If you’re interested in becoming a health coach, there is no better time than now! The field of health coaching is growing rapidly, and the demand for qualified professionals is high. The best way to start this career path is to increase your credibility and acquire skills through certifications. But this can be a challenge if you currently have a career or other responsibilities, which is why online certifications are the most convenient and oftentimes cost-effective option. Of course, not all are created equal.
The seven best health coach certifications offered online that we recommend are as follows:
- NASM Certified Wellness Coach (NASM-CWC)
- Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN)
- School of Positive Transformation
- American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- Sears Wellness Institute
- Duke Health
- Precision Nutrition
In this article, we will discuss the top seven best health coach certifications you can obtain online. These are legitimate certifications from highly accredited schools and programs that will provide you with the necessary skills and experience to become a professional health coach. As you read, you’ll learn what each course entails regarding content, cost, resources, and other aspects. We’ll also answer common questions relating to the process of becoming a health coach and this career’s requirements.
What's A Certified Health Coach?
Before we delve into our course recommendations, let’s describe a certified health coach’s profession and explain how an individual with the “certified” title differs from someone without this credential.
In essence, a health coach is a professional who helps people make lasting changes to their lifestyle in efforts to improve their health. They work with clients one-on-one or in groups, providing guidance and support as needed. Health coaches are not medical professionals, but they do have extensive knowledge of healthy living and how to create sustainable change in areas such as:
- Stress
- Nutrition
- Sleep
- Smoking
- Activity/exercise
- Time management
So, how does a certified health coach differ from an uncertified health coach? Very simply put, a certified health coach is an individual who has completed a certification program through organizations such as the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching.
Ideally, these would be accredited programs recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the American Council on Exercise (ACE), or The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
While in these programs, whether online or in person, they would:
- study topics such as behavior change, nutrition, physiology, and health psychology
- collaborate with colleagues
- complete assignments
- obtain hands-on or theoretical experience
- listen to lectures provided by experts in respective health coach-related fields
By the end of the program, they would receive their certification and be deemed a reputable individual and expert within their field of health coaching.
How Do You Become a Health Coach?
Some careers have very clear timelines and progressions for aspiring individuals to follow (ex. obtaining a PhD or attending a vocational school program). Fortunately, or unfortunately (depending on your preference), becoming a health coach isn’t a clear-cut process.
Because health coaching is considered part of the supportive or allied health field, it is not required for an individual to obtain a higher level of schooling or certification to have this title.
That being said, it is highly recommended for any individual who is considering the path of a health coach to go beyond the minimum requirements and at least become certified through an accredited program. This will increase your chances of success, as potential clients are more likely to trust an individual with a professional credential that indicates they have significant knowledge, training, and experience in the field.
If you prefer the path of formal schooling, you can certainly obtain a Bachelors or even a Masters degree in fields such as public health, psychology, nutrition, and other similar disciplines. In fact, some certifications might even require a degree before you can enter the program, particularly if you plan to specialize in a certain type of health coaching.
So, while nearly anyone could call themselves a health coach without any extensive knowledge or qualifications, the best approach would be to complete a certification program or obtain a collegiate degree and then either open your own business as a private health coach or provide your services through an organization or company (ex. hospitals, gyms, nutrition programs, etc.).
Can You Be a Health Coach Without a Degree?
Considering the ever-increasing expense of obtaining a college education, it is understandable if you’re wary of becoming a health coach because you’re concerned that you’ll need to pay for a degree.
Well, you can breathe a sigh of relief because, as we mentioned earlier, it is not required for anyone to have a degree or even an official certification to call themselves a health coach. However, having a degree can be extremely beneficial by increasing your knowledge and understanding of the complex sciences within this field that will ensure you are a well-informed health coach with a vast skillset.
The 7 Best Health Coach Certifications Online
Now that you’re informed regarding the job description, prerequisites, and recommended path of a health coach, its time to choose the ideal online certification program that will provide the education and experience you’ll need to successfully move forward in this career.
Below, we have provided a brief but detailed description of each program, so you know what to expect in terms of course length, content, resources, and what type of certification you’ll be presented upon graduating.
