Become a Clinical Health & Well-Being Coach
Ready to join healthcare as a behavior change professional? Learn more about the requirements to become a CHWC here.
Eligibility & Training Requirements
The CHWC credential indicates professionals who have completed a high-level of training and practical experience to ensure they are fully equipped to work in clinical settings.
Review the requirements to learn more about the minimum requirements for CHWC exam eligibility.
Complete an Accredited Training Program
Prior to applying for the CHWC credentialing exam, candidates must complete an IBC-accredited training program.
Training programs will equip candidates with foundational health and wellness coaching skills plus advanced competencies tailored for clinical and integrated care.
IBC-accredited programs must have a minimum of 225 training hours with live practice and mentoring opportunities. Completion of a training program includes a minimum of 100 clinical coaching hours under faculty supervision.
Education & Professional Requirement
- Health or Health Sciences
- Behavioral Sciences
- Human Services or other helping professions
Apply for CHWC Exam & Practical Skills Evaluation
- CHWC training program completion certificate
- Practicum documentation
- Degree verification
Transition Eligibility Pathways
Already a certified coach interested in pursuing the CHWC credential?
As the field of clinical health and well-being coaching continues to evolve, the CHWC certification program recognizes that many experienced professionals have developed substantial education, training, and practice expertise prior to the formal establishment of standardized clinical training pathways.
We are excited to offer Transition Eligibility Pathways through December 2028 that recognize qualifying prior education or professional experience as acceptable preparation for eligibility to sit for the CHWC certification examination.
Degree Path
- Bachelor’s degree (or higher in a health field), and
- 1 year clinical experience, and
- Completion of a coach training program, and
- More than 200 coaching sessions.
- Coaching sessions for either path must be a minimum of 20 minutes with at least 75% of the time dedicated to coaching as opposed to education, diagnosis, or delivery of another healthcare service.
Experience Path
- 2 years clinical experience, and
- Completion of a coach training program, and
- More than 300 coaching sessions.
IBC Bridge Pathway Program
Support for Emerging & Practicing Coaches
Coaching Skills Labs
Practice. Feedback. Growth.
Coaching Skills Labs are interactive, practice-based learning experiences designed for emerging professionals and newer coaches seeking to strengthen their foundational coaching skills and deepen their confidence in real-world coaching conversations.
Each lab offers an opportunity to learn through observation, reflection, discussion, and guided skill development in a supportive environment. Sessions may include live coaching demonstrations, review of recorded coaching conversations, facilitated breakdowns of coaching strategies, and discussion of core elements of the coaching process.
These labs are intended to help coaches build practical skills, strengthen reflective practice, and translate coaching concepts into meaningful application.
Coaching Skills Labs are offered every third Wednesday at 9 AM PST. Open to all with a discounted rate for Academy members.
One-on-one Mentoring
The Academy for Behavior Change offers individualized mentorship designed to support coaches in advancing their skills, deepening their coaching practice, and navigating real-world coaching environments. Through a mentor-mentee matching process, participants are paired with experienced mentors whose expertise, mentoring style, and professional background align with their goals and areas of growth.
Our panel of expert mentors includes experienced coaches working across healthcare, digital health, clinical practice, leadership, and behavior change. Mentorship packages are available in 1-, 3-, or 6-session options, with each one-hour session providing dedicated space for reflection, feedback, professional development, and actionable next steps.
Pricing:
Single session: $125
Three Session Package: $115/session ($345 total)
Six Session Package: $100/session ($600 total)
*Academy members receive a 15% discount on all rates.
Clinical Coaching Circles
Reflect. Connect. Sustain.
Ongoing support for practicing coaches to reflect on real-world cases, strengthen clinical integration, and build community. A space for connection, reflection, and growth with peers working in healthcare and human-centered care settings. These facilitated circles offer case consultation, shared learning, and ongoing support to help you navigate the complexities of real-world coaching practice.
Clinical Coaching Circles are offered every second Tuesday at 12:30 PM PST. Free for Academy members.
Competency Self-Assessments
Reflect. Connect. Sustain.
The competency self-assessment is designed as a reflective learning and professional development tool. Individuals may use the self-assessment to evaluate their perceived knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to the competencies established by the program or credential.
Self-assessment results are intended to support professional growth, continuing education planning, and identification of development opportunities.
Available in July.
Coach Mentoring
The Academy for Behavior Change offers personalized, tailored mentoring for health and well-being coaches across skill levels and settings. We have a variety of formats so coaches can choose based on their individual needs.
Interested in becoming a CHWC?
Fill out this form to be notified when the first CHWC application period opens.