NBHWC Approved Health Coach Certifications
AFPA 100% online accredited health coach certification courses give you the tools and knowledge to expand or kick-start your career as a successful health coach.
Recognized as the Best in Health Coaching
“Best Holistic Approach”
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Our Health Coach Program Accreditations
AFPA’s Certified Master Health and Wellness Coach program is an 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 a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC).
Proudly recognized as an organizational member of the Association of Coach Training Organizations (ACTO).
Our Health Coach certifications fully meet the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) education requirements, providing students with the most comprehensive course material designed by the Institute to gain eligibility as a Board Certified Health Coach.
Approved as a CEU Provider by the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP). Receive your continued education units in health coaching through AFPA.
What You Will Learn
Robust Health and Wellness Plans
Learn how to develop integrated wellness strategies like setting goals, preventing disease, stress management, improving mind-body connections and acquiring a large clientele who needs your health coaching services.
Become an Expert Health Advisor
Master the client-coach connection and discover the best approaches for providing useful feedback, motivating clients to follow through with their specific action plan, and guiding them into healthy beginnings with a holistic approach.
Evidence-Based Coaching Methodology
Discover the most effective approach in helping your clients reach their health and wellness goals. Our state-of-the-art coaching system is used globally for a reason. Graduate with industry-leading skills and become known as the go-to health coach.
Become a Health Coach
Key Benefits
Comprehensive and Affordable Certification
AFPA health coaching programs are packed with top-notch education material by authorities in the field. The AFPA curriculums allow for affordability, convenience and quick completion. Receive your credentials at a fraction of the price of a 4-year college curriculum or other health coach schools, and still qualify for board-certification upon completion of your program.
Tremendous Industry Growth
Due to the global increase of preventable chronic disease, the demand for health coaching has grown to record highs. Job opportunities for coaches are increasing every year, and becoming AFPA certified will help you take the next steps towards a career in this flourishing industry.
Valuable Business Resources
If you decide to build your own business after certification, AFPA offers exceptional business resources and guidance to help you establish a successful health coaching business so you don’t have to journey down the entrepreneurial path alone!
Not sure if becoming a health coach is the right path for you? Hear what our graduates have to say
Becoming certified with AFPA has completely changed my life! I could never imagine that I would be where I am now when I completed my certification! I feel so lucky to wake up every day with the opportunity to impact others physically and mentally by sharing my passion with them. It truly is a dream come true.”
The certification program changed everything in my overall life. It changed how I ate, my health, and how I help other people. It also changed my career in the health space. I liked that the information presented had studies and actually showed you the research as it was teaching you things.”
Becoming certified with AFPA has given me the knowledge and confidence to take my life down a completely new path. It was the catalyst for starting my businesses and beginning a coaching journey. It still amazes me almost every day that my job is to literally help people live a healthier, happier life. In addition, the way my own habits have improved continues to impact my well-being. ”
FREE SAMPLE COURSE
Certified Health and Wellness Coach Program
Experience our dynamic online learning platform and get an exclusive sample of AFPA’s updated health coaching curriculum.
Health Coaching FAQ
What is the difference between a health coach and a nutritionist? Answer
Both health coaches and holistic nutritionists play essential roles in supporting individuals’ health and well-being, but there are notable differences in their focus and approaches.
A holistic nutritionist specializes in the field of holistic nutrition, which emphasizes the interconnection of various aspects of wellness, including physical, emotional, occupational, interpersonal, intellectual, spiritual, and cultural wellness. Holistic nutritionists primarily focus on the power of nutrition and its impact on overall health. They are trained in understanding the relationship between food, nutrients, and the human body. With their knowledge of holistic nutrition principles, they provide clients with personalized guidance and strategies to optimize their health and well-being through a balanced and wholesome diet.
On the other hand, a health coach takes a more comprehensive approach to wellness. While nutrition is an essential component of their work, health coaches often address a broader range of lifestyle factors that contribute to overall health. They consider aspects such as stress management, exercise, sleep, relationships, and personal development. Health coaches aim to empower individuals to make positive changes in various areas of their lives and support them in achieving their overall wellness goals.
While holistic nutritionists focus primarily on nutrition and its impact on health, health coaches use their coaching skills to address multiple dimensions of well-being. Ultimately, both professionals can make a positive impact on individuals’ health.
Read our full blog on the difference between a nutritionist and health coach.
Where can I work as a health coach? Answer
Some graduates may feel a bit overwhelmed with the career possibilities and choices available to them once they have completed the program and are in need of a little guidance. You can choose from a variety of work environments, doing full-time or part-time coaching, having your own coaching business, or working alongside other professionals first. Here are some options:
- Colleges and Universities: Although college-level sports teams can use Holistic Health Coaches, it’s not just the athletes who can benefit from your insights. Many colleges and universities use health professionals for students, faculty, and staff as a way to reduce stress and boost overall wellness for everyone on campus.
- Wellness Centers, Spas, and Gyms: As the interest in wellness and healthy lifestyle changes blossoms, the number of centers specializing in these services is growing—particularly at resorts and retreat organizations. Gyms also are expanding their offerings in order to stand out from competitors, and many offer more than just personal training.
- Corporations: Companies of every size are implementing employee wellness programs and offering incentives for healthy lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, regular exercise, and health screenings.