1. NASM Certified Wellness Coach (NASM-CWC)
The first certification program we recommend is offered by The National Academy of Sports Medicine, an organization we mentioned earlier briefly as one of the most reputable sources of health coaching certification.
In this program, students will learn to master the science of mindfulness and the art of coaching to help clients achieve mental, emotional, and physical betterment of life through movement, nutrition, recovery, and regeneration.
Course content is split between five sections, including:
- Introduction to Certified Wellness Coach
- Movement
- Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
- Nutrition
- Coaching
After completing these sections, students must pass a final examination before they can obtain their certification.
The course itself is offered entirely online for $6,499, and students have a one-year deadline for completing the final exam. Upon completion, you will receive an official NASM-CWC certification that is also worth 1.9 NASM Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or 15 AFAA CEUs.
No prerequisites are required for this program, but NASM does recommend that applicants have some form of fitness credential.
2. Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) Health Coach Certificate
Another highly reputable certification program is provided by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, a leading organization in online health coach certifications and deemed the best overall option for a wide range of people.
Here, students will “dive deep into the science behind wellness concepts, connect mind and body with interactive tools and resources, and explore cutting-edge topics like nutrigenomics, biohacking, psychospirituality, and much more.”
One of the biggest perks of INN’s program isn’t just what students learn, but who they learn it from. The course is taught by leading experts in a wide range of fields, such as:
- Deepak Chopra, MD: Pioneer in Integrative Medicine and Personal Transformation
- Cynthia James, MA: Transformational Speaker and Award-Winning Author
- Zach Bush, MD: Board-Certified Physician and Microbiome Expert
- Gabby Bernstein: Life Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Bestselling Author
- Deanna Minich, PhD: Nutritionist, Author, and Speaker
- Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CNS: Holistic health and functional medicine expert
- Melissa Wood-Tepperberg: Founder of Melissa Wood Health and Creator of the MWH Method
- Robert Mack: Positive Psychology Expert and Celebrity Happiness Coach
Together, this team will ensure you receive the most comprehensive education on health coaching that will ensure you are well-prepared for whatever step you intend to take after receiving your certificate.
INN’s program is offered in English and Spanish for $6,795 and students can choose to complete it in either six or twelve months depending on their preferences and needs. Because this certificate comes from a licensed vocational school, it is also worth 29 college credits. Participation in collegiate program is not required, but applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
3. School of Positive Transformation Accredited Certificate in Integrative Coaching
If you’re someone who is taking a complete life turn in pursuing a health coaching certificate and therefore, entering a program with no prior experience, then the Accredited Certificate in Integrative Coaching (ACIC) program offered by the School of Positive Transformation is an ideal choice.
While individuals with prior experience would still benefit from this program, it is intentionally tailored towards those who are new to coaching.
This program is also unique because it teaches integrative coaching, which combines multiple coaching styles and methods rather than focusing on a singular type. As a result, students are well-rounded and versed in coaching as a whole. This also eliminates the pressure of new students choosing a specific style or field to master.
Course director Yannick Jacob and his exceptional team have split the course between 15 modules for a comprehensive program that covers everything from psychological foundations to communication skills to cognitive behavioral coaching and more.
The program costs $2150 and can be completed within 15 weeks or 6, 12, or 24 months. Students will receive an official certification depicting their completion of this ACIC program that also depicts stamps of the Associate for Coaching and the CPD Certification Service, both accredited and well-respected professional coaching and academic bodies that further support the integrity of this certification and its associated program and school.
4. American Council on Exercise (ACE) Health Coach Certification
If you recall, ACE was another organization we listed previously that would immediately guarantee the legitimacy of any health coaching certification. But rather than enter a program that has ACE’s stamp of approval, why not complete their health coach certification program instead?
This is another comprehensive online program that is completely self-paced and covers vital health coaching topics like theory behind behavior change, coaching strategies, and client motivation skills, and many more.
Not only do you have the freedom of completing the courses at your own pace, but you can also choose one of three programs to complete.
- Basic: $999
- Plus: $1,299
- Advantage: $1,799
You can receive an official certification regardless of which program option you pick. The only differences between them are the resources you receive.
