Health Coach Certification

The most comprehensive curriculum, taught by world-class faculty

Start Date: December 17, 2024

Duration: 20 weeks (7-10 hours/week)

Functional Nutrition Training ($1,999 value)

8-Week Business Course ($1,197 value)

Job placement support post-graduation

December 17
, 4:00pm EST
FREE EVENT

Free Virtual Live Summit

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Register for a Free Live Virtual Summit?

"Become a Health Coach FAQ" Event on November 5th at 4:00pm ET

Learn more about our Health Coach Certification program, get your questions answered in real-time and meet members of the mindbodygreen team. Plus, attendees will get an extra $200 discount for joining the event!

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Learn about the program

Sign up to receive a syllabus with course details. Optionally join our virtual summit for live Q&A.

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Become a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for the NBHWC Certification Exam.

Responsive Video Player

Approved by the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching.

Efficient design takes just 20 weeks to complete.

Combines live lessons, online videos, and real-time practice to maximize learning retention.

Taught by world-class healthcare experts and NBC-HWCs.

$78K
Average starting salary for a
Certified Health Coach
— Glassdoor
Week 1
Introduction To Health Coaching
  • What is Health Coaching? A Brief History of Health Coaching
  • Coaching Triad - Building a Coaching Presence
  • What's In Scope for a Health Coach & mbg Wheel of Well-being
Week 2
Behavior Change Theory
  • Transtheoretical Model of Change
  • Self-Regulation & Listening for State of Change
  • Self-Determination Theory, Social Cognitive Theory & Coaching Applications
Week 3
Communication: Mindful Listening, MI, Oars, Scaling, Reflections
  • Mindful Listening, Motivational Interviewing, OARS
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Scaling & Reflections
Week 4
Nonviolent Communication & Appreciative Inquiry
  • Nonviolent & Non-Verbal Communication
Week 5
The Arc of a Coaching Relationship
  • The Arc of a Coaching Relationship
  • Practice Initial Coaching Session
  • Demo of Intro Coaching Session Discussion
Week 6
Setting Smart Goals
  • Navigating Chronic Disease with Clients
  • The Coaching Agreement
Week 7
Integrating Assessments & Measuring Progress
  • Accountability & Measuring Progress in Coaching
  • Integrating Assessments
Week 8
Difficult Conversations and ConflictResolution
  • Triggers for Coach and Client & Skillful Interruption
  • How is the Health coaching profession different from other professions
Week 9
Personal & Professional Development
  • Personal Development & Healing Presence
  • Coaching Triad Mind-Body Dialogue Tool
  • Professional Development, Self-Care & Avoiding Burnout
Week 10
Mind-Body Skills in Coaching
  • Healthy Thought Habits
Week 11
Well-Being & Functional Health
  • Foundations of Functional Health
Week 12
Lifestyle Factors: Stress & Resilience
  • Coaching Around Stress & Resilience
  • Resilience
Week 13
Lifestyle Factors: Sleep
  • Chronic Diseases I
  • Coaching Clients on Sleep
Week 14
Lifestyle Factors: Physical Activity
  • Chronic Disease II
Week 15
Lifestyle Factors: Nutrition
  • Nutritional Models & Diet Types
Week 16
Lifestyle Factors: Addiction
  • Chronic Disease III
Week 17
NBHWC Code Of Ethics
  • Navigating Conflict of Interest
  • NBHWC Standards of Ethical Conduct
Week 18
Maintain Security, HIPAA, Privacy
Of Records
  • Positioning Statements Workshop
  • HIPAA Detail
Week 19
Putting It All Together/ Building a Business
  • What’s in scope for a Health Coach (and What Isn’t)
  • Coaching Lab 1, 2 and 3
Week 20
Final Exam Preparation
  • Final Exam Announcements, Celebrations & Success Stories
  • Collapsed Beliefs / Taming One's Inner Critic
  • Review of Biometric Items  to Commit to Memory

Graduate Testimonials

Here's what our former students are saying
"This program changed my mindset, I'm more positive, I'm learning to love myself, I'm more present.
I’m slowing down. It’s just amazing the things that I have done and the work I've done on myself, which I just was not expecting. This program has been the one thing, in all the uncertainty, that has helped me ground."

JANELLE

Graduate, Business Professional

"The faculty are phenomenal; they set you up for success and support you every step of the way.
The skills we learned as coaches have become skills I use in my relationship with my husband, my children, and my friends. They have taught me to be a better listener, to suspend judgment, and to hold people with unconditional positive regard."

