There is a lot of misinformation regarding the need for corporate wellness certifications. For the most part, the worksite wellness industry is not regulated even though there are a few federal and state laws to guide how programs are conducted.
Wellness certifications are an attempt to self-regulate the industry so that employees get access to well-designed and well-run wellness programs. To help you navigate all of the benefits and pitfalls of wellness certifications, WellSteps has created this comprehensive guide that contains everything you need to know about corporate and worksite wellness certifications.
So, let’s start by answering a few common questions about corporate wellness certifications:
1) What is a wellness certification and what are the main types of certifications that are available?
There are three types of wellness certifications that are commonly found in corporate wellness programs. These include wellness program certifications, health coach certifications, and fitness/personal training certifications.
Wellness Program Certifications
Wellness Program Certifications are available to individuals who will be planning, managing, and directing the day-to-day activities of a worksite wellness program. These include several levels of training from wellness assistants and wellness staff on one end to wellness program mangers and directors on the other end of the spectrum.
In small to medium-sized worksites, it is common for the benefits or HR department to be given the responsibility of administering a wellness program. Typically these programs are organized by benefits specialists or HR specialists who have little to no training in worksite wellness.
For these individuals, simple one to two day wellness certification courses are available to give them the basic competency to get their program up and running.
Other wellness certifications may be more extensive. These types are designed to train people to actually be a wellness coordinator or wellness program director. Most of the high-level wellness positions are being filled by employees who have undergraduate or graduate college wellness degrees..
Typically these individuals are full-time wellness professionals that have established a career in the provision of wellness services. Thus, these jobs typically pay well and provide solid employment.
Health Coach Certifications
Health Coach Certifications are often required for individuals who are providing one-on-one health and wellness coaching. As a certified wellness coach you can help clients reach their health goals and improve their well-being by working in a fitness or healthcare setting, or starting your own business. The health and wellness coach certifications are relatively easy to acquire in a short amount of time and give employers the assurance that the health coach knows how to provide effective behavior change counseling and safe and effective health advice.
In truth, there are many companies that provide health coaching certifications. Typically salary ranges for health coaches tend to be on the lower end of the pay scale.
Fitness/Personal Training Certifications
Fitness/Personal Training Certifications are available for those individuals who are working one-on-one or in small groups to provide fitness and exercise training.
Most people are familiar with the type of work that is completed by personal trainers. Just like health coaching certifications, the certification process can be completed relatively quickly.
This also means that more people can get these certifications making it much easier to find and hire individuals to be personal trainers. Personal training, like health coaching tends to be on the low end of the pay scale.
2) Are certifications required to work in the wellness industry?
The answer to this question is yes and no, depending upon the type of wellness certification you want to get. Getting any of these certifications is only going to make you more qualified and better at doing your job—but a certification probably won’t make any difference in whether or not you get the job in the first place.
WellSteps also has some amazing employees but it is extremely rare for any WellSteps customer to ask about the wellness certifications they have earned. Either they don’t ask because they don’t know about them or they don’t ask because they really don’t care. Either way, they are not asking!
Whae is the catch?
There is, however, one exception to this. Employers want to know that health coaches (or personal trainers) are going to be professional, effective, and safe. Anyone can call themselves a health coach or a personal trainer, so having a certification can make a difference.
Having a health coach certification or personal training certification at least provides some evidence that you know what you are doing. More importantly, it lets the employer know that you won’t be suggesting that employees do some unsafe, or unproven health practice.
As a matter of fact, with the 1,000’s of clients WellSteps has worked with, we have never been asked about our wellness program certifications and only a few have asked about health coaching certifications and personal training certifications.
While getting any wellness certification certainly will not hurt your job prospects, in many cases it may make no difference. Actual wellness job experience is always the most important qualification. You can also read a recent post on the 3 best ideas and tips to get a wellness job.
I’m sure that the companies that make a living providing wellness certifications don’t like what I have to say about this, but this is the reality of our profession today. In truth, more and more wellness professionals have college degrees in health and wellness. A college degree has way more clout than a certificate. More on this later.
3) If they are not required, then why get a wellness certification?
In short, wellness certifications, health coaching certifications, and personal training certifications will only help you to be better qualified to work in the wellness industry. These certifications can help in several ways even though they may not always be required for your job. The following are reasons why getting a health and wellness certification may be worth it for you.
Certifications can give you a certain level of credibility and hopefully some competency.
