Best Health & Wellness Coach Certifications to Consider in 2025

The demand for health and wellness coaching is hitting new heights, driven by advancements in personalized care and the growing need for affordable, preventative options. As healthcare costs keep rising, more people are turning to certified health coaches for solutions that help them stay well rather than treat problems after they start. This creates a massive opportunity for professionals, whether you’re a nurse, fitness trainer, or life coach, to make a meaningful impact while growing a sustainable business.

If you’re thinking about switching careers or expanding your current practice into health & wellness coaching, now is the time to get a health coach certificate. With longer client relationships and the ability to see real, measurable outcomes, health coaching offers a fulfilling and forward-thinking career path. To succeed, though, it’s crucial to choose the right health and wellness certification programs that give you both credibility and the skills you need to stand out in this fast-growing field. 

Keep reading to find the best programs to help you thrive in 2025.

Related: The Rise of the Health & Wellness Market: From Legitimacy to Growth

National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC)

The NBC-HWC health coaching certification is a prestigious credential for health and wellness coaches who are passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives. Administered by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC), it holds a high standard for coaching professionals, particularly those wanting to integrate their skills into clinical or healthcare settings.

Focus:

This certification is designed for professionals who want to integrate health coaching into clinical and medical settings. It’s focused on behavior change and lifestyle management.

Key Features:

• In-Depth Training: The certification process requires you to complete an NBHWC-approved training program, which includes a minimum of 50 live coaching sessions and at least 75 hours of instruction. This hands-on experience ensures you’re fully prepared to coach effectively in real-world scenarios.
• Rigorous Exam: After completing your training, you'll take the NBC-HWC exam, which tests your ability to apply evidence-based coaching techniques to help clients make meaningful, lasting changes.
• Focus on Behavior Change: One of the core strengths of health coaching certification is its focus on behavior change, enabling you to empower clients to make lifestyle adjustments that promote better health.

Cost:

• Exam Fee – $400. 
• Application Fee – $100.

American Council on Exercise (ACE) Health Coach Certification

The ACE Health Coach Certification is designed to help you go beyond exercise and fitness to address the whole person — through behavior change, nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle modification. Whether you're just starting out or looking to enhance your current fitness career, this certification offers a solid foundation to build upon.

Focus:

This accredited health coach certification is ideal for personal trainers, fitness professionals, or wellness enthusiasts who want to guide clients toward lasting health by addressing behavior, nutrition, and lifestyle factors.

Key Features:

• Behavior Change Focus: ACE’s program teaches you how to help clients make meaningful lifestyle changes that last. It’s not just about telling someone to eat better or exercise more — it’s about guiding them through a personalized journey of change, helping them overcome barriers, and supporting them every step of the way.
• Flexible and Accessible: One of the great things about this health coaching certification is that you can study at your own pace. Whether you're juggling work, family, or other commitments, ACE makes it easy to fit learning into your schedule. The program is entirely online, with interactive videos, practice exams, and support materials.

Cost:

• Basic plan – $779.40. 
• Plus plan – $989.40. 
• Advantage plan – $1,379.40.

ADAPT Functional Health Coach Training and Certification

The ADAPT Certified Functional Health Coach program, created by Chris Kresser, is a A 12-month health coach certification program curated to make you a functional and ancestral focused health and wellness change agent. It offers an 80/20 practice-to-theory delivery and focuses on helping clients achieve long-term health improvements by addressing the root causes of health issues. 

Focus:

This certification is a great fit for healthcare professionals or experienced wellness coaches who are passionate about holistic, integrative health practices.

Key Features:

• Functional Medicine Approach: The ADAPT program is centered around functional medicine principles. It equips you to identify and tackle the root causes of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. This is achieved through personalized health strategies that integrate nutrition, lifestyle modifications, and behavior change techniques.
• Comprehensive Curriculum: The curriculum combines health coaching methodologies with functional medicine expertise, covering areas like nutritional science, behavior psychology, and client evaluations. The program emphasizes both theory and practical skills, allowing you to customize your coaching to each client's specific needs.
• Business Development Support: Beyond health coaching, ADAPT offers business modules to help you build and grow a successful practice. Whether you're starting from scratch or expanding an existing business, ADAPT provides essential tools and strategies to scale your coaching services effectively.

