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Meditation Teacher Training in United States
195 programs · Browse all 597 programs →
The US has the world's largest secular mindfulness teacher training sector, alongside major Zen, Tibetan, Theravada, and Vipassana lineage centers. IMS (Barre), Spirit Rock, and the CFM (UMass) anchor the insight meditation and MBSR fields.
Traditions in United States: Secular Mindfulness (57) · Zen (35) · Vipassana / Insight (28) · Tibetan (16) · MBSR (16) · Somatic (10)
Frequently asked questions
How many meditation teacher training programs are available in United States? OMP currently lists 195 verified meditation teacher training programs in United States. Each program has been independently researched against the school's published information — we list programs that have a real teaching pathway, not psychic-style marketplaces or short-form retreat experiences.
Are these programs secular or religious? In United States's mature MBSR / MBCT scene, most programs are explicitly secular — designed for clinical, educational, or workplace settings. Buddhist-rooted programs are also available and are typically clear about their lineage. Each program's tradition is shown in the listing above.
Can I do a United States meditation teacher training online? Yes — 121 of the 195 listed programs offer online or hybrid delivery. This means you can train under United States-based teachers without needing to relocate, though most lineage programs still require some in-person retreat time. See each program's format details above.
How long does meditation teacher training typically take in United States? Most teacher training pathways run 9 months to 2 years for full certification, though some foundation programs are shorter (e.g. an 8-week MBSR teacher orientation) and some lineage authorisations take much longer (years of practice with a teacher). Programs in United States vary; each listing above has its program length where the school publishes it.
How do I choose between meditation teacher training programs in United States? Three filters tend to matter most: (1) tradition — does the program teach in a lineage you actually want to practice in, (2) format — residential vs hybrid vs online, vs your life constraints, and (3) credential — does the program issue an externally-recognised certification (IMTA, CFM, BAMBA accreditation, or formal lineage transmission), or just an internal completion certificate. The United States programs above vary on all three.
Related countries
Other markets with meditation teacher training programs:
Canada (20) Mexico (8) United Kingdom (58) Australia (22) Germany (18)
5Rhythms Teacher Training Notable International (300+ teachers in 50+ countries) · Somatic
Ananda Yoga and Meditation Teacher Training Notable In-person + Online · Mantra / TM
Applied Compassion Training (ACT) Certification Notable Online (Zoom) · Secular Mindfulness
Awareness in Action Teacher Training Notable Hybrid (residential + online) · Vipassana / Insight
Bhavana Society Monastic Training Notable In-person residential · Vipassana / Insight
Buddhist Chaplaincy Training — Upaya Zen Center Notable Santa Fe, NM, United States · Zen
CBCT Teacher Certification Program Notable Online with cohort sessions · Compassion-Based
Centering Prayer Commissioned Presenter Training Notable International + Online · Christian Contemplative
Chan (Chinese Zen) Teacher Training Notable New York, NY / Global · Zen
Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) Teacher Training Notable Stanford, CA / Online · Secular Mindfulness
Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) Teacher Training Notable Stanford, CA / Online · Secular Mindfulness
Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) Teacher Training Notable Online / Global · Secular Mindfulness
Compassion Cultivation Training Instructor Training Notable Stanford, CA / Online · Compassion-Based
Dharma Vardhana — Buddhist Study and Teaching Program Notable Newport, WA · Tibetan
Diamond Approach Teacher Training (Ridhwan School) Notable International (groups in 30+ countries) · Non-Dual
FPMT Teacher Training Program Notable Portland, OR / Global · Tibetan
Going Deeper: Long-Term Christian Contemplative Formation Notable Hybrid (residential + online) · Christian Contemplative
Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy Training Notable International (15+ countries) + Online · Somatic
Hakomi Professional Skills Training Notable United States / International · Somatic
Holotropic Breathwork Facilitator Certification Notable United States / International · Somatic
Hwa Gye Sa International Sangha (Korean Seon) Notable International (50+ centers) · Zen
