Business & Office training

Telephone Operator Training

Learn what telephone operators do and how they do it: a semi-in-depth, practical course covering the role, vocabulary, common procedures, safety and career launch.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What you’ll learn in Telephone Operator training

A practical, general introduction to the telephone operator job: what the role involves, 15+ key terms, how to perform common tasks such as relay a text telephone call and transfer an emergency call to 911, safety essentials and how to launch your career. Online, self-paced, about 8 hours, $74.99.

  • Tuition
    $74.99
    Volume pricing from 2 seats
  • Length
    8 hours
    10 modules
  • Format
    Online
    Self-paced, any device
  • Access
    12 months
    LMS access
  • Level
    Beginner
    To intermediate
  • You receive
    Certificate
    Of completion

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to:

  • Explain what a telephone operator does day to day, where they work and how the role fits into the team
  • Use 15+ essential telephone operator terms correctly
  • Walk through relay a text telephone call, transfer an emergency call to 911, and help a caller find a hard-to-find number step by step
  • Identify the tools, equipment and technology used on the job
  • Apply core safety, compliance and professional standards
  • Map your path into the field, including credentials such as Relay service training

Course syllabus

10 modules, about 8 hours in total.

MODULE 01Introduction to the Telephone Operator Role40 min
  • What telephone operators do and why the role matters
  • Where they work: settings, employers and teams
  • Pay, job outlook and the career ladder
  • Professional and ethical expectations
MODULE 02A Day on the Job30 min
  • A realistic shift, start to finish
  • Schedules, shifts and workload
  • Working with supervisors, coworkers and customers
  • The best and hardest parts of the job
MODULE 03Essential Telephone Operator Vocabulary50 min
  • Key term: Directory assistance
  • Key term: Collect call
  • Key term: Relay service
  • Key term: TRS
  • Key term: TTY
  • Plus 10 more terms with practice drills
MODULE 04Core Duties and Responsibilities50 min
  • Answer operator calls
  • Provide directory assistance
  • Place assisted calls
  • Handle collect calls
  • Relay calls for deaf callers
MODULE 05Common Tasks, Step by Step1 hr 45 min
  • How to relay a text telephone call
  • How to transfer an emergency call to 911
  • How to help a caller find a hard-to-find number
  • Common mistakes and how to avoid them
MODULE 06Tools, Equipment and Technology40 min
  • Operator consoles
  • Headsets
  • Directory databases
  • Relay software
  • Call logging systems
MODULE 07Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards1 hr
  • Keep calls confidential
  • Follow emergency procedures
  • Use ergonomic equipment
  • Take breaks
MODULE 08Skills Employers Look For40 min
  • Call handling
  • Directory search
  • Relay procedures
  • Clear speaking
  • Patience
MODULE 09Launching Your Telephone Operator Career40 min
  • Education and training pathways
  • Credential overview: Relay service training
  • Credential overview: Typing certificate
  • Resume and interview preparation
  • Your first 90 days on the job
MODULE 10Final Knowledge Check40 min
  • Comprehensive practice exam with explanations
  • Certificate of completion on passing

Who this training is for

  • Students: find out what the telephone operator job is really like before choosing a program or major.
  • Career changers: test-drive the field and build vocabulary and confidence before investing in formal training.
  • New hires and employers: shorten ramp-up time with a consistent foundation for every new telephone operator.

Pricing

$74.99 per learner. Buying for a team? Volume pricing applies automatically from 2 learners.

SeatsDiscount
2 to 101% off
11 to 202% off
21 to 503% off
51 to 1005% off
101 to 2507% off
251 to 5008% off
501 to 1,00010% off

Free preview lessons

Sample the course material for free:

Why train for this career

Telephone operators provide information by accessing alphabetical, geographic or other directories, and assist callers in placing calls. BLS reports a median wage of $41,740 (May 2025) and about 200 openings per year. Read the full telephone operator career profile or see salary details.

Enroll in Telephone Operator Training

Fill this out and press the button: your email app will open with a pre-filled message to our enrollment team (info@hazwoper-osha.com). We reply with a payment link or invoice and your learning-platform login. Nothing you type is stored on this website.

Course Telephone Operator Training · 8 hours · $74.99 per learner

We currently serve U.S. residents only.
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Prefer to call? 1-866-429-6742 · Email info@hazwoper-osha.com

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Telephone Operator training FAQ

How long is the Telephone Operator training?

About 8 hours, online, self-paced. You get 12 months of LMS access, so you can learn around work or school.

How much does the Telephone Operator training cost?

$74.99 per learner. Volume pricing applies automatically from 2 learners, up to 10% off for large groups.

Is the course online?

Yes. The course runs on our online learning platform (LMS). After you enroll, we email your login details.

Will this course make me a licensed or certified telephone operator?

No. This is a general career-preparation course. It does not by itself grant a state license, national certification or academic credit. It is designed to help you understand the job and prepare for the formal training, exams and interviews that follow.

Who is this course for?

Students exploring careers, adults changing careers, new hires who want a faster ramp-up, and employers onboarding telephone operators.

How do I enroll?

Use the enrollment form on this page. It opens a pre-filled email to our team, and we reply with your payment link or invoice and your LMS access. You can also call 1-866-429-6742.

Do you offer group or employer pricing?

Volume pricing from 2 seats. Choose “My team or employees” on the form or visit our employer training page.

What do I receive when I finish?

Certificate of completion from Career Education Institute after you pass the final knowledge check.

Enroll nowFree practice test