It is difficult to describe the methods to become an imam. The term imam means several different things to the different Islamic sects. So, for example, anyone who leads prayers at a prayer service is temporarily an imam. To become an imam in this sense one may merely need to be an adult male.

The term imam is also given to some heads of Arabic states. So for example, the Shiite Islamic sect considers Ayatollah Khomeini an imam. The term imam can mean simply leader and can be more a title of honor than a job for which one prepares.

Some Islamic congregations do hire an imam to work in much the same function as a parish priest or rabbi. He may help guide the congregation, but often the job of discussing the Qur’an is left up to a Sheikh.

There are very rare groups of both Sunni and Shiite might accept a female imam. Like Christianity, there is some debate as to whether the traditional prohibition against female leaders is based on historical patriarchy and sexism, and not on the spirit of the faith. Though very exceptional, in some places it's possible for a woman to be accepted as an imam; she must have significant study in the Qur’an, be virtuous, and may have to stand behind the men to lead prayer, as is often the custom in mosques. More regularly, a woman may become an imam and prayer leader only for groups of women, or only for her family.

This subject of who can become an imam is still under debate since the Qur’an does not explicitly express that a women cannot become an imam. In fact, one of the wives of Muhammad is said to have led the women in prayer.

In 2005, Turkey became one of the first countries to welcome women who wished to become an imam. The country is currently educating over 100 women who wish to become an imam, or a vaize, a preacher.

In general however, the imam as leader of a community still tends to be male, and is usually better accepted when male. Often the imam will have an advanced education, and will be very knowledgeable about Sharia, the Islamic law set down in the Qur’an and further writings. This helps the imam who works in a pastoral capacity to counsel members of the mosque.

Sometimes those who study Sharia are called clerics by the western world. In general, those versed in Sharia are actually more accurately termed an imam. For those wishing to become an imam, the best course of action may be to consult an imam from one’s sect of Islam. They will be most familiar with the topic and will help one learn the specific requirements for study within that sect.