Liz

Graduate, Health Educator and Yoga Instructor

"This should be a life skills course; it doesn’t matter what domain you’re in.
I am a medical professional, so you end up giving a lot of well-meaning advice, but it’s literature-forward. I had never learned how to let people discover what it is that they truly want."

MAHESH

Graduate, Registered Acupuncturist and Co- Founder of Sepalika Fertility Clinic

This program is for you if:

You've worked through your own health issues and are now seeking to help others overcome theirs as a health coach.

You're changing careers (e.g., from corporate finance, sales, marketing, hospitality, etc.).

You're already a wellness professional (like a fitness trainer, yoga instructor, massage therapist, acupuncturist, etc.) and want to expand your career.

You're already a health coach looking to complete a board-certified program and hold the NBC-HWC credential.

You're a Registered Nurse or Medical Doctor interested in holistic healthcare approaches and functional medicine.

You’re a Registered Dietitian looking to incorporate health coaching into your practice.

You're a recent college graduate passionate about holistic health.

You're a stay-at-home parent looking to switch to a health and wellness career.

You're retired and seeking a rewarding second career in health coaching.

added benefits

Alumni Program
20 hours of annual education for ongoing support and development.
NBHWC exam prep study sessions
Access to health coach mentors and industry experts
Business training: Marketing, pricing, client acquisition, group coaching
Exclusive discounts from our partner at:
Complimentary Business Course
Develop the confidence and entrepreneurial skills to build your wellness business
Free Access to Introductory Business Course ($1,197 in value)
8-week online training, weekly for 90 minutes
Earn 19 CEUs from NBHWC
Available after graduation from mindbodygreen’s Health Coach Certification
Functional Nutrition Training
A cutting-edge nutrition deep dive taught by the world's foremost health & wellness experts
30+ hours of online lessons ($1,999 in value)
660+ pages of in-depth study guides
On-demand classes taught by 20 of the worlds top doctors & experts
Live guest speaker events with top wellness experts

What makes Health Coach Certificate best-in-class

Enroll Now
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Duration
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Functional Nutrition Training ($1,999 value)
8-Week Business Course (Free)
Job placement support
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Job placement support
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Functional Nutrition Training ($1,999 value)
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Job placement support

Our Instructors

An unparalleled combination of world-class healthcare experts and NBC-HWCs:
Darshi Shah, MS, MA, NBC-HWC
Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Speaker, Author
Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN
Nutrition Expert, Author, Adjunct Professor NYU
Emily Marquis, MA, NBC-HWC, ICF Coach, RYT-200
Certified Clinical Health & Wellness Coach, Yoga/Mindfulness Instructor
Katrina Watson, RN, MSN, NBC-HWC
Certified Clinical Nurse Educator and Certified Health & Wellness Coach
Laura Demeri, NBC-HWC, CCP, DipACLM
Award-winning Educator and Certified Health & Wellness Coach
Joyce Gorman, MS, NBC-HWC, RYT-200
National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Yoga & Mindfulness Instructor

After you complete this program

As a mindbodygreen Health Coach, you'll be able to:

Launch your own health coaching business and offer one-on-one or group coaching sessions.

Work in a functional medicine practice to help doctors support their clients.

Work for a corporate wellness program to help improve employee well-being.

Build a social media platform to connect with people and offer coaching services.

Work at a wellness resort or spa.

Work in schools, colleges, or universities to help students make healthier choices.

Host events at local gyms or fitness studios.

Volunteer in local communities to promote healthy habits.

Speak at conferences or host workshops to share your expertise.

Request Syllabus

fund your future

orientation STARTs

December 17th
20 week program Winter deadline December 17th

Save $300 with our sale until May 24th! Discount is auto-applied at checkout.

Become a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBHWC)

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for the HWC Certifying Examination.

Efficient design takes just 20 weeks to complete.

Our program is centered on an interactive, cohort-based learning experience

Combines live lessons, online videos, and real-time practice to maximize learning retention.

This program weaves together theory and practice through 75 hours of instruction combined with interactive coaching triads, live office hours & regular feedback sessions.

Pay Upfront
$5,999
Enroll Now
Pay Monthly
$250/mo
Enroll Now
0% APR financing for up to 24 months
with Affirm!*

*Your rate will be 0%-36% APR based on credit, and is subject to an eligibility check. For example, a $700 purchase might cost $63.18/mo over 12 months at 15% APR. Payment options through Affirm are provided by these lending partners: affirm.com/lenders. Options depend on your purchase amount and a down payment may be required.

