10 Best Life Coach Certification Programs

Jul 27, 2022

If you have a dream of becoming a coach, it's a good option to obtain a life coach's certification particularly if you've got plans to grow the size of your business as well as your personal brand.

There are a ton of life coaching courses that you can choose from, and we're here for you to pick the right coaching certification that meets your needs and help you begin the creation of your business as a life coach asap.

In this article, we will go over all the essentials on the life coach's certification process, which includes the steps to obtain an official life coach's certification as well as the most effective life coaching courses and whether it's necessary to obtain certification - just skip for the details you need.

Are you ready to understand everything you need to know about certification for life coaches and the most effective classes in life coaching on the market? Take a dive.

What is the Life Coach certification?

Life coach certification is an award you can earn to prove you're competent and have the expertise required to become a life coach. In exchange for your certificate you'll be issued the official certificate - also known as the certificate which proves you have completed a life coaching course and you're certified to be an instructor of life.

Does Life Coach Certification Necessary?

There are no mandatory qualifications you need to be Life Coach.

Unlike becoming a medical professional or a nutritionist, as an instance, life-coaching doesn't require an education, apprenticeship or any specific certifications.

It is possible to become an instructor without accreditation. However, like all career, it is recommended to make sure you have the expertise and experience that you require to complete the job effectively.

It could be an excellent idea for both your company and your brand reputation.

The life coach certification will help you:

  • Make your name more authoritative in your nice
  • Increase confidence in your brand
  • Make yourself known as a thought-leader

How to Get an Life Coach Certification

Because of the internet and the rise of eLearning the process of obtaining a life coach certification is now super simple. Here are the 3 steps to follow in order to obtain an online life coach certification and start practicing asap!

    Select the type of Life Coach you'd like to be    

For determining what type of life coach certification you need to take, it's a good idea to begin by thinking about the sort of life coach you want to be.

Here are some various types of coaching specializations that you could choose:

  • Relationship Coaching
  • Health Coaching
  • Spiritual Coaching (e.g. energy healing)
  • Grief Coaching
  • Travel Coaching

There's an array of options to choose from. Take your time to decide which kind of life coach you'd like to be and what the certifications for life coaches you'll require.

If you're not certain this moment, consider mind mapping or journaling to organize your thoughts. Consider answering these 5 questions:

  • Why would you like to work as a coach?
  • What can you offer your customers?
  • What current knowledge do are knowledgeable about? e.g. travel or business?
  • Do you have someone that you would like to help?
  • What's your dream of your company?

By answering these questions, you can get an idea of what kind of coach you'd like to become, the things you want from your life coaching business and what is the necessary certification for life coaches.

    Research Life Coaching Courses    

In the next phase, you'll need be aware of the many life coaching courses that are available to you. We've laid out the best Life Coaching courses available currently in the marketplace to ensure you don't have to go elsewhere by reading this article.

If you're looking into the life coaching classes, there are a few things to bear in mind. Here are the basics:

  •    Instruction Methods  

Like any online course, a life coach certification will depend on the instructional methods employed. If you're looking into life coaching courses, check which methods of instruction are used and if they are compatible with your timetable.

Here are some questions to assist you with your research

  • Is the course fully online?
  • Do you have any living elements?
  • Are you able to have one-on-one sessions or group meetings?
  • Does the instructor give feedback regarding assignments?
  • Are there any learning communities?

All of these are important factors to be aware of when researching the life coaching classes as they can influence your experience of learning and what you can expect out of the course.

  •    Length  

The different life coaching programs are vastly different in terms of length and how long it takes to finish they take to complete. The rule of thumb is that the longer the program, the more detailed instruction you'll receive.

Courses range from anywhere between 5 days and 12 months. At the same time, they require different time commitments ranging from just a couple of hours each week to handful of hours daily or more.

Take a look at the length of the course as well as the time you'll need to dedicate for your study each week to make sure that your life coach certification is in line with your life style.

If you're trying to combine the life coach credential and a full-time work for instance, you'll need to work out how much time you realistically have for completing your lessons, assignments as well as any coaching sessions that live.

  •    Cost  

The expense of getting an official life coach's certification could also be an element in your choice-making method. There are free life coach certifications out on the market, but the majority of top life coaching courses are paid.

The cost ranges from $100-$10,000, and it's a good idea to think about how much you can afford to invest in your life coach certification in selecting the training that's right for you.

  •    Content  

In addition to the practical decisions you'll need to make when choosing between life coaching courses, there's also a question of which topics you're most interested by.