For instance, the Basic program has everything you need to succeed from video lectures to Q&A seminars, to the official test, and more. Comparatively, Plus includes all Basic program resources with the addition of digital and hard copies of all the program’s books along with and additional Audio Coaching sessions and practice texts.
The Advantage program contains all of the Basic and Plus program resources along with a third practice test, the Health Coach Live Class, and the Dedicated Advantage Team resource.
Regardless of which option you choose, all programs by ACE are deemed the most budget-friendly for an official health coach certification compared to competitors. And this is done without sacrificing quality, credibility, or resources.
5. Dr. Sears Wellness Institute Health Coach Certification
Our next option might not have as significant of a reputation as the previous options, but we are confident that this will change, in time, placing Dr. Sears Wellness Institute’s health coach certification programs in direct competition with the best of the best.
To start, this Institute is ideal for individuals who want to specialize in a specific aspect of health coaching, as they offer not one, not two, but three certification programs for families, pregnancy, and adults/seniors. In addition to choosing one of these life stages, students can also enroll in the Master Health Coach Certification program where they will qualify as a Master Certified Health Coach (MCHC) upon completion.
As you study, you’ll learn the unique challenges and ideal methods for coaching individuals in each life chapter, from nutrition to activity to mental health, and so on, to ensure they have the highest quality of life within these periods.
Students may opt to complete one program or a combination of them, each taking six weeks to complete and none requiring prerequisites. The cost of one course is $945, two courses is $1345, and all three life stage courses is $1645, making this another highly budget-friendly certification option.
6. Duke Health & Well-Being Coach Training
Students who are already enrolled in college or individuals who prefer a collegiate atmosphere and curriculum will find the Health & Well-Being Coach Training certification from Duke Health the most familiar and preferrable choice.
Duke Health is a fantastic medical facility that integrates multiple health and academic resources in the region including:
- Duke University Health System
- Duke University School of Medicine
- Duke-NUS Medical School
- Duke University School of Nursing
- Private Diagnostic Clinic (Duke physicians practice)
- the health and health research programs within the Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, and he Duke Robert J. Margolis Center for Health Policy
If that isn’t credible enough, their certification program is also approved by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC), so legitimacy with this program is absolutely guaranteed.
All that being said, this program is not only the best for collegiate students or academically inclined individuals, but it is also ideal for those who want to pursue a medical or allied health profession, such as nursing, physical therapy, exercise physiology, and more, as it pays close attention to the role of health coaches in clinical atmospheres by covering topics sch as patient-centered care, promotion of behavioral changes, etc.
Because this is a very medical and academic heavy certification, it does come with some hefty prerequisites, making it potentially the most competitive and difficult program to enter. It comes at a cost of $5,500 and applicants must have a bachelor’s degree of higher to enroll. They must also be willing to work on the program five hours a day for 10 months to complete this rigorous program, so although it is one of the most esteemed options on our list, this certification isn’t for the faint of heart.
7. Precision Nutrition Level 1 Nutrition Coaching Certification
If you enjoyed the science-based approach to health coaching that Duke takes but aren’t up for that rigorous of a program (or don’t fulfill the prerequisites) we recommend Precision Nutrition’s Level 1 Nutrition Coaching Certificate as a viable alternative.
As opposed to focusing on clinical settings like Duke or life chapters like Dr. Sears, this program focuses solely on health coaching in relation to the science of nutrition. Not only will you learn the crucial skills and methods of effective coaching, but you will learn how a person’s diet affects them mentally and physiologically.
You will also learn how the ideal nutrition is very much dependent on the individual, both in terms of their physical needs but also their ultimate goals. Therefore, understanding the vast sciences it entails is crucial for safe and effective nutritional coaching.
This is another cheap program that costs a one-time fee of $999 or $199 per month for 12 months (although most students complete it in 4.5 months) and is entirely self-paced. The content is rooted in credible research, taught by field experts, and tailored towards anyone with an affinity for nutrition-based health coaching.
Final Thoughts On Getting a Health Coach Certification Online
Receiving a health coaching certification online is a completely viable and highly recommended option. While certification isn’t required for the profession, it will open a vast number of doors for you and will only benefit you as well as your future clients. When choosing a program, make sure it is accredited and aligns with your health coaching goals as well as where you are in your education at the point of application.
