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Best life coach certifications
The best certifications for a life coach are Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Master Certified Coach (MCC), and Certified Professional Counselor.
Life coach certifications demonstrate your competency as a life coach to employers. However, not all life coach certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best life coach certifications. Obtaining a life coach certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
9 best certifications for life coaches
| Rank | Life coach certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Professional Certified Coach (PCC) | ICF |
| 2 | Master Certified Coach (MCC) | ICF |
| 3 | Certified Professional Counselor | APA, DAPA |
| 4 | Health Coach Certification | ACE |
| 5 | First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor | NSC |
| 6 | Health & Wellness Coach Certification | AFPA |
| 7 | Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP) | IPMA-HR |
| 8 | Associate Certified Coach | ICF |
| 9 | Board Certified Coach (BCC) | CCE |
9 best life coach certifications
1. Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
The International Coach Federation Professional Certified Coach Credential (PCC) is for the proven coach.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
2. Master Certified Coach (MCC)
ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential, which is particularly important in today's uncertain and complex environment. Coaches honor the client as the expert in his or her life and work and believe every client is creative, resourceful and whole. Standing on this foundation, the coach's responsibility is to: Discover, clarify, and align with what the client wants to achieve Encourage client self-discovery Elicit client-generated solutions and strategies Hold the client responsible and accountable This process helps clients dramatically improve their outlook on work and life, while improving their leadership skills and unlocking their potential.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
3. Certified Professional Counselor
You entered this field in order to help people. When was the last time that an organization came along to provide any real help to you? The mission of the American Board of Professional Counselors, ABPC program is to be the nation's leading advocate for counselors. ABPC will champion counselors' right to practice. We will work with you to protect your right to practice, increase parity for your profession, and provide you with the recognition that you so richly deserve.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
4. Health Coach Certification
Your clients want to lose weight. They come to you for help. The Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant certification assures clients that you have the knowledge to develop sound, balanced weight management programs that bring together the three critical components of nutrition, exercise and lifestyle change.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
5. First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor
Knowing how to respond to a first aid or CPR emergency is one of the most important skills a person can possess. The Standard First Aid, CPR and AED course meets the OSHA requirements and is your tool for training employees or the general public on the latest skills, techniques and expertise in life-saving procedures. The practice and feedback of using related skills in a realistic situation is integrated into the actual teaching experience.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
6. Health & Wellness Coach Certification
Health and Wellness Coaches help their clients to facilitate a process of self-directed lifestyle behavioral change that can lead to greater life satisfaction, better performance, less disease and a more fulfilling life. These lifestyle changes, among others, are more likely to be obtained when working with a health and wellness coach who can help create an integrated wellness plan that will teach clients how to be accountable for their actions and to follow through and accomplish the changes they wish to see.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
7. Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP)
IPMA-HR strives to encourage excellence in public sector human resources, promote continuous learning and develop the next generation of leaders. To that end, IPMA-HR offers two internationally recognized certification programs to the public HR community: the IPMA-CP and the IPMA-CS.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
8. Associate Certified Coach
There are two paths to the ACC credential: 1. Submission of an ACTP Certified Graduate Application, which is available for those applicants who received certification through an Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP), and 2. Submission of a ACC Portfolio Application, which is available for: Graduates of ICF ACSTH programs or graduates of accredited programs, prior to the program's approval date, Graduates of non-accredited programs, and Applicants who acquired their Coach-Specific Training at a variety of programs.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
9. Board Certified Coach (BCC)
The Board Certified Coach (BCC) credential is designed for qualifying coaches, including those holding a bachelor's or advanced degree. The BCC requirements are based on six competency areas: Fundamental coaching skills Ethical and professional practice Screening and orientation Assessment Interventions for individuals Interventions for businesses and organizations
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
What is the best certification for a life coach?
The best life coach certification is Professional Certified Coach (PCC). The Professional Certified Coach (PCC) is awarded by the International Coach Federation. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this life coach certification:
- To become a certified Professional Certified Coach (PCC), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 3 year.
What certifications can impact a life coach career and salary?
The Personal Trainer Certification certification will help you to secure a personal trainer position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A personal trainer's average salary is $38,768 whereas life coaches make an average salary of $41,947.
The most common combination of life coach certifications include: Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Master Certified Coach (MCC), and Certified Professional Counselor.
Online courses for life coachs to earn certifications
1. Personal Development Life Coach Certification1 Training
Personal Development Life Coach Training Course Graduates Prepared Professionals in Personal Development Life Coaching...
2. Complete Goal Setting Course - Become Your Own Life Coach
Goal Setting Mastery - Life Coaching - Become a Life Coach for Yourself or Others - Achieve Personal Success - Hit Goals...
3. Goal Setting to Success: Life Coach Certification Accredited
Learn Life Coaching industry best practices. Help clients be successful, achieve their goals, and reach their dreams!...
4. Life Coaching Certificate
Become a certified professional life coach; master coaching, psychology and adult learning theories...
5. Life Transformation Blueprint - Your Personal Growth Plan
Personal Growth Tips : Life Transformation Coach : Achieve Personal Goals : Personal Growth Plan : Life Transformation...
6. Advanced Certificate in Life Coaching (Skills and Practice)
An advanced life coaching training program that prepares you for extensive personal growth and professional advancement...
7. Life Coaching: Start Up Your Own Life Coaching Business
Life Coaching : Learn What It Takes To Start Up Your Own Life Coach Business or Life Coaching Practice...
8. Certified Relationship Workshop Facilitator for Life Coaches
Empower others to create enlightened relationships by conducting group life coaching through relationship workshops...
9. Life Coach Certification Associate ACELC Life Coach Training
Life Coach Training Practitioner Course Graduating Prepared and Ready-To-Work ACELC Professionals in Life Coaching...
10. Health and Nutrition Life Coach Certification (Accredited)
Life Coaching: Create a Workout & Nutrition Plan Based on Your Clients' Fitness, Weight Loss, Dieting & Nutrition Goals...
11. Professional Life Coach Certification & Guide (Accredited)
Become a certified life coach & grow your life coaching business! Done-for-you forms, tools, processes & best practices...
12. Group Life Coaching Certification (Accredited)
Training for life coaches who want to grow their business through offering life coaching groups...
13. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Life Coach Specialty
CBT Life Coaching: Emotional Intelligence - Tools for Overcoming Negative Emotions like Anxiety, Fear, Undue Stress...
14. Transformation Life Coach Certification (Accredited)
Life coach your clients to breakthrough, create lasting change, master transitions & be the hero of their life story...
15. Life Purpose Life Coach Certification (Accredited)
Become a Certified Life Purpose Coach! Learn powerful tools & strategies to help clients find their purpose & passion...
16. Life Coaching Certificate Course (Beginner to Intermediate)
A comprehensive online training that delivers in-depth understanding of the key elements of the Life Coaching profession...
17. Mindfulness Life Coach Certification & Mindfulness Blueprint
Mindfulness: Complete Life Coaching Blueprint with 50+ Mindfulness Exercise & 21 Day Mindfulness & Meditation Challenge...
18. Essential Life Coaching Skills Certification
Beginner to Advanced: Develop the skills to become a super-effective life coach...
19. Professional Life Coach Certification PCELC Coach Training
Life Coach Training Practitioner Course Graduating Prepared and Ready-To-Work PCELC Professionals in Life Coaching...
20. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT Life Coaching Certification
CBT: Emotional intelligence transform your life - stop self-sabotage while earning your life coaching credentials...