Becoming a certified life coach is your ticket to guiding others toward their dreams, overcoming hurdles, and unleashing their inner self.
But hey, hold up…
Before you jump in, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of choosing the right certification program.
How do you pick the one that’s just right for you?
- Accreditation: You want a program that’s recognized and respected. Next, scope out the curriculum. Does it cover all the coaching essentials? Think communication skills, ethics, and the art of goal-setting.
- Program length: Are you looking for a quick sprint or a stroll? Some programs zip by in a few weeks, while others pace over several months.
- Practical experience: Hands-on experience is where the magic happens. Look for programs that offer practical opportunities to flex your coaching muscles.
- Cost: Check out the cost and see if there are any scholarships or payment plans to ease the load.
- Post-certification support: What happens after you snag the certificate? Does the program offer ongoing support, resources, and a community to lean on?
With these tips in your back pocket, you’re ready to hit the ground running and start transforming lives.
Let’s do this!
Top 25 Accredited Life Coach Certification Programs for 2024
Let’s take a look at 25 excellent life coaching certification programs that you can choose from:
1. Coach Training Program
The Coach Training Program offered by Coach Training Alliance is an online certification program emphasizing coaching skills as well as business acumen. It ensures that graduates are equipped to succeed as both coaches and entrepreneurs.
Accredited by:
International Coaching Federation (ICF)
Program Duration
6 Months
Cost:
$4,339
2. Dual Life and Health Coaching Certification
Dual Life and Health Coaching Certification by Health Coach Institute offers a comprehensive program merging life coaching and health coaching skills to support clients in achieving holistic well-being.
This program focuses on:
- Nutrition
- Habit change
- Personal growth
- Business education
Accredited by:
CCE-accredited by ICF
Program Duration:
6 Months
Cost:
$4,950
3. Life Coach Certification
Life Coach Certification by Certified Life Coach Institute focuses on core competencies of life coaching, equipping you with essential skills for your coaching journey. It’s a three-day intensive training covering coaching strategies and techniques.
Accredited by:
ICF
Program Duration:
3 Days
Cost:
- Coaching 101: $1,295
- Coaching 102: $1,595
4. Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC)
iPEC offers immersive training with over 30 years of research, guiding you to master coaching techniques and realize your potential. You’ll receive comprehensive education, including 320+ hours of training and three certifications.
Accredited by:
ICF
Program Duration:
320+ Hours
Cost:
$13,395
5. Associate Certified Coach (ACC)
ACC by the Institute For Life Coach Training requires 60 hours of coach training.
Additionally, you need to focus on:
- ILCT’s 40-hour Foundations or Christian Foundations class
- 20 or more hours of electives
- 10 hours of Mentor Coaching
- Level 1 Coaching Demonstration
Accredited by:
ICF
Program Duration:
6-8 Months
Cost:
$4,305
6. Transformation Life Coach
Transformation Academy’s Transformation Life Coach provides coaching certification programs focused on personal development, mindset mastery, and holistic wellness, catering to individuals seeking transformative life changes.
Accredited by:
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Program Duration:
15 Hours
Cost:
$197
7. Life & Wellness Coach Certification
The Life & Wellness Coach Certification program offered by Canada Coach Academy (CCA) is a comprehensive training program designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to become an effective life coach.
The program covers various aspects of coaching, including goal setting, adopting new perspectives, managing change, and fostering personal growth. You’ll also learn how to use non-directive coaching approaches to empower your clients and facilitate positive change in their lives.
Accredited by:
ICF
Program Duration:
- 65 hours of live virtual sessions
- 10 hours of group & individual mentoring
Cost:
$5,500
8. iNLP Life Coach Training
iNLP Life Coach Training specializes in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) coaching certifications, teaching effective communication, behavior modification, and personal growth strategies.
Accredited by:
ICF and INA
Program Duration:
4-6 Months
Cost:
$3,900
9. Integrative Mental Health Coach Training
Nickerson Institute’s Integrative Mental Health Coach Training Certification focuses on emotional intelligence, resilience, and leadership development. It is suited best for individuals seeking personal and professional growth.
Accredited by:
- American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP)
- Health Coach Alliance (HCA)
- Canadian Association of Integrative Nutrition (CAIN)
Program Duration:
200 Hours
Cost:
$4,299
10. Inspired Spirit International Coach Certification
The Inspired Spirit International Coach Certification trains you in coaching skills, prosperity consciousness, and business success secrets.
