AMI Certification (Association Montessori Internationale)

2 min read Updated November 2026

Black-and-white portrait photograph of Maria Montessori, founder of the method
Maria Montessori (1870-1952). Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Association Montessori Internationale, the training organization Maria Montessori founded

About AMI

Maria Montessori founded the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) in 1929 with her son Mario, to protect and pass on her approach. Today AMI is based in Amsterdam. It runs teacher training at every level from birth to 18 and works with affiliated societies in many countries, such as AMI/USA in the United States.

Core Mission

  • Uphold Montessori principles
  • Maintain training standards
  • Guide teacher education
  • Support research

Global Presence

  • International headquarters in Amsterdam
  • Training centers in many countries
  • Affiliated national societies

Training Programs

AMI training ends in an AMI diploma for one age level. Courses run over one academic year, over several summers, or in study modules, and each one includes observation and teaching practice (AMI).

Tip. Use the course search on AMI’s training page to find a center by level, language and location.

Assistants to Infancy (0 to 3)

Course Components

AMI describes the course as the study of Montessori pedagogy alongside medical and psychological approaches to child development. At one London center, for example, topics include prenatal development and birth, nutrition and health, and the development of movement and language (Maria Montessori Institute).

Primary (3 to 6)

Course Components

  • Montessori philosophy
  • Child development
  • Practical life & sensorial
  • Language & mathematics

Elementary (6 to 12)

Course Components

  • Cosmic education
  • Advanced materials
  • Cultural subjects
  • Research methods

Adolescent (12 to 18)

AMI ran the first components of its 12 to 18 diploma in Ohio and Sweden in 2020 (AMI). Shorter orientation courses for this age level are also offered.

Certification Requirements

Academic Requirements

  • Written examinations
  • Oral examinations
  • Albums (the student’s own manuals of every presentation)
  • Observation reports
  • Teaching practice reports

AMI appoints the examiners for its diploma exams.

Good to Know. Each training center sets its own entry requirements and fees, so check those directly with the center.

Practical Requirements

  • Observation hours
  • Practice teaching
  • Material making
  • Supervised practice with the materials

Professional Development

Continuing Education

Opportunities

  • Refresher courses
  • Workshops and seminars
  • International congresses
  • Research participation

Resources

  • AMI publications
  • Online resources
  • Professional network
  • Research archives

Find Montessori Schools Near You

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