What Is The Difference Between RYS 200 And RYS 500?

Last updated: October 14, 2026.

⚠️ 2027 Update: Yoga Alliance is overhauling its credential system in 2027. Yoga Alliance is simplifying schools to a single RYS credential with specialty designations in 2027 — the 200/300/500 numbers are disappearing from school badges. The training-hour differences explained below still apply; what’s changing is how they appear on the badge. Full breakdown → Yoga Alliance Changes in 2027.

RYS 200 is a yoga school approved to offer 200-hour teacher training. RYS 500 is a school approved to offer both 200-hour and 300-hour trainings — meaning their graduates can earn up to 500 hours of Yoga Alliance-recognized certification. Here’s what that means for you as a student choosing where to train.

Breaking Down the Designations

RYS 200 (Registered Yoga School — 200 hour): This school has been approved by Yoga Alliance to offer a 200-hour yoga teacher training program. Graduates of an RYS 200 program can register as RYT 200 (Registered Yoga Teacher — 200 hour).

RYS 300 (Registered Yoga School — 300 hour): This school is approved to offer an advanced 300-hour training. Students must already hold an RYT 200 to enroll. Completing this leads to the RYT 500 credential (200 + 300 = 500).

RYS 500 (Registered Yoga School — 500 hour): This designation means the school is approved for both levels — they offer 200-hour training and 300-hour advanced training. Not all schools have this. It indicates a comprehensive program that can take you from beginner to advanced certification under one roof.

For a deeper dive into how these school designations work, see our full guide on what is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School.

Why It Matters When Choosing a School

If you’re starting with a 200-hour training but think you might eventually want to go further, choosing an RYS 500 school has real advantages:

Continuity. You already know the teaching style, the community, and the platform. No adjustment period.
Curriculum design. Schools that offer both levels often design their 200-hour and 300-hour programs to build on each other seamlessly.
Relationship. Your teachers already know you, your strengths, and your growth edges. That personalized feedback is invaluable at the advanced level.

Uplifted’s Registration

Uplifted Yoga is registered at all levels — we offer 200-hour, 300-hour, and specialty trainings. That means you can start with your foundational training and continue all the way to 500+ hours without changing schools. For a full breakdown of what each certification level means for your career, check out our guide to levels of yoga certification.

What to Look for in Any School

Beyond the RYS designation, here’s what really matters:

Is the training interactive, or just pre-recorded videos?
Do you get personalized feedback on your teaching?
Are there live components where you practice with real people?
What’s the completion rate? (This tells you a lot about support quality.)

The letters after a school’s name tell you it meets Yoga Alliance standards. But the experience inside the program — that’s what shapes you as a teacher. ✨

Want the full picture of what’s changing? Read our complete guide: Yoga Alliance Changes in 2027: What’s Actually Changing. 🙏

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between RYS 200 and RYS 500?

RYS 200 schools are approved to offer 200-hour teacher training. RYS 500 schools are approved to offer both 200-hour and 300-hour trainings (which combine to 500 hours of recognized training).

Are RYS 200 and RYS 500 designations going away?

The numbers are disappearing from school badges in 2027 — a school will hold one RYS credential, and each training it offers (200-hour, 300-hour, prenatal, kids) becomes a ‘specialty designation.’ The underlying training-hour differences remain the same.

Which school type should I choose if I plan to eventually train at the 500 level?

A school registered to offer both 200-hour and 300-hour programs (currently labeled RYS 500) lets you complete all 500 hours under one roof — same community, same teaching style, and often better-integrated curriculum. In 2027 these schools will carry a single RYS credential with both specialty designations attached.