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Best wellness coach certifications
Wellness coach certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an wellness coach to employers. However, not all wellness coach certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a wellness coach are Certified Personal Trainer, Health & Wellness Coach Certification, and Health Coach Certification.
Below is a list of the best wellness coach certifications. Obtaining an wellness coach certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
14 best certifications for wellness coaches
14 best wellness coach certifications
1. Certified Personal Trainer
The purpose of The Cooper Institute Personal Trainer (CI-PTr) Certification Examination is to provide assurance of mastery and application of knowledge and skills directly related to the performance of the job entitled `Personal Trainer' through a defensible, reliable, valid and rigorous process. The successful completion of the CI-PTr Certification Examination results in credentialing to ensure certificants' professional knowledge, skills and tools to provide sound fitness and health programming to their clients, provide assurance to clients and employers, protect the public, and advance the profession.
- 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)
2. 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)
3. 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)
4. Wellness Coach
Wellness coaching has emerged as a growing trend in the health and fitness industries and our Wellness Coach Specialty Certification can help you advance your career by providing the essential skills necessary to help others achieve lasting, positive, lifestyle and behavioral change.
- 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 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. Certified Nutrition Coach (FNS)
Fight the obesity epidemic with the power of food! NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialists: -Teach clients how to interpret labels, select appropriate portion sizes, and eat healthy -Boost their reputation, career, and client base as the go-to expert on nutrition and diet -Educate clients about nutrition's critical role in weight loss and management -Illustrate how energy balance, caloric needs, activity, metabolism, and food choices impact fitness goals -Provide clients with valuable handout materials, product discounts, menu planners, and online resources -Invest in their client's lives and futures . . . as well as their own!
- 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 Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS) are professionals who apply scientific knowledge to train athletes for the primary goal of improving athletic performance. Learn more about becoming a strength and conditioning coach with the NSCA certification! Visit NSCA.com for more information on strength and conditioning jobs, strength and conditioning internships, continuing education and CEUs.
- 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)
8. 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)
9. Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)
Extensive research involving health education specialists across the nation has verified the existence of entry- and advanced-levels of health education practice with the differentiation at five years of experience. In 2009, it was released that the NCHEC Board of Commissioners voted to implement an advanced-level of certification. This proves to be an exciting time for the profession of health education and for health education specialists. The MCHES examination was offered for the first time in October 2011. The MCHES exam is offered in conjunction with the CHES examination in April and October at over 120 testing sites across the country.
- 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)
10. Fitness Nutrition Certification
ISSA's Fitness Nutrition Certification course blends nutritional science and practice in order to help you successfully guide them toward a better body... both inside and out.
- 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)
11. Advanced Personal Training Certification (APT)
AFPA's Advanced Personal Trainer Certification Program has been nationally and internationally recognized since 1994. AFPA provides the most comprehensive and authoritative resources for you as an Advanced Personal Trainer, whether you are working in a health/fitness club currently as a Personal Trainer or if you are working with athletes at the high school or collegiate level.
- 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)
12. Certified Wellness Practitioner (CWP)
A CWP is qualified-through graduation from an NWI Accredited Academic Program or through documented, supervised experience-to utilize effective health promotion models to assess needs and subsequently design, implement, and evaluate interventions for individuals and populations; apply current theories and models to motivate others to engage in health promotion and prevention activities; and create health-enhancing environments through the initiation of organizational and cultural change.
- 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)
13. Group Exercise Instructor
AFAA's Primary Group Exercise Certification is designed to equip those seeking to become certified as group exercise instructors with the competencies needed to design safe and effective group exercise programming for the general healthy population.
- 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)
14. Yoga Instructor Certification - Level I
The AFPA Yoga Fitness Instructor Certification program emphasizes safe, effective, and inspiring teaching methods that prepare you to be a confident and competent Yoga Fitness Instructor. You will learn excellent teaching skills, how to plan a class, how to create confidence in your students and how and when to provide posture corrections. This program offers instruction on how to live the yogic lifestyle enhancing personal health and centeredness through yoga. The Yoga Fitness Instructor Certification program is designed to educate participants about various yoga techniques and how to incorporate them into an individual and group setting. This course will enable you to formulate your own personal teaching style.
