What Are the RYT Continuing Education Requirements?

If you’re an RYT, you hold a widely recognized credential for yoga instruction. It signals that you have undergone rigorous training and are qualified to teach yoga to others. But did you know that your RYT credential doesn’t last forever? You need to renew it and earn continuing education credits. We’ll explain what that means and how to keep your RYT current. 

What Is RYT and the Yoga Alliance? 

The Yoga Alliance (YA) is a nonprofit organization that represents the yoga community. It is the largest and most widely recognized yoga organization. If you are serious about working as a yoga teacher, it’s vital that you are part of the YA. 

The YA offers several professional credentials, beginning with the foundational RYT-200. This is a credential you can earn by completing an approved yoga instructor course with at least 200 hours of instruction and training. 

RYT stands for Registered Yoga Teacher. The YA offers other levels of this credential: 

• Experienced RYT-200 (E-RYT-200)

• RYT-500

• E-RYT-500

• Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher (RCYT)

• Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RPYT)

The YA also credentials the schools that offer a yoga teacher training program. To become an RYT of any type, your training must come from one of these approved schools. Finally, the YA credentials schools that provide continuing education classes. These are Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Providers (YACEPs). 

Learn more about why it’s important to be RYT certified if you want to be a yoga instructor. 

What Are the RYT Continuing Education Requirements? 

The Yoga Alliance emphasizes lifelong learning and growth in yoga by requiring RYTs to complete continuing education (CE) hours. You must renew your RYT with annual membership dues and by completing at least 75 CE hours every three years. The required hours are broken down into two parts: 

• 45 hours of teaching yoga

• 30 hours of yoga training

In other words, to maintain your RYT status, you must teach at least 45 hours of yoga to others and complete 30 hours of coursework or additional training. The YA recently dropped the requirement that some of these hours be contact (in-person). Any or all of the hours can be virtual and online. 

It’s important to understand that any teaching or training hours that took place before you registered with the RYT do not count toward these requirements. Also, if you complete more than 30 hours of training in three years, the extra time does not roll over into the next renewal period. 

Certification is just one part of what makes a good yoga teacher. Here are some of the most important qualities of great yoga instructors. 

What Counts As Yoga Teacher Training for the 30 CE Hours Requirement? 

The 45 hours of teaching are pretty self-explanatory. If you teach at least this many hours, you’re all set for that requirement. Teaching can be online, in-person, one-on-one, with a group, as a freelancer, or as an employee at a gym or studio. 

There are more restrictions placed on what counts toward the 30 hours of additional training. These hours are intended to be opportunities in which you learn something new through research or study. 

The most common way to earn the 30 hours is to take approved courses. For a course to qualify for your 30 CE hours, it must be offered by one of the following:

• A registered YACEP, usually a yoga school

• An instructor with E-RYT-200 or E-RYT-500 certification

• A professional with significant experience and education in the subject being taught (typically at least 500 hours or two years of experience)

An additional requirement is that the course fall within one of the four educational categories outlined by the YA:

• Techniques, Training, and Practice (TTP). TTP subjects are deeper dives into various types and styles of pranayama, asana, meditation, and other traditional aspects of yoga. 

• Teaching Methodology (TM). TM topics include anything that focuses on being a better teacher. Examples include communication skills, time management, accommodating students with different ability levels, and corrective instruction.

• Anatomy and Physiology (AP). In PA courses, you learn more about body systems, energy, healthy movement patterns, and more. 

• Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle, and Ethics (YPLE). YPLE can include traditional yoga study, ethics classes, and yoga instruction as a service to others. 

It’s not always easy to determine if a subject counts toward one of these categories. It’s best to clarify that a course counts before taking it. Some examples of course topics that do not fall into these categories, according to the YA, include: 

• Nutrition

• Reiki

• Massage

• Aromatherapy

• Yoga therapy

• Alternative medicine

Continuing education for RYT certification must be directly related to practicing, teaching, or studying yoga and its principles and traditions. 

Where Can I Find Approved Teacher Training Courses for CE Hours? 

The easiest way to find courses that you know are approved by the YA and that count toward your CE hours is to use the YA’s Continuing Education Directory. You can search the directory by city, region, country, keyword, and YACEP name. 

You can complete courses online or in person. Some are true courses, where you take a class and complete assignments. Others are workshops or recordings that you can attend or watch to earn credit. If you’re unsure about any course or event and whether or not it qualifies for CE, contact the YA for clarification. Don’t assume it counts, or you could end up short of hours at renewal time. 

How Do I Record My Continuing Education Hours? 

As an RYT, you have a YA membership account online. This is where you will record your earned CE hours. The information will be displayed on your directory profile so that anyone searching for an instructor can see all your qualifications and accomplishments. This YA worksheet is useful if you are unsure how to fill out the hours or categorize them by subject. 

Earn Your RYT-200 with ISSA, a Registered Yoga School

If you have your RYT certification, you’re ready to start teaching yoga. Just be sure you understand what it takes to stay current and how to be a lifelong learner with continuing education. 

The first step to becoming an RYT is to complete the ISSA’s Yoga Alliance-approved 200-hour yoga teacher training program. Take this self-paced course on your own schedule and you’ll be prepared to register with the Yoga Alliance.