Nine Realms Institute
Scope &
Certification
What our certifications actually mean, what they don’t, and how to work ethically within your own laws and context.
What certification from the Nine Realms Institute is
Competence within
this body of work.
When you complete relevant Realms and trainings inside the Nine Realms Institute (including Sanomentology), you receive certification specific to that Realm or modality.
- You have studied and engaged with the specific system — Nine Realms, Sanomentology, Potentiality Realm, etc.
- You have demonstrated a sufficient level of understanding and competence within that system
- You are authorised to use the processes and methods you have been trained in, under the banners and language provided (e.g. “Sanomentologist”, “Nine Realms Practitioner”)
- You belong to a lineage of practice that shares a common model and ethical frame
- You are a licensed therapist, psychologist, counsellor, doctor or any regulated title
- You may legally practise anything, anywhere, under any title
- You have a blank cheque to use clinical or regulated language
- You are exempt from local laws and professional regulations
Our certifications say: “You are competent in this system.” They do not say: “You may legally do anything, anywhere, with anyone.” That difference matters — ethically and legally.
Scope by Realm
Personal mastery vs
practitioner application.
Different Realms carry different certifications. Some are primarily for your own depth — others certify you to practise specific methods with clients.
Realms 1–4
Realm 9
These Realms provide certification of completion and competence within the educational content. They deepen your personal understanding and skill, and inform how you show up as a practitioner. They are not, on their own, a licence to practise regulated therapy in any jurisdiction.
Realms 5–8
These Realms include direct practitioner application with clients. Certification affirms your competence to use the processes and structures taught with clients, and allows you — where legally permitted — to practise under relevant banners (e.g. “Sanomentologist”, “Nine Realms Practitioner”). You are still responsible for remaining within your lawful scope of practice.
Sanomentology as a Defined Modality
A distinct, trademarked
practice and training pathway.
Sanomentology is a distinct, defined and trademarked process with its own training pathway, practitioner standards and certification. Practitioners trained and certified in Sanomentology are authorised to use and advertise their work under the Sanomentology banner, subject to local advertising and professional guidelines.
In many regions — including for practitioners in the US and elsewhere — business insurers are familiar with Sanomentology and willing to offer practice insurance for those trained within the brand. Insurance availability varies by country, state and provider. We can often provide supporting information about the modality if needed, but cannot guarantee coverage.
We give you a serious modality. Your local context decides how it is classified.
Working Within Your Legal Context
Laws vary enormously.
You are responsible for yours.
Laws around mental health, hypnotherapy, coaching, energy work and spiritual practices vary enormously between countries — and inside the US, between states. In some places hypnotherapy is regulated and restricted to licensed professionals. In others, modalities like Sanomentology, coaching, spiritual guidance and energy work can be practised under their own labels within clear ethical and legal limits.
Our stance is simple: you must know and follow the laws where you live and work. You must be honest about what you do and what you don’t do. You must not present yourself as something you are not.
We are not your legal counsel.
We provide:
- A rigorous system and modality
- Documentation about what we teach
- Clarity on scope and ethics
- Supporting information for insurers where needed
You provide:
- Local legal checks in your jurisdiction
- Honest representation of your role
- Responsibility for how and where you practise
- Appropriate referral when cases require licensed care
Ethics, Safety & the Nine Realms
The deeper the model,
the more responsibility you hold.
Practitioners trained in the Nine Realms and Sanomentology are expected to:
- Honour client autonomy and informed consent at all times
- Work within their competence and refer out when a case is beyond their depth
- Avoid making medical, legal or financial claims outside their remit
- Avoid promising guaranteed outcomes or miracle cures
- Maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality
- Represent their training honestly — including what it does and doesn’t qualify them to do
If you are drawn to this work, it is usually because you already care about these things. Our job is to give you a system worthy of that level of care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions,
answered honestly.
If you have read this far
You are exactly the kind of person this work is built for.
Someone who cares about depth and responsibility. When you’re ready to step into the Nine Realms, here are your best next moves.
Not sure where you fit yet? Send Martin a message — he’ll help you decide honestly.