How to Become a Life Coach
Five Steps to Becoming a Life Coach
Step 1
Choose a niche
Coaching is a vast field, so professionals have a myriad of niches to choose from. This helps coaches market their services to a specific type of clientele and gives potential customers confidence that the coach has expertise helping people with their unique challenges. Some of the possible areas of specialization for life coaches include:
- Business
- Career transition and job search
- Romantic relationships
- Academic issues
- Spirituality
- Aging
- Work-life balance
- Weight loss
- General wellness
Step 2
Complete a training program
Helping people improve different areas of their life is a big responsibility—and requires specialized training to be effective. During training, prospective coaches learn the psychological principles of coaching, how to conduct a coaching assessment to determine clients’ needs, ethics in coaching, and communication skills. In order to get the best results from their training, students should find a program that has been accredited by industry associations like the International Coach Federation.
Step 3
Get a credential
Earning a certification in addition to a degree can go a long way toward gaining the trust of potential clients. Credentials, which are provided by professional associations like the International Coach Federation and the International Association of Coaching, requires expertise and demonstration of high work standards.
For example, the International Coach Federation offers a Professional Certified Coach certification that requires professionals to have 500 hours of coaching experience—450 of which must be paid—as well as at least 25 clients. In addition, people who apply for this certification must successfully complete the Coach Knowledge Assessment, which tests on their understanding of coaching agreements, ethical guidelines, active listening skills, goal setting, and accountability.
Similarly, those who want to earn the Master Masteries Coach designation from the International Association of Coaching must complete a series of tests to demonstrate their knowledge of coaching principles. In addition, candidates for this certification must submit recordings of their coaching sessions with clients in order to be evaluated for the association’s coaching masteries—such as the ability to actively listen and help clients set clear intentions—into their sessions.
Step 4
Set up a business classification
In order to get certain legal protections as a business owner, life coaches can get a business classification, such as a Limited Liability Company or Corporation designation.
Step 5
Obtain business insurance
Although life coaches are not required to carry insurance, getting coverage can help protect their business and give clients peace of mind.
FAQ on Earning Your Coaching Credential
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Yes. One way to attract customers is to take advantage of opportunities to connect with them. Attending networking events geared toward people in their niche allows life coaches to meet the kinds of clients they want to work with.
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Getting the word out is important for any business, especially one that is in its early stages. Placing ads in targeted publications can help life coaches get the exposure they need to boost their business.
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Websites, blogs, and social media pages can act as the online face of a life coach’s business. Also, this can be an affordable alternative for those who can’t pay for other forms of advertising.
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Sharing positive feedback from clients can help life coaches gain the trust of prospective customers. Life coaches should ask their regular clients to write a testimonial they can use on their website and in promotional materials.
Life Coach Salary & Job Growth
According to PayScale, the median salary for life coaches is $46,678. However, there is a wide range of what people can earn, with the lowest earners making about $28,000 and the highest earning $92,000. However, coaches are not necessarily locked into these salary figures: Since many coaches are self-employed, they’re able to determine their own hourly rates. As a result, life coaches may charge hourly fees of over $300, depending on their training and level of experience, according to a report by the International Coach Federation. Also, coaches who work with executives can make up to $500 per hour, according to Forbes.
