In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksFinal VerdictCompare ProvidersGuide to ChoosingFAQsMethodology
In This ArticleView All
In This Article
View All
Our Top Picks
Final Verdict
Compare Providers
Guide to Choosing
FAQs
Methodology
Life coaches help people to identify goals, assist them in making lifestyle changes, and provide encouragement along the way. The best way to get started in this career is to find a reputable life coach certification program that provides the necessary education and tools to pass an exam and earn a life coach certificate. There are a number of programs to choose from, and several offer both online and in-person training.
Best Life Coach Certification Programs of 2024
Most Comprehensive: Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching
Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching
Sign Up Now
Key Specs
Why We Chose It
Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching is our pick for the most comprehensive program because it provides an in-depth education that allows you to earn three certifications.
Pros & Cons
ProsExtensive library of tools and resourcesLive sessions every three monthsEarn three credentials through one certification programInternational Coach Federation (ICF) accreditedConsMore expensive than other certification programsTakes several months to completeNot self-paced
ProsExtensive library of tools and resourcesLive sessions every three monthsEarn three credentials through one certification programInternational Coach Federation (ICF) accredited
Extensive library of tools and resources
Live sessions every three months
Earn three credentials through one certification program
International Coach Federation (ICF) accredited
ConsMore expensive than other certification programsTakes several months to completeNot self-paced
More expensive than other certification programs
Takes several months to complete
Not self-paced
Overview
You’ll earn three certifications in one: iPEC’s Certified Professional Coach (CPC) credential, along with two other credentials that can help set you apart from other life coaches. Aside from the three days of live classes, the entire course is delivered via on-demand webinars, e-workbooks, and self-study materials.
Once you complete the iPEC life coaching course, you can go on to earn more certifications in additional specialties, such as sports performance, health and wellness, business leadership, couples coaching, and more.
Pricing & Certifications
The coaching fundamentals certificate costs $2,995.
The full program, which includes three certifications (including a master’s level certification), costs $13,395.
You can choose between program lengths of 3 days (30 training hours) or nine months to one year (320+ training hours) for three certifications (again, including a master’s level certification), and can also choose a self-paced or scheduled program (the master’s certification is self-paced).
Payment plans and discounts are available.
Best Quick: Certified Life Coach Institute Life Coach CertificationCertified Life Coach InstituteSign Up NowKey SpecsCost:$995Length: Three days of immersive intensiveSpecialty/focus:Quick certification; core competencies of being a life coachWhy We Chose ItYou can earn a certificate in three days with the Certified Life Coach Institute.Pros & ConsProsShort completion timeMore affordable compared to other programsICF approvedConsNot as in-depth as other certificationsMust complete level one and two to join ICFOverviewFor those looking to get certified quickly, the three-day life coach certification from theCertified Life Coach Instituteoffers about 33 hours of immersive education. Expect three full days of high-quality information and training.Through the course, you’ll learn the ICF Core Competencies of being a life coach, strategies to help establish and grow your business, and coaching scope of practice. You’ll also learn key coaching strategies and techniques, such as how to let your clients lead and how to listen attentively.Pricing & CertificationsWhile you can certainly start your life coaching business with this quick $995 certification, it’s wise to invest in longer-term training over the course of your career to ensure that you deliver a valuable service to your clients. In order to join ICF, you will need to complete Certified Life Coach Institute’s Coaching 102 class ($1,295).
Best Quick: Certified Life Coach Institute Life Coach Certification
Certified Life Coach Institute
You can earn a certificate in three days with the Certified Life Coach Institute.
ProsShort completion timeMore affordable compared to other programsICF approvedConsNot as in-depth as other certificationsMust complete level one and two to join ICF
ProsShort completion timeMore affordable compared to other programsICF approved
Short completion time
More affordable compared to other programs
ICF approved
ConsNot as in-depth as other certificationsMust complete level one and two to join ICF
Not as in-depth as other certifications
Must complete level one and two to join ICF
For those looking to get certified quickly, the three-day life coach certification from theCertified Life Coach Instituteoffers about 33 hours of immersive education. Expect three full days of high-quality information and training.
Through the course, you’ll learn the ICF Core Competencies of being a life coach, strategies to help establish and grow your business, and coaching scope of practice. You’ll also learn key coaching strategies and techniques, such as how to let your clients lead and how to listen attentively.
While you can certainly start your life coaching business with this quick $995 certification, it’s wise to invest in longer-term training over the course of your career to ensure that you deliver a valuable service to your clients. In order to join ICF, you will need to complete Certified Life Coach Institute’s Coaching 102 class ($1,295).
