The Best Life Coaching Programs of 2024

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Have you always been the friend who people seek out to help them talk through their problems? Been the one to guide your siblings in career advice? Or are you simply looking for a career that will help people? If so, life coaching may be for you.

Though life coaching is still a newer profession, the demand for qualified life coaches has only grown in the last decade. And while accessing coaching via mental health apps, health and fitness apps or personal training apps is popular, these options don’t always provide people with the one-on-one mentorship they truly need. Life coaches are trained in helping people reach their potential whether that be in career, health or sports, and can also help them on a personal level.

And though life coaching is still an unregulated business (meaning life coaches aren’t required to have a certification to practice), there are some reputable, International Coaching Federation (ICF) accredited programs for life coach training. These courses can help give you the knowledge you need to run your own life coaching business, the tools to help clients and the authority to be hired either as a sole practitioner or under a larger practice.

If you aren’t quite sure what you are looking for in a life coach training program, it can be difficult to decide which will be the right fit for you as they vary greatly in price, length and material. To help you choose, we gathered up information about the five best life coaching programs available right now. Read on to see our reviews on each program and tips for choosing the right one for you.

Our Picks for the Best Life Coaching Certification Programs of 2024:

• Best Overall Life Coaching Certification Program: Coach Training Alliance (CTA)
• Best Health-Based Life Coaching Certification Program: International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) Health Coach
• Most Comprehensive Life Coaching Certification Program: Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC)
• Best Quick Life Coaching Certification Program: Certified Life Coach Institute
• Best Life Coaching Certification Program with Live Instruction: Coach U—Core Essentials Fast Track Program (CEFTP)

Best Overall Life Coaching Certification Program: Coach Training Alliance (CTA)

Key features and specs:

• Cost: $4,339
• Length of Program: 22 weeks long
• Live or Recorded Classes: Live and recorded
• Focus: All aspects of coaching, from the fundamentals of coaching theory to the practical coaching skills needed to work with clients

CTA, one of the most popular life coaching programs, offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of coaching and the main three principles the program suggests are necessary to become successful: coaching, marketing and business.

This program is also designed to have you begin working and earning money before your certification is even complete—a benefit that helps to ease the discomfort of the initial price tag. There is also a self-paced option if you prefer to learn on your own time, and they offer many in depth specialties including weight loss coaching, inclusion and diversity coaching and even coaching to help you author your first book.

This is a fantastic option if you are interested in learning how to be a life coach, and how to run your own successful business.

What we like:

• Lots of specialty options
• Comprehensive curriculum
• Teaches you how to run and market your business

What to consider:

• High cost
• Lengthier course than others on our list

Best Health-Based Life Coaching Certification Program: International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) Health Coach

Key Features:

• Cost: $1,188 (12-month, interest-free payment plan available)
• Length of Program: Up to 6 months
• Pace: Self-paced
• Live or Recorded Classes: Recorded
• Focus: Health coaching, including helping people make lifestyle, dietary, exercise and other changes

ISSA offers a wide range of certifications designed to help customers join the ranks of fitness coaching professionals. The ISSA Health Coach certification is a straightforward course, teaching about health coaching from the ground up. The program is designed to give students a comprehensive idea of what it means to be a health coach, and how to properly guide clients on their individual journeys to a healthier lifestyle, whatever that may mean for them. Chapters focus on the psychological background of habits and how they’re formed, what factors influence someone’s lifestyle, how to help someone realize their goals and make progress toward them, and more.

“From the start, ISSA divided up the materials into a week-by-week study aid, which was really helpful for staying on track and not feeling overwhelmed,” says editor Rachel Pasche, who recently took this course.

Though it’s not exactly a life coaching certification, this course is ideal for anyone who wants to help others lead healthier lives and pursue habits that will help them achieve their goals.

“I was surprised by how in-depth the material was, I had no idea so much went into health coaching and I’ve learned a lot about topics that are completely new to me,” Pasche says. “The course wasn’t difficult, but does require quite a bit of focus to get through the materials, which leads to better comprehension in my opinion.”

