Merit Program for Instructors
The Merit Program for Instructors (MPI) gives American Mah Jongg instructors a structured way to test their knowledge of the game and, by meeting passing scores, earn a microcredential—a recognized form of digital certification that demonstrates mastery of mah jongg knowledge and skills.
This program was created to fill a clear gap in the Mah Jongg community. While the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) publishes the official annual card and rules, it does not provide training, certification, or instructor support. At the same time, some venues require instructors to show certification to teach, and many instructors want the opportunity to challenge themselves and validate their skills.
The Merit Program for Instructors does not claim “official” authority—there is no governing body that certifies Mah Jongg teachers. Instead, it offers a voluntary, competency-based path that celebrates experience rather than replacing it. Through assignments, scenario-based exams, and digital microcredentials, instructors can demonstrate their command of NMJL rules and teaching practices while being recognized for their commitment to excellence.
In short, the Merit Program for Instructors isn’t about who can teach—it’s about giving those who want to document their expertise* a clear, professional way to do so—with confidence, credibility, and pride.
Some of the critical benefits include:
- Verified knowledge
- Heightened confidence
- Enhanced marketability
- Improved credibility
- Increased earning power
Certification Eligibility and Maintenance Policy
Members of the Mahj Life Instructor Guild can earn certifications by completing assignments and exams through the Merit Program for Instructors. These certifications remain valid for current Guild members because the program is an exclusive benefit of membership.
Ongoing membership ensures that certified instructors continue to have access to the resources, updates, and professional development opportunities that keep their knowledge of the game accurate and current. This structure upholds the integrity of the Merit Program and supports each instructor’s continued growth and credibility.
Assessment and Awards
Mahj Life Instructor Guild members can choose to participate in the Merit Program for Instructors ($97 per trek), a self-paced, competency-based framework designed to help you learn, apply, and prove your knowledge. Each trek includes open-book exams and hands-on assignments intentionally structured to support real-world learning, especially for adults returning to study. The focus is not memorization but building confidence, understanding, and practical application.
For example, in the American Mah Jongg (AMJ) Quest Rules Trek, candidates study independently and may attend an optional virtual Q&A session. The exam presents real-game scenarios based on National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) rules, and candidates must select the correct response from a list of possible answers. A passing score of 80% or higher earns a microbadge and a digital Certificate of Competency, a recognized form of digital certification that signifies true proficiency, not just completion.
These assets can be used if instructors need proof of their skills and knowledge. For example, some community centers require that instructors have proof of their skills and knowledge to give lessons. Community center management can verify the microcredential by checking the instructor’s profile on the Mahj Life Instructor Guild directory.
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Microcredential Renewal
The microcredential will be maintained by the instructor who participates as a member of the Mahj Life Instructor Guild and shows proof of purchase of the current edition of Mah Jongg Made Easy, the official guidebook published by the National Mah Jongg League.
Program Fees
Program fees help cover the costs of workshops and microcredential systems.
- Trek fees are $97 each
The American Mah Jongg Quest microcredential includes the following treks:
- Rules Trek based on National Mah Jongg League rules
- Strategy Trek based on National Mah Jongg League rules
- Sportsmanship Trek
Here’s what you get:
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- Monthly Q&A sessions; no limit
- Readiness multiple-choice quiz
- Official multiple-choice exam
- Microcredentials (digital, if qualified)
- Microbadge PNG
- 5 x 7 microbadge with QR Code
- 5 x 7 Certificate of Competency PDF Color
- 8 x 11 Certificate of Competency PDF Color
- 8 x 11 Certificate of Competency PDF Greyscale
Prerequisites:
- A participant must be a current member of the Mahj Life Instructor Guild
- A participant must sign the Mahj Life Merit Program for Instructors Microcredential Confidentiality and Usage Agreement
- A participant must have proof of purchase of the current version of Mah Jongg Made Easy, the official guidebook published by the National Mah Jongg League
Frequently Asked Questions
A microcredential is a recognized form of competency-based digital certification. Individuals enroll in classes, workshops, or programs to learn and prove their skills, knowledge, and experience. Participation is voluntary, and program content aligns with community needs.
For example, the Mahj Life AMJ Quest Rules Trek requires candidates to attend a workshop and take an exam on the NMJL rules to ensure they have a comprehensive knowledge of the game. If their score is 80% or better, they earn micro-credentials.
Many microcredentials are offered free of charge, while some have a small fee. The Mahj Life Merit Program for Instructors will charge $97 to cover the testing system and workshop costs.
Microcredentials, certificates, and certifications are all types of assets (digital or tangible) that demonstrate competency. Each provides proof of the skills typically learned in a course before an assessment to earn the credential.
Microcredentials provide a competency-based learning and testing opportunity for individuals who want to gain credibility quickly through testing their knowledge of the NMJL rules.
Microcredentials allow instructors to meet independent contractor requirements to provide lessons at some venues.
Microcredentials are an option for instructors at any phase of their career journey to show potential students that they are qualified to teach and can deliver comprehensive lessons.
A microcredential is a class, workshop, or program that individuals can enroll in to prove their knowledge by taking assessments. A microbadge is a visual representation of skills, knowledge, or abilities. Microbadges can stand alone or be stacked into microcredential pathways, adding significant value to a microcredential.
A quest is a high-level microbadge with a group of treks (i.e. journeys). The treks have been given a name directly related to a specific skill. If a candidate completes the treks and earns all the microbadges for a given quest, they are awarded a microbadge which signifies mastery.
The Mahj Life Merit Program will launch with the AMJ Quest Rules Trek microbadge. As the program develops, additional quests will be added.
The NMJL has a limited scope of operations. Its services only focus on charitable giving and providing its members with game materials (e.g., annual cards, bulletins, and the Mah Jongg Made Easy guidebook). It has chosen not to offer any other services to the community. Hence, Michele Frizzell created the Mahj Life Instructor Guild and Merit Program for Instructors. These are independent services designed to help meet the needs of American Mah Jongg instructors.
Michele is the sole proprietor of Mahj Life, which was launched in October 2022. She has been playing mah jongg since 1973 and has been an instructor since 1990. She is a YouTube Creator, author, and speaker focused on sharing about mah jongg. Her mission is to provide content, products, and services that educate and entertain players and instructors.
Participating in the merit program is an elective offered to Mahj Life Instructor Guild members. Participants have access to the digital library, which includes actionable tools for running a lesson business and curated resources to shorten due diligence. They can also attend monthly meetings for ongoing training and peer support.
The Mahj Life Instructor Guild and Merit Program are independent services designed to meet the needs of the mah jongg community.
The Mahj Life Instructor Guild is a professional community that educates and inspires instructors to provide engaging lessons that result in knowledgeable players. By learning from educational videos, utilizing assets in the digital library, and participating in peer-to-peer activities, instructors can build their confidence and, thus, their business.
Details about the program and enrollment are on the Instructor Guild Membership page.
The guild’s purpose is to provide peer support, tools, resources, and ongoing training to its members so that they can offer high-quality services to the mah jongg community. Members who participate in meetings and use content in the digital library have increased potential for improvement and innovation. They also learn about game trends and rule changes from guild leaders who have expert experience and knowledge and are mah jongg community leaders who keep abreast of the game. These opportunities optimize continued qualification for members who have earned microcredentials.
Details about the program and enrollment are on the Instructor Guild Membership page.