Community & Recognition
The Health Coach Alliance is transforming the world’s approach to well-being. HCA empowers and supports registered health coaches and nutrition counsellors (HCA-RHC™ & HCA-RHNC™) and advocates for their integral role in the healthcare settings. We aim to raise awareness globally and are working towards a future where health coaching is a standard part of healthcare, offering support in practitioners offices, employee workplace wellness programs, and group insurance plans. With a focus on public safety and ethical and educational standards, we aim to unify the health coaching industry, revolutionize the healthcare model and make wellness accessible to all.
We are not just an organization, we are a movement of talented, passionate practitioners coming together with a common goal:
to preserve and grow an industry that helps people find their way back to health and vibrancy.
We are not just an organization, we are a movement of talented, passionate practitioners coming together with a common goal:
to preserve and grow an industry that helps people find their way back to health and vibrancy.
Why is Membership Critical?
In a field not regulated by the government, it is necessary to have an industry organization committed to upholding educational standards, a defined scope of practice, and ethical standards.
This not only ensures easy identification of those lacking qualifications who are attempting to market themselves to clients as a Nutrition Coach or Health Coach, but also lends credibility to you, the practitioner, telling the public that you are a registered and trained professional.
Ultimately, the public needs to be protected and your reputation as a qualified professional deserves be recognized, therefore the health coaching industry must be audited. This is where The Health Coach Alliance™ comes in.
Accreditation of education programs is focused on quality of instruction, overall curriculum, program delivery, and determining whether students completing the program have successfully learned the materials by way of effective knowledge testing methods. Holding a designation with The Health Coach Alliance confirms to the public and potential employers that you have the proper experience, education and tools to call yourself an expert in your field.
This not only ensures easy identification of those lacking qualifications who are attempting to market themselves to clients as a Nutrition Coach or Health Coach, but also lends credibility to you, the practitioner, telling the public that you are a registered and trained professional.
Ultimately, the public needs to be protected and your reputation as a qualified professional deserves be recognized, therefore the health coaching industry must be audited. This is where The Health Coach Alliance™ comes in.
Accreditation of education programs is focused on quality of instruction, overall curriculum, program delivery, and determining whether students completing the program have successfully learned the materials by way of effective knowledge testing methods. Holding a designation with The Health Coach Alliance confirms to the public and potential employers that you have the proper experience, education and tools to call yourself an expert in your field.
Apply for Membership
Take your career to the next level. Start taking advantage of our exclusive member benefits today. See Approved Schools Here. |
Become an Approved School
Become recognized as an accredited Holistic Nutrition or Health & Wellness Coaching School that meets or exceeds our curriculum standards. See Requirements here. |
Continuing Education
Lifelong learning is an integral part of being a practitioner in the holistic health industry. Register your courses to educate and empower our member community. More Details Here. |
Become an HCA Approved Member
The demand for global health and wellness practitioners is at an all time high, as we struggle to address the growing instances of preventable illness and the obesity epidemic.
We are committed to public safety and providing support, accreditation, and valuable business resources to North America's booming industry of Health Coaches. Accreditation of educational programs is focused on quality of instruction, overall curriculum, program delivery, and determining whether students completing the program have successfully learned the materials by way of effective knowledge testing methods
The table below outlines our three designations.
We are committed to public safety and providing support, accreditation, and valuable business resources to North America's booming industry of Health Coaches. Accreditation of educational programs is focused on quality of instruction, overall curriculum, program delivery, and determining whether students completing the program have successfully learned the materials by way of effective knowledge testing methods
The table below outlines our three designations.
Health Coach Alliance Registered Health Coach™ (HCA-RHC™) |
Health Coach Alliance Registered Health & Nutrition Counselor ™ (HCA-RHNC ™) |
Health Coach Alliance Registered Clinical Health Coach™ (HCA-RCHC™)A |
Baseline Designation |
Advanced Standing Designation |
Reserved For Licensed Health Professionals |
Minimum 200 Hours of Study obtained from a HCA recognized program |
Minimum 1000 hours of study obtained from a HCA recognized program |
MD, GP, ND, NP, DC + 100 hours or more of study from obtained from an HCA recognized program |
Holistic Nutrition Basics, Introduction to Health Coaching & Behaviour Change |
Functional Nutrition & Health, Evidence Based Health Coaching, MI and/or NLP |
Evidence Based Health Coaching, Integrative Nutrition, MI and/or NLP |
The basics of health and nutrition fundamentals including but not limited to macro and micronutrients, healthy diets, weight loss, healthy lifestyle modifications, and environmental health. |
Advanced studies in functional health and nutrition including but not limited to nutrition sciences, life cycle nutrition, detoxification, microbiome, support of the body systems. |
This is a special category reserved strictly for regulated health professionals who are incorporating health coaching into their practice. |
**Please note that "licensed" will replace "registered" in jurisdictions where "registered" is a restricted title.
Member Benefits
HCA ACCREDITATIONHCA Registered Health Coaches (HCA-RHC ™) and HCA Registered Clinical Health Coaches (HCA-RCHC™) and HCA Registered Health & Nutrition Counselor's (HCA-RHNC ™) are internationally recognized designations issued to each qualifying professional member. They confirm a specified standard of education and professional registration thus solidifying your credibility.
