If you want to become a life coach, you might also be considering whether or not to become certified. Below we’ll discuss the advantages of becoming certified as well as some of the best life coaching certification programs
Why Become a Certified Life Coach?
Becoming a certified life coach will put you at a better advantage compared to those who are not certified. You’ll be seen as more qualified and reputable in the eyes of potential clients. Keep in mind that you will be competing with many life coaches looking for clients, so you really want your credentials to stand out. Having a client base, along with positive reviews will be important as well. This will serve as a solid foundation to build up your practice and reputation.
If you want to have a successful career as a life coach, you will also need to market your practice. Whether you’re doing this yourself or you have an agency or in-house marketing team, standing out from the crowd can’t be underestimated. The life coaching profession has become saturated with people claiming to be qualified without any real credentials. Would you consider seeing a nutrition counselor who bases their qualifications on experience alone? Probably not. The same goes for people seeking help navigating life’s challenges. One of the biggest advantages to becoming certified is that you can market yourself as such.
What Should You Consider When Choosing a Life Coaching Certification Program?
Deciding which certification program to choose is similar to choosing a university degree program. Some things you’ll want to consider are cost, time to complete, concepts and skills you will learn, program credentialing and resources available during and after you complete the certification program.
So what are the top life coaching certification programs? We’ve compiled a list of these programs to make your research easier.
Top Life Coaching Certification Programs
1. Life Purpose Institute
Since 1984, Life Purpose Institute has helped over one million people earn their life coach certification.
Certification Offered: With the Certified Life Coach (CLC) program, you learn how to help clients navigate transitional periods, relationships, careers, etc. You can also focus your approach on spirituality by becoming a Certified Spiritual Coach (CSC).
What You’ll Learn: The courses teach you how to work with clients, launch your practice, and market your services. Life Purpose Institute is accredited by ICF.
Cost to Attend Life Purpose Institute: The online and in-person CLC/CSC courses are $2,500. You can pay by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express).
2. Coach Masters Academy
Coach Masters Academy program uses a proprietary framework known as Awareness-Clarity-Choice Conversation. Its life coach certification program draws on the benefits of positive psychology and emotional intelligence.
Certification Offered: By completing their course, you can become a Master Certified Life Coach (MCLC), Professional Certified Coach (PCC), or Associate Certified Coach (ACC).
What You’ll Learn: Coach Masters Academy covers everything from professional development and corporate approaches to how to build your own network of clients.
Accreditation: This program is accredited by the ICF.
Cost to Attend Coach Masters Academy: You can pay by bank transfer or with a credit card (costs will vary depending on what program you choose).
3. IPE Coaching
IPE Coaching focuses on individual development, interactive learning, and preparing you to grow beyond its program’s completion.
Certification Offered: You can earn your CPC, Energy Leadership™ Index, or COR.E Dynamics™ certification.
What You’ll Learn: Topics include leadership skills, empathetic counseling, and specialty courses (relationships, health & wellness, small business, etc.).
Accreditation: IPE is accredited by the ICF.
Cost to Attend IPE Coaching: The all-inclusive plan costs $11,450. Multiple financing options are available (no-interest payment plans, IPE loans, etc.).
4. Life Coach Training
Established in 1998, Life Coaching Training is a leading international provider for life coach certification.
Certification Offered: You can become an ACC or PCC. If you have at least a bachelor’s degree, you can become board-certified.
What You’ll Learn: The program offers many elective courses to help you specialize (Christian, Life, Career Development, Relationship, etc.).
Accreditation: This program is accredited by the ICF.
Cost to Attend the Life Coach Training Program: Specialty certifications cost $4,550. Contact the organization to learn more about payment methods.
5. Certified Life Coaching Institute
The Certified Life Coaching Institute’s comprehensive program offers life coach certification in just three days.
Certification Offered: You can become a CLC or MCLC.
Topics Covered: In addition to learning how to guide clients, you will learn how to develop a business plan, market your services, etc.
Accreditation: This program is accredited by the ICF.
Cost of Program: It costs $1,995 to get both your CLC and MCLC certifications. You can pay using any major credit card.
6. Coach Training World
This unique program encourages you to incorporate your personality into your work. Participants develop holistic approaches that allow them to stand out from other professionals.
Certification Offered: You can become a PCC or Whole Person Certified Coach (WPCC).
Topics Covered: You’ll learn how to use your unique characteristics to help your clients and build a successful business.
Accreditation: Accredited by the ICF.
Cost of Program: core life coach certification is $2,995, which you can pay by credit card (in full or in installments).