Best Health-Focused: Health Coach Institute Dual Life and Health Coaching CertificationHealth Coach InstituteSign Up NowKey SpecsCost:$5,950 totalLength: About 6 monthsSpecialty/focus:Dual life and health coach certification; entirely virtualWhy We Chose ItThe Health Coach Institute is the best health-focused certification since it combines two certifications—health coach and life coach—into one program.Pros & ConsProsDual life and health coach certificationFocus on nutrition, personal growth, habit change, and business educationICF accreditedConsNo in-person classes or trainingPayment plan adds $500 to tuitionOverviewThere’s a difference between a life coach and a health coach, but the two specialties overlap a great deal—after all, staying healthy plays a significant role in cultivating a happy, successful life. This self-paced dual life and health coach course from theHealth Coach Instituteunites the two certifications into one seamless experience, where you’ll learn the ins and outs of both professions.The training includes four main pillars: nutrition, habit change, personal growth, and business education. The program takes place 100% online and your training will mostly be self-guided with recorded webinars, weekly mentoring sessions, online homework and activities, and hands-on training.Pricing & CertificationsThe course is self-paced and takes about six months. You’ll earn the ICF-accredited titles of Certified Health Coach and Certified Life Coach. Get in touch with a program representative to learn more about this program. It costs $5,950 when paid up-front.
Best Health-Focused: Health Coach Institute Dual Life and Health Coaching Certification
Health Coach Institute
The Health Coach Institute is the best health-focused certification since it combines two certifications—health coach and life coach—into one program.
ProsDual life and health coach certificationFocus on nutrition, personal growth, habit change, and business educationICF accreditedConsNo in-person classes or trainingPayment plan adds $500 to tuition
ProsDual life and health coach certificationFocus on nutrition, personal growth, habit change, and business educationICF accredited
Dual life and health coach certification
Focus on nutrition, personal growth, habit change, and business education
ICF accredited
ConsNo in-person classes or trainingPayment plan adds $500 to tuition
No in-person classes or training
Payment plan adds $500 to tuition
There’s a difference between a life coach and a health coach, but the two specialties overlap a great deal—after all, staying healthy plays a significant role in cultivating a happy, successful life. This self-paced dual life and health coach course from theHealth Coach Instituteunites the two certifications into one seamless experience, where you’ll learn the ins and outs of both professions.
The training includes four main pillars: nutrition, habit change, personal growth, and business education. The program takes place 100% online and your training will mostly be self-guided with recorded webinars, weekly mentoring sessions, online homework and activities, and hands-on training.
The course is self-paced and takes about six months. You’ll earn the ICF-accredited titles of Certified Health Coach and Certified Life Coach. Get in touch with a program representative to learn more about this program. It costs $5,950 when paid up-front.
Best Advanced: Integrative Wellness Academy Master Life Coaching Program
Integrative Wellness Academy
Integrative Wellness Academy offers a Master Integrative Life Coaching certificate to help current life coaches take their coaching practice to the next level.
ProsAdvanced level master certificationTeaches high-level coaching techniquesCovers topics including career, finance, health and wellness, familyDual enrollment possibleConsMust complete IWA’s ILC program to enroll in MILC programRequires learning about all five distinct areas
ProsAdvanced level master certificationTeaches high-level coaching techniquesCovers topics including career, finance, health and wellness, familyDual enrollment possible
Advanced level master certification
Teaches high-level coaching techniques
Covers topics including career, finance, health and wellness, family
Dual enrollment possible
ConsMust complete IWA’s ILC program to enroll in MILC programRequires learning about all five distinct areas
Must complete IWA’s ILC program to enroll in MILC program
Requires learning about all five distinct areas
The master course covers five distinct areas: integrative life coaching, relationship and family coaching, career and finance coaching, health coaching, and self-development and spiritual coaching. You can choose one niche over the others for your final credential, but you’ll learn about all five nonetheless. You can complete the course online.
For those who do not have an ILC from the Integrative Wellness Academy, dual enrollment is offered. You can complete the life coaching course and move on to the master course at a bundled cost.
Note that IWA courses are not ICF-accredited. Though that is the gold standard for coaching certifications, the industry is unregulated. You are not required to take an accredited program to be a coach, nor does the coaching program accreditation convey the same esteem that universities and other professional schools offer in medical, mental health, and dietetics fields.