If you're considering a life coach certification, take a look with your eyes over the content of the class to see what you're going to be learning.

Most importantly, choose the course that is interesting to you! Select a life coach certificate that keeps you motivated and interested - otherwise completing it could feel like being a burden.

Look for the course that captures your imagination and sparks your curiosity.

    Join and complete the Course!    

Once you've decided on your chosen course and signed up as a student, the only thing you have to do is take the course and get your life coach accreditation!

You must set aside time to complete the course and make studying part of your daily or daily schedule.

You can only get the life coach certificate when you have put your effort into it. So, focus on your studies hard and ace your examinations to earn your certification. prepare to start the next chapter of your life!

10 of the Top Online Life Coach Certifications

For you to help choose the best online life coach certification to suit your needs, we've laid out 10 of the best coaching certifications for life accessible to beginners. We've also included costs, length of time and the most important features of every one of them.

Select "Skip to" on the table for more details.

Certification

Details

Institute for Life Coach Training

Certification:Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
Cost: Approx. $7,800
The duration: 130 hours
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The Key Features

A comprehensive course
Experiential and theoretical learning
Coaching sessions for groups

Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching

Certificate:Certified Life Coach
Cost: $11,950
Duration: Approx. 350 hours
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Important Features:

Access to resource library
Coaching sessions one-on-one
Chances to identify the right niche

Rhodes Wellness College

Certification:Diploma in Life Coaching
Cost: $4,750 per semester
Time:647.5 hours
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The Key Features

Training of professional counselors
Employability skills and practical experience
You can be a member of Canadian
Professional Counselors association

The Life Coach School

Certificate:Certified Life Coach
Cost: $21,000
Duration:Up to 1 year
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The Key Features

Training in person
Training paths that are individualized
Lifetime access to the Active Status Alumni platform

Canada Coach Academy

Certificate:Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
Cost:$4900 for Module 1 + $3900 for Module 2
Duration:Up to 125 hours
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Important Features:

Extensive course resources
Community membership
Lessons in person every week

Life Coaching Institute of America

Certification: Associate Certified Coach (ACC)
Cost: $2985
Durée:70 hours
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Key Features:

Small class sizes
Live weekend training
Incorporates Motivational Interviewing techniques.

Health Coach Institute

Certificate:Dual Health & Life Coaching Certificate
Cost: $4950
Durée: 6-12 months
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Important Features:

Health & wellness niche focused
Flexible online learning
Ideas on how to get started an enterprise

The Coaching Institute

Certification:Diploma of Life Coaching
Cost: $14,987
Duration:Up to 24 months
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The Key Features

For entrepreneurs
Training in person
Includes bonuses modules

Full Circle Global

Certification:Diploma in Professional Coaching Practice
Cost: PS5200+VAT (approx. $6180 USD)
Duration:152 hours
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The Key Features

A holistic coaching program
Coaches receive individual feedback
Focused on personal development

Animas Centre for Coaching

Certification:Accredited Diploma in Transformative Coaching (ADTC)
Cost: PS5495 (approx. $6530 USD)
Time:9-12 months
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The Key Features

Live training
In-person sessions with coaches from the local area.
Unlimited access to course communities

Institute for Life Coach Training

Life Coach Certification: Professional Certified Coach (PCC)

Cost: approx. $7,800

The duration: 130 hours

Accredited by The International Coaching Federation (ICF) This life coach certificate is internationally recognized and extensive. This course is very thorough and, for the majority of students, it will take between 1.5 to two years to finish the program. Once you've graduated you'll be awarded the life coaching certification from Professional Certified Coach (PCC).

The certification for life coaches includes the combination of four compulsory programs and elective ones that you choose based on your interests or your chosen area of expertise. The course concludes with two written tests and an oral test that mimics a real-life coaching session.

Important features:

  • Course that is intensive and in-depth
  • Combining experiential and theoretical learning
  • Includes group coaching sessions

Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching

Life Coach Certification: Certified Life Coach

Cost: $11,950

Duration: Approx. 320 hours

The extensive iPEC Life Coach Training Program equips participants with a thorough Life Coach certification as well as a thorough understanding of the requirements to be a life coach.

It is a complete method to certification of life coaches, including 3 elements: a CPC (Certified Professional Coach) as well as the E-MP (Energy Leadership(tm) Index Master Practitioner) along with an COR.E Dynamics(tm) Specialist Certification. These 3 elements cover the basics of coaching theory and practice and also the core life coaching skills and the opportunity to specialize in a specific field.

