American Yoga Council credentials reflect your growth and progress as a teacher, not just the amount of time you’ve spent in a classroom.
Our system is designed to showcase your expertise, provide a path that’s financially sustainable, and help you build a rewarding yoga career.
We certify you based on your yoga history — your experience teaching group classes, privates, workshops, and YTTs — plus your verified trainings.
This ensures that our levels recognize all types of yoga paths, not just the people who completed the most trainings.
You can then say you’re a Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT-L1 and up)
We’re currently certifying Levels 1-3. A peer review process is part of Level 4.
We also look at your specialties; they’re the key to unlocking a long-term career in yoga.
Our specialty credentials allow teachers to show the exact expertise they have, and students to find the right teacher for their needs.
You can become a Certified Yoga Specialist (CYS-L1 and up) in a variety of yoga and yoga-adjacent practices.
We listen to members and our advisory council to determine what specialties we can and will verify.
Appendix: What level will you be?
Click on a level to see the required experience and scope of practice
AYC Certification Levels
Certified Yoga Teacher Level 1 (CYT-L1)
Role
Practitioner educator
Faculty Level
Typically a new teacher
Scope of Practice
Experience
AYC Certification Levels
Certified Yoga Teacher Level 2 (CYT-L2)
Role
Teacher trainer
Faculty Level
Qualified to be lead faculty for Level 1 and Practitioner trainings
Scope of Practice
Experience
AYC Certification Levels
Certified Yoga Teacher Level 3 (CYT-L3)
Role
Advanced trainer
Faculty Level
Qualified to be lead faculty for Level 1, 2, and Practitioner trainings
Scope of Practice
Experience
AYC Certification Levels
Certified Yoga Teacher Level 4 (CYT-L4)
Role
Recognized expert
Faculty Level
Qualified to be lead faculty for Level 1, 2, 3, and Practitioner trainings
Scope of Practice
Experience
Taking a training program does not guarantee you certification at that level; you must also meet the scope of practice and experience requirements set by AYC and your school.
Specialty certification requirements are different for every category
CYS Level 1
Practitioner educator
CYS Level 2
Teacher trainer
CYS Level 3
Advanced trainer
CYS Level 4
Subject matter expert
Each level builds on the baseline standards above with specialty-specific education and teaching experience
AYC Specialty Requirements V1We're listening to your input!
It's open input season
What do you think AYC’s specialty credential requirements should be?
See more about our standards
Questions?
Is AYC a recognized credential?
Yes, AYC is the leading credentialing body for schools that want competency-based accreditation. Accredited schools from Himalayan Institute to Tune Up Fitness can be seen in our directory. Certified teachers are visible to studios and students, and we're building the modern professional infrastructure for the field. Accreditation here signals current, transparent standards.
What if I'm already certified somewhere else?
You don't have to leave anything to add AYC. Teachers often carry both. Many start with a CE credential here as a low-stakes way to see how AYC compares before deciding what else to move.
What's the difference between accreditation and certification?
Accreditation is what AYC does for your program. Certification is what your program gives your graduates. After accreditation, your graduates can also be verified by AYC as having completed your program.
Any other questions?
Contact our support teamReady to join?
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