Become a Certified Wellness Coach
Becoming a Certified Wellness Coach (Coach) lets you play a role in improving mental health and well-being of children and youth in California. Discover your path to certification today.
Check Your EligibilityHow to Become a Certified Wellness Coach
Why should I become a Certified Wellness Coach?
Meet The Need
Without the need for an advanced degree, the Certified Wellness Coach role is an entry-level opportunity for people who have associate and bachelor’s degrees. This addresses gaps in the behavioral health field.
Empower Your Community
Equip yourself to make a meaningful impact and inspire positive change in your community's well-being.
Transform Lives
Support California's youth in leading healthier, happier lives by serving vulnerable populations where they live and study.
Meet The Need
Without the need for an advanced degree, the Certified Wellness Coach role is an entry-level opportunity for people who have associate and bachelor’s degrees. This addresses gaps in the behavioral health field.
Empower Your Community
Equip yourself to make a meaningful impact and inspire positive change in your community's well-being.
Transform Lives
Support California's youth in leading healthier, happier lives by serving vulnerable populations where they live and study.
Testimonials
Ways to Become a Certified Wellness Coach
There are two pathways to become a Certified Wellness Coach:
Workforce Pathway
The Workforce Pathway is for those currently working in mental health, substance use/addiction, social work, or child welfare. They also need to have an associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Education Pathway
The Education Pathway is for prospective applicants that are recently graduated. They need to have, an associate or bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, or addiction studies.
Workforce Pathway
The Workforce Pathway is for those currently working in mental health, substance use/addiction, social work, or child welfare. They also need to have an associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Education Pathway
The Education Pathway is for prospective applicants that are recently graduated. They need to have, an associate or bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, or addiction studies.
Certified Wellness Coach Core Competencies
Core Competencies & Skills
- Cultural responsiveness, humility, and mitigating implicit bias
- Professionalism, ethics, and legal mandates
- Communication
- Operating in different roles and environments
Core Services
- Wellness promotion and education
- Screening
- Care coordination and extension
- Individual support
- Group support
- Crisis referral
Core Competencies & Skills
- Cultural responsiveness, humility, and mitigating implicit bias
- Professionalism, ethics, and legal mandates
- Communication
- Operating in different roles and environments
Core Services
- Wellness promotion and education
- Screening
- Care coordination and extension
- Individual support
- Group support
- Crisis referral
Certified Wellness Coach Requirements
Education Pathway
APPLICANT TYPE
Recent graduates
DEGREE PROGRAM
- Social Work
- Human Services
- Addiction Studies
Certified Wellness Coach I
FIELD EXPERIENCE
400 hours*
(application accepted with 150 hours)
DEGREE
Associate degree
from any accredited California Community College
Certified Wellness Coach II
FIELD EXPERIENCE
800 hours*
(application accepted with 300 hours)
DEGREE
Bachelor’s degree or higher
from any accredited California college or university
Workforce Pathway
APPLICANT TYPE
Professionals currently working in Wellness Coach-like roles
DEGREE PROGRAM
- Social Work
- Human Services
- Addiction Studies
- Child Development/Early Intervention
- Psychology
- Sociology
Certified Wellness Coach I
FIELD EXPERIENCE
1,000 hours†
of related experience
DEGREE
Associate degree
from any accredited U.S. program
Certified Wellness Coach II
FIELD EXPERIENCE
2,000 hours†
of related experience
DEGREE
Bachelor’s degree or higher
from any accredited national college or university
*
Education Pathway: Any hours not completed during degree program can be completed post-graduation via relevant internship or work experience.
†
Workforce Pathway: Experience must be in mental health, substance use/addiction, social work, and/or child welfare school-linked/school-based organizations, non-profits, community organizations, and/or clinics/health centers.†
Education Pathway | Workforce Pathway |
---|
APPLICANT TYPERecent graduates DEGREE PROGRAM
|
APPLICANT TYPEProfessionals currently working in Wellness Coach-like roles DEGREE PROGRAM
|
Certified Wellness Coach IFIELD EXPERIENCE400 hours* DEGREEAssociate degree |
Certified Wellness Coach IFIELD EXPERIENCE1,000 hours† DEGREEAssociate degree |
Certified Wellness Coach IIFIELD EXPERIENCE800 hours* DEGREEBachelor’s degree or higher |
Certified Wellness Coach IIFIELD EXPERIENCE2,000 hours† DEGREEBachelor’s degree or higher |
* Education Pathway: Any hours not completed during degree program can be completed post-graduation via relevant internship or work experience. |
† Workforce Pathway: Experience must be in mental health, substance use/addiction, social work, and/or child welfare school-linked/school-based organizations, non-profits, community organizations, and/or clinics/health centers.† |
How much does the certificate cost?
The Wellness Coach certificate is free.
How much does the certificate cost?
The Wellness Coach certificate is free.
Program Milestones
We're here to support you on your journey to becoming a Certified Wellness Coach. Sign up for updates to stay informed and learn more.
Candidate Certification Website Launched
February 2024
Apply now for Wellness Coach Certification.
Get Certified
Certified Wellness Coach Scholarships
August 2024
Scholarship applications closed on August 16, 2024.
New Certified Wellness Coach candidates enter HCAI-Designated Education Programs
Fall 2024
Find a designated education program near you.
Candidate Certification Website Launched
Apply now for Wellness Coach Certification.
Get Certified
February 2024
Certified Wellness Coach Scholarships
Scholarship applications closed on August 16, 2024.
August 2024
New Certified Wellness Coach candidates enter HCAI-Designated Education Programs
Find a designated education program near you.
Fall 2024
Frequently Asked Wellness Coach Questions
Entry into the Certified Wellness Coach I education program is for those with little or no experience in behavioral health or related fields. Candidates are eligible to apply for certification upon completion of their associate's degree in a qualifying subject and completing the minimum hours of field experience. The primary scope of practice for these individuals is wellness education, life skills, linkage to care, and supporting universal mental well-being for children and youth.
Entry into the Certified Wellness Coach II education program is for those who already have an associate's degree in a related field or are completing a bachelor's degree at a California university. Candidates are eligible to apply for certification upon completion of their bachelor's degree in a qualifying subject with specified competencies and completing the minimum hours of field experience. The primary scope of practice for these individuals builds on the Wellness Coach I scope, including supporting individuals and small groups in goal setting, life skills, and coping skills.
These two levels make sure that Certified Wellness Coaches can help a wide range of people in the community, from basic support to specialized assistance.
Salaries differ based on experience, work environment, and employment type, like agency, union, or private practice.
Being a Certified Wellness Coach can be a job all on its own. And it can also be a starting point that gives you job and training benefits if you want to move up in your career by learning more and getting further education.