The approved course by ICF offers a combination of online education and three 30 minute one-on-one sessions with a dedicated success coach. Additionally, it has an online community of learners for meeting other students.

Key features:

  • Access to a specialist library
  • Sessions with Success coach one-on-one
  • Chance to find a niche

Rhodes Wellness College

Life Coach Certification: Diploma in Life Coaching

Cost: $4,750 per semester

Time: 647.5 hours

It is a Rhodes College certification is designed together with employers in order to deliver a life coaching program that's applicable and practical for real-world coaching positions. It will teach you how to coach clients, prepare and present life skills lessons and prepare reports. The life coach certificate also includes specialist counseling modules including employment counseling family & couples counseling and addictions counseling.

The teaching is a blend of in-person and online classes and assessments comprise field work, written exams as well as oral exams.

The key features are:

  • Provides professional counselor training
  • Gain the necessary skills to work as life coach
  • You can be a member of the Canadian Professional Counselors association

The Life Coach School

Life Coach Certification: Certified Life Coach

Cost: $21,000

Duration: Up to 1 year

To take a comprehensive in-person class, the Life Coach School offers its life coach certification through 5 days of on-site teaching delivered by an array of instructors. If you can't make it to the live events The classes are accessible via the web.

As part of the course the students will receive 20 individual sessions with a certified coach instructor that can be attended at any time over 1 year. The emphasis is on individual learning and the content is self-directed, letting you follow the path that interests you most.

It is a Life Coach School Program provides opportunities for the former students to participate in regular calls with certified experts life coaches, a live mastermind class, and the possibility to be included on the Life Coach School directory.

Key features:

  • In-person, intensive training sessions
  • Training paths that are individualized
  • Access for life on the Active Status Alumni platform

Canada Coach Academy

Life Coach Certification: Professional Certified Coach (PCC)

cost: $4900 for Module 1, and $3900 for Module 2

Time: Up to 125 hours

The Canada Coach Academy offers both the life & Health Coach program as well as the Complete Personal & Business Coach program so you can choose the course that's right for you depending upon your preferences and preferred field of study.

The program is designed to satisfy to meet ICF coaching education standards, the Life & Wellness Coach Training Program is divided into two sections. Module 1 gives you the qualifications that you require to be an ACC Level 1 Certified Life & Wellness Coach. Module 2 grants you the PPC levels of certification. The program includes live virtual sessions, individual and group mentoring and membership to the online community.

The key features are:

  • Access to numerous course resources
  • Membership in the community
  • Weekly in-person lessons

Life Coaching Institute of America

Life Coach Certification: Associate Certified Coach (ACC)

Cost: $2985

Time: 70 hours

Founders Gina Barritt and Leslie Schultz created The Life Coaching Institute of America to offer an ICF-approved Life coach certificate that blends with the ICF Code of Ethics and the Core Competencies together with the SPIRIT of Motivational Interviewing (MI) that is an advanced method of counseling that is focused on communicating. The program provides participants with various skills and instruments to help improve communication between coaches and clients.

The online teaching method is a blend of Asynchronous and synchronous learning, which includes independent research as well as submissions of coaching sessions to receive evaluation by instructors. The course is 70 hours long and includes the opportunity to teach 10 hours live via Zoom.

The key features are:

  • Includes Motivational Interviewing techniques
  • Smaller class sizes
  • Intensive live weekend training

Health Coach Institute

Life Coach Certification: Dual Health & Life Coaching Certificate

Cost: $4950

Durée: 6-12 months

This Dual Health & Life Coaching course from the Health Coach Institute includes modules such as holistic nutrition, habit changing and personal growth , which makes the perfect choice for those looking to specialize in both fitness & wellbeing life coaching. It also includes an instruction on how to advertise your business as a coach for life and tips for entrepreneurs.

The combined health & life coach certification is ICF approved and acknowledged as such by Canadian Health Coach Alliance, the Federation of Holistic Therapists and the International Institute for Complementary Therapists.

Key features:

  • Focused on health and wellness
  • Flexible online education
  • Includes tips on how to set up a life coaching business

Coaching Institute Coaching Institute

Life Coach Certification: Diploma of Life Coaching

Cost: $14,987

Duration: Up to 24 months

If you're in Australia, the Coaching Institute offers a Diploma of Life Coaching. This is the most rigorous Life Coach certification with the majority of teaching conducted live and in person. The program is specially designed for students wanting to start your personal Life Coach business in Australia.

