Our credentialing system

At the American Yoga Council, we believe that excellence in yoga teaching comes from one’s depth of knowledge, cultivated skill, and embodied experience. Our goal is to help students find the right teacher for their unique needs so that more people can access the lifelong benefits of yoga.

Because yoga is rich with diverse lineages and teaching traditions, we recognize that no single path or style is universal. That’s why, instead of enforcing a rigid, top-down framework, we support senior teachers and schools in defining the skills, competencies, and methods that reflect their lineage and values. Then we use technology to help schools be transparent and accountable for the certification requirements they create.

Why join the American Yoga Council?

At the American Yoga Council, we're redefining what it means to be a yoga professional in the modern world. We provide a supportive platform rooted in integrity, designed to elevate both the teaching and learning of yoga. Whether you're a seasoned educator, an emerging teacher, or a school committed to excellence, AYC offers a space where your work is valued, your voice is heard, and your growth is supported. Together, we’re building a future where yoga professionals can thrive—and the public can confidently trust who is guiding them.

Why trust AYC accreditation?

Our mission is simple: to create a more transparent, ethical, and empowering path for yoga education. By focusing on the most essential safety and quality standards—such as scope of practice, ethical conduct, and informed consent—we help to ensure that students are protected and teachers are respected. We collect survey data from program graduates on how well the school's program met it's objectives to help schools improve and to promote yoga teachers to the public based on their specific skills and knowledge and lineage.

AYC Scope of Practice policy

Defines safe teaching practices at each level

Transparency Policy

Improves Informed Consent

AYC Code of Conduct policy

Holds schools and teachers accountable to the public

AYC Business Best Practices policy

Protects yoga students and helps businesses grow

What are the levels?

AYC sets standards for the scope of practice and experience required for each level. Yoga schools set standards for specific skills and knowledge to be tested at each level.

Certified Yoga Practitioner

Unique to AYC

Scope of Practice

A credential for students to develop a personal yoga practice
Can safely practice a particular style of yoga asana or meditation in a safe and competent way according to the school’s AYC-accredited standards

Experience

6+ months consistent yoga practice
15+ practices with certifying teacher
50 documented practices solo

Level 1 Yoga Teacher

Similar to a 200-hour certification

Scope of Practice

Can guide groups of people in a particular style of yoga asana or meditation practice in a safe and competent way according to the school’s AYC-accredited standards.
Typically a new teacher

Experience

1+ years consistent yoga practice
10+ group classes taught

Level 2 Yoga Teacher

Similar to a 500-hour certification

Scope of Practice

Can guide individuals and groups to develop and refine their own personal yoga and meditation practice in a safe and competent way according to the school’s AYC-accredited standards
Qualified to be lead faculty for Level 1 and Practitioner trainings

Experience

4+ years of consistent teaching experience
400+ classes or privates taught

Level 3 Yoga Teacher

Advanced Training, can be achieved through combining various courses of study

Scope of Practice

Can convey and adapt specialized practices to particular populations in a safe and competent way according to the school’s AYC-accredited standards.
Has established deeper specialized knowledge or skill in two or more AYC-CE categories, including lifestyle integration
Qualified to be lead faculty for Level 1, 2 and Practitioner trainings

Experience

10+ years of consistent teaching experience
5000+ classes, privates, or workshops taught

Level 4 Yoga Teacher

Unique to AYC

Scope of Practice

Can convey and adapt all practices above to a wide variety of individuals with varying conditions or needs in a safe and competent way according to the school’s AYC-accredited standards.
Has established deeper specialized knowledge or skill in five or more AYC-CE categories
Recognized as one of the most senior practitioners of that lineage
Qualified to be lead faculty for Level 1, 2, 3 and Practitioner trainings

Experience

Has passed AYC’s Core Competency Exam or Peer Review Process. *TBD 2026
20+ years of consistent teaching experience
15000+ classes, privates, or workshops taught

Continuing Education Provider

Unique to AYC

Scope of Practice

Any subject matter expert can apply to have their programs count as CE and create badges. They need not be a yoga teacher specifically.

Experience

Typically 5+ years experience, demonstrated excellence, or professional credentials in a particular field of expertise

Level	Scope of Practice	Experience
Certified Yoga Practitioner Unique to AYC	A credential for students to develop a personal yoga practice Can safely practice a particular style of yoga asana or meditation in a safe and competent way according to the school’s AYC-accredited standards	6+ months consistent yoga practice 15+ practices with certifying teacher 50 documented practices solo
Level 1 Yoga Teacher Similar to a 200-hour certification	Can guide groups of people in a particular style of yoga asana or meditation practice in a safe and competent way according to the school’s AYC-accredited standards. Typically a new teacher	1+ years consistent yoga practice 10+ group classes taught
Level 2 Yoga Teacher Similar to a 500-hour certification	Can guide individuals and groups to develop and refine their own personal yoga and meditation practice in a safe and competent way according to the school’s AYC-accredited standards Qualified to be lead faculty for Level 1 and Practitioner trainings	4+ years of consistent teaching experience 400+ classes or privates taught
Level 3 Yoga Teacher Advanced Training, can be achieved through combining various courses of study	Can convey and adapt specialized practices to particular populations in a safe and competent way according to the school’s AYC-accredited standards. Has established deeper specialized knowledge or skill in two or more AYC-CE categories, including lifestyle integration Qualified to be lead faculty for Level 1, 2 and Practitioner trainings	10+ years of consistent teaching experience 5000+ classes, privates, or workshops taught
Level 4 Yoga Teacher Unique to AYC	Can convey and adapt all practices above to a wide variety of individuals with varying conditions or needs in a safe and competent way according to the school’s AYC-accredited standards. Has established deeper specialized knowledge or skill in five or more AYC-CE categories Recognized as one of the most senior practitioners of that lineage Qualified to be lead faculty for Level 1, 2, 3 and Practitioner trainings	Has passed AYC’s Core Competency Exam or Peer Review Process. *TBD 2026 20+ years of consistent teaching experience 15000+ classes, privates, or workshops taught
Continuing Education Provider Unique to AYC	Any subject matter expert can apply to have their programs count as CE and create badges. They need not be a yoga teacher specifically.	Typically 5+ years experience, demonstrated excellence, or professional credentials in a particular field of expertise

What are CE badges?

CE badges indicate training in a particular subject. Continuing education providers may accredit their programs in one of the following categories. (If you would like to request additional categories, email support@americanyogacouncil.com). CE program accreditation and provider applications will open in September 2025. CE Providers can only offer badges in subjects which they are certified by AYC to teach in.