Approved by the NBHWC
Interactive cohort learning
Real-time coaching feedback
A holistic approach
World-class experts
Complete in under 6 months
Alumni program
Free business course
Includes Functional Nutrition Training
($1,999 value!)
*class is taught separately.

how it works

1

Weekly live sessions

Students attend two live online sessions each week with our expert faculty. These sessions are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with morning and evening options available to accommodate your personal schedule. Each session includes time for Q&A at the end.

2

Pre-recorded lessons

New video content is released each week to supplement the live sessions. Students watch the pre-recorded lessons and review written materials, such as study guides and worksheets, alongside the live sessions.

3

Hands-on practice coaching sessions

Our program includes real-time practice coaching sessions to ensure our students are adequately prepared upon graduation. These 90-minute sessions are held on Wednesdays to provide hands-on coaching experience.

Request Syllabus
Monday
There are no live sessions on Mondays.
Instead, you can watch this week’s pre-recorded lessons and review written reading materials ahead of
tomorrow’s live session.
Tuesday
Attend a 90-minute live session with faculty and students on this week’s topic: How stress impacts the body and what to do about it.
In this lesson, you’ll learn about the three stages of stress response, mind-body practices, and how to eat for stress reduction.
Wednesday
There are no required live sessions on Wednesdays.
(optional) Attend a 'Coaching triad' to get real-time coaching practice with faculty and peers. You’ll practice leading clients through a 'Stress Brainstorming' exercise to assess and reframe how stress manifests in their life and help them navigate responding to stress effectively.
Thursday
Attend our second, 90-minute live session of the week with faculty and students.
This time, you’ll learn about the body’s response to stress across the digestive, endocrine, nervous,
and reproductive systems.
Friday
TGIF! No live sessions on Fridays.
Take the weekly comprehension quiz before logging off for the weekend. (Optional) Connect with other students via our online community platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a health coach?
Health coaches are behavior and motivation experts. They partner with clients who are seeking to improve their well-being and provide them with the knowledge, skills & motivation to make lasting lifestyle changes.

This can include - but is not limited to - nutrition approaches, fitness/activity plans, stress management protocol and broader lifestyle adjustments that will help clients reach their wellness goals.

The most effective coaches motivate, support and demonstrate unconditional positive regard for their clients and believe in their capacity to change.
Are there limitations to what a health coach can practice?
A health coach can provide a range of guidance depending on area(s) of practice and specific client need(s). This may include guidance on ways of eating, lifestyle adjustments, healthy habit creation, accountability, positive reinforcement and more.

A health coach can also:

Empower and educate clients to advocate for themselves in their healthcare setting. Assist clients to find a network of providers that best support their needs and wellness goals. Support clients in achieving health goals and behavioral changes which are consistent with their healthcare providers treatment plans. Help clients shift their perspective to see new opportunities and release limiting beliefs. Enable clients to increase their primary food, improve nutrition, and make lifestyle shifts to promote overall health and well-being. A health coach does not diagnose conditions or prescribe any individualized treatments, tests, or supplements for conditions. What health coaches can say about nutrition, exercise and lifestyle varies by state and by country.
What does it mean to be an ‘NBHWC Approved’ training program and why does it matter?
The National Board Certification credential (NBC-HWC) represents the profession’s highest standard, and was developed in collaboration with the National Board of Medical Examiners.

With greater availability of health and wellness coach training programs than ever before, ensuring baseline qualification of coaches - and the organizations training them - has become critical to advancing the industry’s standard of care.

Our Health Coach Certification is Approved Health and Wellness Coach Training & Education Program by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC).

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for the HWC Certifying Examination to become National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC).
How do I become a NBC-HWC (board certified) health coach?
To qualify for the National Board Certification Exam, you must:

1. Have an associate’s degree or higher or 4,000 hours of work experience in any field
2. Complete an NBHWC approved training program
3. Complete 50 health & wellness coaching sessions (upon graduation from approved training program)

Once you have met these qualifications, you must apply for the National Board Certification Exam and score 80% or higher.
What sets mindbodygreen’s Health Coach Certification apart from other programs in the market?
There are several meaningful ways in which our program stands apart from other board-certified options:‍

1. Our program not only provides best-in-class coaching fundamentals, but does so through a uniquely holistic mindbodygreen perspective.

2. Our weekly training has been thoughtfully designed to maximize knowledge retention & skill building in the shortest period of time possible (versus spreading the course over 6- or 12-months).

3. Our curriculum includes abundant real-time practice, including peer & faculty mock coaching feedback, to ensure you are confidently ready to serve as a health coach by time you graduate.