What we like:

• Material is very comprehensive and detailed to help students understand what it means to be a health coach
• ISSA lays out all the readings and quizzes in a “week by week” study format for an attainable pace

What to consider:

• Not a “life coach” specific certification
• No live classes, only recorded lectures and readings

Most Comprehensive Life Coaching Certification Program: Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC)

Key features and specs:

• Cost: $13,995 (payment plans and tuition reductions may be available to you)
• Length of Program: 1 year
• Live or Recorded Classes: Live and recorded options
• Focus: Individual expertise—coaches help individuals to discover their underlying thoughts, emotions and energies to overcome challenges

Though the cost of this program can be difficult to look past, this program is worth it if you have the cash to spend. It is considered one of the most comprehensive and most respected life coaching programs available, and can be a major milestone in pursuing a successful career in life coaching.

Unlike most programs that last only a couple months, this is a full year commitment. It also offers one-on-one classes, and can be conducted virtually or in person, which is great for those who do better in a personalized class setting and offers more opportunity for mentoring.

The program material is centered around the idea of self discovery and teaches you how to help your clients reach their potential through an immersive and experiential journey. iPEC focuses on how to “awaken higher levels of consciousness and draw upon it as a powerful force in your life.”

When you complete the program, you will leave certified in three areas: certified professional coach, master practitioner and coaching dynamics. You will also have the opportunity to choose an elective niche in four categories: General Life Coaching, Health and Wellness Coaching, Executive and Leadership Development Coaching and Sports and Performance Coaching. These in-depth classes—particularly in health and fitness—are a great supplementary education for both in-person and online personal trainers.

What we like:

• One-on-one classes
• Provides multiple certifications
• Very respected program

What to consider:

• Long course
• Very expensive

Best Quick Life Coaching Certification Program: Certified Life Coach Institute

Key features and specs:

• Cost: $2,595
• Length of Program: 6 days
• Live or Recorded Classes: Live
• Focus: Core competencies of life coaching, how to grow your business, and key coaching strategies

If you are looking to get certified ASAP, you won’t find much better than this set of two, three-day intensive programs. After these six sessions, you will receive both a Life Coach Certification and a Master Certified Life Coach distinction from the Life Coach Institute. (If you want just one cert, you can opt to take one or the other at a lower cost and just one three-day course.) While this isn’t as comprehensive as a longer program, it does qualify you to begin life coaching immediately after you finish the life coaching education course.

The life coaching course is broken up into the 101 and 102 online courses, which will be completed in two separate sessions. The classes are designed to have you begin life coaching practice in your first class, and are built on a hands-on model. You will also discuss core competency and the code of ethics. 

On the last day, you will discuss marketing and how to find your target client based on your expertise and strengths. At the conclusion of the class, you will receive an ICF accredited certification, and be ready to start your business.

What we like:

• Short and sweet program
• Affordable
• Certification after only six days

What to consider:

• Not as comprehensive as other programs
• No specialized certifications

Best Life Coaching Certification Program with Live Instruction: Coach U—Core Essentials Fast Track Program (CEFTP)

Key Features:

• Cost: Phase 1: Core Essentials $6,095
• Length of Program: 78 hours (self-paced; usually takes 6 to 8 months)
• Live or Recorded Classes: Live
• Focus: Curriculum focuses on developing the whole person in the process of coaching

Most programs will have either a blend of live and recorded classes or lean heavily toward the pre-recorded. But if you are someone who needs a bit more engagement, a live class is the best choice for you. Phase 1: Core Essentials is a six-day intensive option (or two, three-day courses).

Note: If you’re looking for more training, you can also opt for the complete Professional Coaching Training Program is broken down into Phase 1: Core Essentials and Phase 2: Professional Essentials. Phase 2 is a 72-hour training to help you meet the academic requirements you’ll need for an ICF certification.

Each program offers a comprehensive education that covers the ICF core coaching competencies, standards of practice and life coaching ethics. This also offers pre-and post-program events which you can attend to learn even more and make connections outside of the core classes.

Phase 1: Core Essentials is going to be more of an abridged class and won’t be quite as in-depth as other options, but it does provide a great basis to begin your practice—and of course there is always an opportunity for continued learning. This is a great option for those who are looking to get certified fast, or those who may already have some previous experience.

What we like:

• Participants can move at their own pace
• Phase 1: Core Essentials can be completed in six days for those looking for a speedy cert
• Live classes can be more engaging for some

What to consider:

• Speed of course can be quite intense
• Not as comprehensive as other options

What Is Life Coaching?

