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Thinking of getting a tarot reading certification? Discover if it’s worth it, how top courses compare, and whether you really need certification to become a professional tarot reader.
Introduction: Do You Really Need a Tarot Certification?
If you’ve been studying tarot for a while—maybe doing readings for yourself, friends, or even clients—you may have wondered: Do I need a tarot reading certification to be a professional tarot reader?
With so many online tarot courses promising certification, it’s easy to wonder whether a credential will help you stand out in a competitive field. Will it get you more clients? Does it actually improve your tarot reading skills? Or is it just another online course that won’t make a real difference in your practice?
In this guide, we’ll dive deep into whether a tarot reading certification is worth it, review the best options for online tarot certification, and explore whether you actually need one to be a successful tarot reader.
What Is a Tarot Reading Certification?
A tarot certification course is an online program that teaches tarot reading fundamentals—card meanings, spreads, ethics—and provides a certificate upon completion. Many programs also offer business guidance for those wanting to start a tarot reading business.
While there is no standardized accreditation for tarot readers, certification can give structure to your learning and add credibility when working with new clients. However, since tarot is an intuitive practice, many experienced readers argue that practice and accuracy matter more than formal credentials.
Common Features of Tarot Certification Courses
- Common tarot spreads and their meanings
- The ethics of professional tarot readings
- How to develop intuition and interpret cards accurately
- Practice exercises with mentorship or feedback
- Guidance on launching and marketing a tarot reading business
Some courses offer a supportive community, live feedback, and mentorship, while others simply give a certificate after you complete video lessons and quizzes.
Pros and Cons of Online Tarot Certification
✅ Pros:
- Structured Learning – A step-by-step program helps beginners gain confidence and clarity.
- Credibility for New Readers – A certification can help establish trust with first-time clients.
- – Some programs offer student communities, expert feedback, or live practice.
- Business Training – Learn how to turn tarot into a paid service.
❌ Cons:
- No Universal Accreditation – Unlike coaching or psychology, tarot has no official certifying body.
- Cost Can Be High – Some certifications cost hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars.
- Skill Matters More Than Certification – Clients care more about accuracy and connection than a credential.
- Free Resources Exist – Many tarot readers learn effectively using books, YouTube, and practice.
💡 Bottom Line: Certification can help structure your learning and add credibility, but it isn’t required to become a great tarot reader.
The Best Online Tarot Certification Courses Compared
If you’re considering enrolling in a tarot certification program, choosing the right course matters. Here’s how some popular programs stack up:
1. Udemy Tarot Reading Certification
- Best For: Beginners wanting an affordable introduction to tarot.
- Features: Video lectures, exercises, quizzes, and a certificate of completion.
- Price: $15 to $100 (often on sale).
- Pros: Affordable, lifetime access, self-paced.
- Cons: No live mentoring or personalized feedback.
- Verdict: A budget-friendly way to get started, but lacks hands-on practice or community support.
2. Biddy Tarot Certification
- Best For: Those wanting structured learning with mentorship.
- Features: Detailed coursework, live Q&A calls, practice readings, feedback, community access.
- Price: Around $500–$2000.
- Pros: Well-structured, great for those who want a professional approach.
- Cons: Expensive, may be unnecessary for experienced readers.
- Verdict: A solid step-by-step program, but pricey compared to other options.
3. The Tarot Certification Board of America
- Best For: Readers who want an ‘official’ credential.
- Features: Rigorous coursework, exams, and different certification levels.
- Price: Varies by level.
- Pros: Recognized within the tarot industry.
- Cons: Not widely known outside the tarot community.
- Verdict: Useful for professional credibility, but may not significantly impact client business.
💡 Pro Tip: If your goal is to read tarot professionally, a well-structured training program can be valuable. But self-study, mentorship, and practice are often just as effective.
Do Clients Really Care About Certification?
Many experienced readers say clients care more about accuracy than credentials. A tarot certification may be impressive on a website, but when clients book a reading, they want:
- Accurate insights that resonate with their situation.
- Good intuition & interpretation skills.
- A trustworthy and ethical reader.
Will a certification help with these skills? Perhaps—but only if the course includes real practice, feedback, and deep study, not just a printed certificate.
✅ What matters most? Practice, intuition, and experience. Certifications can be helpful, but they are not mandatory for success.
Free & Low-Cost Alternatives to Certification
If you’re not ready to invest in certification, you can still build a solid tarot practice with these resources:
📖 Best Tarot Books for Self-Study
- The Ultimate Guide to Tarot by Liz Dean
- Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack
- The Tarot Guidebook by Brigit Esselmont
🎥 Free YouTube Tarot Lessons
- Biddy Tarot Channel
- Ethony Dawn’s Tarot Lessons
- Lisa Papez “Supportive Tarot”
🃏 Practice & Free Resources
- Free tarot reading websites for practice
- Tarot apps like Labyrinthos
- Joining tarot forums & online communities
💡 The best way to improve as a tarot reader is practice. If you’re serious about tarot, start reading for friends, journaling, and learning every day.
Final Verdict: Should You Get a Tarot Certification?
Whether you choose to certify or self-study, the key to success is practice, intuition, and experience.
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