ATS Membership

Why Join ATS

The Value of ATS Membership

Membership of American TEFL Standards connects TEFL providers, trainers and academic institutions with the professional standards body committed to quality in English language teacher education. ATS membership signals that your organization or practice aligns with internationally benchmarked quality principles.

Membership is open to TEFL training providers, TESOL educators, language schools, universities with TEFL programs and international ELT organizations. It is a first step toward full accreditation and a permanent demonstration of your commitment to professional quality.

ATS membership is separate from accreditation. Members are recognized for their alignment with ATS values and quality principles, while accreditation involves a full independent review of quality compliance.

Three membership pathways

I Institutional Membership — For providers & schools T Trainer Membership — For individual educators P Global Partner — For ELT networks & associations

Membership Options

Choose Your Membership Type

Institutional Membership

For TEFL providers, language schools & universities

ATS Institutional Member digital badge and seal
Directory listing on the ATS public registry
Access to ATS Standards Framework guidance and updates
Standards alignment consultation (1 session per year)
Priority access to accreditation application windows
15% discount on accreditation application fees
CPD resource library and professional publications access
Quarterly member communications and industry updates
Participation in ATS standards consultation rounds

Annual Membership

Annual renewal. Pricing based on provider size. Contact ATS for a quote.

Enquire About Institutional Membership

Trainer Membership

For TEFL & TESOL trainers and teacher educators

ATS Trainer Member digital badge and credential
Individual listing in the ATS Trainer Directory
CPD recognition and digital certificate of professional standing
Access to ATS professional development resources
Members-only newsletter and TEFL industry insights
Participation in ATS working groups and consultations
Discounted access to ATS events and webinars
Professional profile on the ATS website directory
Peer networking within the ATS professional community

Annual Membership

Annual renewal. Open to qualified TEFL and TESOL trainers worldwide.

Apply for Trainer Membership

Global Partner Program

For ELT networks, associations & international organizations

ATS Global Partner recognition and co-branding rights
Collaborative participation in standards development
Joint quality awareness initiatives and publications
Partner listing with profile on the ATS website
Access to ATS research outputs and position papers
Reciprocal professional recognition arrangements
Involvement in ATS advisory consultation processes
Shared membership communications
Strategic alignment with ATS quality mission

Annual Partnership

Annual partnership agreement. Open to recognized international ELT organizations.

Enquire About Partnership

Compare Benefits

Membership Benefits Comparison

Benefit	Trainer	Institutional	Global Partner
Digital member badge	✓	✓	✓
Directory / registry listing	✓	✓	✓
Standards framework access	✓	✓	✓
CPD recognition	✓	—	—
Trainer directory profile	✓	—	—
Professional publications	✓	✓	✓
Working group participation	✓	✓	✓
Standards consultation input	✓	✓	✓
Accreditation fee discount (15%)	—	✓	—
Standards alignment consultation	—	✓	—
Co-branding rights	—	—	✓
Joint quality initiatives	—	—	✓
Research access	✓	✓	✓
Quarterly member newsletter	✓	✓	✓

Professional Development

CPD Recognition & Professional Development

American TEFL Standards recognizes Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities for TEFL trainers and educators. ATS CPD validation confirms that a training activity or professional event aligns with recognized quality principles in English language teacher education.

CPD validation is available for training programs, workshops, seminars, webinars and professional events submitted by ATS members. Validated activities carry the ATS CPD recognition mark.

CPD activities that may qualify:

TEFL or TESOL trainer development workshops
Curriculum design and assessment seminars
Online and blended learning training
Classroom management and methodology events
Leadership and management programs for TEFL schools

How CPD validation works

1 Submit a CPD activity form with full program details
2 ATS reviews the activity against CPD quality criteria
3 Approved activities receive ATS CPD validation
4 Activity listed in the ATS CPD-validated resources
5 Participants may reference ATS CPD validation status

ATS CPD validation is available to ATS members. Contact us to submit a CPD activity for review.

Get Started

How to Join American TEFL Standards

Joining ATS is a straightforward process. Here is what to expect.

1

Review Criteria

Confirm you meet the eligibility requirements for your chosen membership type.

2

Submit Application

Complete the ATS membership application form with your organizational or professional details.

3

Verification Review

ATS verifies your application within 5–10 working days. Additional information may be requested.

4

Welcome & Activation

Receive your welcome pack, digital badge, directory listing and access to member resources.

Common Questions

Membership FAQ

Is ATS membership the same as accreditation?

No. Membership recognizes your alignment with ATS values and quality principles. Accreditation involves a full independent review of your courses, trainers and systems against the ATS Standards Framework. Membership is a first step and preparation toward accreditation for many providers.

How long does membership last?

All ATS memberships are annual and must be renewed each year. Renewal requires confirmation of continued eligibility and payment of the annual membership fee.

Can I upgrade from membership to accreditation?

Yes. ATS members receive a 15% discount on accreditation application fees and priority access to accreditation windows. Membership is designed as a natural pathway toward full accreditation.

What is the difference between Trainer and Institutional membership?

Trainer membership is for individual TEFL and TESOL educators, trainers and teacher educators. Institutional membership is for organizations — training providers, language schools, universities or online platforms. Each carries distinct benefits suited to its context.

Is ATS membership open to providers outside the United States?

Yes. ATS membership is open to TEFL and TESOL providers and educators worldwide. Our standards are designed to be internationally applicable, and our registry includes members from multiple countries.

What happens if I do not renew my membership?

Non-renewed memberships lapse at the end of the membership year. The digital badge and directory listing are removed. Members can reapply at any time.