For Tai Chi & Qigong Teachers For Institutions For Consumers

Tai Chi Certification Application & Renewal

 
Please click here to apply for the certification on our new website
 
Please click here to renew your certification on our new website
 
Categories of Certification  
Certified Tai Chi (or Qigong) Practitioner
  • 1. At least 150 documented hours in formal Tai Chi or Qigong training
  • 2. Two or more reference letters.
Certification Renewal: Receive continuing education (in the form of self-study, workshops, seminars and/or classes) in Tai Chi for at least 10 hours a year.
 
Certified Associate Tai Chi (or Qigong) Instructor
  • 1. At least 200 hours of experience in teaching Tai Chi and/or Qigong
  • 2. Three reference letters from other Tai Chi instructors, students, your trainers, etc. At least one of them should come from Tai Chi instructors (can be your trainers and/or peers).
 Certified Tai Chi (or Qigong) Instructor (Level I)
  • 1. At least 500 hours of experience in teaching Tai Chi and/or Qigong
  • 2. Three reference letters from other Tai Chi instructors, students, your trainers, etc. At least one of them should come from Tai Chi instructors (can be your trainers and/or peers).
  • 3. Optional: Awards, publications, etc.
 Certified Tai Chi (or Qigong) Instructor (Level II)
  • 1. All the criteria from Level I
  • 2. At least 1000 hours of experience in teaching Tai Chi and/or Qigong
 Certified Tai Chi (or Qigong) Instructor (Level III)
  • 1. All the criteria from Level I
  • 2. At least 2000 hours of experience in teaching Tai Chi and/or Qigong
 Certified Tai Chi (or Qigong) Master Instructor
  • 1. At least 5000 hours of experience in teaching Tai Chi and/or Qigong
  • 2. Manifestation of Leadership: promoting Tai Chi to the public through such channels as social events, writing articles for the media, and so on. Demonstrated influence in the industry.
  • 3. Five or more reference letters from other Tai Chi instructors, students, clients, etc. At least three of the letters should comment on your teaching performance. At least two of the reference letters provide proof for your leadership.
  • 4. Other supporting documents: certificates, publications, etc.
Certification Renewal :
  • 1. Receive continuing education (in the form of self-study, workshops, seminars and/or classes) in Tai Chi for at least 10 hours a year.
  • 2. Maintain at least 100 hours in teaching Tai Chi every year.
Meeting the above criteria does not automatically qualify you for the ATCQA Certification. The decision will also depend on the credential of the organization(s) from which you received Tai Chi training, the significance of the reference letters, etc. ATCQA reserves the right to make these assessments on a case-by-case basis.
 
Tai Chi Certification Fees
  • Application fee: None - the application is free
  • Certification fee (after the application is approved): $110/term(2-year) for Practitioners, $130/term(2-year) for Instructors, $150/term(2-year) for Master Instructors.
ATCQA Professional members receive 50% discount on the above fees.
Renewal fee (after the first 2 years of certification): $65/term(2-year)
 
Questions or comments? Please check the FAQ page or email us at TC@AmericanTaiChi.org

 
Templates for Reference Letters

The template for reference letter from your client
 
The template for reference letter from your peer

 
The template for reference letter from your student
 
 
Stories from
Certified Instructors/Practitioners

 
Deirdre Dwyer

How We Have Kept Tai Chi Classes Going in the Pandemic

 
 
Sandy Brewer

Our Group Practice of Tai Chi and Qigong During the Pandemic

 
 
Dr. Suzanne Droleskey

Teaching Tai Chi Online: Moving from Fear to Competency