Frequently Asked Questions

The National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) Board Exam is a certification exam designed to assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to practice as a board-certified health and wellness coach. Passing the exam demonstrates your competence in this field and earns you the title of National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). This certification is recognized as a gold standard in the industry, signaling your commitment to professional excellence.

The NBHWC Board Exam is offered three times a year. You can see a full schedule of application windows and exam dats by clicking here. The exam is proctored in person at Prometric Testing Centers across the globe. To find
a testing center near you click the “locate” button at the link below.
https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/hwccp

Exam Fee – $400
Application Fee** – $100
** application fee is nonrefundable
Please see the NBHWC Fee Policy for a complete overview of fees and refund policies.

NBHWC does not have discounts or financial aid for the cost of the exam.

You can apply for the NBHWC Board Exam during the application window for the exam you wish to sit for. Note that applications are nontransferrable. Please ensure that you apply for the exam you wish to sit for. To apply, you will create an account at www.mynbme.org, pay your exam fees, and upload all required documents. Your application will be reviewed within 30 days.

The NBHWC Board Exam is a computerized, 150 question, multiple choice exam. The exam is divided into two sections. You can read more about the format of the exam in the Exam Information Packet.

Reasonable and appropriate accommodations are provided in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for individuals with documented disabilities. Supporting documentation is required to determine what, if any, accommodations are appropriate for the disabled individual in the examination setting and context. Please review the ADA Accommodation Information Packet for more details. If you have additional questions, please email access@nbme.org

Reasonable and appropriate accommodations are provided in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for individuals with documented disabilities. Supporting documentation is required to determine what, if any, accommodations are appropriate for the disabled individual in the examination setting and context. Please review the ADA Accommodation Information Packet for more details. If you have additional questions, please email access@nbme.org

To prepare for the NBHWC Board Exam, we recommend the following steps:
● Review the NBHWC Exam Content Outline, which details the knowledge
domains and competencies covered.
● Utilize materials from the NBHWC Approved Program you completed to study the
domains and competencies in the NBHWC Exam Content Outline.
● Purchase the NBHWC Practice Exam

Our website also features a list of resources and additional guidance to help you prepare
effectively.

Yes, NBHWC offers a practice exam available for purchase. Priced at $65, this practice exam includes 50 questions aligned with the NBHWC Exam Content Outline and developed by the same item writers who create the board exam questions. This resource is designed to help you familiarize yourself with the exam format and content

On exam day, you must bring:
● A government-issued photo ID that matches the name on your Scheduling
Permit.
● Your exam registration confirmation email.
Review the Exam Information Packet for a full list of allowed and prohibited items.

The passing score for the exam is calculated through a statistical process called standard setting, which requires subject matter experts to review each question on the examination in order to determine the passing score that would be expected from a Minimally Qualified Candidate (MQC). The passing score obtained through standard setting on one test form will be applied to other exam test forms through statistical equating. Statistical equating adjusts the passing score up or down by accounting for the overall difficulty of each test form. Therefore, statistical equating ensures fairness to all candidates by associating the cut score on a test form with the overall difficulty level of the items on it. With this standard procedure for determining the successful candidates on the NBHWC Board Exam, the passing scores may vary slightly for each exam cycle.

NBHWC does not have a published passing score. The average pass rate is 78% – 82%. The passing score for the exam is calculated through standard setting, which requires subject matter experts to review and evaluate each question on the exam in order to determine the passing score that would be expected from a Minimally Qualified Candidate (MQC). Statistical equating then accounts for the overall difficulty of each test form. Statistical equating ensures fairness to all candidates by associating the cut score on a test form with the overall difficulty level of the items on it. With this standard procedure for determining the successful candidates on the NBHWC Board Exam, the passing scores may vary slightly for each exam cycle.

Results are typically available within 4–6 weeks and will be shared via email.

If you do not pass the exam, you may retake it up to a total of three times before additional training is required. Each retake requires a $500 fee. There are no discounts for retakes. If you fail the exam three times, you must complete another NBHWC-Approved Training Program and a new coaching log to become eligible to sit for the exam again.

