Certification Process

ABOUT  NMSCB’s  CERTIFICATION PROCESSES

The Meditation Specialist Board Certification is a three phase Certification Process that requires  those  seeking National Certification successfully meet accreditation criteria, demonstrate that they have integrated  Core Values (code of ethics) into their personal and professional lives, and deomostrate that they have basic knowledge, skills and competency required for National Meditation Specialist Board Certification.

Certification Credentials

The NMSCB offers three Certifications:  Meditation Specialist I (MSI-BC); Clinical Meditation Specialist II (CMSII-BC); and Advanced Practice Meditation Specialist III (APMSIII-BC). A description of the basic eligibility follows.

Meditation Specialist I  (MSI-BC) 

Eligibility Criteria:

300 hour training including reading materials plus online courses, one-year personal practice, and a minimum of 150 hours teaching.

Completion of online exam and practical exam of core competencies with a score of 75% or higher.

This exam is a computer-based test. This means you can apply all year and test during a time and location convenient to you. Applications for this certification will be accepted at any time.

Practical Exam:  You can apply all year and test during an advanced training retreat.  Applications for this test will be accepted at any time; but need to be submitted at least 30 days prior to the test.

Cost to sit for computer exam $175, Practicum $ 225

(Optional) One day review course:  $250

Clinical Meditation Specialist  II (CMSII-BC)

Eligibility Criteria:

An additional 240 hours total of clinical contact, teaching and practice after level I.  Plus, 60 hours of advanced training.  

Average time span:  1-3 yrs. after level I 

NO EXAM

Clinical contact includes: 120 hours

Teaching includes: 120 hours (private clients and/or classes)

Practice includes: personal daily practice for at least 1 year post level 1.

Additional Training:  3 advanced training modules

Testing:  NONE

Cost: See Below

Advanced Practice Meditation Specialist III (APMSIII-BC)

Eligibility Criteria:

Completion of the Professional Competency Training or equivalent**

    * Stress Reduction through Focused Awareness or Mindfulness in Mind-Body Medicine

    * Practicum in Focused Awareness or Mindfulness Meditation

    * Teacher Development Intensive (Equivalent of Retreat 2 in the Professional Competency Training)

    * Supervision

    * Ongoing daily meditation and  mind-body-centered awareness practice and commitment to the integration of meditation into everyday life

    * Professional experience and graduate degree or equivalent in the fields of health care, education, and/or social change

    * Experience teaching a minimum of four  - five week meditation courses or equivalent

    * Regular participation in advanced training courses and conference calls

Usually requires:  3-5 years additional training beyond initial certification 

Clinical contact includes: 1500 hours

Teaching includes: 500 hours (class setting)

Practice includes: on going daily practice for at least 3 years

Additional Training:  5 advanced training modules

Testing:  Online Exam

Application Portfolio for the Advanced Practice should include:  

    * One copy of a video of a class that includes examples of you leading meditation practice, engaging in group dialogue and inquiry, and making a didactic presentation. (Option:  May be done onsite with Senior Staff)

    * One copy of your supporting instructional materials, including course curricula, home practice audio tapes or CDs, and workbooks, and other teaching resources.

    * Letters of recommendation from:

          - A mentor or teacher who is personally familiar with your meditation background

          - Two professional colleagues who have experienced your Evidence-Based meditation teaching through participating in your classes and/or who have referred participants to your meditation courses.

    * Evaluations from five of your students.

    * A description of the number, setting, location, and dates of all your meditation classes

Terms Defined

Clinical Hours:  These are acquired while working with patients or clients.  Clinical hours implies that you are using meditation as a therapy.  Each hour spent counts as 1 hour toward the total.

Teaching Hours:  This includes both one – to – one and group classes focusing on teaching principles in mindfulness and focused awareness.

Practice Hours:  This is a log of your own personal daily practice. 

Advanced Training:  The Center for Meditation Science holds 5 advanced training retreats that can be used toward advanced practice.  You may substitute other trainings with approval from the NMSCB.

Initial Certification Application

This application is a type-able PDF. Applicants have the option of saving the application to their own computer, typing in all of the required information, then printing the application, signing where appropriate, and mailing it. Alternately, all applications may be printed out and then filled in by hand in blue or black ink before mailing.

This exam is a computer-based test. This means you can apply all year and test during a 90-day window at a time and location convenient to you. Applications for this certification will be accepted at any time.

Reciprocity

**We expect that MS teachers who apply to sit for board certification will have completed the professional competency training program listed. However, you may make a case for the equivalency of other trainings, retreats, and long-term meditation teaching experience.

Cost to sit for computer exam $175, Practicum (in person or CD review) $ 225

Please contact us if you have questions about whether your certification qualifies for reciprocity. Call our Office at 978.255.1379.

Certification and Re-certification (Renewal)

Certifications must be renewed every 3 years to be considered Active Status. Renewal applications are due at least 1 month before your certification expiration date

Med Spec.I 300 hr. training course. Renewal of certification consists of 150 hours over 3 years for renewal  Cost: $ 200
Clinical Med. Spec. II indicates 300 hr. training, 60 hours of advanced training,  plus an additional 240 hrs. of clinical contact, teaching and practice over 3years. Renewal Cost:  $ 225
Med. Spec. III Advanced Practice 500 hrs of clinical practice and teaching contact, over period of 3 years. Renewal Cost:  $250