300 | 4–8 weeks | Completion of formal instruction; appears on school record |
| Professional organization (NALS, AAMA) | $100–$300 exam + course fees | Varies; often 3–6 months of prep | Industry-recognized credential; shows specialized knowledge |
| Employer or staffing agency test | Free | Minutes to hours | Your WPM verified by that employer |
When to call a school or organization directly
If you are unsure whether a certificate will meet a specific requirement—for a job, a school program, or a licensing board—contact the organization that requires it. Ask them what typing speed they need, what format the certificate should be in, and whether they accept online certificates or require one from an accredited school.
If you are interested in a community college or vocational school certificate, call the admissions office and ask about typing courses, costs, and the next start date. Many schools offer rolling enrollment, meaning you can start at different times during the year, not just at the semester start. If you want a professional credential like the CPS or CMA, visit the organization's website to see what experience or education you need before you can sit for the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a typing certificate without taking a course?
Yes. Online typing platforms like Typing.com and Monkeytype let you take a speed test and read a certificate when ready, with no course or enrollment required. Professional organizations also allow you to sit for their exams without taking their courses, though you may need to meet experience or education requirements first.
How long does a typing certificate last?
Certificates from online platforms and schools do not expire. Professional credentials like the CPS or CMA may require renewal every few years (usually 3 to 5) and continuing education to keep them active. Check the organization's rules if you are pursuing a professional credential.
What typing speed do I need to show on a certificate?
Most general office jobs require 40 to 60 WPM with 95% accuracy or better. Legal and medical roles often require 60 to 80 WPM. Data entry and transcription roles may require 70 to 100 WPM. Check the job posting or ask the employer what speed they need before you test.
Is an online typing certificate as good as one from a college?
It depends on the employer. An online certificate proves your speed on that day. A college certificate proves you completed formal instruction and appears on an official transcript, which some employers value more. For most jobs, either one is fine as long as your speed meets their requirement.
Can I retake a typing test if I do not pass the first time?
Yes. Online platforms let you retake tests as many times as you want. Professional exams (like the CPS) usually allow retakes but may charge a fee each time. Community college courses give you the full semester to build speed before the final test, so you have time to improve.