The TRUTH about Life Coach Certifications and Accreditation (Becoming a Life Coach)

Q: Do I need a Degree or go to School/University to be a life coach?

As a general answer, no. Life coaching certifications are typically non-academic (not through a college or university) and are offered by private life coach training organizations, which are usually run by experienced life coaches and/or educators. These educational programs train life coaches in various aspects of coaching and offer a certificate endorsing the coach who has completed the training program offered by that organization.

Q: How to become a life coach?

1. Determine you're qualified to be a life coach 2. Identify your life coaching niche 3. Research life coach certification, accreditation and training programs 4. Structure your services 5. Market business and get clients 6. Invest in continued life coach training

How to Become a Life Coach: The TRUTH about Qualifications, Certifications & Accreditation

There is a lot of misleading or confusing information out there. We’re here to help!

Read or watch below.

Most aspiring life coaches we meet tell us the same thing… they are passionate about helping people but they’re just not sure they’re qualified or capable of becoming a life coach,or what type of life coach certification is needed. We felt the same way when we first started.

We also hear stories of aspiring coaches being intimidated and shamed by other coaches who believe that only certain life coach training programs approved by specific “associations” are valid.

This is an unfortunate trend in the life coaching industry that ends up discouraging coaches, instead of empowering them.

The truth is you can do this.

We want to be transparent about how life coach certification and accreditation actually work! So below, please read more about the TRUTH about the life coaching industry that many don’t want you to know.

Common FAQs on Becoming a Life Coach

In our many years of life coaching and training thousands of students to become life coaches of their own, we’ve come across our fair share of questions on starting a life coaching career. Our most commonly asked question is always around qualifications, certifications, and accreditation. So we’ll dive into some answers here.

Am I Qualified to Become a Life Coach?

There is no law, regulation or requirements in order to be life coach.

Are you qualified? The answer is a resounding, “YES!” You are qualified to be a life coach. Life coaches come from all sorts of backgrounds like counseling, personal fitness, nursing, and business, etc. However, the majority of coaches do not have official backgrounds. Instead, they bring with them two things: life experience and/or work experience. Plus, you’ve probably been doing this your whole life!

In many cases, coaches target a specific niche in which they have unique knowledge and experience. For example, entrepreneurs might coach business start-ups, personal trainers become health coaches, teachers coach others on public speaking, etc. Life coaches enroll in training programs to hone their skills and learn strategies for growing their specific coaching practice.

These programs help establish a foundation of understanding about what coaching is, the psychology behind it, and the methodologies and processes used. Ultimately, what training you need in order to coach is up to you.

Why are there no regulations? Because life coaching is a self-regulating industry. If a coach is not effective, they won’t get clients and therefore won’t be a coach.

Do I Need a Degree or Go to School/University to Be a Life Coach?

There is no degree or license required to be a coach.

Life coaching certifications are typically non-academic (not through a college or university) and are offered by private life coach training organizations, which are usually run by experienced life coaches and/or educators. These educational programs train life coaches in various aspects of coaching and offer a certificate endorsing the coach who has completed the training program offered by that organization.

Does My Coach Training Organization or Certification Need to Be Accredited?

There is no accrediting body or governing board in life coaching.

There are organizations that claim to be an accrediting or governing body for the life coaching industry, and therefore “accredit” other organizations’ certification programs. However as we mentioned above, these organizations hold no legal authority over the field or other organizations. So, taking a coach training program that is “accredited” by a particular organization is not required to become a life coach.

If It’s Not Required, Why Get Certified in Life Coaching?

Training programs offer you valuable skills and tools to make you an effective coach!

Other industries, such as social services, education, fitness, and speaking, to name a few, also offer certifications that are not legal licenses or accredited by educational institutions. The purpose of such certifications and training is to obtain specialized knowledge to further develop one’s career, increase the value of the services one provides, and establish further confidence and credibility.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Life Coach?

Building your life coaching business can take time as you network, build skills, and grow your client base. However, completing a training program can take less than a month or as long as a year, depending on the program.

Transformation Academy’s self-paced online courses and certification programs take just 20 to 60 hours to complete.

Once you’ve been certified, it’s just a matter of building up your business and making the connections that will make your entrepreneurship goals viable. It’s also wise to spend time figuring out what your niche is and how to target clients. You can learn more about how to market your coaching business here (CLICK HERE).

Are All Life Coaching Programs the Same?

There are many organizations that offer certification programs, and there are many types of coaching certifications. Some programs focus on general coaching principles and methodologies, while other programs teach specific processes for coaching clients on niche topics (LEARN MORE). Many coaches study general methodologies and also complete training in a particular niche, depending on their interests. Some coaching programs are taught in person and others are available online.

How Much Does it Cost to Start Life Coaching?

Coach training or certification program prices can range from hundreds to thousands. Some training programs require “contact hours” with mentor coaches and practice hours with clients in order to earn the certification, while others do not. The cost of programs reflects the different level of interaction.

Transformation Academy’s essential Professional Life Coach Certification costs just $197.

Your business startup costs may vary depending on whether you offer online-only coaching, in-person coaching, an office space, advertising, and more. However, certification for life coaching can be affordable.

What are CEU/CPD credits?

In many industries, employees or practitioners are required to earn “continuing education units (CEU’s)” or “continuing professional development (CPD)” credits to meet requirements for their career path or maintain industry licenses. A number of organizations provide training that meets the requirements of these CEU/CPD credits. These organizations also approve coach training programs that meet their requirements and allow those organizations to provide CEU/CPD credits for students who complete their courses.

These CEU/CPD credits are only of value to students who are in a career field that requires or acknowledges them. They are also not required. (For example, Transformation Academy® is an accredited provider of continuing professional development with the internationally recognized CPD Standards Office. Provider number: 50134.)

Choosing the Best Life Coaching Program

Most life coach training programs do a good job of covering industry standards and core skills. Where they differ is how much detail they get into related to the actual processes you will use with your clients (practical), whether or not they train you in a specific type of coaching (niche), and whether or not they help you understand what it takes to create a life coaching business.

In addition, some programs offer in-person or live-virtual components to the training and others are 100% online and self-paced. Some require a certain number off hours meeting with a “mentor”, as well as practice hours with clients. Some programs costs thousands and take months, others are much less cost and can be finished at your own pace.

The best life coaching program will assist you in your development from start to finish. Whether you’re just learning the basic tools that life coaches use to make changes in people’s lives or you’re navigating how to get clients as a life coach (LEARN MORE), a solid certification program will show you the steps that you need to take.

What is best for you is 100% up to you.

Become a Life Coach Today with Transformation Academy

Becoming a life coach is an exciting career path to pursue. However, we understand that it’s overwhelming to know where to start. That’s where Transformation Academy® comes in. We offer comprehensive life coach certification and training. There are more than 45 niche certifications (VIEW HERE) to choose from! Plus, our life coaching business masterclass (LEARN MORE) can help you figure out how to get clients and grow your life coaching business, whether you plan to offer to coach on the side or make it your full-time gig.

After you complete your life coach certification at Transformation Academy®, you’ll be able to fully realize your dreams and help your clients achieve their goals.

Explore all of Transformation Academy’s coach certifications by clicking below.