If you need to cancel your exam, the exam fee may be refunded under certain circumstances. The application fee is non-refundable. For more information on the refund policy, including deadlines, please see the NBHWC Fee Policy.

An exam can be rescheduled within the same testing window by clicking here. Please note you will need your confirmation number from the original appointment to reschedule. Exams cannot be rescheduled to different testing windows. To sit in a future exam window, you must fully cancel your current exam application and reapply in the desired window. Fees may apply.

Yes, you can cancel your NBHWC Board Exam application or appointment. To request a refund, you must complete the steps outlined below before the refund deadline specified in the NBHWC Fee Policy. If you have scheduled an exam appointment with Prometric, you must also cancel that appointment here.

Refund requests received after the deadline are not eligible.

Steps to Cancel Your Exam Application
1. Log in to your application account at www.mynbme.org.
2. Navigate to the “My Exams” page and click on your “Registration ID.”
3. Scroll to the “Get Help Now” section and click “Create a Case.”
4. Use “NBHWC Exam Cancellation” as the subject and include details about your
request.
5. Click “Save” to submit your request.
6. Cancel your Prometric appointment here

If you have any questions about the refund process or deadlines, refer to the NBHWC
Fee Policy or contact us directly for assistance.

To sit for the board exam you must complete an NBHWC Approved Training Program, complete 50 health coaching sessions, and have an associate’s degree (or higher).

Please click here for full details on determining exam eligibility

Your proof of completion should have the current NBHWC Seal of Approval on it.  If it does not, you will need to reach out to your training program to determine your eligibility.  

You can also verify your training program’s approval staus by clicking here. The earliest completion date that is accepted is listed on the program profile.

If it has been more than 18 months since you completed your training, we recommend you contact your program to let them know you intend to sit for the NBHWC board exam to ensure you have the correct proof of completion form to verify eligibility.

Yes. Anyone wishing to become board certified must first complete an NBHWC Approved Training Program. There are no exceptions to this requirement.

Ensuring all NBC-HWCs have a standardized base of knowledge on the health coaching competencies is an important step in establishing standards in the field.  NBHWC Approved Training Programs have been reviewed and approved based on competencies taught, contact time with students, faculty requirements, and practical skills development and assessment. 

You can begin documenting sessions on your NBHWC Coaching Log once you have passed the final Practical Skills Assessment within an NBHWC Approved Program 

The exact date you can start your personal coaching log will vary by training program. Please contact your NBHWC Approved Training Program for the exact date. This is an important step as your exam application will not be approved if your log contains dates prior to the start date provided by your NBHWC Approved Program.

Yes. If you have a documented disability that effects your ability to sit for this exam and are covered under the ADA, please request accommodations when you apply for the exam.

Additional information can be found here.

Please note all accommodation documentation must be submitted prior to the exam application deadline.

You can watch a short video with a step-by-step guide to upload your application documents here.

Watch a short video for a step-by-step guide to upload your application documents here. 

To be eligible for the NBHWC Board Exam, you must:
● Complete an NBHWC-approved health and wellness coach training program.
● Complete the NBHWC Coaching Log documenting the completion of 50 health coaching sessions that meet the NBHWC Coaching Log requirements.
● Hold an associates degree (or higher) in any field*
Details about approved programs and specific eligibility requirements can be found by clicking here.

* Candidates who do not have an associates degree (or higher) can use 4000 hours of
work experience in lieu of the degree requirement. 

To sit for the NBHWC Board Exam, you must complete an NBHWC-Approved Training Program. There are no exceptions to this requirement. NBHWC-Approved Programs undergo a rigorous review process to ensure they meet specific standards, including required contact hours, core competencies, adherence to the scope of practice, and faculty qualifications. Additionally, these programs assess a student’s practical coaching skills before graduation. Requiring all exam candidates to complete an approved program ensures a standardized foundation of knowledge and skills, supporting the professionalization and credibility of the health and wellness coaching field.

