Beyond the Badge the Enneagram Certification Dilemma: A Guide to Making an Informed Choice

To certify or not to certify? That is the question. Let’s reflect on navigating the Enneagram’s professional landscape.

Are you thinking about getting Enneagram certified? Before you click "register" on that next big program, take a deep breath. You’re not alone, many people find themselves curious about the growing number of certifications available, wondering whether they’re truly necessary or just another shiny badge. Let’s explore what’s behind the hype and how to decide if a certification is right for you.

The Gold Rush of Enneagram Certifications

During the relatively recent heyday of the Enneagram’s emergence in evangelical spaces, and then its migration into the fringes of pop culture (let’s call it 2017–2023), I would receive several calls, emails, and direct messages every month asking how or where to get Enneagram certified.

It was wild. There was a kind of compulsive intensity among people determined to get certified so they could join the swelling ranks of Enneagram professionals. It seemed like everyone with a platform was publishing their own version of the types, each with a slight twist, nothing especially clever or original, but in that brief “gold rush,” everyone wanted to stake their claim in the Enneagram world.

Finding Myself on the Front Side of the Wave

I accidentally found myself on the front side of that wave. I had already been using the Enneagram in my one-on-one coaching for several years before I submitted the book proposal for The Sacred Enneagram. Writing the book was something I had reluctantly agreed to do because of how territorial and cantankerous many professionals had been for decades. And when my agent did send out that proposal, it received underwhelming interest. Several Christian publishers pushed back or protested that the Enneagram was somehow anti-Christian or part of the occult, while many others simply wrote back: “We’ve never heard of it. In fact, I’ve asked around the office no one here knows what this is.”

Thankfully, I found a supportive editor who understood the vision of what I was hoping to add to the larger conversation. And luckily, when the book was published, it landed right on time just as the tide of interest in the Enneagram was swelling. It was one of the first books in a long time that moved the conversation beyond mere type descriptions to the deeper question: “Now that I know my type, what do I do with that knowledge?” and in my case, specifically, how do I put the Enneagram to work to nurture my spirituality?

My Journey Without Certification

Before writing my first Enneagram book, I had known of the Enneagram for seventeen years and had been working with it professionally for six or seven. Despite this, I never got certified anywhere. Instead, I invested significant time and resources into multiple trainings, workshops, and seminars with many of the great living teachers: Father Richard Rohr, Marion Gilbert, Russ Hudson, Helen Palmer, Michael Goldberg, David Daniels, Sandra Maitri, Beatrice Chestnut, and many others.

In these advanced trainings, I learned just how challenging, and often confusing, certifications could be. I also learned how fussy and grumpy the professional community had been with each other over the years. This was well documented in Michael J. Goldberg’s “Inside the Enneagram Wars,” published in a 1993 issue of LA Weekly, where he candidly and objectively chronicled the vibrant and often contentious debates within the Enneagram community about its development and dissemination. I also encountered this while reading through the extensive archive of Enneagram Monthly, where many of the letters to the editor during its first decade were scorching attacks or impassioned defenses of various teachers’ and authors’ work. At least some of these disputes played out in the public eye, but it was still rather shocking to read these letters, many from authors and teachers I deeply respect.

After exposure to some of these territorial spats and then hearing first hand from some of my teachers about the murky waters of the early days, I used to joke that the easiest way to prove the Enneagram was wrong was to watch how some prominent leaders in the community treated each other.

Thankfully much has changed from those blistering days of spats and squabbles that ran from the 1980s through the 2010s, where there was a lot of proprietary posturing and fights over language and intellectual property. But back then, there were basically two main schools of thought—sort of the “Catholics and Protestants” of the Enneagram world: The Narrative Tradition and the Enneagram Institute. I heard stories from fellow students about a time when one school wouldn’t let you train with them if you had studied with their competitor, back then there wasn’t much collaboration or cooperation.

From Sectarianism to Professionalism

Over time, much of that infighting and posturing seemed to subside. Both the International Enneagram Association and the Enneagram Monthly played a unique and vital role in this process by bringing teachers and students from different camps together, often for the first time, at its gatherings and within its pages. The Enneagram Monthly featured articles, interviews, and letters from a broad spectrum of voices which helped dissolve some of the old hostilities. Over time the community could see not just the differences but also the commonalities between approaches.

People gradually found ways to support each other’s work, moving away from sectarian divides and toward a more collegial professional community. The language shifted from “Catholics and Protestants” to the “Harvard and Yale” of the Enneagram world. Still however, the perception was (at least back then) that there were really just two viable options to certify if you wanted to be taken seriously in this space.