Certifications can teach you evidence-based best practices that are driven by solid science. This will ensure that you only give safe and effective counseling and guidance.
Certifications will teach you to not use unproven or untested alternative health ideas with your clients.
If you’re in the job market and you want to add a little flair to your resume, some of the certifications are relatively inexpensive and will provide a nice addition to your job qualifications.
At a minimum you should complete CPR and AED certifications. You can get these skills from an organization like the American Heart Association for less than $50.
4) How much does it cost to complete a wellness certification?
So, the answer to this question depends upon the type of certification you want to complete. If you are an HR professional and you are responsible for your company’s wellness program, you can complete some basic wellness certifications for under $400.
However, more comprehensive training can cost up to $900 per level of training. The cost of health coaching certifications ranges from just under $500 to up to $2000. But, personal training certifications can be acquired for between $400 and $700.
As mentioned previously, the wellness industry and the wellness certification industry is not regulated. That means you need to be careful about which certifications you choose and how much you pay.
Unfortunately there are some dishonest companies that provide certifications that are nothing more than certification mills. The main goal of these companies is to make as much money as possible by doing a poor job of educating participants and handing out certifications that mean little.
Keep reading and you’ll get some specific recommendations on the certification companies that have been verified as reputable.
5) How long does it take to get a corporate wellness certification?
The amount of time required to complete the different certifications varies dramatically. As a matter of fact, WELCOA provides basic wellness certifications that can be completed in just a few hours or days.
However, some personal training certifications can take 3 to 4 months. It really all depends on the type and level of certification you are trying to acquire.
Most certifications can be completed online, in person at intensive all-day workshops, or through books and printed materials. Most require you to pass a competency examination. Wellness certification companies go to great lengths to work with your schedule and study preferences.
6) Should I consider getting a college degree in health promotion and wellness?
Anyone who has a bachelors degree or masters degree in worksite wellness or worksite health promotion programs has had a very deep and broad exposure to wellness programs. The 4 to 6 years of intensive coursework is far more valuable and impactful than any certification could ever be.
The problem is that it takes 4 to 6 years and a whole bunch of money to reach this level of proficiency. Nonetheless at WellSteps, we only hire individuals who have wellness or health promotion academic degrees. Many universities now offer 4 year degrees in health and wellness and here is a list of universities, for example, that offer online degrees in health and wellness.
In addition to personal training, health coaching, and running, designing, and managing wellness programs, WellSteps employees wear multiple hats and have very broad job descriptions. To summarize, a college degree in health and wellness is required if they are to be successful in these particular jobs.
7) Is there a list of organizations that offer employee wellness certifications? And how do I know if I can trust them?
You have come to the right place. we have identified all of the wellness certification companies and classified them into three categories: wellness certifications, health coaching certifications, and personal training certifications.
In the table below, we have summarized what each of them does. But more importantly each certification has been verified by this symbol. So, if they have a lengthy history and are reputable, they can likely be trusted to provide you with a quality training experience.
This doesn’t mean that they are the only trusted wellness certification companies on this list, but they are the ones with which we are most familiar. Some of the others on this list may also be very good but they did not get a seal of approval simply because we did not know about them.
Here is a list of all the different corporate wellness certification providers:
Wellness Program Certifications
National Wellness Institute
The National Wellness Institute was started in 1977. The purpose of its formation was to allow health and wellness professionals to have access to the best educational resources available. That way, these professionals would be able to grow in both their business and personal lives. Hence, any organization which is involved in the wellness industry can access to these resources. The National Wellness Institute believes learning never ends because there are always new developments and programs in this field all the time. Professionals are encouraged to utilize the institute’s resources so that they can receive a continuing education that will sustain their success.
Wellness Council of America
The Wellness Council of America, also known as WELCOA, is a nationally recognized organization for providing resources which promote better health and productivity in any work environment. WELCOA has been around for nearly 3 decades now and they’ve accumulated over 5,000 professional members. Their philosophy is that if you have a healthier work culture that enhances the wellness of the employees, then they will do a better job in the organization. Meanwhile, the employer health care costs will decrease because their employees are healthier. WELCOA also provides training programs to wellness professionals in the workplace. Once these professionals gain the necessary knowledge about wellness in the work environment, they can teach it to their employees and help make America healthier as a whole.
