Don’t forget to take the free quiz at the end of this article to find out which certification is the best fit for you!
There are dozens of meditation instructor certifications on the internet today. It’s hard to know which one to choose, and which one is the best bang for your buck. Luckily, I did the hard work for you and found the best meditation instructor certifications on the internet today.
Meditation instructor certification courses give you comprehensive online and/ or offline training to teach and guide mindfulness meditation to beginner and intermediate students. Each of the courses listed below are accredited on some level and allow you to receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of your training.
It’s important to note that there is no governing body that oversees meditation instructor certification accreditation. However, some programs are more credible than others. Many high quality programs are unofficially recognized by other organizations such as the International Association of Yoga Therapists and The Awareness Training Institute. But even some of the best programs aren’t “accredited” by these institutions.
> see my article “How To Lead A Great Guided Meditation”
I analyzed dozens of meditation teacher training certifications offered in 2024 and here are the top 5:
#1) Best Overall: Sura Flow Certified Meditation Coach Training
Sura Flow is ranked #1 on our list because they are on the cutting edge of training meditation teachers and practitioners. Not only does Sura Flow’s course teach you every aspect of meditation, but they also teach you how to coach others to get the most out of their meditation practice. This approach leads your students to have the greatest spiritual and mental transformations possible through meditation. This is a 12 week long certification program taught by expert meditation teacher Sura Kim. This is an in-depth meditation course that is best for teachers, coaches, and instructors.
Teacher: Sura Kim
Available online: Yes
Duration: 12 week program (300 hours)
Price: Depends (Multi-factorial)
Accreditation: Sura Flow accredited meditation coach certification with completion
Check it out here.
#2) Best For Meditation Teachers: Unplug Certified Meditation Teacher Training
Unplug’s meditation teacher training program ranks #2 on this list because it’s the most well rounded of any other program out there. Unplug’s program consists of 200 hours of in depth training and community practicum laid out over a 6 week period developed by world renowned teacher Davidji. Unplug also gives recent graduates lifetime free access to the unplug app and continues to keep in touch with and answer questions well after the program finishes. With world class teachers comes world class prices, with the ultimate price tag being $3,500.
Teacher: Davidji
Available online: Yes
Duration: 6 week program (200 hours)
Price: $3,500
Accreditation: unplug accredited meditation teacher certification with certificate of completion
Check it out here
#3) Most in Depth: Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach’s Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Program
Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach’s Mindfulness Meditation Program is the gold standard for meditation certification. Graduates from this program are among the most qualified meditation instructors in the entire world being taught by world class meditation teachers over the course of 2 years. The program has both psychological and spiritual depth and brings in renowned guest lecturers such as Eckhart Tolle and Dan Siegel. The program also includes a mentorship program that pairs students with experienced meditators for guidance and support throughout the course.
Teacher: Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach
Available online: Yes (in-person practicum)
Duration: 2 Years
Price: Calculated after acceptance into the program (It would be wise to assume this one has a hefty price tag due to it’s in depth nature and 2 year duration).
Accreditation: Upon graduation you receive a certificate of completion from UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, Sounds True, and the Awareness Training Institute.
Check it out here
Bonus: Jack Kornfield’s Mindfulness Meditation Fundamentals Course
Jack Kornfield offers his own independent meditation course that focuses on the fundamentals of mindfulness meditation. Although it’s not an official meditation teacher certification, it does give you a deep dive into 31 lessons of mindfulness meditation content + a certificate of completion for just a measly $29! Check out his course here
#4) Best For Small Businesses: Chopra Meditation Instructor Certification
Learn to teach your students how to ground their meditation in the context of a spiritual journey. The Chopra Meditation Instructor Certification program is taught by spiritual leader and meditation teacher Deepak Chopra. This is ranked as the best for small businesses as it has a whole portion of the program dedicated to your business development as a meditation instructor. Graduating from the Chopra program has numerous benefits that will help your business take off such as being added to Chopra’s online Find-a-Teacher network and gaining access to their exclusive teacher portal.
Teacher: Deepak Chopra
Available online: Yes
Duration: 10 weeks
Price: $2,295 – 2,495
Accreditation: Chopra Instructor Certification, recognized as a consistently top ranking certification
Check it out here
#5) Best For The Price: The Mindfulness Centers Meditation Teacher Training
The Mindfulness Center’s Meditation Teacher Training hosts a world-class meditation education with seasoned professor, published scholar and mindfulness leader Dr. Deborah Norris. This program takes a scientific evidence based approach to teaching mindfulness meditation. Learn the experience and tools needed to teach meditation for a bargain price of $1,200, making this meditation teacher certification the best for its price.
Teacher: Dr. Deborah Norris
Available online: Yes
Duration: 160 hours done at your own pace
Price: $1,200 (plus scholarships available on their website)
Accreditation: recognized by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) for Approved Professional Development credit & you receive a certificate of completion once completing the program.
Check it out here
Bonus: Graham Nicholl’s Meditation Teacher Certification
Graham Nicholl’s Meditation Teacher Certification is a super time crunch option if you need a meditation teacher certificate next day or within a week. This is an 8.5 hour Udemy course that can be purchased for $124.99 but is often on sale for much less. This course gives you a truly brief but thorough run through of all aspects of meditation with a certificate at completion of the course. Check it out here
