How to Become a Board Certified Coach

To become a Board Certified Coach (BCC), you generally need to follow these steps:

1. Educational Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or Higher: Most applicants need a bachelor’s, master's, or doctorate from an accredited institution. This degree can be in any field, though degrees in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related area are often preferred.

• Alternative Pathways: If you do not have a bachelor's degree, you may still qualify if you have extensive experience in coaching or a related field. The CCE may assess this on a case-by-case basis.

2. Coach-Specific Training

• Approved Programs: You must complete coach-specific training through a program that is approved by the CCE. These programs cover essential coaching competencies, ethics, and specific coaching techniques. Click here to learn more about our BCC training. It is completely online to give total freedom of when and how you complete the program.

• Training Hours: The required number of training hours varies based on your educational background:

  • If you hold a master's degree or higher in a related field (e.g., counseling, psychology), you typically need 30 hours of coach-specific training.

  • If you hold a bachelor's degree or an unrelated master's degree, you might need 60 hours of coach-specific training.

  • For those with a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field, you may need 120 hours of coach-specific training.

• Content of Training: The training should cover the BCC core competencies, including:

  • Coaching foundations and ethics.

  • Assessment and evaluation.

  • Coaching processes.

  • Managing the coach-client relationship.

3. Coaching Experience

• Hours of Experience: The number of coaching hours required also depends on your education and training:

  • For those with a master’s degree in a related field, fewer hours of coaching experience may be required (e.g., 30 hours).

  • For those with a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field, more hours (e.g., 100 hours or more) might be required.

• Documentation: You’ll need to document these hours carefully, showing your coaching activities and client engagements.

4. Supervision

• Supervised Experience: You must receive supervision from a qualified coach supervisor. This involves direct observation, feedback, and guidance on your coaching practice.

• Hours of Supervision: The required number of supervision hours varies but typically ranges from 10 to 20 hours.

• Supervisor Qualifications: The supervisor should be an experienced coach with relevant credentials, such as a BCC or an equivalent certification.

5. Pass the BCC Examination

• Exam Content: The BCC exam covers several key areas:

  • Coaching knowledge and skills.

  • Ethical and legal considerations in coaching.

  • Coaching practices and processes.

• Study Materials: The CCE provides a content outline and sample questions to help you prepare. Many training programs, like the training we offer, also offer exam preparation as part of their curriculum.

• Exam Format: The exam is typically multiple-choice and can be taken at designated testing centers or online through remote proctoring.

6. Application Process

• Submit Documentation: Once you have completed the education, training, experience, and exam requirements, you need to submit an application to the CCE.

• Application Fee: There is an application fee associated with applying for the BCC credential. This fee varies and is listed on the CCE website.

• Review Process: The CCE will review your application, and if everything is in order, they will grant you the BCC credential.

7. Maintain Your Credential

• Continuing Education: To maintain your BCC credential, you must complete continuing education (CE) hours regularly. The CCE typically requires around 70 hours of CE every five years.

• Renewal Process: You must renew your certification periodically, which involves submitting documentation of your CE hours and paying a renewal fee.

These steps ensure that you are well-prepared and qualified to offer professional coaching services. Each step is essential to developing the skills and knowledge needed to succeed as a Board Certified Coach. Click here to review the CCE BCC requirements.

Benefits of Becoming a BCC

Becoming a Board Certified Coach offers several key benefits:

1. Professional Credibility: The BCC credential is recognized and respected in the coaching industry, enhancing your credibility as a coach.
2. Career Advancement: Certification can open doors to new opportunities, including higher-paying positions and more clients.
3. Ethical Standards: BCC certification ensures you adhere to high ethical standards, boosting trust with clients.
4. Enhanced Skills: The training and exam process deepens your coaching knowledge and skills, improving your effectiveness.
5. Networking Opportunities: Being part of a certified community allows for networking and collaboration with other professionals.
6. Client Confidence: Clients often prefer coaches with recognized credentials, making it easier to attract and retain clients.
7. Continuing Education: The requirement for ongoing education helps you stay current in the field, keeping your skills sharp.

These benefits collectively help you grow and sustain a successful coaching career.

Our BCC Online Training

Our Virtual On-Demand program offers a flexible and thorough path to becoming a BCC. Tailored to fit into your busy lifestyle, this program provides access to high-quality training materials and resources. The curriculum meets the rigorous standards set by the CCE, ensuring you receive a top-tier education that is widely recognized and respected within the coaching industry.

Understanding the fundamental principles of coaching is crucial for any aspiring coach. You will delve into essential concepts such as active listening, powerful questioning, and goal setting, along with ethical considerations and the dynamics of the coach-client relationship. This foundational knowledge equips you with the skills and confidence to create meaningful coaching experiences and achieve positive outcomes for your clients.

The self-paced format of this training empowers you to take charge of your learning journey. Designed with maximum flexibility in mind, this approach allows you to move through the course materials at your own pace, accommodating your individual schedule and learning preferences. Whether you are balancing work, family, or other commitments, our self-paced course ensures you receive a comprehensive education without compromise.

Preparing for the Board Certified Coach Exam (BCCE) is a key step toward certification. Our BCCE prep is carefully crafted to set you up for success. With a detailed study guide and practice exam, you will gain a clear understanding of the exam’s structure and content. By the end of the BCCE prep, you will be fully prepared and confident to pass the BCCE and take your coaching career to the next level.

Ready to become a Board Certified Coach? Check out our training! Click here to learn more.

Ready to get your Board Certified Coach continuing education? Click here to learn more.

Have your coaching hours but need them verified for your BCC application? Click here to learn about our verification of experience package.

Don't have any coaching experience for your BCC application? Click here to learn more about our coaching supervision.

More Resources

If you are interested in learning more, click here. For more information on this topic, we recommend the following:

• What is a Board Certified Coach?
• Board Certified Coach Personal Endorsement
• Board Certified Coach Supervision
• Board Certified Coach Verification of Experience
• Board Certified Coach Exam Study Guide
• Board Certified Coach Continuing Education

About the Author

Jessica Taylor is a licensed therapist and board certified coach who contributes to the promotion of mental health and addiction awareness by providing educational resources and information.