4. Certified health coaches - NBC-HWCs - will teach, train and mentor you through every step of the process. We truly believe that there is no better way for you to learn than from professionals who have successfully earned their board credentials and spent hundreds of hours working with clients.

5. Our support doesn’t end upon graduation: we are committed to helping to position all of our students for success - not only through connection to our extensive wellness community but through access to a robust network of graduates for opportunity sharing, continuing education and more.

If you’d like to learn more about what makes our Health Coach Certification stand apart, we invite you to chat with a Program Advisor mbgcoaching@mindbodygreen.com
How do mbg’s Health Coach Certification and Functional Nutrition Training differ?
Our Health Coach Certification provides students with the foundation of effective health coaching, including various methods of listening, inquiry, reflection, goal setting, mindset shifts and habit creation. While basic nutrition is covered within our Health Coach Certification, students seeking a more in-depth nutrition training would benefit from the Functional Nutrition Training program.

The Functional Nutrition Training provides in-depth insight on functional nutrition. It’s a fantastic compliment to the Health Coach Certification, and as an advanced training to build upon nearly any health & wellness discipline.
What support and resources are available to graduates?
Our Alumni Program provides graduates with twenty hours of annual education for ongoing support and development. We offer focused study sessions for alumni preparing for the NBHWC exam. Alumni also have the opportunity to learn from and get real-world insights and inspiration from industry experts and successful health coaches. Many topics covered during alumni education sessions help our coaches build their businesses, including marketing, pricing services, finding clients, incorporating group coaching, and more.

To further support alumni in building their own businesses, we offer a free business course that is designed to help you awaken to your true calling as a coach or entrepreneur, discover your creativity, reprogram your mindset for success, connect with a supportive group of like-minded coaches, overcome fear, and step into your power and confidence to create abundance. Mindbodygreen graduates can enroll in this business course at no cost and earn 19 CEUs from the NBHWC.
Are there any technology requirements to participate in the program?
This course takes place online - through streamed video, live instruction and downloaded materials. Students must have the following:

- Good internet connection
- Laptop & Zoom account (free)
- Familiarity with Zoom
- Printer access

Kindly note that Zoom is required for recording your practice sessions (a prerequisite for all board-approved programs) and the recording feature is not supported on mobile or tablet devices. A laptop or desktop computer is required.
How much time do I have to complete the program?
The Health Coach Certification is twenty weeks in duration with pre-determined program start and end dates. This means that all students within a particular enrollment period will become part of one unified cohort, progressing through the program together & graduating at the same time. It makes for a fantastic built-in support network!

Given this fact, it is important to ensure that you are in a position to commit to the requirements of the program for 20 weeks. The majority of this program is delivered through required live instructional hours taught at set times each week.

While we understand life events can interfere with participation, students who miss more than a few lessons and are not able to attend make-up sessions will be encouraged to complete the course during the next enrollment cycle.
What is your refund policy?
Refund requests up to 14-days after purchase will receive a full refund, less a $250 administrative fee.

Refund requests up to Week 3 of the Health Coach Certification will receive a 75% refund, less a $250 admin fee. No refunds will be granted after Week 3 of the program.
Request Syllabus
How It Works

A week in the life of a mindbodygreen Health Coach Certification student

Get a glimpse into a week in the life of a Health Coach Certification student. Below, a peek inside week 12 of our program.

During this week, we cover how stress affects the body and how a health coach can productively cope with stress—both for themselves and their clients.

Monday:

There are no live sessions on Mondays.

Instead, you can watch this week’s pre-recorded lessons and review written reading materials ahead of tomorrow’s live session.

Tuesday:

Attend a 90-minute live session with faculty and students on this week’s topic: How stress impacts the body and what to do about it.

In this lesson, you’ll learn about the three stages of stress response, mind-body practices, and how to eat for stress reduction.

Wednesday:

There are no required live sessions on Wednesdays.

(optional) Attend a ‘Coaching triad’ to get real-time coaching practice with faculty and peers. You’ll practice leading clients through a ‘Stress Brainstorming exercise to assess and reframe how stress manifests in their life and help them navigate responding to stress effectively.

Thursday:

Attend our second, 90-minute live session of the week with faculty and students.

This time, you’ll learn about the body’s response to stress across the digestive, endocrine, nervous, and reproductive systems.

Friday:

TGIF! No live sessions on Fridays.

Take the weekly comprehension quiz before logging off for the weekend.

(Optional) Connect with other students via our online community platform.