Program Approval Handbook
The NBHWC Program Approval Handbook is the complete guide to training and education requirements for NBHWC Approved Training Programs and also provides numerous resources for the application process.
In the handbook you will find the NBHWC Published Standards, Scope of Practice, Code of Ethics, as well as many other resources to ensure that your program meets all the necessary requirements to deliver a coach training and education program to the highest standard.
Program Approval Standards
The Program Approval Standards outline the specific published standards that guide instructional hours, practical skills development and assessment, and faculty requirements for NBHWC Approved Training Programs.
These requirements are mandatory – no exceptions, deviations, or alternative solutions will be accepted.
Practical Skills Guidelines
The Practical Skills Guidelines are used to help instructors assess the skill development of students in an NBHWC Approved Training Program.
These Guidelines inform the skills that must be assessed through the Practical Skills Assessment (PSA), a key component of every student’s coach training and education. During the PSA, the student is demonstrating key knowledge and skills relevant to professionally practicing health and wellness coaching with clients.
Guidelines can be found in the NBHWC Program Approval Handbook.
Program Approval Fees
*See Program Approval Handbook for details on fees
Approved Training Program FAQ
If a program has already been designed (and implemented), do coaches need to be re-trained to meet the instructional hours with faculty who meet the requirements?
Your program application can date backward to the date that you began offering the program as it meets the standards.
If we have course mentors giving feedback to students outside of the minimum instructional hours, do they still need to meet the faculty standards, more specifically have the NBC-HWC designation?
No, but keep in mind how this will correlate across the program in its entirety. Mentors without the NBC-HWC can provide mentoring after instructional time has been met, including the required practical skill development sessions (3 total sessions of 30 minutes) and feedback sessions (3 total sessions of 20 minutes).
Can faculty in continuing education courses receive credit for course time they teach or only when they participate as students?
Instruction of CE courses is not eligible for CE. Instruction in Approved Programs is eligible for CE through a petition.
Does PSA and development sessions count as instructional hours?
Yes, knowing that live development and feedback sessions will count as synchronous instructional time.
Can we have multiple accreditations for our program?
Yes, but note that the program still needs to meet all published standards for Program Approval, plus the additional requirements to be accredited by other Bodies.
*If you do provide a program with multiple accreditations, recognize that Scope of Practice does not expand, it must operate within the ethical and legal boundaries of each designation and professionals must be mindful of which “hat” they are wearing in a given situation.
My Dean won’t approve additional faculty until approval is received for the program.
In regards to an academic setting, 2 things need to happen: 1) Your program has to exist (as a minor, degree, certificate) and 2) be approved by your university’s system. Programs are not granted approval outside of a complete, functioning, and delivered-as-applied program.
Can your Practical Skills Assessment be virtual?
A Practical Skills Assessment must be completed synchronously whether that be in-person or on ZOOM, however, they can be recorded for faculty to watch over at a later date. Please note, however, that Feedback sessions must be delivered live and synchronously as well.
Do breakout rooms count as instructional time?
Yes! Breakout sessions can count as instructional time if spent in small group discussions or practice sessions and then the class must come back as a whole to discuss.
What is the required 200 hours of coaching experience?
These are the same requirements as the coaching log.
Do we need to have an index or content sources listed in our program?
You do not need to provide resources on every PowerPoint or lecture, however, we do expect academic rigor when it comes to citation and monitoring for plagiarism. You will need to provide a description of how you are teaching, what you are teaching, the resources you are using, any teaching models, and any instructional models.
Is there a Scope of Practice for Health and Wellness Coaches?
Yes! See the NBHWC Scope of Practice linked here.
Do I need to have a Master’s plus a state license or national registration?
No, you need to have a Master’s or higher in a health and wellness related field OR a Bachelor’s plus a state license/national registration in a health and wellness related field.
I have a Doctorate of Science in Health and Wellness, does that count?
Yes, a Doctorate is higher than a Master’s.
Ready To Apply?
The Program Approval Application should be completed once your program is fully developed and ready for NBHWC Program Approval. Submitted applications are considered complete and final.
If you are ready to begin the application process, please create your account at the link below.
Have Questions? Please contact accreditation@nbhwc.org.
