Best proofreading courses In 2025

Are you looking to have a freelance proofreading business? Do you want to make a part or full-time income from proofreading?

If this is you, the key to becoming a successful proofreader and standing out in the marketplace is through developing your skills.  

You need to work on your proofreading and business skills to become the best of the best. 

And, the fastest way to enhance your knowledge is through proofreading courses. 

But wait.

Don’t just enroll in any proofreading course you come across. You need to find the best proofreading course that will set you up for success. 

In this article, you’ll discover the top two courses that are worth your time and money. 

You’ll also learn why you should consider either of the courses and what to look out for before deciding to ensure your success as a proofreader.

Let’s dive in. 

Are proofreading courses worth it?

Yes, proofreading courses are worth it. They provide you with essential skills and knowledge required to effectively proofread written content. 

The benefits of proofreading courses include:

1. Enhancing skills

Most courses have a structured and comprehensive approach to learning the art of proofreading. 

You get to learn the fundamentals of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style, enabling you to identify and correct errors in texts. 

2. Gaining industry insights

Proofreading courses also provide valuable insights into industry-standard tools and techniques.

They offer guidance on the industry, best practices, and the latest trends.

This knowledge equips you with the necessary resources to efficiently proofread documents provided by clients.

You also get to understand the expectations of clients which will help you to tailor your proofreading services and position yourself as a valuable asset in the industry.

3. Feedback and guidance

One of the significant advantages of proofreading courses is the feedback and guidance provided by the instructors. 

They review your work, offer constructive criticism, and help you refine your skills. 

This personalized feedback allows you to identify your strengths and areas for improvement, accelerating your learning process.

4. Credibility

If you aspire to work as a professional proofreader, a course enhances your credibility. 

Many online proofreading courses offer certificates upon successful completion. 

Employers and proofreading clients value training and certification as it demonstrates commitment to the craft.

A certification also signifies your competence. Having a recognized qualification can open doors to more job opportunities and higher earning potential.

5. Networking

While taking a proofreading course, you may get to interact with other learners, instructors, and industry professionals. 

This creates networking opportunities, connecting with like-minded individuals, and building relationships that can lead to collaborations or referrals. 

Networking within the proofreading community can be invaluable for career growth and gaining insights from experienced professionals.

6. Confidence boost

Finally, investing time and effort into a proofreading course boosts confidence in your abilities. 

As you learn, practice, and get feedback, you become more confident in your proofreading capabilities. 

This confidence will reflect in your work, enabling you to deliver high-quality results to clients. 

You’ll also get the courage to apply to more proofreading opportunities leading to more income.

What are the educational requirements to become a proofreader?

To become a proofreader, there are no specific educational requirements. 

However, having a strong foundation in language skills and a keen eye for detail are essential to becoming a successful proofreader. 

Based on observation, while a formal education may not be mandatory, it can certainly be beneficial for developing the necessary skills and knowledge.

It may also give access to specific opportunities as some online proofreading jobs require a degree before they consider you.

In case you lack conventional education, a proofreading course will help to build your reputation. 

How long does it take to complete a proofreading course online?

The time it takes to complete a proofreading course varies with the specific course.

The duration also depends on the time commitment of the learner. This is because some of the courses are self-paced. 

Based on my research, most online proofreading courses have a reasonable timeframe to complete.  

On average, comprehensive proofreading courses can be completed in a few weeks to a few months. 

Some of the courses have a suggested timeline or a recommended number of study hours per week to help you stay on track. 

Proofreading courses that focus on specific skills or topics may be completed in a shorter duration, such as a few days or weeks.

When considering a proofreading course, it's advisable to review the course details to give you a better understanding of the expected time commitment.

This will help you to plan your schedule accordingly.

Also, choose courses that offer unrestricted access to the course materials.

Unlimited access will enable you to conveniently refer back whenever you need a refresher on specific details.

What to look out for in a proofreading course

When considering a proofreading course, there are several key factors to consider. They include:

1. Course content

The first thing to check when considering a course is the course content to understand what will be covered. 

Look for comprehensive coverage of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style conventions. 

The course should also cover proofreading techniques and editing skills, and provide practice exercises to hone your abilities.

