Meditation Teacher Training and Certification: What Exists and What It Means

Anyone can call themselves a meditation teacher. There is no government regulator for meditation teaching in general. This page explains what training and certification do exist, and what they can and cannot tell you. It does not list or rank training providers or teachers.

What does exist: organization-based training

Training is offered by many independent bodies: Buddhist and other contemplative traditions, universities and medical centers, and private companies. Each sets its own length, content and certificate. As one example of how this looks, one UK-based organization offers a 10-day course for teaching a short introductory course, and a separate 12-month programme that ends in a "Trained Teacher Certificate." [2] This is a description of one provider's published routes, not an endorsement. Not all teaching is sold as a paid credential: at one US Buddhist retreat center, most teachers receive no compensation for teaching and rely on participants' generosity. [3]

Teaching standards in mindfulness-based programs

In the field of structured mindfulness-based programs (such as MBSR and MBCT), a shared tool exists, the Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI:TAC). It has been taken up by teacher training organizations worldwide. [4] It is used by mindfulness-based teacher training organisations internationally. [5] The research literature says a competent teacher needs personal meditation practice and at least a year of additional professional training. [6]

The tool has limits. Its authors say research on it is at an early stage. [4] Others note the science behind competence assessment is not yet robust enough to justify wide-scale implementation, and that assessment can make training costs prohibitive. [7] For more, see standards for mindfulness teachers.

Does teacher competence change outcomes?

Proper evidence is thin. In a multi-centre trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for recurrent depression in remission (N = 241, 15 teachers), teacher competence on the MBI:TAC was not linked to patient outcomes. [6] Researchers also warn that variability in training and competence of trial teachers is a risk to the science. [8] Read this carefully: one trial of one program is not proof that training does not matter. It shows that the link has not been shown.

What a certificate tells you

• It can tell you: that a person completed a course of a certain length with a certain organization.
• It cannot tell you: that the person is safe, skilled with distressing experiences, licensed to treat mental-health conditions, or right for you.

If a teacher also describes treating depression, trauma or other conditions, ask what licence they hold in that area. See mindfulness coaches vs mindfulness-based therapists.

If you are thinking of becoming a teacher

Proper evidence not found for a recognized entry route that applies everywhere. Questions to ask any training: How long is it? Does it include your own sustained practice and supervised teaching? Is teaching assessed, and by whom? Does it cover how to respond when participants become distressed? Cheetah House, a nonprofit, offers training for teachers and clinicians on meditation-related difficulties. [9] Also read meditation difficulties and distressing experiences.

Practical checks for participants

NCCIH advises asking about the instructor's training and experience. [10] See how to find a meditation teacher or class and questions to ask a meditation teacher.