Chapman Institute
The Chapman Institute was founded by Larry S. Chapman MPH, a 40+ year veteran in the worksite wellness field. The Institute is the oldest and largest provider of certification for worksite wellness professionals through their WellCert program. They offer 4 levels of progressive certification starting with their Level 1 – Certified Wellness Program Coordinator (CWPC) course. Each of the 4 certification courses usually takes 25 – 30 hours to complete. They are available online, in live webinars and in-person around the country. More than 5,000 individuals have completed one or more levels of certification. The training uses case studies and is skill based. Many of the major health insurers require this certification for wellness staff.
International Association for Worksite Health Promotion
The International Association for Worksite Health Promotion is an affiliated society of the prestigious American College of Sports Medicine. IAWHP has a mission to provide valuable information and services to health and wellness practitioners in the workplace. This is achieved through educational activities as well as networking with other professionals in the field. The IAWHP Online Certificate Course teaches students the best ways to create worksite health programs which are scalable and maintainable. This is a very interactive course which includes real-world activities and audio presentations. If you successfully pass the course and receive your certificate, you will be qualified to train employees on how to stay healthy. In fact, you can create an entire work culture which supports the idea of a healthy workplace. This will increase overall productivity in the organization while reducing unnecessary expenses over wasted time or poor work performance.
American Fitness Professionals & Associates
American Fitness Professionals & Associates has already provided education and issued certifications to more than 110,000 wellness professionals. These include everyone from nutritionists to certified personal trainers from around the world. Once you become a certified member, you receive free professional support for as long as you remain certified. AFPA has more than 25 certification programs available in various fields of the health and fitness industry. Some of which include certifications in yoga instruction, youth fitness, weight loss, nutrition, fitness training, senior fitness and more. If that isn’t impressive enough, they are one of the few certification providers that are actually accredited. Various AFPA programs have the approval of major organizations. Such as the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, the American Naturopathic Medical Accreditation Board, National Association of Nutrition Professionals, and others.
National Association of Health Underwriters
The National Association of Health Underwriters has designed a wellness certification course which focuses around controlling the unhealthy behaviors of employees in the workplace. The three main unhealthy behaviors which are changeable include lack of smoking, too much eating, and lack of physical activity. The NAHU wellness certification course will train employers on how to control behaviors in the workplace. All so that their employees can be healthier, and the cost of their healthcare can go down. NAHU’s objective is to make health insurance coverage more affordable for individuals and businesses, no matter how big or small.
Precision Nutrition
Precision Nutrition is an organization that was co-founded by a man named Dr. John Berardi. He created a team of health and wellness coaches who have educated more than 100,000 clients. They have clients from over 100 nations around the world. The team has been doing this for more than 15 years now. Some of the biggest companies on the globe have sought their advice and counseling. Now, they are offering a free course which is described as offering “elite nutrition coaching.” In other words, students will be coached on the proper lifestyle and nutritional changes to make so that better health results can be achieved. The company’s students consist of professionals in the wellness, health, and fitness industries. The education received from this course will help them train their own clients. Clients can benefit, whether they’re in the workplace or in private life.
Corporate Health and Wellness Association
Out of all the designations that wellness specialists strive for, the Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist designation is the most sought-after one. The Corporate Health and Wellness Association has provided health and wellness education and certification to more than 1.5 million wellness professionals. And, they are available worldwide. Members of the association get to interact with other members and receive a continuing education. Corporate Health and Wellness Association is a non-profit organization which is open to business-to-business professionals around the globe
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Health Coaching Certifications
Duke Integrative Medicine
Duke Integrative Medicine offers an Integrative Health Coach Training program. This program is designed to help individual people become healthier by transforming their unhealthy behaviors into healthy ones. The program has years of medical research and clinical expertise poured into it. Students will receive training through both an instructor and an online curriculum. This gives them a chance to take the courses at convenient times. All the while still having the opportunity to receive hands-on training in the field. That way, after they graduate from the program, they will have the necessary skills to provide group coaching and individual coaching.
Health Coach Institute
The Health Coach Institute has a Health Coach program where they will train students to become a professional health coach in just 6 months. In fact, the International Coach Federation has accredited their continuing coach education courses. From this program, students will learn about all areas of nutrition and how to help people change their lifestyle habits. The program was created by some of the most reputable doctors and coaching experts in the health coaching industry. Once you graduate, you will be able to coach your own clients and assist them in their healthy lifestyle goals. Many graduates of this program go on to earn anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 monthly as a certified health coach.
