You need excellent typing skills to become a transcriptionist. Many data entry transcription jobs are entry-level, and your employer provides on-the-job training. However, you may need a certificate to work as a legal transcriptionist, and you need an associate degree to become a medical transcriptionist. You also need good listening skills, writing skills, and the ability to concentrate on the task at hand. For intelligent transcription and edited transcription, you must understand the nuance and context of the text to make appropriate corrections.