Ensure that the course materials are relevant to the industry you want to engage in.

Different fields have specific terminology, writing styles, or formatting guidelines. A course that addresses these specific sections can be valuable.

2. Instructor qualifications

Research the credentials and experience of the instructor or instructors leading the course. 

They should have a strong background and extensive experience in proofreading, editing, or related fields.

Ideally, the instructor should possess recognized certifications or qualifications.

3. Price

Price determines whether a course is within your budget or not. Establish how much you are willing and able to spend on a proofreading course. 

Having a budget in mind helps narrow down your options. 

Based on experience, while price is important, it should not be the sole determining factor. 

Evaluate the course's content, quality, and reputation to assess whether it offers good value for the price. 

Think about the potential return on investment (ROI) from taking the course. 

If a higher-priced course significantly enhances your chances of success or leads to higher-paying jobs, it might be worth the investment in the long run.

4. Interactive learning

It’s beneficial to consider courses that are interactive as opposed to purely passive lectures or readings. 

Interactive elements such as quizzes, assignments, and discussions can help reinforce your understanding and provide practical experience.

Effective proofreading courses should also offer opportunities for hands-on practice. 

5. Feedback and support

As mentioned earlier, feedback and support from the instructors and fellow learners boost confidence in your skills.

Before choosing a course, establish whether it offers feedback on your work.

Also, ensure you’re provided with avenues to ask questions or seek clarification. 

6. Supplementary resources

A comprehensive course should offer additional resources to use in your proofreading activities.

Resources such as style guides, grammar handbooks, or reference materials that you can access even after completing the course are essential. 

These resources serve as helpful references when encountering complex or unfamiliar proofreading situations.

7. Flexibility and accessibility

Examine the course format and schedule to ensure it aligns with your needs and availability. 

Some courses are self-paced while others have fixed schedules and strict timelines.

Self-paced courses allow you to study at your convenience. Choose a course that suits your learning style and availability.

8. Reviews 

It is said that it’s best to learn from the experience of others.

When researching proofreading courses, read reviews and testimonials from previous students who have completed the course. 

Their feedback will give you insights into the course's effectiveness, quality, and value for money.

9. Certification

Ensure that the course provides a certificate upon completion that you can present to potential clients. 

While not essential, a reputable certificate can enhance your credibility as a proofreader and increase your chances of securing freelance or employment opportunities.

Top 2 proofreading courses you should know about

From our experience and extensive research, the two courses we’d recommend include:

• Proofread Anywhere by Caitlin Pyle

• Becoming a proofreader by Knowadays

I am aware that there are several online proofreading courses available, and a few of them are offered at no cost.

You might be wondering why I chose the two above.

The choice was based on an experiment and research. 

The experiment was part of my commitment to grow my blog. And, there is no better way to do this than investing in my team. 

I was also able to get firsthand information for this article- a win-win!

The process was simple. I had my team enroll in several proofreading courses available, both free and paid options. 

We identified 10 proofreading courses that come highly recommended. I then had everyone enroll in at least two of these, for better comparison. 

It took about two months for everyone to start and complete their respective proofreading courses. 

From the feedback, it was clear that a majority of the courses that emerged the best were paid courses. 

They were also courses offered by independent companies as opposed to editorial organizations. 

Proofreading courses by independent companies were more relevant to the marketplace and they got updated regularly. 

I then shortlisted courses that met the criteria mentioned in the “What to look out for in a proofreading course” section. 

What stood out for the two chosen courses is the detailed content and the ease of finding proofreading opportunities after completion.

I also did a deep dive into the reviews by other students online, to eliminate any bias. 

Turns out, most of what my team had to say resonated with other students. 

Review of the best proofreading courses

1. Proofread Anywhere

Proofread Anywhere is an online course created by Caitlin Pyle. 

She is an experienced proofreader and editor with more than 10 years in the industry. 

Her knack for proofreading started in 2007 as a college student proofreading for her friends.

She started teaching others how to earn as proofreaders in 2014, after working for numerous clients.  

Caitlin Pyle is a self-made millionaire based in the United States and the course is taught in US English.

About the course

The course is referred to as General Proofreading: Theory & Practice.