- Weight Loss Programs: Even well-established diet programs have been making major changes in the past few years, moving away from restrictive plans in order to focus on healthy eating behaviors. Many have acknowledged that deprivation and overly rigid diet programs can lead to yo-yo weight issues that are ultimately unhealthy for clients. As these programs shift toward a better model, Holistic Health Coaches fit in beautifully.
- Training Centers: Holistic health coaches can be a strong addition to sports-specific training centers that cater to professional and amateur athletes. Often, those who are training need a range of strategies that don’t just encompass nutrition for optimal performance, but also stress management and recovery tactics.
- Own your own business: Some Holistic Health Coaches prefer to have their own businesses and consult with different types of organizations on a regular basis. Some existing practices are looking to partner with holistic health professionals in order to offer more services to their clients and grow their network. With many options for where you could work as a Holistic Health Coach, you have the opportunity to keep expanding your business and optimizing your revenue sources, in addition to helping clients live their best lives.
What are some additional career ideas for health coaches? Answer
- Create your own holistic nutrition and health blog
- Create a YouTube channel and/or a podcast about nutrition and coaching
- Host holistic nutrition and holistic wellness coaching groups on social media
- Create nutrition and wellness programs in your community
- Create your own online wellness products and programs
- Develop a meal planning system for clients or organizations for your online business
- Be a resource for sourcing local organic foods
- Teach holistic nutrition and wellness seminars to special groups for a variety of ages
- Lecture or speak on holistic wellness and behavior change at events and conferences
- Author books on creating a healthy lifestyle and holistic nutrition recipes
- Host a wellness retreat
- Start a meal preparation and delivery business
- Create and run a community kitchen and garden
- Be a guest on local programming, such as radio, news, tv, or public forum
- Work as an in-store nutritionist
- Start a restaurant or personal chef business
How much can I earn as a health coach? Answer
As a Holistic Health Coach, it’s not uncommon to charge $100-$150 per session or even as much as $200-$500/hour even. In fact, according Glassdoor.com, health and wellness coaches can earn upwards of $87,000 per year doing what they love. The opportunities for health coaching professionals are only increasing year over year.
How is AFPA different from other coaching programs? Answer
AFPA’s curriculum integrates both our health and wellness coaching content and holistic nutrition content, specifically motivational interviewing, positive psychology, mind-body medicine, and character strengths.
The AFPA certification program is one of the most comprehensive options available and is the perfect fit for someone who may not necessarily have the time or money to pursue a four-year degree program at a college or university. Course study materials are delivered online and/or to your doorstep, and you can learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You have assignments to complete and—when you’re ready—you can complete the final certification examination.
Added bonus: Once you have completed this program, AFPA will pay for your Board Certification with the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP). Benefits of this board certification include discounted professional liability insurance, client questionnaires, and laboratory testing services in the USA and Canada. Members will also be automatically added to a database, which is used to refer practitioners to the general public.
More perks:
- AFPA has provided certification and continuing education to more than 130,000 Certified Personal Fitness Trainer, Certified Fitness Instructors and Nutrition professionals worldwide. AFPA offers FREE unlimited professional support to all of our certified professionals!
- Earn continuing education credits for health professionals.
- The program curriculum fully meets AADP board educational requirements, which gives AFPA students a thorough knowledge of courses set forth by the institute. As an added incentive, this makes you eligible to become a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner.
- The AFPA program curriculum fully meets the educational requirements of the American Naturopathic Medical Accreditation Board (ANMAB), and graduates are eligible to apply to be a board certified Holistic Health Practitioner through ANMAB.
- AFPA is an approved training provider by the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine.
- AFPA and this program are approved by the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP) for a total of 60 NANP Category 1 CEUs.
- AFPA is a recognized coaching organizational member of the Association of Coach Training Organizations (ACTO).
- AFPA is recognized by the state of Florida as an Associate Member in Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges (FAPSC).
- AFPA is a registered educational institution with the Canadian Association of Drugless Practitioners (CADP) in the country of Canada with all the applicable rights, privileges, and responsibilities.
- AFPA is a partner in wellness and organizational member of the American Holistic Health Association (AHHA).
- AFPA is recognized as an organizational member of the American Nutrition Association® (ANA).
Who can enroll in AFPA’s health coach certification program? Answer
We welcome anyone interested in making their lives better and those around them through creating a healthy lifestyle!
Also, any licensed and credentialed healthcare professionals, as well as individuals working in any of the following fields, may be interested in taking this program to further their skills and practice: physician, physician assistant, licensed clinical counselor, chiropractor, nurse practitioner/clinical nurse specialist, RN/LPN/LVN, therapists and assistants, dentist/licensed dental hygienist, registered dietitians, certified nutrition specialist, certified nutrition professionals, certified diabetes educator, certified athletic trainer, certified exercise physiologist, licensed acupuncturist, certified personal trainers, and certified fitness professionals.
My background is not in healthcare or fitness. Can I still enroll? Answer
Absolutely! Although experience in a health and wellness field is a plus, great coaches come from diverse career backgrounds and prior life experiences.
When can I enroll? What do I need to do in order to enroll? Answer
Whenever you want! We have a rolling enrollment for all programs, meaning that all you need to do is complete your enrollment online.
Are there payment plan options? Answer
Yes, AFPA offers flexible, interest-free payment plans without credit checks or added fees.