To qualify for the NBHWC Board Exam, your proof of program completion must include the current NBHWC Seal of Approval. If it does not, contact your training program to confirm your eligibility and request an updated proof of program completion. You can verify your training program’s approval status and the earliest accepted completion date by visiting the program’s profile here. If it has been more than 18 months since you completed your training, we strongly recommend contacting your program to inform them of your intent to sit for the NBHWC Board Exam. This ensures you receive the correct proof of completion form needed to verify your eligibility.

To sit for the NBHWC Board Exam you must have an associates degree or higher. This degree can be in any field.

If you do not have an associate degree (or higher) you can use the work experience form to meet this requirement. To use the work experience form you must have 4000 hours of work experience. This can be in any field.

If the name listed on your Scheduling Permit differs from your name as it appears on your identification, you will not be able to take the test. Changes or corrections can be made up to seven business days before your scheduled testing appointment. Submit a request via your MyNBME account (www.MyNBME.org) as follows:

On the homepage or “My Exams” page, click on the “Registration ID“ associated with the exam requiring the name change.

Scroll down to the “Get Help Now” section and click “Create a Case.”

Enter “Name Change” as the subject and type your request in the “Description” field.

Click “Save.”

Your updated permit will be available within five business days after the name change or correction has been completed.

Please use the “locate” button at the link below to find the testing centers in your area. https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/hwccp

Once you are approved to take the exam, you will receive an email notifying you of your eligibility. Within five business days of receiving that email, you will receive an email from NBME notifying you that your Scheduling Permit is available. Your permit contains the instructions for scheduling your exam with a Prometric Test Center, and will be available in your myNBME portal.

An exam can be rescheduled within the same testing window by clicking here.  Please note you will need your confirmation number from the original appointment to reschedule.  

Exams cannot be rescheduled to different testing windows. To sit in a future exam window, you must fully cancel your current exam application and reapply in the desired window.  

Fees may apply.

To cancel your exam you must complete the following steps before the deadline outlined in the NBHWC Fee Policy.

Please note, If you have scheduled an exam appointment at Prometric, you must also cancel that appointment by clicking here.

Both steps must be complete prior to the refund deadline outlined in the fee policy to be eligible for a refund.

Requests that are received after the deadline are not eligible for refund.

1. Log in to your application account atwww.mynbme.org.
2. Find your exam on the “My Exams” page and click on “Registration ID.”
3. Scroll down to the “Get Help Now” section and click “Create a Case.”
4. Enter “NBHWC Exam Cancellation” as the subject and send a description of your request.
5. Click “Save.”

Upon completion of all required cancellation steps, a refund request is generally processed within three weeks. After processing, the refund should be applied within 7-10 business days.

The release date of test results can vary for numerous reasons, but typically can be expected about eight weeks after the test window closes.

Instructions for requesting a score recheck can be found on the Score Verification Form. Please note this is a rescoring of the exam and not likely to change the outcome of your exam.

Fees may apply.

There is an annual fee of $75 to maintain the credential.

You will need 36 CEUs every 3 years.

To maintain your NBC-HWC credential, you must:
● Complete 36 Continuing Education (CE) credits every three years, focusing on health
and wellness coaching topics.
● Pay an annual $75 certification maintenance fee.
You will receive reminders from NBHWC when it’s time to submit CE documentation or renew
your certification. Maintaining your credential ensures you stay up-to-date with industry
standards and practices.

CEs must come from NBHWC Approved CE activities. You can find a full list of approved CEs at the link below.

Find Approved CE

CEs must come from NBHWC Approved CE activities. If you complete an activity that does not hold NBHWC CE Approval, you may be able to get approval to use it on an individual basis through the NBHWC CE Petition Process. Please note CE petitions must meet all CE requirements. A decision tree and list of requirements can be found in Appendix A of your Recertification Handbook.

At this time, health coaching is not a reimbursed service.

The AMA did issue category III (non reimbursable) CPT codes. These codes are used for data, tracking, and research. While NBHWC is working diligently towards advancing the codes to category I, the AMA will ultimately decide if and when the codes advance.