IMS Teacher Training Notable Barre, MA · Vipassana / Insight
IMS/Spirit Rock Teacher Training Program Notable Barre, MA & Woodacre, CA, United States · Vipassana / Insight
Inner Kids Mindfulness for Children Teacher Training Notable Online · Secular Mindfulness
Institute for Jewish Spirituality Meditation Teacher Training Notable Online + retreats · Jewish Meditation
iRest Yoga Nidra Teacher Training Notable Online / Various · Yoga Nidra
Kwan Um School of Zen Teacher Authorization Notable Global (Korea-lineage, HQ in Rhode Island USA) · Zen
MARC Training in Mindfulness Facilitation (TMF) Notable Hybrid (residential + online) · Secular Mindfulness
MBSR Teacher Training Notable Providence, RI / Online · MBSR
MBSR Teacher Training — Mindfulness Teacher Training Alliance (MTTA) Notable United States / Online · MBSR
MBSR Teacher Training — Professional Training Intensive Notable Worcester, MA / Online · MBSR
MBSR Teaching Certificate Program Notable Providence, Rhode Island, United States · MBSR
Meditation Teacher Program (MTP) Notable Global (online) · Tibetan
Metta Meditation Teacher Training Notable Marin, CA, United States · Loving-Kindness / Metta
Mind-Body Medicine Professional Training Program Notable Hybrid (residential + online) · Trauma-Sensitive
Mindful Schools Teacher Training Notable Online · Secular Mindfulness
Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher Training Notable Online / Various · Compassion-Based
Mindfulness Facilitator Certification (Training in Mindfulness Facilitation) Notable Los Angeles, CA · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program (MMTCP) Notable Online (US-based) · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program (Sean Fargo) Notable Online (self-paced) · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Notable Boulder, CO / Online · Tibetan
Mindfulness Teacher Training Notable Deerfield, Massachusetts, United States · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness Teacher Training — Compassion-Based Practices Notable Cambridge, MA / Online (International students) · MBSR
Mindfulness-Based Professional Training (MBPT) Notable San Diego, CA / Online · MBSR
Mindfulness-Based Trauma Therapy (MBTT) Training Notable Online · Secular Mindfulness
Open Floor International Teacher Training Notable International (50+ teachers worldwide) · Somatic
Open Gate Sangha Teacher Training Notable International + Online · Non-Dual
Penn Program for Mindfulness Teacher Training Notable Hybrid · MBSR
Potential Project Mindfulness Teacher Training Notable International (28 countries) + Online · Secular Mindfulness
Sakya Lamdré Teacher Pathway Notable International + Online · Tibetan
Sanshin Zen Community Training Notable Bloomington, IN, USA (Japan-lineage) · Zen
Search Inside Yourself (SIY) Teacher Certification Notable Online / Global · Secular Mindfulness
Search Inside Yourself Teacher Certification Notable San Francisco, CA · Secular Mindfulness
Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons Notable International + Home Study · Mantra / TM
Shambhala Mountain Center Meditation Programs Notable Red Feather Lakes, United States · Tibetan
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) Training Notable Hybrid (multi-location in-person modules) · Secular Mindfulness
Soto Zen Teacher Training Notable Carmel Valley, CA · Zen
Spirit Rock Teacher Training Notable Woodacre, CA · Vipassana / Insight
Tara Mandala Teacher Training (Five Wisdoms Institute) Notable International (40+ countries) · Tibetan
Thai Forest Tradition Monastic Training Notable Redwood Valley, CA · Vipassana / Insight
The Living School for Action and Contemplation Notable Hybrid (5 in-person symposiums + online) · Christian Contemplative
Theravada Meditation and Teaching Training Notable High View, WV · Vipassana / Insight
Theravada Meditation Teacher Training Notable Redwood City, CA · Vipassana / Insight
Theravada Monastic Training Notable Penn Valley, CA · Vipassana / Insight
Theravada Monk Ordination and Training Notable Valley Center, CA · Vipassana / Insight
Transcendental Meditation (TM) Teacher Training Notable Fairfield, IA / International · Mantra / TM
Transcendental Meditation Teacher Training Course Notable Fairfield, Iowa, United States · Transcendental Meditation (Vedic)
Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) Certification Notable Online + in-person practica · Trauma-Sensitive
Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness Certification Notable Online · Trauma-Sensitive
Vipassana Meditation Teacher Training Notable Global (300+ centers) · Vipassana / Insight
Zen Master Training — Rinzai and Soto Lineages Notable Worldwide (Europe HQ: Warsaw, Poland) · Zen
Zen Priest and Teacher Training Notable Santa Fe, NM · Zen
