National Meditation Specialist Certification Board

About the NMSCB

The National Meditation Specialist Certification Board (NMSCB), incorporated in 2010 and governed by a Board of Directors, is responsible for the development, administration and evaluation of the Meditation Specialist Certification.


NMSCB, collaborates with the Center for Meditation Science, Inc. to promote the Meditation Specialist as a specialized field in health care. NMSCB has its own Board of Directors, Budget, Bylaws, Mission, Policies and Procedures. The organization aims to promote the well-being of society by advancing the practice of evidence-based meditation as a therapy.

The NMSCB Board of Directors strives to ensure the validity, reliability, security and integrity of the Meditation Specialist Certification Program. The Executive Director is responsible for the management of daily activities related to NMSCB’s Values, Mission, Purpose and Policies.

Founder – Susan Taylor, PhD.

Susan Taylor, PhD is an internationally renowned teacher of practical ways to integrate western medicine with natural healing traditions. Founder of the nationally acclaimed Meditation Specialist Training based on – Evidence-based meditation – Taylor provides the art and science of meditation as well as the technology behind it to give the most comprehensive training currently available. Dr Taylor has authored several best-selling publications including Return to Radiance: A 21-Day Transformation to Vitality, Feeling Good Matters: The Yoga of Mind, Medicine, and Healing, The Vital Energy Program, and The Healing Power of Meditation CD series, appeared in The American Journal of Physiology and other scientific journals as well as national magazines. She holds a PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry from Case Western Reserve Medical School, an MS in Human Nutrition with Columbia Medical School and founder of the Center for Meditation Science.

Meet the NMSCB Team – Board of Directors and Advisors

Testimonials

Certification Matters

Board certification is the highest credential attainable to meditation teachers in the healthcare profession today.

More than a Credential

We created the Meditation Specialist Training because we believe in something more. More than just a credential but a quality of experiential education to raise the standards of what is currently being offered. Our goal is to raise the bar in quality of knowledge and service to have a greater impact on those seeking quality of life.

Meditation Teacher Training
WHERE SCIENCE MEETS PRACTICE

Meditation Teacher Training

While many practitioners may offer mindfulness and meditation, very few create programs that are firmly grounded in science and evidence-based practices. Dr. Taylor’s comprehensive focused awareness training, a mindfulness practice with the essential component of concentration provides a path to transform yourself, teach others and impact the world. Becoming a Board Certified Meditation Specialist provides the credibility and the competency to establish yourself as a teacher of focused awareness.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A person who is competent in the science, theory and philosophy as well as the practice of focused awareness meditation – bringing mindfulness into focus. One who can serve as a leader in the field of evidence-based meditation and it’s practices from a stress-reduction model.

The program teaches Focused Awareness Meditation, an Evidence-based Meditation which combines mindfulness with the essential component of concentration, making it a complete meditation. It is based on a five-step systematic practice of bringing mindfulness into focus.

  • Establishes minimum knowledge and competency standards for Meditation as a practice,
  • Assures the public that the certified meditation specialist has completed all eligibility requirements to earn a credential verifying he/she has achieved the level of knowledge and competency required for practice of meditation as a therapy, and
  • Recognizes those practitioners who have met those standards.

Certification is the process that a non-governmental authority uses to grant recognition to an individual who has met specified qualifications and competencies in a defined area of practice. Based on predetermined standards of professional practice, a meditation specialist validates her/his qualifications and specialized clinical knowledge for practice by seeking the credential conferred by such an authority.


Certification is a voluntary process and should not be confused with a legal professional license. The National Meditation Specialist Certification Board (NMSCB) is responsible for the Certification Processes of Meditation Specialists.

  • NMS board certified specialists have met strong professional development standards.
  • NMS certification exams are a fair and accurate measure of professional competency.
  • NMS certification is now becoming accepted by governing boards, insurers, and the military.
  • NMS board certified specialists are in the greatest demand and command the highest salaries.

The NMSB is passionate about helping you on your journey to defining meditation as a complementary therapy!

1. Complete the Meditation Foundation Course.

2. Complete the Meditation Teaching Method Course.

3. Submit a video of your teaching for review.

4. Apply for board certification.

Step 1: Complete the Meditation Teacher Foundation Course


Step 2: Complete the Meditation Teaching Method Course.

Step 3: Apply for Board Certification.

You will be notified upon receipt of the application. Applications are reviewed within 30 days.

With over 8 million people practicing meditation the need for qualified teachers is in demand. The Meditation Specialist Teacher Training program is the only complete training available with science and practice and has not commercialized its content. With over 15 years of teaching Evidenced-based practices it has been recognized as a skills building competency program. The need for qualified individuals to teach is in demand. The board certification provides a standardization of competency that is recognized and needed.

The NMSCB offers three Certifications:


Meditation Specialist I (MSI-BC)

Clinical Meditation Specialist II (CMSII-BC)

Advanced Practice Meditation Specialist III (APMSIII-BC).

The board was created to ensure that there is no partiality among different schools of meditation and to standardize the criteria to establish competency.

Visit the Meditation Teacher Training to learn more and to Get Certified.

Meditation Teacher Training

Visit the Directory of Meditation Specialists page to view our board certified specialists.

Meditation Specialist Directory

Students need at least a year to develop a personal practice and learn methodology and application of all practices to pass the competencies. We have found that those students new to the process need the extra time to integrate the practices before teaching.

There are review questions to be submitted. The final step requires all students to submit a video of their teaching followed by a one-to-one session with our founder to ensure that you are getting the best possible training.

Retreats, personal practice and online webinars prepare you for the core competencies required to obtain your board certification. However, you need to have an additional 150 hours of practice teaching either in a group or one-on-one before becoming certified. This can be achieved by teaching any of the practices. e.g. diaphragmatic breathing, relaxation, posture support, etc…

Most students can get certified within one – two years with daily practice and prior training.

No, however, you must have an interest in the science behind the techniques. Social workers, physical therapists, yoga and occupational therapists, nutritionists, coaches, and teachers from varied backgrounds have successfully completed the course.

There are many available through the Center for Meditation Science and the Himalayan Institute. Other programs can be used also with prior approval from the certification board.

Two years from the time of certification.

Yes, browse the the course library for online courses, classes, and audio libraries.

Online Courses

The Center for Meditation Science.

More and more students have access to record their classes via smart phone for example. We require that you record a session so that when you meet with Dr. Taylor and have a board review, that we can assist you where needed. Allowing this process has given students the opportunity to do what they do, without traveling to a site that is unfamiliar to them. All sessions are offered live via Zoom, Skype or Google Meet.

We use “specialist” to imply that you have the skill and experience to design and implement meditation in any clinical setting. Therefore, we use board certified meditation specialist from the Center for Meditation Science to only be used when a student successfully demonstrates the skill set taught, which requires that there is expertise in the field. Our directory listing shows those individuals who are board certified. Organizations use this directory to see those individuals using the term meditation specialist to see if they are authentically trained and certified. One can only use board certified after achieving board certification from NMSCB not after just completing coursework.


The Meditation Specialist ™ Teacher Training, provides the art and science of meditation, as well as the technology behind it, in order to offer the most comprehensive training currently available.

At this time the board needs 30 days to review a candidate for board certification.

No, once someone has reached the next level, they no longer use the prior credential.

There is no official start date. The course is self-paced so you can take it at your own convenience. We have found that students that are new to the field require more time to assimilate the knowledge and practices than students who have experience and prior training.

Looking for Board Certification Renewal? Click the Renewal button for details.

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