If you’re looking to find out more about health coaching, welcome. You’ve come to the right place.

Having studied at The Institute of Integrative Nutrition – IIN, my information is based on my studies and opinions of their Health Coach Training Programme, but also about health coaching as a career in general.

You can check out a sample class with IIN and their curriculum guide for more info.

How do you become a certified health coach?

Most health coach training programs are based online. And normally range between six months to one year. At IIN I chose to do the program for over a year, which meant I could easily fit the training in while still working a full-time job. There’s an accelerated six-month option if you’d prefer to complete it sooner.

Each week a new module is released (two modules if you’re doing the six-month version) with video lectures and written materials to go through. Towards the end of the program, you’ll have coaching calls with a small group from your class and an experienced health coach leading. For more details on the actual IIN training, you can check out my review of IIN.

When you graduate from IIN you’ll receive a certificate and will earn the title of Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. There’s been confusion in the past that you will become certified. This may be different for other schools, so be sure to check their websites.

If you wish to take an exam on completion of the Health Coach Training program you can sit for the IAHC (International Associate for Health Coaches) and on passing the exam you earn the title Certified International Health Coach.

Your health coach training program from IIN is enough to get you started in health coaching and not all health coaches go on to take the exam. The important thing is to make sure you are working within your scope of practice.

Do you need a degree to become a health coach?

A passion for health and wellness is all you need.

Can you make money as a health coach?

Absolutely!

But you get out of it what you put in. It’s not something that will fall into your lap. Especially in the UK where health coaching is still in its early stages. Check out the UK Health Coaches Association (UKHCA) – which is working hard to bring forward health coaching including discussions with NHS England.

There are many things you can do with your health coach training, check out a list of some of them here.

I’d also be prepared to carry on with your studies. Once you’ve had the information from IIN it can open up a rabbit hole of areas you’ll want to go down. That’s why there are so many options from this one training.

How to become a health coach UK

Most health coach training programs are based online, so you can study while still working full or part-time. Which is what most people choose to do. On completion some people go into health coaching full time, others only part-time, it’s completely up to you.

A health coach training program is a great introduction to the world of holistic health. Or if you’re already a trained health professional it can provide a different aspect for a more whole-body healing approach. There are lots of doctors, nurses, and other trained wellness professionals that train as health coaches.

Any qualification or training can be an investment and it can be a big decision. If you’re still unsure and have any questions, please feel free to email me jo@joannewilkes.com and I would be happy to schedule a 30-minute call to answer any of your questions.

** Disclaimer: As an ambassador for the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, if you sign up with a link or use my name I do get a small fee. This is at no extra cost to you. My opinions are all my own.