- 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?
What is the best certification for a wellness coach?
The best wellness coach certification is Certified Personal Trainer. The Certified Personal Trainer is awarded by the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this wellness coach certification:
- To become a certified Certified Personal Trainer, you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 3 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for wellness coaches?
The most in-demand wellness coach certification is Certified Personal Trainer based on all active job postings. Having this wellness coach certification will give you access to more wellness coach jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a wellness coach career and salary?
The Yoga Instructor Certification - Level I certification will help you to secure a yoga instructor position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A yoga instructor's average salary is $46,141 whereas wellness coaches make an average salary of $40,248.
The most common combination of wellness coach certifications include: Certified Personal Trainer, Health & Wellness Coach Certification, and Health Coach Certification.
Online courses for wellness coachs to earn certifications
1. Health Coaching Certification Holistic Wellness Health Coach
Health Coaching Practitioner Course Graduates Prepared Health Coaching Specialists in Holistic Wellness Health Coaching...
2. Health and Nutrition Life Coach Certification (Accredited)
Life Coaching: Create a Workout & Nutrition Plan Based on Your Clients' Fitness, Weight Loss, Dieting & Nutrition 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. 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...
5. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Health & Wellness
Learn about holistic health, wellness, key biomarkers, good sleep and ways to optimize your health...
6. Holistic Health and Wellness Coaching Certificate Course
Earn income doing what you LOVE - helping people - from the comfort of your home (beginner to advanced)...
7. Vegan Nutrition Health Coach Certification
Become a Vegan Nutrition Certified Health Coach, Learn Vegan Cooking, Embrace a Holistic Approach to Food...
8. Personal Development Life Coach Certification1 Training
Personal Development Life Coach Training Course Graduates Prepared Professionals in Personal Development Life Coaching...
9. Setting and Achieving Goals
Set achievable long and short-term goals with an actionable plan...
10. Complete Goal Achievement Course - Personal Success Goals
Goal Achievement In Your Life Now! Learn the Personal Success Formula to Increase Goal Setting and Personal Productivity...
11. Goal Setting & Goal Achievement: You Can Achieve Your Goals
A Quick & Easy Way to Create Better Habits, Set Better Goals, and Achieve These Goals OKR Goal Setting Vision Board...
12. Yoga At Home - Flexibility, Fitness, Strength & Weight Loss
Yoga for Weight Loss : Yoga Workout at Home : Yoga for Fitness Strength & Flexibility : Yoga for Losing Weight & Health...
13. Goal Setting For Success: Plan And Achieve Your Goals
This Goal Setting course will teach you to develop a goal oriented mindset, set SMART goals and create action plans...
14. CBT Integrative Wellness Life Coach Accredited Certificate
2023 Accredited Life Coaching Practitioner Diploma: Integrative Wellness Approach Using REBT, CBT, and Wellness Techniqe...
15. Health And Wellness Coaching Certification (CPD Accredited)
Become A Health And Wellness Coach Online: Create Fat Loss Meal Plans, Build A Coaching Business & Be A Health Expert...
16. Women's Holistic Health Coach Teacher Training Course
Confidently guide women towards better mind and body health through yoga, coaching sessions and women's circles...
17. Goal Setting for Success - How to Set & Achieve SMART Goals
Success factors. Goal Achievement. How to set goals. Low self-esteem. How to be confident. Self-image...
18. Belly Dance & Belly Core Fitness International Certification
Belly Dance & Belly Core Fitness Internationally Certified instructor & steps to creating your own Fitness Business...
19. Life Coach Certification Masterclass: 3 Certifications In 1
Life Coaching Certification, Health Coach Certification & Wellness Coaching Certification In 1 Course 3 Certificates...
20. The Complete Goal Setting and Action Planning Masterclass
A methodical approach for setting meaningful goals and formulating suitable action plans to achieve them...