Catalyst Coaching Institute
The Catalyst Coaching Institute is the comprehensive resource for current & future health & wellness coaches. Their wellness coach certification is approved by the NBHWC. This is important for those looking to pursue the national board exam. In addition they offer complimentary pre-exam study sessions for their students who are pursuing that route. However, it doesn’t stop there! Catalyst is host of the Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium. A symposium specifically for health & wellness coaches that takes place in Colorado every fall. In addition, the Catalyst Health, Wellness and Performance Coaching podcast is the #1 evidence-based podcast designed specifically for health & wellness coaches.
National Society of Health Coaches
The National Society of Health Coaches has created health coach certification programs which use an evidence-based clinical model for coaching students about health. In the United States, these programs are ranked as being some of the most popular programs taught to coaching students. What makes them different are the fact that they were created by other healthcare providers and clinicians. The students who generally enroll in these programs are clinicians themselves. They study a particular program which relates to their own experiences and knowledge of a clinical setting. Learning new skills from other clinicians, helps the students become better clinicians themselves. That way, they can apply evidence-based practices while coaching their own clients rather than just theoretical practices.
Spencer Institute
The Spencer Institute offers a Corporate Wellness Coaching Program which will allow you to earn your Corporate Wellness Coach Certification. This certification shows companies that you are knowledgeable in the field of corporate wellness. The Spencer Institute offers this program completely online. So, you can take the courses from any location that has an internet connection. As for accreditation, the American Association of Drugless Practitioners has accredited the Spencer Institute and its wellness coaching programs.
Dr. Sears Wellness Institute
The Dr. Sears Wellness Institute was started by Dr. Bill Sears. Dr. Sears has been a medical practitioner for more than 4 decades. He has written over 40 books on wellness and nutrition topics. The objective of the program is to train organizations and people in the 4 main principles of health. Namely, Nutrition, Attitude, Exercise, and Lifestyle. They will also provide resources to assist them in performing these principles successfully. To receive this education, you can become a student of their Health Coach Certification program. Once you graduate, you will be a Certified Health Coach. One that has the qualifications to teach companies, employees, and individuals about how to improve their physical and mental health.
Wellcoaches School
The Wellcoaches School of Coaching has provided education, training, resources, and certifications to student coaches for 16 years. The program is designed to give wellness professionals a chance to become a Certified Wellcoach. Not only does this help people have more energy and be more productive in their lives, it also prevents them from obtaining diseases too. Training programs from the Wellcoaches School are approved by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and the American College of Sports Medicine.
Adapt Health Coach
Adapt Health Coach offers a training and certification program which gives people the education and skills they need to start a health coaching career. More importantly, the graduates will have a chance to make a difference in other people’s lives and throughout the rest of the world. They can teach people about disease prevention and how it relates to a healthy lifestyle. The Adapt Health Coach Training & Certification Program is administered by the Kresser Institute. The founder of this institute is Chris Kresser, who is a clinician and expert of Functional Medicine and the co-director of the Center for Functional Medicine in California.
International Association of Wellness Professionals
The International Association of Wellness Professionals offers a Wellness Coach Certification program that is 100% available online. Most students will complete the program in just 6 months. There are 14 different modules to get through in the program. Students receive a comprehensive education in all the important areas of health and wellness, including business, wellness, and coaching. The modules of the curriculum include lessons on natural healing, holistic health, wellness, and nutrition. Most importantly, students learn the best coaching method for teaching and transforming other people’s lives into healthy lives. Since students also learn this information for career purposes, the program also dives into business training in the field of health and wellness coaching too.
Personal Training Coaching Certifications
Ace Fitness
The American Council on Exercise, also known as ACE, offers a Certified Personal Trainer program to students who want to work as personal trainers and have a direct impact on changing people’s lives for the better. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies has accredited this certification program, which is a reputable accrediting agency. The ACE Integrated Fitness Training Model is the foundation in which this certification program was built on. Students can study the material at home and receive guidance from the professional study coaches if they have any questions. There are three personal trainer study options to choose from; Pro Essentials, Pro Plus, and Pro Advantage.
National Strength and Conditioning Association
The National Strength and Conditioning Association has dedicated itself to educating health professionals that specialize in the field of strength and conditioning. These types of professionals offer services where they help other people learn just how strong they really are. NSCA offers four specific types of certification programs for current and aspiring health professionals. The first, of course, is the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist program. The other programs available are Certified Special Population Specialist, NSCA Certified Personal Trainer, and Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator. The latter is for professionals that want to train law enforcement and military personnel in the field of strength and conditioning.