The IWA says accreditation removes flexibility from training programs. Because IWA is always developing new coaching techniques and educational material based on world changes, its leaders feel that having to pass accreditation for every program alteration would be too limiting.
After completing the master’s program, which costs $2,499, you will earn the Master Practitioner of Integrative Life Coaching certification (MILC).
Best Intensive: Institute for Life Coach Training Professional Certification
Institute for Life Coach Training
The Institute for Life Coach Training earned its place on our list thanks to its sweeping program that helps you prep for a master coaching certification.
ProsMost comprehensive and intensive coaching programElective courses at no extra costTeaches about the business side of coachingICF approvedConsRequires a commitment of four to five hours per weekMore expensive than other programsTakes 18 to 24 months to complete
ProsMost comprehensive and intensive coaching programElective courses at no extra costTeaches about the business side of coachingICF approved
Most comprehensive and intensive coaching program
Elective courses at no extra cost
Teaches about the business side of coaching
ConsRequires a commitment of four to five hours per weekMore expensive than other programsTakes 18 to 24 months to complete
Requires a commitment of four to five hours per week
More expensive than other programs
Takes 18 to 24 months to complete
Though this life coach certification program has fewer training hours (130) than some others, you’ll end up putting in much more time than that. The ILCT website specifies that most weeks require a time commitment of at least four to five hours.To obtain ILCT’s professional coach certification, you’ll have to rack up 500 hours of coaching experience and pass an exam.
This life coaching course also requires you to sign up for specific classes at specific times on certain days—the course structure is very much like that of a college program. It might help to think of the Professional Certified Coach program as an unofficial associate’s degree in life coaching: You’ll have instructors who expect you to show up to class for an attendance grade, and for the Foundations course, you’ll have to complete a written exam with a score of 70% or higher.
The ILCT Professional Certification also offers seamless advancement into master coaching programs and specialty credentialing. This life coaching certification definitely isn’t a quick and easy way into the profession, but it’s worth it for life coaches who really care about their careers and their clients.
Tuition for this program is around $7,800. By the end of it, you’ll earn a certification as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC).
Best for a Career Change: Coach U Core Essentials ProgramCoachUSign Up NowKey SpecsCost:$6,095Length: 6-8 monthsSpecialty/focus:Designed for working individuals; entirely virtualWhy We Chose ItCoach U Core Essentials offers a completely virtual, 78-hour program designed to teach you coaching skills, deepen your personal foundation, and learn practical practice development skills.Pros & ConsProsSelf-paced program that typically takes 6 to 8 monthsOffered as distance learningCan take week-long intensive workshopICF approvedConsDoes not offer business coursesMinimal continuing coach education hoursNot as much support as other programsOverviewCoach Uoffers a comprehensive approach to life coaching, with the opportunity to refine your business into niche specialties.The Coach U life coaching certification is ideal if you’re considering a career change. The organization is very attuned to the fact that many life coaches work part-time around other job schedules until they can make the leap to full-time coaching. In addition, some life coaches only want their certification to implement strategies into their current job or business.The Coach U Core Essentials program in particular is entirely virtual via live online courses and only requires 78 hours of coaching education to complete (usually done in 6 to 8 months, according to the company’s website).Since the class length is limited, the Coach U Core Essentials program focuses on foundational elements of coaching. You will learn all the fundamental knowledge it takes to be a successful life coach, as well as theICF Core Coaching Competencies, the scope of practice, and ethics standards for life coaches.You can also opt for the Coach U Core Essentials Fast Track Program, which consists of six immersive, intense days of coaching education, plus pre-and post-program events. With either option, you’ll become an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC).Pricing & CertificationsThis self-paced, 6- to 8-month program varies in cost based on which course format you choose. For distance learning, expect to pay around $6,095 in tuition.
Best for a Career Change: Coach U Core Essentials Program
CoachU
Coach U Core Essentials offers a completely virtual, 78-hour program designed to teach you coaching skills, deepen your personal foundation, and learn practical practice development skills.
ProsSelf-paced program that typically takes 6 to 8 monthsOffered as distance learningCan take week-long intensive workshopICF approvedConsDoes not offer business coursesMinimal continuing coach education hoursNot as much support as other programs
ProsSelf-paced program that typically takes 6 to 8 monthsOffered as distance learningCan take week-long intensive workshopICF approved
Self-paced program that typically takes 6 to 8 months
Offered as distance learning
Can take week-long intensive workshop
ConsDoes not offer business coursesMinimal continuing coach education hoursNot as much support as other programs
Does not offer business courses
Minimal continuing coach education hours
Not as much support as other programs
Coach Uoffers a comprehensive approach to life coaching, with the opportunity to refine your business into niche specialties.
