Top 10 Wellness Coach Certifications

Certifications are important for a wellness coach in the job market because they demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the field. Certifications provide proof that a coach has met certain standards of education and training, which can give potential employers confidence in their skills. Additionally, certifications can help a coach stand out from other applicants and may make them more attractive to employers who are looking for qualified professionals. Finally, having certifications can open up new opportunities for coaches, as many employers prefer to hire certified coaches over those without any formal credentials.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Wellness Coaches and explain how they can enhance a Wellness Coach's career.

What are Wellness Coach Certifications?

Wellness coach certification is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have met the standards and qualifications to become an effective wellness coach. A wellness coach assists clients in developing and maintaining healthy behaviors and lifestyle changes that promote overall physical, mental, and emotional health. Wellness coaches can help clients identify their goals, create action plans to reach those goals, provide accountability, and develop strategies to stay motivated.

By becoming certified as a wellness coach, professionals demonstrate their commitment to providing quality services that meet the highest industry standards. With this certification, professionals gain credibility with potential clients as well as employers who are looking for qualified candidates with specialized knowledge in the field of health promotion and behavior change. Additionally, this certification provides valuable industry-specific education on topics such as nutrition, exercise science, stress management, communication skills, and more.

Overall, wellness coach certification can be beneficial for professionals in the healthcare industry by helping them gain recognition from clients and employers alike while also increasing their knowledge of the field of health promotion.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the different types of wellness coach certification available and select one that is best aligned with your goals. Consider the level of education, experience, and any other requirements associated with the certification before committing to a program. Additionally, look into the organization offering the certification to ensure they have a good reputation in the industry.

Related: What does a Wellness Coach do?

Top 10 Wellness Coach Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Wellness Coachs today.

1. International Coaching Federation (ICF) Certified Wellness Coach

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) Certified Wellness Coach is a professional certification program that provides coaches with the knowledge and skills to help individuals and organizations create healthier lifestyles. The ICF Certified Wellness Coach program focuses on the whole person, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

It typically takes between 9-12 months to complete the ICF Certified Wellness Coach program. This includes completing an online course of study, passing an exam, and participating in a supervised coaching practice. The cost of the certification varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $2,500-$4,000 USD.

To get certified as an ICF Certified Wellness Coach you will need to complete the following steps:

1. Complete an approved ICF Certified Wellness Coach training program or equivalent

2. Pass a written assessment

3. Participate in a supervised coaching practice

4. Submit your application for review by the ICF Certification Committee

5. Receive your certification once approved by the ICF Certification Committee

6. Maintain your certification through continuing education credits

7. Renew your certification every three years

2. American Council on Exercise (ACE) Certified Health & Wellness Coach

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) Certified Health & Wellness Coach is a professional credential that recognizes health and wellness professionals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide evidence-based health and wellness coaching services. The ACE Health & Wellness Coach Certification Program is designed to equip health and wellness professionals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to help clients make meaningful behavior changes that will lead to improved health outcomes.

It typically takes about six months to complete the ACE Health & Wellness Coach Certification Program. The program consists of two parts: an online course (which includes a comprehensive exam) and an in-person practicum. The online course covers topics such as motivational interviewing, goal setting, nutrition basics, physical activity basics, behavior change theories, lifestyle management strategies, and professional development. The in-person practicum provides hands-on experience working with clients under the guidance of a mentor coach.

To get certified as an ACE Health & Wellness Coach you must meet the following requirements: be at least 18 years old; hold a current certification from an approved organization such as ACSM or NSCA; have a minimum of one year of experience in health promotion or related field; complete the online coursework; pass the comprehensive exam; complete 10 hours of mentored coaching sessions; submit documentation for review by ACE; and pass a criminal background check.

The cost for the ACE Health & Wellness Coach Certification Program is $499 USD for non-members ($399 USD for ACE members). This fee includes access to all course materials (including videos), practice exams, mentoring sessions with experienced coaches, and application processing fees.

3. National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) Certified Coach

The National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) Certified Coach is a professional certification for health and wellness coaches. The NBHWC was created to provide a nationally-recognized credential that demonstrates the coach’s mastery of the core competencies necessary to provide effective health and wellness coaching services.

It takes approximately 6-9 months to become an NBHWC certified coach. This includes completing at least 125 hours of formal education in health and wellness coaching, passing a comprehensive written exam, and submitting a portfolio demonstrating your knowledge and skills as a coach.

