Proofreading Certification: How to Get Certified as a Proofreader

When I started to entertain the thought of working on error patrol, I wondered whether I should get certified. Being a certified proofreader would give me a leg up on the competition, right? But how would I get that certification?

To become a certified proofreader, you must obtain a professional certification by passing a rigorous test offered by Editors Canada. They recommend you have at least five years of experience as a full-time proofreader before taking the exam.

In this article, we’ll look at how to get that professional certification from Editors Canada, whether it’s necessary, and an alternative to proofreading certification that you may want to pursue.

What Is a Certified Proofreader?

A certified proofreader is someone who has obtained a professional certification by earning a passing score on a rigorous proofreading exam.

Currently, Editors Canada is the only organization that offers the exam to acquire the professional certification that makes you a certified proofreader.

As someone working in the proofreading industry, I can tell you that getting a professional certification differs from getting a proofreading certificate.

You can earn (or be given) a proofreading certificate by completing a proofreading course.

Caitlin Pyle, the creator of Proofread Anywhere, has a brief blog post titled “Will Completing Your Proofreading Course Make Me a Certified Proofreader?”

And here is her answer:

“NO.

Students who pass the course Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice™ or General Proofreading: Theory and Practice™ will receive a Certificate of Completion.

The courses are NOT certification programs and will not make you a certified proofreader. In fact, there is currently no official proofreading certification in the United States.”

– Caitlin Pyle

So, at this time, official proofreading certification does not exist in the United States.

Caitlin writes her answer using bold capital letters because there’s so much confusion around this topic. Thanks for the clarification, Caitlin! 😊

What Are the Benefits of Becoming Certified?

Here are a few advantages of becoming a certified proofreader:

• a competitive edge over other proofreaders
• ability to charge higher proofreading rates
• professional recognition for your expertise in proofreading

Although being certified has its perks, it isn’t necessary.

Do You Need Certification to Be a Proofreader?

No, certification is not required to work as a proofreader.

Due to the steep price and challenging nature of the Editors Canada exam, few proofreaders opt to get certified.

I never sat for the Editors Canada proofreading exam, and to my knowledge, neither did my peers in the proofreading course I took.  

However, we’re going to delve into the details for those who want to pursue this route now or in the future.

How to Get Proofreading Certification

As mentioned, you need to go through Editors Canada to become certified.

Let’s learn more about Editors Canada and what they offer.

What Is Editors Canada?

Editors Canada is an editorial association with roughly 1,500 members.

It was founded in May 1979 as the Freelance Editors’ Association of Canada.

Editors Canada recognizes that professional editing is essential for clear communication.

They offer various professional development opportunities for those in the publishing industry.

Professional Certifications Offered by Editors Canada

Professional certification is one of the opportunities Editors Canada provides.

The table below shows the credentials they bestow on those who pass the required exam(s).

Credentials Offered by Editors Canada

Credential	Required Exam(s)
Certified Proofreader	Proofreading
Certified Copy Editor	Copyediting
Certified Stylistic Editor	Stylistic Editing
Certified Structural Editor	Structural Editing
Certified Professional Editor (CPE)	Proofreading Copyediting Stylistic Editing Structural Editing

Please note that stylistic editing is also called line editing, and structural editing is also called developmental editing.

Earning a Professional Certification in Proofreading

We now know that attaining a professional certification from Editors Canada requires passing a proofreading exam.

So how challenging is the test they offer? I can tell you in one word: very.

Here’s what the organization says about the pass rate:

“In 2018 the pass rate for the proofreading exam was 27%.”

– Editors Canada

The website states you should have at least five years of full-time proofreading experience before attempting the test.

If you’re reading this article, you probably haven’t acquired that level of experience.

However, if you have that experience (or are simply curious), let’s go over the details of the test.

FAQ for the Editors Canada Proofreading Exam

Let’s assume you want to take a shot at earning this professional certification. What do you need to know about taking the exam?

One important note is that they only offer the assessment in English.

Also, you’ll need the recommended experience level because the exam doesn’t test for proficiency—it tests for excellence.

How Much Does the Proofreading Exam Cost?

In addition to the proofreading knowledge you’ve accumulated at your day job, you’ll need lots of cash: it isn’t a pocketbook-friendly test.

How much are we talking about? It depends.

It costs $550 to sit for the exam. However, if you’re a member of Editors Canada, the fee is $450.

Note: You may be able to get a small discount for early-bird registration.

Where Do I Take the Test?

Previously, Editors Canada administered the exam at official testing sites in Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa. They also provided testing sites in other locations within Canada if enough candidates were interested.

However, they now offer exams via remote testing only.

You can take the exam on your computer at home in a private, quiet place with a stable internet connection.

The proofreading test is provided as a PDF, so you need to know how to use the markup tools in Adobe Acrobat.

You have to download the test, finish it, and upload it within the allotted time frame.

How Often Is It Offered?

Editors Canada usually offers the proofreading exam every other year. Generally, they also provide the other exams once every two years.

Tests are typically offered in November, and you must register in advance.

I Want to Take the Test. What Should I Do?

You can periodically check Editors Canada’s professional certification page to see when they offer the test.

As the exam date approaches, they’ll provide a link to a registration page with more info.

If you’d like to read about someone who passed the exam and became a certified proofreader, you can read this article from Active Voice—Editors Canada’s national newsletter.

How Do I Prepare for the Exam?

To get ready for the exam, check out Editors Canada’s preparation guidelines.

I think it’s also ideal to understand why people struggle with the certification tests.

Editors Canada lists five common reasons people fail the exams:

1. not enough broad-based work experience
2. inadequate preparation
3. not following the exam instructions
4. mismanaging time
5. not following specific standards for proofreading

Finally, you can watch this video about preparing for the certification exams.

What if I Don’t Want to Take the Exam?

No worries!

Although you can charge higher rates and find more opportunities as a certified proofreader, lacking this professional certification won’t keep you from succeeding in the field.

If you don’t want to become certified, you can get a proofreading certificate by finding a class that either gives you a certificate of completion or offers you the opportunity to earn one if you pass the course’s final assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do you need to be a proofreader?

You don’t need a professional certification or a degree to be a proofreader. However, some employers and editing companies require a degree in English or journalism, especially if you work on scientific, medical, or technical texts.

However, in most cases, what matters most is your ability to demonstrate solid proofreading skills.

I penned a post about proofreader qualifications that differentiates between must-have and desirable qualifications, if you’d like more information.

How do I become a proofreader with no experience?

After you’ve determined that proofreading is a good fit for you, you’ll want to decide what kind of proofreading you want to do. Then, you’ll want to take a reputable course that teaches you the skills to perform the type of proofreading you’re interested in.

I published a thorough post about becoming a proofreader without experience. It will walk you through the process, one step at a time.

How do I get hired as a proofreader?

After you’ve obtained the needed skills, you’ll want to look for proofreading jobs that don’t require experience. Om Proofreading has a post that includes numerous jobs suitable for beginner proofreaders.

I also wrote an article on strategies for finding clients, if that’s what you need help with. It talks about using strategies like networking, cold email, and using social media to get hired as a proofreader.

How much money can proofreaders make?

ZipRecruiter (May 2026) reports that freelance proofreaders in the US earn an average of $57,520 per year, or about $28 per hour. They state that most freelance proofreaders make between $42,500 and $70,000 annually.

According to May 2023 data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, proofreaders in the US earn an average yearly salary of $51,100.

I hope this post has helped you learn everything you need to know about becoming a certified proofreader. If you decide to take on this challenge, I wish you success! 😊

Best wishes to you!