Learn to read, understand, and use medical terms with confidence. The ExpertRating Medical Terminology Certification teaches you how medical words are built - prefixes, suffixes, combining forms - and walks you through every major body system so you can apply that knowledge on the job.
The ExpertRating Medical Terminology Certification teaches medical terminology through an anatomical, body-system approach. You'll learn how medical terms are constructed using root words, prefixes, suffixes and combining forms. Root terms are organized by body system, with their origins and examples of everyday nonmedical usage.
Word associations and unusual or interesting facts are used as learning aids throughout the online course. Root terms are combined with prefixes and suffixes, building toward the practical interpretation of sample paragraphs of medical notes-not simply memorizing a glossary.
Medical terminology certification is not generally mandatory for many nonclinical healthcare roles, but it can strengthen your employment prospects. Earning the certification can help demonstrate to clients and hiring managers that you understand medical language used in clinical documentation, billing and patient records.
Medical terminology certification is not generally mandatory for many nonclinical healthcare roles, but it can strengthen your employment prospects. Earning the certification can help demonstrate to clients and hiring managers that you understand medical language used in clinical documentation, billing and patient records.
The certification includes in-depth online courseware with examples and expert tips. Most learners complete the course in 2–4 weeks, studying 1–2 hours per day. You'll receive an online transcript showing your exam score and a downloadable certificate that you can share with employers. A printed certificate can also be purchased for an additional fee.
This course is structured the way medical terminology is actually used on the job - system by system, building from word parts to full documentation.
How medical terms are built from root words, prefixes, and suffixes - the foundation everything else in the course builds on.
An introduction to how medical terminology is organized around the body's systems, and why that structure makes terms easier to learn and recall.
Terms covering bones, joints, and muscles, including common conditions and procedures.
Terms for the lungs and airway, including common respiratory conditions and diagnostic terms.
Heart and blood vessel terminology, including common cardiovascular conditions and procedures.
Terms covering the kidneys and urinary tract, including common conditions and diagnostic procedures.
A complete reference you can use during the course and keep for quick lookup afterward.
Throughout the course, you'll also see how medical terminology connects to adjacent skills like medical coding and billing - understanding the terms behind a diagnosis or procedure makes codes like ICD and CPT far easier to work with, even though coding itself is a separate skill set covered in our Medical Coding and Medical Billing certifications.
Familiarity with medical terminology isn't just for doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners. There are a number of nonclinical healthcare careers where being conversant with medical terms and language isn't a stated job requirement but is a genuine asset - some of these roles involve patient interaction, but most don't.
A rapidly aging population is driving strong, sustained demand for healthcare services, making healthcare one of the fastest-growing occupational groups. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 1.9 million healthcare job openings per year, on average, from 2024 to 2034.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Healthcare Occupations (2024–2034 projections).
Sample ExpertRating Medical Terminology Certification
You'll receive a digital certificate immediately upon passing your exam, with the option to purchase a printed copy delivered to your address.
ExpertRating is an ISO 9001:2015 certified provider and a member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.). We've delivered certifications and training to more than 25 million people and 6,500+ companies worldwide, including teams at IKEA, Google, Walmart, and Ericsson.
ExpertRating - Real Reviews from Real Students
See what our students are saying about their certification experience.
“ Working as a unit secretary in a nursing facility, I've applied what I learned about medical terminology directly to my daily tasks.
“ The course made it easier to understand diagnoses in my work as a medical billing specialist.
“ Recognizing medical terms and diagnoses helps me schedule clients into the correct specialty clinic in my role as a healthcare secretary and scheduler.
“ I deliver patient meal trays in a hospital, and understanding medical terminology has made me more confident when interacting with healthcare professionals.
“ ExpertRating helped me understand medical terms that were previously unfamiliar during my work in optometry.
“ While preparing to support patients with limited mobility, I now have a better understanding of medical terms that were once unfamiliar to me.”
Join the healthcare professionals and career-changers who've already added this certification to their resume.