In an unregulated industry it is more important than ever to separate yourself from those who do not meet educational standards. (HCA-LHC, LCHC & LHNC are offered in provinces where "registered" is not permitted.) |
BUSINESS TRAININGWant to spend more time coaching and less time figuring out how to find clients, promote your services, drafting social media schedules and grow your following?
Whether you're freshly graduated or a long time industry professional, you will find tips and strategies to enhance your practice or get your business up and running as fast and effectively as possible. We've done all of the research for you so you don't have to! This 6 week program is offered twice per year to both student and professional members. |
REGISTRYAs a member you will be listed in the HCA verification registry. This is of utmost importance in an industry unregulated on a government level.
It instills confidence in the general public while allowing clients, employers, medical professionals to verify you are a registered professional in good standing with HCA. You worked hard for your credentials and you deserve the professional recognition you get from being a registered member who is held to a high educational standard, scope of practice, and code of ethics. |
CONTINUING ED
To maintain your designation and professional membership, the Health Coach Alliance requires its professional members to maintain a minimum of 20 continuing education Credits per year for the first 5 years and 10 CEC's thereafter.
We provide free and paid courses year round from top industry professionals to ensure you are always up to date on the latest news, research, products and services. |
LIABILITY INSURANCE
As a practitioner in an advisory role it is important to protect yourself and your business.
We offer several levels of CGL and E&O to protect you against potential risk at low group rates! **All plans are customizable to suit your specific business needs and available in both Canada and the U.S. |
GROUP BENEFITS
Gain access to our optional comprehensive plans for Medical, Dental, Critical Illness, Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance for one low group rate fee.
No medical required and pre-existing conditions are covered. Available to all member levels. *Note: This is an offering for Canadian Members. Due to 2016 legislation changes, this coverage is currently not available in Quebec. |
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MEMBER DISCOUNTS
Our partners have kindly offered exclusive member discounts to some amazing courses, business tools and products including That Clean Life, Practice Better, GreenMedInfo, CHFA, Josh Gitalis, Halfmoon Yoga, Metabolic Balance and the are just a few of our special discount partners. |
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much does membership cost?
The membership fee, including all of the amazing perks HCA has to offer is $298 / year.
If you apply within 30 days of graduating your approved program, you are eligible for a 10% discount that will not expire so long as your membership renews on time each year.
If you apply within 30 days of graduating your approved program, you are eligible for a 10% discount that will not expire so long as your membership renews on time each year.
How much does Liability Insurance Cost?
Great Question! All members are required to hold a minimum of $1M of Errors and Omissions Insurance. The pricing depends on your individual needs and location. We have several coverage options that you can choose from or you can customize your coverage should you have a unique background or require a higher amount.
Group discounted liability coverage is available to members in Canada and the USA.
Visit the Liability page under the "Health Coaches" heading for more details.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS ON COVER PLANS
Group discounted liability coverage is available to members in Canada and the USA.
Visit the Liability page under the "Health Coaches" heading for more details.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS ON COVER PLANS
I am not from canada but I would like to become a member. Do you allow this?
Absolutely, we are an international organization with members in many countries. Regardless of where you live, you can enjoy the full benefits of being a member including registration status and access to all resources. Please note however that liability insurance is only currently available to members residing in the U.S. and Canada at this time.
i want to become a health coach. which school the best to one to enrol with?
As an organization, we remain unbiased and will not recommend one school over another. We can however, confirm that all programs approved through HCA have been thoroughly reviewed and meet or exceed our credentialing standards.
We highly recommend giving each school a call to have a discussion. Ask questions to get a good feel on which one will most suit your future goals.
For a full list of approved schools, click here.
We highly recommend giving each school a call to have a discussion. Ask questions to get a good feel on which one will most suit your future goals.
For a full list of approved schools, click here.
How Many continuing education credits must i obtain each year?
As a member of HCA you must complete 20 CE Credit hours each year for the first 5 years of membership. Once you have more experience behind you, after you have completed 5 consecutive years of membership, your CE requirements are reduced to 10 CE Credits.
If you competed your designation course in the year you signed up with us, you have already fulfilled your first year's requirements.
Going forward you can obtain credits by taking additional courses that are approved for CE status, attend our free sessions offered throughout the year, read books from our booklist, attend meetings and tradeshows with a learning component (conditions apply) It's easy!
If you competed your designation course in the year you signed up with us, you have already fulfilled your first year's requirements.
Going forward you can obtain credits by taking additional courses that are approved for CE status, attend our free sessions offered throughout the year, read books from our booklist, attend meetings and tradeshows with a learning component (conditions apply) It's easy!
I HAVE AN EXTENSIVE EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND, BUT I HAVE NOT COMPLETED A HEALTH COACHING COURSE. MAY I JOIN?
Nothing would make us happier than to let you join our amazing group of health coaches and nutrition counsellors, unfortunately, unless you are attending, or have completed an approved program, we cannot allow this. This ensures that each of our members education has been properly vetted and verified.
By carrying our designations and displaying our "Approved Member" seal, you are confirming to the public, insurance companies and employers, that you have done the work and qualify for your hard earned designation, you're fully covered with the appropriate liability insurance and you are continually learning.
By carrying our designations and displaying our "Approved Member" seal, you are confirming to the public, insurance companies and employers, that you have done the work and qualify for your hard earned designation, you're fully covered with the appropriate liability insurance and you are continually learning.