The Coach U life coaching certification is ideal if you’re considering a career change. The organization is very attuned to the fact that many life coaches work part-time around other job schedules until they can make the leap to full-time coaching. In addition, some life coaches only want their certification to implement strategies into their current job or business.
The Coach U Core Essentials program in particular is entirely virtual via live online courses and only requires 78 hours of coaching education to complete (usually done in 6 to 8 months, according to the company’s website).
Since the class length is limited, the Coach U Core Essentials program focuses on foundational elements of coaching. You will learn all the fundamental knowledge it takes to be a successful life coach, as well as theICF Core Coaching Competencies, the scope of practice, and ethics standards for life coaches.
You can also opt for the Coach U Core Essentials Fast Track Program, which consists of six immersive, intense days of coaching education, plus pre-and post-program events. With either option, you’ll become an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC).
This self-paced, 6- to 8-month program varies in cost based on which course format you choose. For distance learning, expect to pay around $6,095 in tuition.
Best for Personal Development: Life Purpose Life Coach Certification
Udemy
The Udemy Life Purpose Coach certification is an introductory class that allows you to add niche coaching focused on life purpose to your coaching business.
ProsCosts under $200Often on sale for under $50Can be completed in one day
Costs under $200
Often on sale for under $50
Can be completed in one day
Focuses more on life purpose than coaching
Does not lead to a traditional life coach certification
It’s probably fair to guess that most people who seek a life coach certification are doing so because they want to coach other people. However, it’s often worth it to invest in a course for the sake of self-development.
If you’re looking to learn some life coaching skills and knowledge to apply to your own life, check out theLife Purpose Life Coach Certificationon Udemy. This is a short, condensed course that focuses on you finding your life’s purpose. Discovering the answer to this question can spark inspiration, courage, motivation, and determination—all good qualities to have.
Plus, who knows? You might end up using this life coach certification to help others, too.
This course costs $174.99, but like most Udemy courses is frequently on sale for a small fraction of that price. You’ll get more than seven hours of on-demand video with lifetime access and earn a life coach certification from Transformation Services.
Our choice for the most comprehensive life coach certification program is theInstitute for Professional Excellence in Coaching(iPEC), since it allows you to earn three credentials within one course that’s accredited for certification. It’s pricey, but we considered its value for launching a career with the potential to specialize in sports or another specific area.
Compare the Best Life Coach Certification Programs
Guide to Choosing a Life Coach Certification Program
Life coachingis a broad career term for professionals who help others develop a variety of skills they wish to improve. This can include working with clients to establish healthy habits, strengthen interpersonal skills, become more organized, manage stress better, and identify and meet goals.
Comparing Health Coach Certification Programs
Frequently Asked QuestionsLife coaching is an unregulated industry that doesn’t require certification, but professionalism, credentials, and skill can set you apart from thousands of other people when you are marketing your services. Training programs can be expensive, but there are budget-friendly options. Your success will depend on your business savvy, too.There are no mandatory prerequisites to becoming alife coach. Life coaching is an unregulated industry and doesn’t require a college degree, work experience, or prior certifications. Anyone who wants to become a life coach can do so.Learn More:Coaches vs. PsychotherapistsIt can take anywhere from a few days to an entire year to become certified. The longer the program, the more equipped and confident you’ll be when it comes time to working with clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Life coaching is an unregulated industry that doesn’t require certification, but professionalism, credentials, and skill can set you apart from thousands of other people when you are marketing your services. Training programs can be expensive, but there are budget-friendly options. Your success will depend on your business savvy, too.
There are no mandatory prerequisites to becoming alife coach. Life coaching is an unregulated industry and doesn’t require a college degree, work experience, or prior certifications. Anyone who wants to become a life coach can do so.Learn More:Coaches vs. Psychotherapists
There are no mandatory prerequisites to becoming alife coach. Life coaching is an unregulated industry and doesn’t require a college degree, work experience, or prior certifications. Anyone who wants to become a life coach can do so.
Learn More:Coaches vs. Psychotherapists
It can take anywhere from a few days to an entire year to become certified. The longer the program, the more equipped and confident you’ll be when it comes time to working with clients.
We started with a list of more than 30 life coach certifications and a list of categories, such as “quick,” “intensive,” and “advanced.” We also verified independent accreditation status through the ICF, the gold standard for certification in coaching professions.
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