It aims to teach you how to become a successful freelance proofreader and build your proofreading business. 

The proofread anywhere course covers various aspects of proofreading, including grammar, punctuation, spelling, and more. 

Two versions of the course are available: Ignite and Ignite Plus.

Ignite costs $497 while Ignite plus $597. That’s a $100 difference. 

Ignite offers lifetime access to more than 80 lessons structured in 10 training modules together with worksheets, quizzes, case studies, a private community, and resource guides.

With Ignite Plus, you enjoy all the features of Ignite and other additions. 

The additions in this package include; a digital certificate of completion, a hand-graded exam, and membership in a separate marketing mastermind group. 

For the certificate, you’ll need to achieve a score of 90% or higher. This certificate acknowledges your passing grade.

Duration

The proofreading courses have a self-paced structure. As a student, you are in control of when to complete the course. 

This makes it very convenient as you can fit the course into your schedule. 

On average, it takes approximately one month to finish. 

As I mentioned before, you receive lifetime access to the course materials, including any future updates.

Requirements

You are recommended to have two texts:

1. The 17th Edition of The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) 

2. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (11th Edition)

If you’re not sure whether this is the right course for you, I’d encourage you to enroll in the free 76-minute workshop. 

It provides more information with guidance on how to establish a thriving proofreading business. 

Proofread Anywhere also offers other courses such as Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice and Money Mindset Transformation.

Pros of Proofread Anywhere

• The course is self-paced, making learning flexible

• It is a comprehensive course created by an experienced proofreader and editor

• A certificate is provided with the Ignite Plus package

• You receive lifetime access to the course materials and future updates

• Instructor feedback is available to facilitate learning

• Additional resources are provided to help with your proofreading business

• A free workshop is available to provide more information on the course with a $100 discount when enrolling

• There is a private community for learning and networking

Cons of Proofread Anywhere

• You need to pay for ignite Plus to get a certificate

• There are no refunds offered after signing up

• The cost can be high when compared to other proofreading courses

2. Becoming a proofreader by Knowadays

Becoming a Proofreader by Knowadays is an online course designed to help you learn and develop the skills necessary to become a proofreader. 

Formerly known as Proofreading Academy, Knowdays is a fully-fledged learning platform offering a variety of courses.

It is a company run and managed by a team of professionals experienced in content and online learning. 

About the course

The course is offered by expert tutors and is CPD certified.

The company is based in the UK but their courses are taught in US English. If you’d prefer the UK English course version, you can request it. 

Becoming a proofreader costs $499. 

The course curriculum consists of 13 modules covering several topics related to proofreading. 

It includes reading materials, brief tutorial videos, webinars, quizzes, and assignments. 

Throughout the course, you will have access to tutors via email and 24/7 customer support. 

These tutors give comprehensive grading and feedback. You receive a certificate upon successful completion.

If you score 80% or higher, which is considered a distinction, you get the opportunity to work with Proofed, which is a partner company of Knowadays on a trial basis.

You’ll get to work on assignments, and after completing 20 documents, become a full freelance proofreader.

It is a great opportunity that allows you to work towards becoming a professional proofreader. 

With the passing score, you also receive an invitation to join Knowadays' LinkedIn group of professional proofreaders.

Duration

Becoming a proofreader is a self-paced program that is estimated to take a minimum of 50 hours to complete.

Requirements

1. Laptop or desktop computer

2. A full version of Microsoft Word version 2016 and above

Pros of Becoming a Proofreader course

• The course is CPD certified online

• Graduates get guaranteed work

• The course is self-paced

• Tutors are experts and offer comprehensive training and feedback

• There is 24/7 customer support

• A certified certificate is provided to successful students

• A free trial is available

Cons of Becoming a Proofreader course

• The course does not cover setting up a freelance business

• The job guarantee is a trial based on performance

• No dedicated community for learners

Conclusion

Choosing the best proofreading course is essential if you are seeking to enhance your proofreading skills and pursue a career in the field. 

The best proofreading course offers comprehensive content, industry insights, practical exercises, and personalized feedback.

By investing in a reputable proofreading course, you will gain the necessary expertise and confidence to excel in your proofreading endeavors.