The program covers a range of topics including:
- Coaching fundamentals
- Law of Attraction principles
- Mindset mastery
- Spiritual processes
- Transformational coaching techniques
Accredited by:
- International Coaching Federation (ICF)
- International Association of Coaching (IAC)
- International Institute for Complimentary Therapists (IICT)
Program Duration:
10 Months
Cost:
$3,900
11. Certified ADHD Life Coach (CALC)
The Certified ADHD Life Coach (CALC) offered by iACT center focuses on applied positive psychology, resilience-building, and well-being enhancement – preparing you to empower clients to thrive.
Accredited by:
ICF
Program Duration:
1 Year
Cost:
$9,700
12. Relationship Coaching Certification
This certification provided by the Relationship Coaching Institute consists of three main components:
- The Foundations of Relationship Coaching module covers essential skills for becoming a proficient relationship coach.
- Relationship Coaching for Singles equips trainees with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to support singles in finding relationship satisfaction.
- Relationship Coaching for Couples offers education and resources to assist dating, pre-committed, pre-marital, and committed couples.
Accredited by:
ICF
Program Duration:
144 Hours
Cost:
$3,997
13. Life Coach Certification Program
The Life Coach Certification program offered by Life Purpose Institute equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to support others in reaching their goals and creating positive change in their lives.
The program covers a wide range of coaching techniques and strategies, including effective tools for coaching individuals and groups, overcoming obstacles, and facilitating life transitions.
Accredited by:
ICF
Program Duration:
3-6 Months
Cost:
Available on request on the website.
14. Human Potential Academy (HPA)
Human Potential Academy (HPA) coaching certifications focus on unlocking human potential, enhancing self-awareness, and fostering personal growth and development.
It covers various aspects of personal development like mindset coaching, goal setting, and empowerment strategies.
Accredited by:
AC Accredited
Program Duration:
10 Weeks
Cost:
$4,297
15. The Beautiful You Life Coaching Course
The Beautiful You Life Coaching Course is a comprehensive training program that integrates principles from various theoretical models and influential figures in the field of coaching and personal development.
These include:
- Empowerment Theory: Focused on helping individuals gain control over their lives and achieve self-efficacy.
- Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: A theory that describes human motivation and the hierarchical nature of human needs.
- Systems Theory: Explores the interconnectedness of individuals within larger systems and how change in one area can impact others.
Accredited by:
ICF
Program Duration:
Self-paced
Cost:
$5,990 AUD ($ 3964.18 USD)
16. Jungian Life Coach Certification
CreativeMind’s Jungian Life Coach Certification centers around creativity, self-expression, and personal transformation. It guides you to unlock your creative potential and overcome mental barriers.
Accredited by:
ICF
Program Duration:
1 Year
Cost:
Available on request on the website.
17. Holistic Life, Career & Executive Coach Training
The Holistic Life, Career, and Executive Coach Training program by Goal Imagery Coaching Academy offers a comprehensive approach to coaching mastery, focusing on the practical application of ICF core competencies.
The program is structured into three levels and explores various coaching niches and approaches like:
- Positive psychology/strength-based coaching
- Emotional intelligence (EQ)
- Neuroscience/brain-based coaching
- Ontological coaching
- Multiple intelligence theories
Accredited by:
ICF
Program Duration:
- Level 1: 60 Hours
- Level 2: 125 Hours
- Level 3: 75 Hours
Cost:
$5,500 for each course
18. Professional Coach Training Program
Coach U’s Professional Coach Training Program is designed for individuals and organizations seeking to develop foundational coaching skills with an emphasis on both the science and art of coaching.
The program consists of two phases:
- Core Essentials (Phase 1): This phase is for individuals looking to learn foundational coaching skills and begin their journey toward an ICF coaching certification.
- Professional Essentials (Phase 2): Exclusively for those who have completed Phase 1 or for credentialed ICF Coaches seeking to advance their skills further.
Accredited by:
ICF
Program Duration:
Phase 1: 78 hours of training
Phase 2: 72 hours of training
Cost:
Phase 1: $6,095
Phase 2: $6,095
19. Life Purpose Life Coach Certification
Udemy’s Life Purpose Life Coach Certification program trains you to help your clients uncover their life’s purpose and passion. You’ll get to learn techniques, psychology, and step-by-step strategies to guide others effectively.
Through the course, you acquire a proven blueprint for assisting clients in:
- Overcoming conditioning
- Exploring passions and talents
- Finding meaning in experiences
- Eliminating limiting beliefs
This comprehensive package equips you to coach clients toward discovering their purpose.