Aware of some of this history when I started my own professional trainings, I determined early on that I wanted to learn from everyone that I could and harmonize the various traditions within this growing community. Even when I launched my podcast series Enneagram Mapmakers, where I interviewed a dozen of my own teachers and mentors, a few of them quietly admitted they might have hesitated to appear alongside certain others because of past professional disagreements, some involving concerns about intellectual property, others about more personal issues and concerns.

When My Publisher Asked About Accreditation

As my book’s publication approached, my publisher asked whether I could list any accreditation or certification in my author bio. A part of me resisted. Long before I published, I had consulted my mentor and first Enneagram teacher Father Richard Rohr about certification. He wondered aloud that if I was going to charge people for Enneagram services, then it might make sense to have some professional affiliation behind my name. But he wasn’t insistent. It reminded me why I didn’t pursue ordination years earlier, even though I was deeply involved in religious international humanitarian work. Ordination would have opened many professional doors, but I resisted. Eventually, I did get ordained but only so that I could perform funerals for children who died of HIV and AIDS in India, where I lived and worked in a home for kids impacted by the global AIDS pandemic. Thankfully that ordination later allowed me to perform dozens of weddings for friends, non-religious people, and spiritual seekers who didn’t have a faith community to trust with their liturgy.

But to appease my publisher, and to see whether my various trainings qualified me for certification, I called the Enneagram Institute to ask about their process. I spoke to a kind woman on their admin team who patiently explained their requirements. The energetic, impulsive part of me plotted: “Great! I’ve got a trip to Asia maybe I can pick up one of your trainings in Japan, then bounce up to New York and knock out the rest.” She gently let me know that, realistically, that was probably not possible. Eventually, I realized I was being ridiculous myself and that my impulsiveness wasn’t the right posture to bring into the process.

The Realities of Enneagram Certification

Over time, I learned that certification through the major schools typically required at least two to three years, and often closer to four or five years based on course offerings and teacher’s availability, and the costs might range between $11,000 and $15,000. Of course that’s comparable to some professional graduate degrees, and well worth it if you know how to put the Enneagram to work. However, the challenge is that even with that significant time and financial investment, you’re not trained or certified toward a specific professional outcome. Instead, you receive more of a “liberal arts” education in the basics and fundamentals of the Enneagram.

Think of it this way: you can get a general studies degree, but that doesn’t qualify you for a specific profession the way an engineering degree from the Colorado School of Mines or a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology might.

Further, in most cases, the school certifying you is often closely tied to one or two teachers, so it’s not really a school verifying your understanding of the teaching. Instead, it’s more like proving you understand a specific teacher’s take on the Enneagram.

In full transparency, I offer an online video curriculum that awards a certificate of completion to those who finish the course, participate in integration sessions, and engage with a thorough bibliography of required reading. It’s important to note that I’m not in the business of certifying anyone to teach or practice professionally; rather, the certificate simply recognizes those who’ve put in the time and effort to integrate the material into their own journey and explore its practical applications in their lives.

When People Ask Me: “Should I Get Certified?”

All of this to affirm, I truly believe the Enneagram community has an incredible opportunity to work together, the students, teachers, and schools alike, to elevate the quality of learning and deepen the conversations we’re having about this profound tool. We’re all life-long students, and when we approach the material and each other with curiosity, generosity, and a willingness to share, we create a vibrant environment that supports genuine growth. I’m hopeful that by pooling our strengths and honoring our diverse experiences, we can build something even more meaningful than any single program or certificate could ever offer.

That’s why, when someone asks me about getting certified in the Enneagram, I usually respond with a question: Certified for what? Are you working in a field that requires certification like mental health, human resources, education, business, interpersonal relationships, somatic work, spiritual direction, or leadership development?

Because here’s the challenge: most existing certifications are vague and ambiguous about what you’re actually being certified for. Even in the majority of my own trainings, I was taught very few practical applications. For example, in all my advanced trainings, there was little to no instruction on how to actually develop the content and/or teach a workshop, or how facilitate a one-on-one session, which are some of the most basic skills essential for applying the Enneagram professionally.

Another issue is that most certification programs aren’t comprehensive in their relationship to the larger field. To get trained and certified by most of the more prominent schools, you often only need to read that particular teacher’s works without being required to read broadly across the Enneagram landscape. Frankly, that’s something you’d never experience in any other professional accreditation process or curriculum.

