Meaning RYT 200, RYT 300 & RYT 500: Yoga Instructor Certification Titles Explained

If you’ve been contemplating taking a yoga teacher training or becoming a certified yoga teacher, you may have wondered what the differences between RYT-200, RYT-300, and RYT-500 yoga teacher titles are. In this article, we explore the different certification levels for yoga teachers. If you’ve had a hard time choosing which yoga teacher training certification level to pursue, this guide will help you decide!


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RYT means Registered Yoga Teacher and indicates that a yoga teacher is registered with Yoga Alliance. A RYT can be registered with Yoga Alliance at three core levels:

  1. RYT 200
  2. RYT 300 (not really used)
  3. RYT 500

Only yoga teachers who are registered with Yoga Alliance use the Registered Yoga Teacher or RYT title to indicate their Yoga Alliance registry status. A yoga teacher who is not registered with Yoga Alliance will not use RYT.

What does RYT 200 mean

A RYT-200 is a yoga teacher who has completed 200-hour yoga teacher training and registered with Yoga Alliance.

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How to become a RYT 200

You can become a RYT 200 by completing a 200-hour yoga teacher training certification program at a school that is registered with Yoga Alliance.

You will need to satisfy all contact hours, non-contact hours, and practice hours, finish all exams, and submit a teaching practicum and everything else that your school requires to complete the course.

Once you have completed the course and have your teaching certificate, you can register with Yoga Alliance. It’s that simple!

Yoga Alliance itself does not certify yoga teachers but rather allows teachers who have completed teacher training at a RYS (Registered Yoga School) to register with their organization once they've successfully finished yoga teacher training.

How long it takes to become a RYT 200

There are two main formats of 200 hour yoga teacher training, online and in-person. This is how long it takes to complete a YTT in-person or online:

  • In-person YTT typically takes between three to six weeks to complete (depending on the course).
  • Online: YTT typically takes between six to twelve weeks to complete (but can be completed at your own pace and worked into your life and your schedule but typically takes.)

Is being a RYT 200 enough to teach yoga?

Yes, completing a 200 hour YTT is enough to get a job as a yoga teacher. Most schools, yoga apps, and studios will require that you hold a 200 hour yoga teaching certificate to teach at their establishment.

If you have successfully completed 200 hour yoga teacher training, it is assumed that you possess the basic knowledge to skillfully and effectively teach yoga. 

That said, yoga is not a regulated industry or profession. So, although there is no law requiring a yoga teacher to have completed 200 hours of TT, it is nearly impossible to become employed without having a 200-hour teaching certificate.

Female yogi sitting in Sukhasana yoga pose on her yoga mat in a yoga studio with a lot of light. Make.

What does RYT 300 mean


A RYT-300 is a yoga teacher who has completed 300-hour yoga teacher training and registered with Yoga Alliance.

In addition to the training requirements outlined above for RYT 200 training, a RYT 300 course includes an additional 100 hours of training in the areas listed below. Discover 300 hour yoga teacher trainings.

Yoga Alliance yoga teacher training curriculum requirements infographic for 300 hour yoga teacher training

What does RYT 500 mean

A RYT-500 is a yoga teacher who has completed 500 hours of yoga teacher training, logged 100 hours of teaching, and registered with Yoga Alliance.

Becoming a RYT 500 can be achieved by taking a RYT 200 and RYT 300 course separately (200 hours of training + 300 hours of training = 500 hours of training)., or by enrolling in a 500 hour yoga teacher training.

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Does a yoga teacher's teaching certificate expire?

No, a yoga teacher's teaching certification does not expire. However, to maintain the title of RYT and registration with Yoga Alliance, Registered Yoga Teachers are required to renew their membership with Yoga Alliance annually.

Takeaway on Registered Yoga Teacher designation titles

If you're feeling confused by the lingo in the professional world of yoga, you're not alone! We have a different article to help you better understand Yoga Alliance titles.

The best step to take is the first step! Enroll in teacher training and all of the pieces will come together during your teacher training journey. Feel free to reach out to us if you need further clarification on the different yoga teacher training courses.

Yoga instructor levels vocabulary:

CYT: Certified Yoga Teacher
RYT 200: Registered Yoga Teacher, 200 hour
RYT 300: Registered Yoga Teacher, 300 hour
RYT 500: Registered Yoga Teacher, 500 hour
RYS: Registered Yoga School
RYT: Registered Yoga Teacher
TTC: Teacher Training Course
YA: Yoga Alliance
YTT: Yoga Teacher Training

Some online yoga studios, online yoga teacher training programs, and brands that we write about may offer us a small commission should you decide to make a purchase or signup after reading our content. Thank you for enabling us to exist!

Meaning RYT 200, RYT 300 & RYT 500: Yoga Instructor Certification Titles Explained
Meaning RYT 200, RYT 300 & RYT 500: Yoga Instructor Certification Titles Explained
Heather Jacoby
Heather Jacoby

Heather is a Certified Yoga Teacher the visionary behind The Yogatique, her passion project. She created The Yogatique to help yogis & other growth-oriented individuals discover premium high quality trainings and classes in the yoga & wellness space. Heather is a RYT-200 and a practicing yogi of more than 15 years. She is also a global citizen who has been living abroad for 10 years. Her passions include health & fitness, studying healthspan & longevity, exploring the road less traveled, & SEO. Heather can be reached at heatherj@theyogatique.com, or you can connect with Heather on LinkedIn.

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