One of the biggest questions you may explore as you pursue a career in coaching is: Should I become certified?
Because there is no regulatory organization governing the coaching industry, certification isn't required as you start your business and begin coaching. As an entrepreneur with a passion for helping people, your time, energy, and money are precious—so should you really be spending them on a certification when you don't have to?
Our short answer: yes, you absolutely should—for yourself and for your clients.
Here are six reasons why:
- The certification process gives you important education.
If you're reading this, then chances are you want to become a holistic, life, wellness, or executive coach because you love (and are good at) helping people see their potential—and take action to reach it. In fact, your friends and family members have probably come to you as an unofficial coach for years. Still, there are specific skills, techniques, and frameworks coaches can use to increase their effectiveness and efficiency—and help their clients get even better results, faster. You will learn these skills and techniques during the certification process.
2. Because staying certified as a coach requires ongoing education, you can rest assured you're always sharpening your skills and learning the newest industry trends and techniques.
Thanks to the ever-evolving nature of technology, the ongoing study of human psychology, and constant updating of coaching tools and techniques, there will always be more to learn as you strive to be the most effective coach possible. Certification requires ongoing education, which is an opportunity to learn about and utilize what's new to help your clients succeed.
- Becoming certified increases your credibility.
In your research, you may have heard that the coaching industry is growing rapidly. Yes, there are lots of coaches out there, which means your potential clients have lots of choices when it comes to hiring a coach. In general, people seek professionals who have education and training, and a certification shows that you have both. Plus, as you strive to market and grow your business (which may include non-coaching avenues like writing a book, speaking, or offering programs or courses), being certified will increase the likelihood that people will be willing to invest in what you're offering.
- Coaches with certifications report higher incomes.
Many, many studies have found that certified coaches earn more money than those who don't have certifications. They also report finding clients more quickly and easily and staying in the profession for longer.
- Getting certified means you're practicing what you preach.
When people invest in your coaching services, they're investing in their personal and/or professional growth. So shouldn't you invest in your own personal and/or professional growth as well? We believe you should—because it shows your clients that you truly believe investing pays off.
- Getting certified now means you'll be ahead of the curve when certification eventually becomes a requirement (which we believe it will).
Although you're not required to become a certified coach in order to open your doors to clients, the coaching industry (which is now a multi-billion-dollar industry) is growing so fast that its regulation is inevitable. In fact, Switzerland was the first country to begin regulating the industry in 2017. And when it's regulated, we're confident certification (and the maintenance of certification) will be required. If you're already certified, then the changes won't slow you down! You'll be able to keep right on coaching, while your uncertified counterparts may have to stop seeing clients as they go through the certification process.
In conclusion …
As you're learning about all the steps you must take to start a business, become a coach, find clients, and give them the support and service they deserve, you may be wondering if certification is something you can cross off your list. We firmly believe that it's not—it's one of the most important things you can do for your business and for your clients.
If you'd like to learn more about how to earn your certification, click here.