To become an NBHWC certified coach, you must first complete the required 125 hours of formal education in health and wellness coaching from an approved program or school. Once you have completed this requirement, you will need to register with the NBHWC to take their written exam. After passing the exam, you will then need to submit your portfolio demonstrating your knowledge and skills as a coach.

The cost of becoming an NBHWC certified coach varies depending on the program or school you choose for your formal education requirements. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $2,500-$5,000 USD to become an NBHWC certified coach.

4. Professional Association of Health Care Coaches (PAHCC) Certified Wellness Coach

The Professional Association of Health Care Coaches (PAHCC) Certified Wellness Coach is a certification program for health professionals who provide coaching services to individuals and organizations. The program is designed to equip coaches with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to effectively support their clients in achieving their health and wellness goals.

To become a PAHCC Certified Wellness Coach, you must complete a comprehensive training program that includes both online and in-person components. The program takes approximately 12 months to complete, depending on your prior experience and education. The curriculum includes topics such as lifestyle medicine, nutrition, exercise science, stress management, behavior change strategies, communication skills, and business development.

The cost of the PAHCC Certified Wellness Coach program varies depending on the specific components you choose to pursue. Generally speaking, the total cost of the program ranges from $2,000-$3,500 USD. This fee covers tuition for all required courses as well as access to additional resources such as webinars and online forums.

Once you have successfully completed all requirements of the program and passed the final exam, you will receive your PAHCC Certified Wellness Coach certificate. This certification is valid for three years after which time it must be renewed by completing additional continuing education credits or retaking the final exam.

5. American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Health & Fitness Specialist

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Health & Fitness Specialist is a credential that recognizes professionals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and skill in exercise science and health promotion. This certification is designed to help individuals develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively promote physical activity, health, and wellness. It is intended for those who wish to become a fitness professional or work in the field of health promotion.

It typically takes between 6-9 months to complete the ACSM Certified Health & Fitness Specialist program. The program consists of two parts: an online coursework component and a practical exam. The online coursework covers topics such as anatomy and physiology, nutrition, exercise physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, motor learning, exercise prescription, behavior change strategies, risk factor management, and professional development. The practical exam includes testing on topics covered in the online coursework as well as some hands-on activities related to fitness assessment and exercise prescription.

To get certified as an ACSM Certified Health & Fitness Specialist you must first complete the online coursework component of the program and then pass the practical exam with a score of 70% or higher. After passing both components you will then receive your certificate from ACSM.

The cost for the ACSM Certified Health & Fitness Specialist program varies depending on which provider you choose to take it through. Generally speaking it can range anywhere from $500-$1,000 USD depending on if there are any additional fees associated with taking the program through certain providers or if there are any discounts available when purchasing multiple certifications at once.

6. International Association of Coaches (IAC) Professional Certified Coach

The International Association of Coaches (IAC) Professional Certified Coach is a professional certification program designed to recognize the highest standards of coaching excellence and ethical practice. It is an independent, third-party credentialing program that assesses coaches’ knowledge and skills in order to demonstrate their commitment to the profession.

To become an IAC Professional Certified Coach, one must complete a rigorous application process which includes submitting a portfolio of evidence demonstrating their experience and expertise in coaching, as well as passing an online assessment. Once approved, the coach will receive their certification within two weeks.

The cost for this certification varies depending on whether or not you are already a member of IAC. For non-members, the fee is $495 USD; for members it is $395 USD. Additionally, there is a one-time membership fee of $95 USD if you choose to become a member before applying for your certification.

Overall, becoming an IAC Professional Certified Coach can be time consuming but rewarding as it demonstrates your commitment to excellence and ethical practice in the field of coaching.

7. National Society of Health Coaches (NSHC) Certified Wellness Coach

The National Society of Health Coaches (NSHC) Certified Wellness Coach is a certification program that provides health and wellness professionals with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to help individuals achieve their health and wellness goals. The NSHC Certified Wellness Coach certification is designed for those who want to become certified as a professional health coach.

The NSHC Certified Wellness Coach program is an online course that takes approximately 8-10 weeks to complete. It consists of five modules: Foundations of Health Coaching, Health Coaching Processes & Tools, Nutrition & Lifestyle Interventions, Behavioral Change Strategies, and Professional Practice. Each module includes interactive activities and assessments to help participants develop their coaching skills.

To get the NSHC Certified Wellness Coach certification, you must first complete the online course. After completing the coursework, you will need to pass a final exam in order to receive your certification.

The cost of the NSHC Certified Wellness Coach certification program is $795 USD. This fee includes access to all five modules of the course as well as one year of membership in the National Society of Health Coaches.

