It’s an exciting time to break into the wellness industry! According to the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness market is growing at twice the rate of the global economy. That’s great news for anyone considering becoming a Wellness Coach! However, such rapid growth has created a flood of training and certification options, leaving many future Wellness Coaches uncertain about where to start and what to look for in a program.

Fortunately, we’ve got all the answers you need right here! It all starts with finding a great training program.

Find a Certified or Accredited Training Program

Like so many other things in life, it’s important to start by doing your research! While certification isn’t a mandatory requirement to become a practicing Wellness Coach, it’s a great way to prove to potential employers and/or clients that you’re qualified. By choosing a Wellness Coach program with accreditation or certification from a widely recognized organization like the International Coach Federation (ICF) or National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC), you can be sure it will be properly vetted for the most up-to-date and relevant training, and will provide everything you need to start working with clients.

For any training you consider, you should make sure it meets these requirements:

Robust curriculum
A robust curriculum is another important thing to look for. If you choose a program that’s too limited in scope, you may leave feeling unprepared. A good example of this is programs that don’t include business training. After all, whether you want to start your own business or work for a large organization, a big part of being a successful coach is being able to market and sell yourself.

Experienced Instructors
Experienced instructors are another must-have. So much of being a Wellness Coach is about being able to inspire others — to get them excited about the possibility of good health. If your instructor has a high level of experience and passion surrounding health and wellness, you’re more likely to be able to pass that enthusiasm on to your own clients when the time comes.

Hands-on training
Finally, nothing beats hands-on experience. Programs that incorporate things like role playing and time with practice clients are more effective at preparing students for the real-world challenges they’ll face upon completion.

Once you receive training that enables you to coach professionally, you typically receive a certificate or other formal documentation. This makes you a certified Wellness Coach. With this certification you’ll gain a level of credibility that’s critical in today’s environment. With so much growth in the health and wellness space, there are an astonishing number of people out there with little or no training calling themselves Wellness Coaches.

Whether you’re looking to work for yourself or for a large organization, completing an ICF or ICHWC-accredited program helps set you apart from the crowd.

Know that you can supplement with additional training if needed
When doing your research, it’s important to know that every training program offers a different level of certification. So be sure to look at how it lines up with your personal goals. Is something missing? If so, you may be able to find additional opportunities at places like your local community college or the Wellness Council of America website. The fact is, with such explosive growth in Wellness Coaching, new certification programs are being added all the time!

How Long Does it Take to Become a Certified Wellness Coach?

Most certified Wellness Coach programs take three months to one year to complete.  So when researching your options, be sure to question any program that is less than three months long. Compare it to other programs to see what’s missing. It may not be certified by a reputable organization or it may not include all of the basic training you need to begin working with clients.

For some, three months to one year may seem like a long time to be in training. But it’s important to realize that becoming a Wellness Coach doesn’t necessarily mean missing work. Many of today’s top programs are offered online and use video lectures that can be watched anytime, anywhere.

This flexibility means students can keep their full-time job (and income) as they learn.

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Certified Wellness Coach?

With so many accredited and non-accredited Wellness Coach training programs out there, pricing can be quite varied. However, for a certified program lasting three months to a year, the average cost can be anywhere between $6,000 and $9,000. But remember, you get what you pay for. So when you’re considering the cost of a program make sure you ask the following questions:

  1. Is the program accredited? Highly respected programs tend to have a higher price tag. If a program is priced too low, it can be a warning that it may lack credibility in the marketplace.
  2. How many hours of training and hands-on experience does the tuition include? If the hours of experience you’ll get are significantly less than the other programs you’re looking at, you may not finish with the training you need to begin working right away.
  3. How long has the program been training students? If it’s less than three years, you may want to scrutinize it more closely. On the other hand, the security that comes with a program with a strong track record may command slightly higher tuition rates.

The bottom line is that this is an exciting time for future Wellness Coaches! The market is growing at an unprecedented rate, exceptional training programs are available, and lots of smart, passionate people are joining the industry. The only mistake you could make? Waiting too long to learn more about this amazing field!

Become a Health Coach with HCI’s 6 Month Training Program


Health Coach Institute offers a variety of training programs to help aspiring coaches find their path. Consider the Become a Health Coach Program or the Coach Mastery Program for more advanced coaching techniques. To find out more about Health Coach Institute’s program, click the button below!

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Health Coach Institute provides aspiring Health and Life Coaches with the tools, training, and support to make a great living transforming lives.