Can You Take Continuing Education (CE) Hours Before Registering as an RYT?

Short answer: Yes—if you do it right.

At Brain Cradle, we’re often asked by yoga professionals-in-training whether they can begin collecting Yoga Alliance Continuing Education (CE) hours before officially completing their 200-hour yoga teacher training. And the answer is nuanced but encouraging.

Let’s break it down.

What Are Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Hours?

Once you’ve completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training (YTT) and officially registered with Yoga Alliance as an RYT 200, you’re expected to complete at least 30 hours of continuing education every three years to maintain your credentials.

These CE hours are designed to support ongoing professional development and can include advanced asana study, specialty, or business training.

Can I Take CE Courses Before I'm Registered?

Technically, CE hours are meant to be completed after you're an officially registered RYT. However, Yoga Alliance isn’t here to gatekeep growth—they’re here to support it.

If you're still in the process of finishing your 200-hour training, and you want to attend a Yoga Alliance-approved CE workshop, go for it.

🧠 As long as the course is led by a Yoga Alliance-approved CE provider, and you keep documentation of your participation, you’ll likely be able to retroactively add those hours to your YA profile once your registration is complete.

A Real-World Example

Say you’re wrapping up your 200-hour YTT and your local studio is hosting a Yin Yoga intensive in September led by a YA-approved teacher. You’re drawn to it. You’re excited. But you haven’t officially received your certificate yet.

You can still take the course. Once you’ve submitted your 200-hour certificate and become an RYT, you’ll be able to log those CE hours retroactively.

Tips for Earning CE Hours Before You're an RYT

• Make sure the instructor is a YA-approved Continuing Education Provider (look for “YACEP” next to their name).

• Keep a digital or printed certificate of completion for the course.

• Note the course title, date, and provider details—you’ll need them to log the hours later.

• Once your RYT registration is complete, enter the CE hours in your Yoga Alliance dashboard.

Final Thoughts

Yoga Alliance may have rules, but they’re not trying to punish curiosity or discourage growth. If you’re taking initiative to deepen your education—even before officially registering as an RYT—you’re exactly the kind of teacher the industry needs more of.

So yes: sign up for that training. Keep learning. Keep asking questions. And if you ever need help navigating the fine print, Brain Cradle is here to support your growth—every step of the way.

Got questions about Yoga Alliance, CE hours, or launching your own RYS program? We’ve got answers: braincradleyoga.com