The life coaching industry is a relatively new one, with a similar structure to executive coaching, though the coaching techniques vary between the different types of coaching.

“Coaching is a collaborative partnership between a coach and a client, where the coach helps the client clarify their goals, overcome obstacles and unlock their full potential,” says practicing life coach Jane Hursey. “Unlike therapy, which focuses on addressing mental health issues, life coaching is like having a personal guide to navigate the twists and turns of life, helping you become the best version of yourself.”

Life coaching, similar to therapy, can incorporate research-based strategies such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Motivational Interviewing, to support clients in developing self-awareness, managing thoughts and emotions and fostering positive behavioral changes, contributing to their overall growth and well-being, says Hursey. If clients are seeking to identify and achieve their life purpose, practice goal-setting or simply looking for a mentor to help them through the obstacles in their life, a life coach may be beneficial.

How To Choose the Best Life Coach Certification Program

When looking for the right fit for you, there are a couple things you will want to consider. First, look at the content of the course. Though all will cover the basics of life coaching in some capacity, some programs are significantly more comprehensive than others. Some will also offer the option of niche specializations which is useful if there is a specific niche you are looking to pursue. This can also help establish a client base as a specialization differentiates you from generic life coaches.

Secondly, consider the time these programs will take. They range anywhere from six days up to a full year, so if you are looking to get started quickly, you probably want to opt for a shorter option. That said, many programs will allow and even encourage you to start working while you are still in the program, so no matter which you choose, you will have the opportunity to start building a client base before you complete the course. Programs also vary in offering self-guided or live courses, so if you are working another job or are in school, the self guided option allows you to complete the course in your own time as opposed to attending scheduled class sessions.

Finally, there is the issue of the program cost. The longer the course, the more expensive you can expect it to be. The courses reviewed here range from under $2,000 all the way up to $13,000, so you want to choose a course that is a good balance of affordable and will still make you marketable. Know that even if you do not take the most expensive course, you can still absolutely have a career as a life coach, and more important than your certification is the coaching experience you will gain as you begin taking on clients.

How We Chose the Best Life Coach Programs

To choose the best life coaching programs, we gathered up details about four of the most popular and most respected programs. Each of these provides a comprehensive education that will prepare you to begin life coaching as soon as you leave—or even before you complete—the course. They give you all the knowledge you need to help people with personal development, relationship coaching, professional goals and personal growth.

These classes also vary in coursework and training sessions, but they are all proven to be effective at helping people achieve the goal of becoming a successful life coach.

We also considered reviews that were left by people who had completed the course and are now pursuing a career in life coaching, and chose courses that had overwhelmingly positive feedback.

Life Coach Certification Program FAQs

How do life coaches get clients?

“The possibilities are endless,” says Hursey. “Word of mouth, social media, podcasts, groups, events, schools, etc. It really depends on who your ideal client is and where they like to spend time.” 

For example, if you’re a business coach, going to events and networking with people who have their own businesses is a great way to meet potential clients. It’s important to consider that starting your own practice and getting clients can be difficult, and you have to be really good at selling yourself. The benefit of coaching for a company is it will provide you the clients, so you won’t need to work as hard to find clientele.

“[Working for a company] is where I found the most fulfillment because I was able to just focus on what I do best, coaching,” Hursey says.

Do you need a certification to work as a life coach?

Life coaching is currently unregulated, meaning it is not required that you have a certification to coach. However, being certified can definitely help boost your credibility in order to obtain clients and learn the tools to help them reach their potential.

Is there a high demand for life coaches?

Yes, life coaching is definitely a growing profession. It has seen an increase of over 30 percent in recent years.

How many certified life coaches are there in the U.S.?

It's estimated there are around 23,400 certified life coaches in the U.S., according to a 2020 (ICF) study.

Final Thoughts: Is a Life Coaching Program Right for You?

If you are seriously considering becoming a professional life coach, a life coaching program could be a worthwhile investment for you. While they are not necessary to begin life coaching, they will make it much easier to build and manage your business and know how to effectively coach clients. These courses are a great way to start off your career, and can help you make a difference in countless lives.

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