What is an NBC-HWC, and Why I Chose to Become One.
If you’ve spent any time exploring the world of health and wellness coaching, you might have wondered if there is any regulation on who can call themselves a “coach”. The truth is, there are a lot of folks out there coaching without any relevant education about behavior change strategies or motivational psychology. As you were doing your research (as you are right now, good job!), you might have seen the letters NBC-HWC floating around and wondered, what the heck does that mean?
It stands for National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach — and for me, it represents a deep commitment to doing this work with integrity, compassion, and evidence-based skills. This is some serious stuff, people, but it doesn’t have to be confusing or scary. Let’s walk through what it means…
What It Means to Be an NBC-HWC
The NBC-HWC credential is nationally recognized, and was co-created by the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME - the same organization that licenses physicians in the U.S!).
As an NBC-HWC, I’ve been trained in things like behavior change science, motivational interviewing, habit formation, and the art of helping people tap into their own inner wisdom. It’s about partnership, not prescription, and supports me in helping you find your own way forward with curiosity, compassion, and clarity.
How to Become an NBC-HWC
It’s a process that requires both education and experience:
Training: You complete an NBHWC-approved health and wellness coach training program that meets national standards. My training program was through UVM, and you can check it out here. I loved this program because it made coaching education accessible, and it was actually one of my minors in college!
Practice: You log at least 50 real coaching sessions, which means a lot of hours holding space for real people as they navigate real change. When I was a junior in college, I led a brand-new group coaching program at the UVM Patrick Leahy Honors College, supporting gifted first-year students in navigating their transition into college life. These weekly group coaching sessions were combined with one-on-one support, where I got to know each student and tailor the teachings from that week into actionable changes.
Exam: You pass a national board exam that tests your knowledge, ethics, and ability to apply coaching skills in practice. I did a lot of studying for this, and the exam was much longer than I thought it was! It was such a relief to get the email that said I passed - phew!
Continuing Education: You renew your certification every three years, continuing to grow and evolve in your work. This recertification requires 30 continuing education credits. Some supplemental courses I’ve taken have related to strengthening my group coaching skills, trauma-informed care, and integrating mindfulness into my coaching strategy. I thought that doing continuing education would be a chore, but I’ve found it super fun and engaging because of the variety of options that were out there for me to choose from.
It’s a rigorous process — and it should be. The NBC-HWC credential helps ensure that health and wellness coaches are qualified, ethical, and effective.
Why It Matters to Me
When I began coaching, I wanted to bridge two worlds: the personal, heart-centered world of healing and the evidence-based, professional world of health care. The NBC-HWC certification gave me a foundation to do exactly that. This credential helps me feel confident that I’m offering my clients a grounded, ethical, and informed coaching experience that blends science-backed skills and the authenticity and humor that you see when you meet with me. My approach blends professional training with a holistic, heart-centered philosophy—supporting you in building resilience, cultivating balance, and discovering what wellness looks like for you. And we will laugh and find joy every step of the way. I’m really funny, I promise.
When I entered the world of coaching, I thought about what I wanted my niche to be. My experience with college students was significant, and I felt like my experience and style resonated with the younger students. My clientele still has a significant amount of college students navigating transition, burnout, and big lifestyle changes. But what really resonated with me was supporting folks in navigating a complex health care system. Having doctor’s appointments weekly myself, the one thing I really needed and wanted was someone who knew the ropes and could guide me through what to do next. Most importantly, that person would have a lived experience of what I was going through - I wouldn’t have to over-explain my situation, they just get it. I hope that I can be that person for you.
For You, as a Client
When you work with a Nationally Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach, you can trust that your coach is trained to support you safely, ethically, and compassionately. You’re not being told what to do — you’re being guided to discover what works best for you. To sum it up, NBC-HWC stands for trust, professionalism, and care. Coaches with an NBC-HWC credential are committed to creating real, sustainable change, not through pressure or perfection, but through partnership and presence.
If you’re curious about how health and wellness coaching could support your journey, you can book a free consultation or send me a message. I’d love to partner with you in creating a life that you’re proud of!