Nurse Coach Certification: Overview and FAQ
The nurse coach certification is a professional credential that demonstrates your competency in helping clients accomplish lifestyle goals, including dietary changes, weight loss, and stress management. This certification can be helpful in many specialties, including cardiovascular care and substance abuse. With lifestyle making up over 60% of the factors that affect our health, nurse coaching skills can be useful in a variety of clinical settings.
If you’re considering earning a nurse health coach certification, this article is for you. We’ll break down what this certification is, explain how to get it, and highlight why it’s worth having.
What Is a Nurse Coach Certification?
The nurse coach certification is a specialized certification that’s awarded to nurses who undergo advanced training in educating and motivating patients to change their habits and reach their health goals. Think of it as a testament to a nurse’s expertise in lifestyle education and patient empowerment.
There are two certifications nurse coaches can benefit from:
- Nurse Coach Board Certified (NC-BC)
- Health and Wellness Nurse Coach — Board Certified (HWNC-BC)
Both certifications are issued by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) and use the same test. If you hold a holistic nursing certification, you’ll receive the HWNC-BC. If not, you’ll hold the NC-BC credential.
Wondering which nursing specialties benefit the most from nurse coaching certification? This credential can be useful for nurses working in a variety of post-acute and ambulatory care settings, including:
- Addiction recovery clinics
- Community health organizations
- Holistic care centers
- Home healthcare agencies
- Long-term care facilities
- Mental health facilities
- Rehabilitation centers
- Schools and universities
- Workplace wellness programs
How to Get a Health Coach Nurse Certification
Considering becoming a certified health coaching professional? Here are the essential steps required to get this valuable credential.
1. Meet Eligibility Criteria
Begin by earning a nursing degree. The minimum requirement to qualify for the exam is an associate degree in nursing (ADN) from an accredited institution. Additional eligibility criteria include:
- Current and unrestricted registered nurse (RN) license in the U.S.
- BSN holders need at least 2 years of full-time RN work (or 4,000 hours part-time) within the past 5 years. If you have an ADN, you’ll need 4 years of full-time work (or 8,000 hours part-time) within the last 7 years.
- 60 continuing education hours over the past three years, covering topics aligned with nurse coach core values and competencies.
- 10 hours or more of personal coaching experience.
- 60 hours of mentorship experience from or a certified RN coach supervisor.
- A validation letter from a certified nurse coach supervisor.
If you’re an international student, you must pass the NCLEX or demonstrate that your license has been verified for equivalency by a qualified academic evaluation organization, such as Educational Records Evaluation Services (ERES).
2. Start Preparing for the Exam
The core competencies you’ll be tested on as a part of your certification process include the following:
- Nurse coach philosophy, theory, and ethics
- Nurse coach self‐reflection, self‐development, and self‐care
- Nurse coaching process
- Nurse coach communication, therapeutic relationships, healing environments, and cultural care
- Nurse coach education and research
To help you prepare for your exam, consider checking out these study resources:
- AHNCC handbook
- Practice tests
- Nurse coaching programs
- Continuing education courses
3. Submit Your Nurse Coach Certification Online Application
Next, you’ll need to start your online application and provide all the necessary details, including:
- A copy of your current RN license
- Transcripts from your nursing program
- Proof of membership if you’re applying with a discounted rate (such as a screenshot of your membership, a scanned ID, or an email receipt)
- A validation letter from your nurse coach
After you’ve submitted all required documents and signed the candidate’s letter of agreement, you’ll need to wait for test approval. Once you receive approval, you’ll have 14 days to make your payment and schedule your exam.
You can book your AHNCC exam at any time throughout the year at one of the many testing centers nationwide. You’ll have a 90-day window to schedule and complete your exam.
4. Pass the Certification Exam
The exam has 140 questions, with 120 that count towards your score and 20 experimental ones. You need to get 72% of the scored questions right to pass.
Time-wise, you’ll have three hours to complete your exam, and you’ll get your results at the test site location as soon as you finish.
5. Maintain the Certification
You’ll need to renew your certification every five years. To qualify, you must have completed 1,200 hours of practice during that period. Once eligible, you can renew by choosing one of the options below:
- Retake certification examination.
- Complete continuing competency hours.
Keep in mind that to keep the HWNC-BC credential, you’ll need to keep both your holistic nurse and nurse coach certifications current.
Nurse Coach Certification Cost
Certification costs can vary depending on your prep materials and if you’re eligible for any discounts. According to AHNCC, these are the fees:
- Initial certification fee: $425 for nonmembers
- Renewal fees: $350
- Additional costs: $65 AHNCC practice test
Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse Coach Certification
What is a typical nurse coach salary?
A typical salary for a registered nurse in the U.S. is $94,480 per year, or $45.42 per hour. Your pay can vary based on your education, experience, specialty, and where you work. Here are five states that offer nurses some of the highest salaries:
Where can I find remote nurse coach jobs?
You can find online nursing jobs through various platforms. Here are a few places to start:
- Job boards, such as IntelyCare
- Career sections of healthcare organizations and wellness centers
- Professional networks, such as the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA)
- Local healthcare events and nursing conferences
Finally, many nurse coaches are self-employed. If you choose this route, you’ll need to pick up some basic entrepreneurial skills, like getting a business license, finding clients, and marketing yourself.
What are the best nurse coach programs available?
AHNCC has approved the following programs to satisfy the 60 continuing education units and 60-hour supervision requirements for exam eligibility:
- Advancing Nurse Coaching
- The CIINDE
- Huntington Meditation and Imagery
- Integrative Nurse Coach Academy
- National Institute of Whole Health
- National Society of Health Coaches
- The Nurse Coach Collective
- Wisdom of the Whole Coaching Academy
What do I do if I fail the nurse coaching certification exam?
If you don’t pass, you can retake the exam at a lower cost within a year of your first attempt. Just note, you’ll have to wait 30 days between attempts. You can retest as often as needed, as long as you stay eligible.
What are the benefits of certification for nurse coaches?
Becoming an NC-BC nurse could be your gateway to exciting possibilities, including remote work. Additional benefits include:
- Gaining cutting-edge expertise to help patients achieve meaningful, long-term changes in their lives.
- Boosting your income potential with advanced skills and knowledge.
- Opening doors to new roles, including leadership positions like nurse educator.
- Strengthening your nursing resume, improving your chances of landing top jobs on the market.
- Helping you tap into entrepreneurial opportunities and make extra money on your own terms.
Are You a Nurse Looking for a New Job?
Want to make the most of your nurse coach certification? IntelyCare can help you find your next big opportunity. Sign up today to explore nursing roles designed to match your skills and ambitions.