Zen Priest Training & Dharma Transmission Notable Rochester, NY · Zen
Zen Teacher Training Notable San Francisco, CA · Zen
Zen Teacher Training Notable Mount Tremper, NY · Zen
200-Hour Meditation Teacher Training — PranaVayu Yoga Boston, MA, United States · Secular Mindfulness
250-Hour Professional Meditation Teacher Certification Online / Boulder, Colorado, United States · Secular Mindfulness
Art of Living Meditation Teacher Training Global · Mantra / TM
Association for Mindfulness in Education United States · Secular Mindfulness
Barre Center for Buddhist Studies (BCBS) Path Programs Barre, MA (in-person + online) · Secular Mindfulness
Breath Mastery Practitioner Program Online / International · Somatic
Clarity Breathwork Facilitator Training California (Online) · Somatic
Clarity Institute Mindfulness Teacher Training Online · Secular Mindfulness
Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) Teacher Certification Atlanta, GA, United States · Compassion-Based
Cognitively-Based Compassion Training Teacher Training Atlanta, GA · Compassion-Based
Contemplative Neuroscience Teacher Training Online / Boulder, CO · Secular Mindfulness
Dhamma Teacher Training Redwood City, CA · Vipassana / Insight
Dharma Ocean Teacher Training Crestone, CO / Online · Tibetan
Dharma Teacher Training Escondido, CA · Zen
Dharma Teacher Training Batesville, MS · Zen
Dharma Transmission & Permission to Teach New York, NY · Zen
Diamond Way Buddhism Teacher Training Global (650+ centers) · Tibetan
Drikung Kagyu Tibetan Buddhist Teacher Training Frederick, MD · Tibetan
Facilitator & Teacher Training Program Los Angeles, CA · Vipassana / Insight
Facilitator Training Program Santa Monica, California, United States · Secular Mindfulness
Flourish: Jewish Mindfulness Certification Program Online · Jewish Meditation
Grounded Mind Meditation Teacher Certification Boulder, CO (+ Online) · Secular Mindfulness
Hakomi Method Teacher Training Online / Global · Somatic
Holotropic Breathwork Facilitator Training Online / Global · Somatic
I AM Yoga Nidra™ Certification Salt Springs, Florida, United States · Yoga Nidra
Inayati Order Sufi Meditation Teacher Training International + Online · Mantra / TM
Insight Dialogue and Theravada Teacher Training Cambridge, MA · Vipassana / Insight
Insight Dialogue Teacher Training Online / Retreat-based · Vipassana / Insight
Insight Meditation Teacher Training New York, NY · Vipassana / Insight
InsightLA Facilitator Training Program Hybrid (Los Angeles + online) · Secular Mindfulness
Intermediate Integral Yoga Teacher Training — Yogaville Buckingham, VA, United States · Mantra / TM
Inward Bound Mindfulness Education (iBme) Teacher Training Concord, MA / Online · Secular Mindfulness
Kagyu Tibetan Buddhist Teacher Training Woodstock, NY · Tibetan
Koan Teacher Training Santa Rosa, CA · Zen
Loving-Kindness Meditation Teacher Training Barre, MA · Loving-Kindness / Metta
Masters of Wisdom & Meditation Teacher Training Online / Carlsbad, California, United States · Mantra / TM
Masters of Wisdom and Meditation Teacher Training — davidji Carlsbad, CA (+ Online) · Mantra / TM
MBCT Teacher Training Intensive — CHACMC United States · MBCT
MBSR Teacher Training Pathway Online, United States · MBSR
MBSR Teacher Training Program (MBSR-TT) Online with optional in-person (Seattle/Atlanta) · Secular Mindfulness
MBSR Teacher Training – Level 1 (Essentials) Online, United States · MBSR
Meditation Teacher Academy (Awaken & Become) Santa Barbara, California, United States · Secular Mindfulness
Meditation Teacher Training Scotts Valley, CA · Secular Mindfulness
Meditation Teacher Training Global · Vipassana / Insight
Meditation Teacher Training & Certification New York, United States · Secular Mindfulness
Meditation Teacher Training Certificate Stockbridge, MA · Secular Mindfulness
Meditation Teacher Training — McLean Meditation Institute Sedona, AZ (Online) · Secular Mindfulness
Meditation Teacher Training — The Meditation School Online · Secular Mindfulness
Metta Meditation Center Teachers Training Program Janesville, Minnesota, United States · Vipassana / Insight
Mind and Life Summer Research Institute (Contemplative Research Training) Boulder, CO / Annual residential · Secular Mindfulness
Mindful Jewish Living Teacher Training New York, NY, United States · Jewish Meditation
Mindful Leader Certification Online · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness & MBSR Teacher Training Online, United States · MBSR
Mindfulness and Meditation Teachers Training Program — Metta Meditation Center Janesville, MN, United States · Vipassana / Insight