Alabama
Mean wage annual: $37,780
Alaska
Mean wage annual: $60,840
Arizona
Mean wage annual: $31,750
Arkansas
Mean wage annual: $37,100
California
Mean wage annual: $35,650
Colorado
Mean wage annual: $50,040
Connecticut
Mean wage annual: $47,950
Delaware
Mean wage annual: $36,440
Florida
Mean wage annual: $39,790
Georgia
Mean wage annual: $38,960
Hawaii
Mean wage annual: $42,690
Idaho
Mean wage annual: $38,590
Illinois
Mean wage annual: $36,480
Indiana
Mean wage annual: $39,170
Iowa
Mean wage annual: $36,740
Kansas
Mean wage annual: $31,310
Kentucky
Mean wage annual: $37,840
Louisiana
Mean wage annual: $44,360
Maine
Mean wage annual: N/A
Maryland
Mean wage annual: $42,250
Massachusetts
Mean wage annual: $41,470
Michigan
Mean wage annual: $39,010
Minnesota
Mean wage annual: $40,940
Mississippi
Mean wage annual: $33,020
Missouri
Mean wage annual: $35,580
Montana
Mean wage annual: $36,120
Nebraska
Mean wage annual: $38,910
Nevada
Mean wage annual: $37,330
New Hampshire
Mean wage annual: $44,650
New Jersey
Mean wage annual: $59,520
New Mexico
Mean wage annual: $36,520
New York
Mean wage annual: $37,430
North Carolina
Mean wage annual: $40,650
North Dakota
Mean wage annual: $45,990
Ohio
Mean wage annual: $36,740
Oklahoma
Mean wage annual: $26,520
Oregon
Mean wage annual: $43,360
Pennsylvania
Mean wage annual: $37,960
Rhode Island
Mean wage annual: $55,520
South Carolina
Mean wage annual: $29,900
South Dakota
Mean wage annual: $41,930
Tennessee
Mean wage annual: $23,900
Texas
Mean wage annual: $43,650
Utah
Mean wage annual: $48,180
Vermont
Mean wage annual: $48,180
Virginia
Mean wage annual: $42,500
Washington
Mean wage annual: $46,030
West Virginia
Mean wage annual: N/A
Wisconsin
Mean wage annual: $32,250
Wyoming
Mean wage annual: $35,960
According to the International Coach Federation, the need for coaches will increase because of the growing favorable view of coaching among potential clients and data indicating that there’s a strong return on investment to those who use coaching services. However, tracking the exact amount of growth these professionals can expect in the coming years is tricky because the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not collect data for this exact job title. The agency does track coaching-related jobs such as educational, guidance, school, and vocational counselors; personal care and service workers; and rehabilitation counselors. Based on this data, the rate of growth for the industry is expected to be around 13 to 15 percent between 2016 and 2026.
Finding a Life Coach Certification Program
The right coach training lays a foundation for a successful career, so those who want to enter the field should choose their certification program wisely. Students should find a training program that will give them the credentials they need to build a thriving business. Although finding programs that have been accredited by the International Coaching Federation or the International Association of Coaching is the first step toward being successful in the field, it’s not the only consideration. When searching for programs, students also care about how long they will take to complete, the tuition cost, and the way courses are delivered. Use the following search tool to compare schools based on these factors in order to make the right choice.
Professional Life Coach Associations & Groups
In order to build their businesses, life coaches must make connections with people on a regular basis. The following professional organizations can help with these vital connections, while sharpening coaching skills.
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International Coach Federation
This association provides accreditation for coaching programs. Members can participate in continuing professional development activities, access industry research, and market their services on the organization’s website.
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International Association of Professional Life Coaches
This association is dedicated to increasing the credibility and visibility of life coaches. Members receive support from the community to help them learn and grow, and training resources.
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Christian Coaches Network International
Provides credentials to those who want to become professional Christian coaches. The group also organizes events for these professionals.
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International Authority for Professional Coaching & Mentoring
Offers education to coaches around the world.
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International Association of Coaching
Organization that promotes lifelong learning, responsibility, caring, and integrity among professional coaches.
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American Coaching Association
Provides training, referrals, and publications to coaching professionals.
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The Association of Corporate Executive Coaches
This association caters to the needs of coaches who provide services to corporate executives.
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Association for Coaching
Founded in 2002, this association helps to promote high standards and best practices in the coaching industry. Member benefits include business development services, events, and resources.
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The Association of Coaching Supervisors
Provides services, such as professional development, to coaching supervisors.
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Institute of Coaching
To help coaches develop their skills, this organization provides a conference, webinars, leadership forums, and research studies.
Resources for Life Coaches
The resources below help life coaches as they help others.
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Coursera
This page lists classes from Coursera to help coaches develop their skills.
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She Left The Nightlife Behind To Become A Life Coach
This NPR segment details one woman’s path to becoming a professional life coach.
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Research Portal
This page on the International Coach Federation’s website allows users to search the association’s research library.
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Blog – International Association of Coaching
The International Association of Coaching’s blog covers communication skills, engagement with clients, and coaching research.
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Top 10 Reasons to Become A Life Coach
This article from The Wellness Institute outlines why life coaching is a rewarding career choice.