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 7:
#1 Meditation University’s Meditation Teacher Training (MTT-200)
Kevin Ellerton’s Meditation University has recently released a state of the art all encompassing meditation teacher training. In Meditation University’s training not only will you learn about the various types of meditation, but you’ll also learn pranayama, kundalini, how to mantra, and yoga nidra. Meditation University’s meditation teacher training is taught by 13 highly experienced teachers each with a specialty in a specific area of meditation.
Another notable point about Meditation University’s program is its entire section teaching you how to create a full time income teaching and selling your meditation skills after certification. All in all this meditation teacher training is both highly in depth and broad in scope making it one of the best options available.
Noteworthy for: Being the most comprehensive meditation teacher training program available
Teacher: Kevin Ellerton + 12 other teachers
Available online: Yes
Duration: 200 hours at your own pace
Price: $3000 (scholarships are available)
Accreditation: Internationally accredited and overseen by the International Mindfulness & Meditation Alliance and The Meditation Organization
Check it out here.
#2 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.
Noteworthy for: The best for meditation coaches
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.
#3 The Path’s Meditation Teacher Training
The Path’s meditation teacher training ranks #3 on our list for the incredible in-depth training you receive for one of the lowest prices in the industry. Not only is this an entirely affordable course, they offer scholarships as well! The Path’s meditation teacher training hosts real live classes online and group sessions over 12 weeks. This meditation teacher training is rich with meditation knowledge and gives you real experience guiding meditations in group settings before graduating with your certification.
Noteworthy for: Best for the price
Teacher: Dina Kaplan
Available online: Yes
Duration: 12 week program
Price: $1,099 (scholarships available up to $400 off)
Accreditation: The Path accredited meditation teacher certification with certificate of completion
Check it out here
#4 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.
Noteworthy for: The best for new meditation teachers
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
#5 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.
Noteworthy for: Being the most in-depth in-person certification program
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
#6 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.
Noteworthy for: Being best for small businesses
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
#7 Graham Nicholls’ Meditation Teacher Certification
Graham Nicholls’ 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
Noteworthy for: Quickest meditation teacher certification
Teacher: Graham Nicholls
Available online: Yes
Duration: 7.5 hours done at your own pace
Price: $129.99 (often on sale for much less)
Accreditation: Udemy certificate
Check it out here
How to Choose The Right Meditation Teaching Certification?
The best way to find out which meditation teacher training course is best for you is to take the quiz at the end of the page. It will take into account pricing, timing, and course specialty.
I would say whenever possible a more in depth program is better than a shorter one. In some instances you may need a certification quickly, but if you can afford it I recommend a longer and more comprehensive meditation course.
If you’re especially looking to start a business and make money, you need to really know your stuff. This means you should not only look for a very thorough meditation teacher training, but also one that gives you skills to succeed in business.
FAQs
What’s the difference between a meditation teacher, coach, and instructor?
In many ways meditation teachers, coaches, and instructors act in the same way. They all give students information about meditation and lead guided meditations.
Meditation teachers take a more classroom teaching approach.
While meditation coaches work more one on one with clients looking to improve and maximize their meditation technique and habit.
Finally, meditation instructors focus mostly on leading group guided meditation experiences and classes.
Does a meditation certification qualify me to teach in-person classes?
Yes, any good meditation teacher certification will teach you how to lead guided meditations in-person. Most will have practicum portions of the course where you will practice leading meditation with real people.
Certification from most of the courses listed above should qualify you to teach meditation in a recreational or professional environment.
Who oversees meditation teacher accreditation?
There is not a single governing body for accreditation over meditation teaching certifications though many will be accredited by organizations like the International Association of Yoga Therapists or the Awareness Training Institute.
What makes these programs credible and noteworthy are the institutions themselves who are teaching them. All of the institutions and individuals who teach these courses have long histories of teaching meditation themselves.
Is getting a meditation teacher certification worth it?
That depends on several factors. You have to ask yourself if being certified is necessary for your position or if it will be a good investment for your future.
For individuals looking to start a coaching business or meditation studio having a high quality meditation teacher certification is very important.
A certification will give you a great return on investment if you’re starting a meditation based business. Many meditation businesses and coaches a very good living. Starting with an in-depth certification program in this case is worth it.
A certification won’t likely be worth it to someone who just wants to learn about meditation. While a shorter meditation certification program will be worth it for someone who wants to teach in a recreational format instead of a business format.
Do any of these certifications have extra fees?
No, all of these certification costs are included in the upfront cost of the course. There are no extra fees or yearly renewal costs.
Is there a demand for meditation teachers?
Yes, mental health is at an all time low in developing countries. There is a great need for qualified meditation teachers as a resource for improving mental health in many capacities.
Recreation centers, mental health centers, and many private institutions hire and pay for outside meditation teachers to come lead meditations.
Quiz: Which certification is right for you?
Hi, I’m Ryan. I’m a meditation teacher, spiritual seeker, and founder of nurtureyourspirit.org. I’m glad you’re here! I founded Nurture Your Spirit because of my love of meditation, spirituality, and spiritual awakening.