The Evolving Landscape

Thankfully, over time this has changed albeit slowly. A handful of certification programs now recognize the need for broader perspectives and specific uses, but most still barely scratch the surface of the diverse range of applications the Enneagram can offer. Meanwhile, scores of new teachers, schools, and programs have popped up everywhere, unfortunately, many of them not taken seriously by the professional community (often for good reason).

Yes, a handful of notable certifications do exist, but these are often still closely aligned with a specific teacher. These types of certifications often just borrows credibility from the teacher’s reputation, rather than offering a profession-specific certification that’s recognized in fields like education, mental health, or organizational development.

My Own Path: Choosing the IEA

Personally, I evaluated several certification programs and spoke with most of my teachers about these concerns. Ultimately, I decided to apply for accreditation through the International Enneagram Association.

Back then, when my application was approved, there were fewer than 200 IEA Accredited Professionals worldwide. The IEA accreditation process appeared rigorous and credible, offering a sense of accountability that had often been missing in earlier years. It included not only required training hours but also a substantial component of application hours, ensuring that teachers were not just well-versed in theory but also practiced in real-world teaching.

The IEA was also widely respected across the board: by the establishment within the Enneagram community, by the best-selling authors and the most prominent teachers, as well as by the countless unsung, often anonymous individuals quietly doing the vital work of bringing the Enneagram to the world.

I liked that and so I chose that route because I didn’t want to be “ordained Baptist or Presbyterian.” I didn’t want to be “claimed” by any of the teachers or schools. I wasn’t going to be forced to pick sides. I wanted to be a more non-denominational practitioner, harmonizing and integrating the best from all the teachers and schools I had studied with.

Today, in my one-on-one coaching with people who want to use the Enneagram professionally in their companies, communities, congregations, and on their campuses, I often encourage them to consider the IEA because it is recognized by the professional community and places a strong emphasis on actually putting the Enneagram to work. And it turns out fifteen of my one-on-one clients have gone on to become IEA Accredited Professionals, and many of them are doing great work to this day.

Personally, I had served on the IEA board of directors and do believe in the important work they are doing, although this isn’t necessarily an endorsement of the IEA, it is obvious they hold an important place in the larger community. It currently serves as the only organizing body within the professional Enneagram space that brings together different voices and traditions, validates their contributions to the larger community, and creates accountability for members while establishing expectations for best practices for accredited professionals.

A Young Tradition Still Finding Its Way

Since the Enneagram is still a relatively young tradition, there’s no formal graduate degree or equivalent. It’s helpful to think of Enneagram certifications as being more like a spiritual direction certification except with less focus, less practicality, and no universally accepted best practices.

A Practical Roadmap for Certification (and Beyond)

So back to the question at hand, here’s what I recommend if you’re considering Enneagram certification:

• Clarify your goals: Are you seeking certification for credibility, continuing education, or professional application?

• Understand the time and financial investment: Many programs require years of study and substantial costs.

• Ask about outcomes: Does the program teach you how to apply the Enneagram in real-world settings?

• Research the curriculum: Will you learn from multiple voices and traditions, or just one teacher’s perspective?

• Be wary of quick fixes: Avoid jumping into the cheapest or fastest certification programs; many lack depth, rigor, and the credibility to truly support your professional development.

• Seek mentors: Connect with practitioners you respect. Ask them about their certification experiences and for practical advice.

• Consider the IEA: Even if it’s not perfect, it’s currently the only existing body that currently sets professional standards in the Enneagram community.

Reimagining What Certification Can and Should Be

Look, the Enneagram is a profound tool for self-discovery and transformation, but the current landscape of certifications often falls short of helping practitioners truly apply its wisdom in real-world settings.

Too many programs are still more about aligning with a particular teacher’s take than equipping people with the skills they need to serve their communities, workplaces, and spiritual circles. While certification can bring a sense of belonging and a certain level of credibility, it often fails to provide the kind of practical, integrative training that allows people to bring the Enneagram’s insights to life.

Certification can provide structure and community, but it doesn’t always translate into practical skills. If you’re drawn to the Enneagram as a tool for transformation and want to incorporate it into your vocation, then by all means pursue training. Just make sure that the certification you choose actually helps you do the work you feel called to do.

This is why we need more robust, innovative, and holistic certification options, ones that emphasize cross-pollination between traditions, practical application, and accountability for best practices. The Enneagram community deserves better: training programs that honor the diversity of its roots, foster real-world skills, and empower practitioners to facilitate transformation with integrity and depth.

May we continue to challenge ourselves and the institutions that certify us to rise to that calling.