Life coaching is a natural career choice for many, and a second career choice for some. Its a career that requires compassion, good listening skills and the ability to creatively problem solve. There are no legal standards required to become a life coach, but certification is available through the International Coach Federation (ICF).

Generally, there are no specific requirements needed to become a life coach. Many people who enter the field have a background in mental health or counseling. Others enter the field simply because they always loved helping people, offering advice and providing guidance. Often, people who become life coaches say they did so because friends or family were always coming to them to ask for help in solving their problems.

There are no formal education requirements needed to become a life coach, either. In fact, essentially any person who wants to be a life coach can become a life coach, regardless of age or educational background. It is an industry that has little regulation, despite its pace of growth.

Just because someone says they are a life coach, however, doesnt mean they have the skills to practice. That's why many life coaches choose to become certified. Do you need to be certified to be a life coach? No, but it definitely helps.

Life coach certification provides a set of universal standards and experience that coaches should achieve. Although not legally mandated, its the closest thing the industry has to legal requirements.

Certification is offered through the International Coach Federation (ICF), a membership organization of trained coaches. ICF sets standards for coaches, provides independent certification and accredits programs that deliver coach-specific training.

Getting certified gives life coaches a leg up over those who dont, as many clients prefer to work with someone who is certified. To get certified by ICF, a life coach must complete the following at an ICF-accredited coach training program:

There are many organizations that purport to offer life coaching certification, but ICF is one of the only legitimate credentialing bodies.

ICF offers three levels of coach credentials:

ICF certification is not exclusive to life coaches, and is available to someone pursuing a career in any type of personal coaching.

ICF-accredited coach training programs are available across the United States. If youre wondering how to become a life coach in California, for example, programs like that offered by the University of California, Davis are good options. The UC Davis Extension offers a five-month, all-inclusive Professional Coaching for Life and Work Certificate Program that covers ICFs requirements.

If youre wondering how to become a life coach in Florida, The American School of Professional Life Coaching has a Certified Life Coach Course that is ICF certified. Attendees complete 60 classroom hours and 10 hours of mentor coaching to get certification.

If you are looking to get certified as a life coach, ICF has a searchable directory of accredited coach training on its website.

Once you meet the life coach requirements, a career in life coaching can be incredibly rewarding. Youll provide guidance and motivation to help people set and meet their goals. You can help people set their life vision and to help them do what it takes to realize that goal.

Life coaches meet regularly with their clients, either in-person or remotely via video chats. Sessions can last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes, or even longer. You may have check-ins between sessions to see how everything is going.

Most life coaches work independently. That means you must spend a lot of time networking and marketing to build a practice. Getting certification helps with that, as you can network with others in your training, as well as mentors. It is also a benefit when it comes to marketing yourself as a life coach.

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Legal Requirements for Life Coaching | Chron.com