NASM
The National Academy of Sports Medicine has been around for nearly 30 years. They are an organization known all around the world for their work in scientifically educating personal trainers and offering them accredited Certified Personal Training courses. The Optimum Performance Training model was used to develop these courses. This is a model which has had lots of evidence and scientific-based research go into it. Anyone who studies personal training through this program will have the ability and skill to train other people and help them reach their fitness goals.
American College of Sports Medicine
Whether you are new to the field of sports medicine or an experienced veteran in the profession, by choosing ACSM you’re on your way to earning one of the most highly recognized certifications in the industry—a credential that is known as the Gold Standard around the world. Whether your goal is to train one-on-one or to instruct groups, those who are certified are able to develop and implement safe, effective exercise programs, and modify them to meet the specific needs of clients. In choosing ACSM you’ve made the commitment to establish yourself as a reputable fitness professional.
National Personal Training Association
The National Personal Training Association‘s goal is to help those seeking their Certified Personal Trainer credentials, as well as other fitness certifications, to achieve credentials in their specific niche in a streamlined and convenient fashion. At the National Personal Training Association we believe in providing the very best in test preparation, assessment testing and customer service. We offer our customers a 100% money back guarantee if our program is not accepted by their employer. Since our programs are not accredited, this peace of mind goes a long way. Through our 100% online exams, you can achieve certification in a streamlined fashion and never even set foot in a classroom.
International Sports Sciences Association
The International Sports Sciences Association is designed to equip graduates with the practical day-to-day skills necessary, as well as the theoretical knowledge needed to excel as a personal trainer serving the general public. Along with the necessary exercise science foundation, the distance education program covers client assessment, program design, basic nutrition, and sports medicine along with business and marketing skills. Get everything you need to know to become a great personal trainer in an easy-to-follow 10-week guided-study program with unlimited support from your own student success team.
8) Where else can I find information to help me be more qualified as a wellness professional?
Here is a list of wellness associations. These groups have annual conferences and workshops that are outstanding opportunities to learn wellness best practices and network with other wellness professionals. If you are looking to work in the wellness industry I highly recommend you attend one.
Some of the best wellness information and practices can be found in this blog. For example, this article you are reading right now is part of the WellSteps Worksite Wellness blog series which contains the most current and real-world practices in wellness. These blog articles are required reading for all WellSteps employees.
If you don’t have the time or money for a wellness certification but still want to know everything to be a qualified wellness expert I suggest you review these blogs. They are free and when you are done, you’ll have consumed a semester’s worth of wellness best practices. Here are many of the blogs in a book format.
So What Next?
Working in the wellness industry is fun and very rewarding. Where else can you work and spend your time helping whole bunch of people live long, healthy lives? Corporate wellness certifications can give your career a boost and the extra training and information you need to be an outstanding wellness professional.
FAQs
What Credentials Do You Need to Be a Wellness Coach?
In short, wellness coach credentials vary by employer, but to be a successful wellness coach it’s important to have some level of health education and interpersonal skills like listening and communication. Health education can be acquired through certifications, college curriculum, or both.
Is a Wellness Coach Certification Worth It?
Although getting a wellness certification may not be required for your job, obtaining a wellness certification is a great way to give employers and clients confidence in your training and knowledge. Especially since, many wellness certifications can be obtained quickly and for a fair price, making them worthwhile and profitable for many.
How Do You Become a Certified Personal Trainer?
To summarize, to be eligible for most personal training exams, you must have the following:
Be at least 18 years old
Have a high school diploma or equivalent certification
Have an Emergency Cardiac Care (CPR) or Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification
These requirements may vary from certification to certification, but these are the basic guidelines for a CPT. From there, you simply register for an exam, study, pass, and begin your career as a certified personal trainer.
How Long Do Wellness Certifications Last?
Most personal training and health coach certifications require recertification 2-3 years after passing the exam. But, recertification typically involves required continuing education hours, maintaining CPR/AED certifications, and a recertification fee. Knowing the recertification requirements can be helpful when choosing which company and wellness certification to go with.
1 thought on “22 Best Wellness Certifications, Personal Training, and Health Coaching in 2024”
Thank You Dr. Steve Aldana , for sharing the information.
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