Mindfulness Instructor Program Seattle, WA · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Online · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program Louisville, CO, United States · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training New York, New York, United States · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Big Sur, CA · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Minneapolis, MN · Vipassana / Insight
Mindfulness Mentor Training Program Online · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness Teacher Certification Online / Various · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness Teacher Training Richmond, CA, United States · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness Teacher Training Concord, Massachusetts, United States · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness Teacher Training Salt Lake City, Utah, United States · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness Teacher Training Certification Online · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) Teacher Training Online / San Francisco, CA · MBSR
Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) Teacher Training Online / San Francisco, CA · MBSR
Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT) Teacher Training Online / United States · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training Teacher Training Online · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) Teacher Training Online / Seattle, WA · MBSR
Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) Teacher Training Online / Worldwide · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention Teacher Training Online / Various · Secular Mindfulness
Mindfulness-Based Teacher Training Online / Free · MBSR
Mindvalley Meditation Trainer Certification Online · Secular Mindfulness
Monastic Ordination & Training Pine Bush, NY · Zen
Mussar Teacher Training — Madrichim Program Online / United States · Jewish Meditation
Nature-Based Mindfulness Facilitator Training Online / Multiple · Secular Mindfulness
Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and Mindfulness Teacher Training Global · Secular Mindfulness
Nyingma Tibetan Buddhist Teacher Training Watsonville, CA · Tibetan
Online MBSR Teacher Training (10-Week) San Diego, California, United States · MBSR
Open Heart Project Teacher Training Online · Tibetan
Present Moment Mindfulness Teacher Training Online · Secular Mindfulness
Priest Ordination & Dharma Transmission St. Paul, MN · Zen
Priest Residency & Training Program Omaha, NE · Zen
Radical Acceptance and Buddhist Psychology Teacher Training Online · Vipassana / Insight
Recovery Dharma Facilitator Pathway International + Online · Vipassana / Insight
Refuge Recovery Facilitator Training International + Online · Vipassana / Insight
Rinzai Zen Priest Training San Marcos, CA · Zen
Rinzai Zen Teacher Training Livingston Manor, NY · Zen
Sahaja Yoga Meditation Teacher Training Online / Global · Mantra / TM
Sakya Tibetan Buddhist Teacher Training Cambridge, MA · Tibetan
Soka Gakkai Nichiren Buddhist Lay Teacher Training Global (multiple countries) · Vipassana / Insight
Soto Zen Priest Training Multiple US centers · Zen
Soto Zen Priest Training & Ordination Minneapolis, MN · Zen
Soto Zen Teacher Training Clatskanie, OR · Zen
Study & Practice Programs / 7-Year Home Retreat Path International (US, Europe, Australia) · Tibetan
Teacher Training Program Oakland, CA · Secular Mindfulness
Theravada Dhamma Teacher Training Annapolis, MO · Vipassana / Insight
Theravada Meditation Teacher Training Castle Rock, WA · Vipassana / Insight
Theravada Monastic and Teacher Training White Salmon, WA · Vipassana / Insight
Thich Nhat Hanh Retreats — Path to Teaching Blue Cliff, NY / Deer Park, CA · Zen
Train to Teach MBSR Online, United States · MBSR
Training in Mindfulness Facilitation Los Angeles, California, United States · Secular Mindfulness
Transformational Breath Facilitator Certification United States / International · Somatic
Unified Mindfulness Coach Certification Online · Secular Mindfulness
Vipassana and Metta Teacher Training Tres Piedras, NM · Vipassana / Insight
Virupa Educational Institute Training Seattle, WA · Tibetan
Waking Up App Teacher Training Online / Global · Non-Dual
Zen Buddhism Teacher Training Rochester, NY · Zen
Zen Peacemaker Teacher Training Online / Global · Zen
Zen Priest and Teacher Training Worcester, MA / New England · Zen
Zen Priest Ordination & Teacher Authorization National City, CA · Zen
Zen Priest Practice & Dharma Transmission New Rochelle, NY · Zen
Zen Teacher Training New York, NY · Zen
Zen Teacher Training Portland, OR · Zen
Zen Teacher Training Minneapolis, MN · Zen
Zen Teacher Training Brooklyn, NY · Zen
Zen Teacher Training Atlanta, GA · Zen
Zen Teacher Training Chapel Hill, NC · Zen
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