Is Becoming Accredited the Key to a Successful Health Coaching Business?
If you’re thinking about becoming a Health Coach, chances are you’ve been told you need to get accredited, right?
And that’s not bad advice!
In a booming industry valued at around $7 billion, and increasing numbers of people being drawn to health coaching careers, it’s becoming pretty darn important to stand out among the crowd. [1]
However, while becoming accredited may be a good first step, it isn’t the only way to set yourself apart in the sea of other health coaches & practitioners…
Because the truth is, accreditation alone isn’t the end-all-be-all when it comes to building a successful and sustainable health coaching business.
That’s right – we said it!
As leaders in the Functional Health space, we’ve helped thousands of people build profitable health coaching careers, and we’ve learned a thing or two about what you need to succeed.
Which is exactly why we’re sharing our wisdom on what it *really* takes to build a thriving business as a health coach or functional health practitioner… including one critical factor that will have potential clients knocking at your virtual door.
So, let’s jump right in!
What Does it Mean to Become Accredited as a Health Coach?
When we talk about being accredited, we’re referring to the National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) credential.
To earn this title, you must pass the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches (NBHWC) exam, otherwise known as the “gold standard” in health coaching certification.
In a crowded industry, with over 128,000 health coaches in the U.S. alone, only a little more than 8,400 individuals hold this credential. [2]
And it’s easy to see why…
Just to sit for the exam, you’re required to complete these prerequisites:
- Take an NBHWC-approved program
- Complete 50 health coaching sessions that align with the board’s criteria
- Have an associate’s degree OR at least 4,000 hours of work experience
Once you pass, you earn the title of becoming a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HBW).
And after that, you’ll then need to complete 30+ hours of continuing education that’s required every 2 years to keep your credential.
The Key Benefits of Being an Accredited Health Coach.
Becoming an accredited Health Coach is a lot of work, but we understand wanting to have an edge up as more & more practitioners and health coaches enter the market.
Three possible benefits include:
#1. It May Help You Stand Out in a Competitive Market.
As we mentioned earlier, while there’s incredible opportunity within the booming health coaching industry, there’s also a high level of competition. Anything that sets you apart, or makes you more qualified is generally going to work to your benefit.
#2. It May Open Up Career Opportunities.
If you’re interested in institutional health coaching, for example, where you work in a traditional medicine clinic or hospital, you need the board certification. This credential lets employers know that you’ve already gone through hours of health coach training.
#3. It May Build Trust with Potential Clients.
Being an accredited Health Coach tells clients you’re a professional who has undergone training for your craft. However, we’ve found that clients rarely (if at all) ask about credentials, so there’s really no saying just how much the certification can help in this area.
So, here’s the deal about getting accredited as a health coach…
It’s more of an administrative box to check than a hot strategy to grow your wellness business. In other words, it helps you show your legitimacy, but it doesn’t actually help you build raving clients or that sought-after waitlist.
So what’s the REAL ticket to growing your business, you ask?
Moving Beyond Becoming an Accredited Health Coach.
You see, there’s a common trend with health coaches, which is to become a little too caught up in collecting certifications.
If this is you – no shame. You’re not alone!
But the truth is, your future clients are really only interested in one thing:
GETTING RESULTS
Think about it…
If you were going to eat at a top-rated restaurant, what would you care about *most*?
- What cooking school(s) the chef attended? Or…
- How delicious the food tastes?
My guess is the latter!
That’s because education only takes a person so far.
At the end of the day, the proof is in the pudding. AKA – prospective clients can look at your results and easily decide whether or not you can help them, and if they’d like to work with you.
So, what makes client results so powerful to your success?
#1. They Speak For Themselves.
More than any title or certification laid out on a piece of paper, your results don’t need questioning or explaining. They answer the most important question a prospective client has, which is, “What can this person do for me?”
#2. They Generate Customers
When your client experiences amazing results after working with you, they’re more likely to run and tell their friends (hellooo referrals!). Plus, incredible results also allow you to collect glowing testimonials and reviews from your clients, which you can then use to market your services!
#3. They Give You Confidence
As a new health coach, you might feel nervous about not being able to help your clients in the way you hope to. But imagine feeling confident in the results you help people achieve. This allows you to create a career that’s truly rewarding for not only your clients, but for you, too.
Have we convinced you about the importance of focusing on client results yet?
Good!
Then at this point, you’re probably wondering…
How Do You Actually Get Excellent Client Results?
Great question!
The answer lies in choosing a health coach training program and/or certification course that prioritizes data-driven results.
We’re talking about education that teaches you science-backed methods you need to know, so you understand how to identify the contributors to any health problem and help solve them.
For example, inside the FDN Certification Program, we teach:
- The FDN method of intake and investigation
- How to confidently use functional lab testing in your business
- The DRESS for Health Success™ Framework
- How to create customized data-driven diet & lifestyle protocols
It’s this type of investigative work that’s the key to unlocking:
Consistent results, rather than hoping or guessing your way forward
Confidence in your ability to *actually* change people’s lives
A wildly successful health coaching business that runs on referrals
Sound like something you’re ready for?
Watch Your Health Coaching Business Skyrocket.
At the end of the day, you’re in the business of helping your clients achieve their wellness goals.
When you learn how to transform people’s lives in this way, you can thrive as a Health Coach.
Ready to sharpen your skills?
Take the Course Tour to get a behind the scenes look at the Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN) Certification Program.
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