Accredited by:
Continuing Professional Development Standards Agency
Program Duration:
6.5 Hours
Cost:
$149.99
20. Certified Professional Life Coach
Certified Professional Life Coach provided by Charlotte School of Professional Studies equips you with critical skills to thrive as a certified life coach. This self-paced course covers ICF Core Competencies, ethical practices, and personalized coaching styles.
You also get to understand topics like mindfulness, ethical guidelines, coaching dynamics, and business strategies – culminating in a comprehensive business plan to kickstart your coaching journey.
Accredited by:
International Association of Professional Recovery Coaches (IAPRC)
Program Duration:
6 Months
Cost:
$1,895
21. Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
Professional Certified Coach (PCC) by the Institute For Life Coach Training is an intensive coaching program focusing on comprehensive coaching skills and preparation for a master coaching certification.
Accredited by:
ICF
Program Duration:
1 ½ to 2 years
Cost:
$7,700
22. 60-hr ICF Approved Coach Training
60-hr ICF Approved Coach Training offered by the Life Coaching Institute of America (LCIA) is a comprehensive program designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively coach clients ethically and professionally.
Accredited by:
ICF
Program Duration:
- 30 hours of synchronous virtual coach training
- 30 hours of non-synchronous coach training
Cost:
$2,190
23. Health And Nutrition Life Coach Certification
Another one from Transformation Academy.
The Health And Nutrition Life Coach Certification provides the knowledge and skills you need to guide clients toward improved well-being and a healthy lifestyle.
This course covers human anatomy, nutrition, physical fitness, and the psychology of behavioral change
Additionally, you get to learn how to conduct client assessments, develop customized nutrition and exercise programs, and address self-defeating habits.
Accredited by:
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Program Duration:
15 Hours
Cost:
$197
23. Coach Training EDU
Coach Training EDU offers three levels of ICF-accredited coach training programs, each designed to build upon the previous one and provide comprehensive training for establishing and advancing your coaching career.
Here’s an overview of each program:
- Associate Training: It includes the 1.0 Essential or 1.0 Academic training course, with optional Wellness or Executive self-paced add-ons, covering the foundational standards set by the ICF.
- Professional Training: It offers a choice between the Advanced 2.0 training program for enhanced coaching skills and career launch, or the Health Board course (with wellness self-paced add-on) specializing in NBHWC standards.
- Master Training: It includes the 1.0 and Advanced 2.0 training programs, along with an additional 1.0 course and/or elective courses such as Biz Launcher, Relationship Life Coach Training, Team Coach Training, etc.
Note: This level of certification requires the successful completion of 200 training hours.
Accredited by:
International Coaching Federation (ICF)
Program Duration:
6-24 Months
Cost:
Contact for pricing.
24. Accredited Diploma in Transformative Coaching
The Accredited Diploma in Transformative Coaching by Animas Centre For Coaching
designed to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to work effectively with clients at a deep level.
Rooted in psychology, change theory, and humanistic practice, this transformative approach enables you to assist clients in exploring their beliefs, values, assumptions, and perspectives.
Accredited by:
- ICF
- EMCC
- AC
Program Duration:
9 Months
Cost:
£5,995 ($ 7,669.58)
25. Certified Professional Coaching (CPC)
The Grow Training Institute’s Certified Professional Coach Certification aims to provide comprehensive coach training that is accessible, affordable, and recognized across various health disciplines.
It offers a structured pathway for individuals seeking to establish themselves as professional coaches and enhance their coaching skills and expertise.
Accredited by:
CCE approved
Program Duration:
3 Weeks
Cost:
$1054
Moreover, as you gear up to select a certification program, think about how you’ll manage your coaching practice too.
Try Simply.Coach, which offers an integrated coaching platform for scheduling, goal tracking, and much more, helping you streamline your operations as you grow.
Read: Life Coaching 101: Essential Skills for Guiding Clients Towards Personal Growth
Conclusion
Selecting the appropriate certification program is crucial as it directly influences your effectiveness and success as a coach.
A well-chosen program ensures:
- Proper accreditation
- A comprehensive curriculum
- Practical experience
- Ongoing support – laying a strong foundation for your coaching career
Go through the list of certifications mentioned above and pick the one that suits your needs and goals best, and with the right certification in hand, you’ll be ready to soar as a coach in no time!
About Simply.Coach
Simply.Coach is an enterprise-grade coaching software designed to be used by individual coaches and coaching businesses. Trusted by ICF-accredited and EMCC-credentialed coaches worldwide, Simply.Coach is on a mission to elevate the experience and process of coaching with technology-led tools and solutions.