8. International Consortium for Health & Wellness Coaching (ICHWC) Professional Level Certification

The International Consortium for Health & Wellness Coaching (ICHWC) Professional Level Certification is a credential that recognizes the knowledge, skills and abilities of health and wellness coaches. This certification is designed to validate the competencies of health and wellness coaches who have completed an approved training program.

The ICHWC Professional Level Certification is a three-step process that includes an online application, written exam, and practical skills assessment. The entire process takes approximately 4-6 months to complete.

To get certified, applicants must first submit an online application along with proof of completion from their approved training program. After submitting the application, applicants will need to pass a written exam that covers topics such as: health coaching fundamentals; communication; goal setting; behavior change; nutrition; physical activity; stress management; lifestyle medicine; and professional development. Once the written exam has been successfully completed, applicants will need to demonstrate their coaching skills in a practical skills assessment with a qualified assessor.

The cost of the ICHWC Professional Level Certification is $495 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees.

9. National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Performance Enhancement Specialist

The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) certification is a comprehensive program designed to help individuals develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful performance enhancement specialist. The PES certification is designed for professionals who want to work with athletes and active individuals to improve their physical performance.

The PES program consists of two components: an online course and an in-person practical examination. The online course covers topics such as anatomy, kinesiology, biomechanics, nutrition, exercise physiology, and injury prevention. It also includes information on how to assess clients’ needs and design effective training programs. The in-person practical examination tests the candidate’s ability to apply the knowledge learned in the online course by assessing clients’ needs and designing appropriate training programs.

It typically takes about six months to complete the PES certification program. Candidates must successfully complete both the online course and in-person practical examination before they can be certified as a Performance Enhancement Specialist.

The cost of the PES certification program varies depending on where you take it, but typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

10. Institute for Integrative Nutrition’s Health Coach Training Program

The Institute for Integrative Nutrition’s Health Coach Training Program is a comprehensive program designed to teach students the basics of health and nutrition. The program is offered online, so you can complete it from the comfort of your own home. It takes 12 months to complete the program, and consists of four core modules: Foundations of Health Coaching, Advanced Nutrition, Lifestyle Coaching & Business Development.

The program also includes access to expert faculty and mentors, an online community forum, exclusive discounts on products and services, as well as ongoing support throughout the course.

The cost of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition’s Health Coach Training Program is $3,995 USD. This includes all course materials, access to the online community forum, discounts on products and services, and ongoing support throughout the course.

Do You Really Need a Wellness Coach Certificate?

The answer to this question will depend on the individual and their goals. For some, a wellness coach certificate may be necessary in order to gain access to certain job opportunities or clients. However, for others, it could simply be a way to demonstrate their commitment to health and wellness.

In many cases, having a wellness coach certificate can help demonstrate your knowledge of the field. It is also beneficial if you are looking to specialize in a particular area of wellness coaching. If you are looking to work with athletes or people with chronic illnesses, then having a specialized certification can be beneficial as it shows that you understand the unique needs of these individuals.

Having a wellness coach certificate may also open up more opportunities for networking and collaboration within the field. Many organizations offer certifications and programs that can give you access to exclusive events and resources that would otherwise not be available to those without credentials. This can help you build relationships with other professionals in the industry which can lead to future career opportunities.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a wellness coach certificate will come down to your individual goals and circumstances. If you believe that having one could benefit your career in any way, it might be worth investing in getting certified so that you can stand out from other applicants or coaches in the field.

Related: Wellness Coach Resume Examples

FAQs About Wellness Coach Certifications

1. How do I become a certified Wellness Coach?

Answer: To become a certified Wellness Coach, you must complete an accredited program that teaches the fundamentals of wellness coaching and provides certification upon completion.

2. What type of qualifications do I need to become a certified Wellness Coach?

Answer: Most programs require applicants to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, although some may require additional qualifications such as experience in health and wellness or related fields.

3. What topics are covered in Wellness Coach certification programs?

Answer: Topics typically covered in wellness coach certification programs include nutrition, exercise and lifestyle management, goal setting, communication strategies and stress management.

4. How long does it take to get certified as a Wellness Coach?

Answer: The length of time it takes to obtain certification depends on the program you choose; however, most wellness coach certification programs can be completed within four to six months with full-time study.

5. Are there any continuing education requirements for maintaining my Wellness Coach Certification?

Answer: Yes, many certifying organizations require continuing education credits to maintain your certification status.