Cost:

• Application fee – $500.
• Payment plans are available starting at $899 per month.

Related: The Health & Wellness Revolution: Game-Changing Coaching Industry Trends of 2024 

Exponential Health Coach (QHC) Program by Quantum University

The Exponential Health Coach (QHC) by Quantum University offers a truly transformative experience for those looking to dive deep into holistic health coaching. This program empowers you to help clients set goals and guide them through profound physical, mental, and energetic changes. It’s designed to give you a strong foundation in both traditional coaching and quantum medicine.

Focus:

The QHC program is a perfect fit for health and wellness coaches who are passionate about holistic care. If you’re someone who feels drawn to blending science with spirituality — combining quantum biology, energy healing, and wellness coaching — this program offers a way to connect deeply with clients and make a lasting impact.

Key Features:

• Fusion of Quantum Science and Coaching: Quantum University seamlessly blends quantum physics with health coaching principles. By exploring how energy and consciousness impact health, the program enables you to work with clients on a much more profound level.
• Hands-On Experience: A key strength of this program is its focus on real-world application. Throughout 515 hours of comprehensive training, you’ll learn more than just the theory of health coaching — you’ll actively put it into practice. Weekly exercises, case studies, and peer interactions ensure that by the end of the program, you feel confident in your ability to use quantum health techniques with actual clients.

Cost:

The Exponential Health Coach Program is valued at $5,600.

Integrative Nurse Coach Academy (INCA)

The Integrative Nurse Coach Academy (INCA) offers best health coach certification programs that empower nurses to take their practice beyond conventional healthcare. It’s designed for those looking to blend traditional nursing with holistic, integrative approaches that address the whole person — mind, body, spirit, and environment. INCA teaches nurses how to coach clients toward optimal health, focusing on wellness and preventive care rather than simply treating symptoms.

Focus:

The INCA is perfect for nurses and healthcare professionals who want to get a holistic health coach certification. 

Key Features:

• Patient-Centered Care: The INCA program prioritizes comprehensive, patient-centered coaching that extends beyond standard clinical interventions. You’ll gain essential tools to guide clients through managing stress, nutrition, mindfulness, and overall lifestyle, fostering long-term wellness that integrates mind, body, and spirit.
• Nursing Foundations with Holistic Coaching: Built specifically for nurses, this program merges their existing medical expertise with new holistic coaching techniques. It expands nurses' capabilities to include wellness coaching, allowing them to offer support that combines both clinical knowledge and holistic care strategies for improved patient outcomes.

Cost:

The study price at the Integrative Nurse Coach Academy (INCA) starts at $2,197 and depends on the program chosen. 

Conclusion

Each of these health and wellness coach certifications offers something truly valuable for professionals wanting to grow their impact. 

• Programs like NBC-HWC give you the credibility to step into clinical spaces with confidence, making you a trusted guide in behavior change and lifestyle management. 
• If flexibility and balance are what you need, ACE Health Coach Certification lets you study at your own pace while building a strong foundation in fitness and holistic care. 
• For those drawn to deeper, root-cause healing, the ADAPT Functional Health Coach Program gives you the tools to address chronic health issues from a functional medicine perspective.
• If you're someone who feels inspired by the fusion of science and spirituality, Quantum University’s Exponential Health Coach Program allows you to explore health coaching on a transformative level, blending quantum science with energy healing. 
• And for nurses who want to expand beyond the traditional medical model, the Integrative Nurse Coach Academy (INCA) gives you the skills to offer holistic, patient-centered care that nurtures both body and mind. 

No matter which path you choose, each program equips you with the practical tools and insights to make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of your clients.