The course has been approved through The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) This course includes 4 live training sessions with 17 days of in-person tuition and 250 contact hours working with instructors and mentors. The certificate also provides an additional 120 hours of additional training.

Key features:

  • Made for entrepreneurs
  • Live, in-person training
  • Bonus training options

Full Circle Global

Life Coach Certificate: Diploma in Professional Coaching Praxis

Cost: PS5200+VAT (approx. $6180 USD)

Duration: 152 hours

This 12-month coaching program combines theoretical, hands-on and practical education to deliver an ICF-accredited professional coaching curriculum that's appropriate for life coaches, professional trainers, coaches and mentors as well as others. The program provides extensive coaching that focuses around Personal Life Coaching as well as workplace and business coaching.

This Full Circle course includes online training and coaching sessions that are supervised with both group and individual mentorship opportunities. The goal of this program is to challenge students' existing thinking patterns and offer a fresh level of understanding.

The key features are:

  • Professional coaching and holistic program for Holistic
  • Written and verbal feedback from coaches
  • Aims at personal growth

Animas Centre for Coaching

Certified Life Coach Accredited Diploma in coaching transformation (ADTC)

Cost: PS5495 (approx. $6530 USD)

Time: 9-12 months

The focus is on personal and transformational development, the Animas Transformative Coaching program is certified by ICF as a coaching qualification. It's also accredited with The European Mentoring & Coaching Council and the Association for Coaching, making it ideal for coaches of all kinds located in Europe as well as the UK.

The program is taught by way of six live virtual training, including discussion sessions, group break-outs and breakout sessions that span 12 days, and each session lasting two days. In the course the students receive four hours of ICF mentorship in groups, as well as 5 watched coaching sessions, as well as one-on-one ICF coaching. Students will also have all the time access to the Animas Learning community.

The key features are:

  • Live training module
  • Opportunity for in-person meetings with local coaches
  • Access for life to the Animas community group on Facebook.

Four Tips on How to Choose the Best Life Coaching Training Courses

Below are four top suggestions to help you choose which life coach certification you should choose.

    Check out the Certificate you'll receive    

If you're interested in obtaining the life coach's certificate is important to determine the type of certificate you'll receive at the end of your course.

Life coaching isn't a requirement for any specific qualifications or certification There's no correct or wrong kind of certification you need to receive - but there are some factors to be considered.

When choosing a coach certificate, consider:

Your clients' location based:If your target audience is in a specific geographical area and you want to make it easier to obtain a certificate from the region. e.g. to clients who are primarily located in the UK, you might prefer to acquire a British-certified life coach certification.

    Read Student Review Reviews    

Like any purchase, it's helpful to hear from previous clients prior to signing to receive an official life coach certificate. The same way you wouldn't purchase a new TV without reading about its reviews So why should you sign up to get a certification from a professional?

Read the reviews and feedback from those who've taken the course and see how it was beneficial to their needs. Find mentions of the instructional style along with the material used in class as well as assignments for a good idea of what you're getting.

    Find out more information about the Instructor(s)    

Alongside reading students' reviews, it's also a good idea to check out the instructors you'll be working with. It will allow you to choose the best life coaching courses for you.

Learn if there will be one or multiple instructors. Look at what qualifications and expertise they've gained in teaching and in life coaching.

It's also useful to determine the amount of help you'll receive from your instructors Will you be able to speak to them directly? Can they be reached for any questions?

You should be happy with the person who is teaching the class and how much contact you'll have with them. They can help you choose the right Life Coach certification that meets your requirements.

    Speak to certified Life Coaches    

It's great to receive an opinion that is dependable from an individual who has been there, been there and earned the certification.

To really get the inside track on life coach certification contact life coaches in your network to find out what life coaching courses they took and the certifications they earned.

If you follow any life coaches via social media, drop them a message introducing yourself and asking if they'd be happy to assist you! A majority of life coaches and instructors will be more than happy to talk with you.

This is also a perfect way to start building industry connections - which could help in the future when you have earned your Life Coach certification.

  Learn to become certified and begin Your Life Coaching Business Today!  

A life coach accreditation is the initial step towards building a profitable life coaching business, and living your coaching dream!

With us, you can easily become an online instructor, coach and course designer. We make it super simple to design engaging and effective online courses in no time aiding you in attracting and retain life coaching clients as well as increase the amount of income you earn.

Try for free and discover how simple creating your own course can be.