Approved Programs Must Meet Specific Curriculum Requirements
The Health Coach Alliance™ has very strict standards of education and curriculum requirements that must be met by schools that want to become approved education providers.
We are advocates for Health Coaches and Health & Nutrition Counsellors in both Canada, the U.S. and internationally. We help promote and expand the health coaching industry. As the number of health and wellness practitioners increases exponentially, so does the need for standards of practice and accountability.
Read through the designations below to determine which designation is the best fit for your program.
To learn more about the benefits provided to our members, click the button below.
We are advocates for Health Coaches and Health & Nutrition Counsellors in both Canada, the U.S. and internationally. We help promote and expand the health coaching industry. As the number of health and wellness practitioners increases exponentially, so does the need for standards of practice and accountability.
Read through the designations below to determine which designation is the best fit for your program.
To learn more about the benefits provided to our members, click the button below.
Curriculum Resource Guide for Schools:
Click on the image below to download the guide.
The Health Coach Alliance Registered Health Coach™ (HCA-RHC™) designation is available to graduates of approved schools who have completed a minimum of 200 hours of study in the field of health coaching in addition to a combined minimum of 30 hours of case study work, and / or client sessions.
In order to qualify for program approval, the course must include:
Optional/Recommended Courses:
In order to qualify for program approval, the course must include:
- The Role and Characteristics of a Health Coach
- Coaching Skills
- Nutrition Fundamentals
- Psychology of Habit Change
- Counselling and Coaching Skills including Listening Strategies, Client Engagement, Motivational Interviewing
- Coaching Clients with Chronic Conditions
- Facilitating Behaviour Change
- Goal Setting - Habit Change, Healthy Lifestyle, Physical Activity
- Weight-loss Management including Physical Assessments, BMI, Behaviour Therapy, Mindful Eating Habits, Identifying Triggers, Pantry Cleanse
- Clear Scope of Practice
- Physical Activity
- Managing Stress
- Standards of Care / Ethical Practice
- Working / Partnering with Primary Caregivers
- Case Studies and/or Skills Labs
- Section Knowledge Tests
- Final Exam consisting of a miniumum 100 questions
Optional/Recommended Courses:
- Business Basics
- Evidence Based Health Coaching in a Clinical Setting
- Corporate Wellness
The Health Coach Alliance Registered Health & Nutrition Counsellor™ (HCA-RHNC™) designation is an advanced standing available to students who have completed a combined Health and Nutrition Coach training.
The course must include the initial Health Coaching training above in addition to a minimum of an additional 800 hours of study including but not limited to the following:
Optional/Recommended Courses:
The course must include the initial Health Coaching training above in addition to a minimum of an additional 800 hours of study including but not limited to the following:
- Fundamentals of Nutrition (full macro/micro nutrients coverage)
- Nutrition Sciences - Including Fundamentals of Chemistry & Biochemistry
- Nutritional Support of the Body Systems, Environmental Influences on Health
- Life Cycle Nutrition (Pre/Post Natal, Pediatrics, Men, Women, Geriatric)
- Fundamentals of Sports Nutrition
- Preventative Health Care
- Microbiome
- Detoxification
- Nutritional Supplementation: indications, contraindications / interactions with herbs, medications, and foods
- Nutrition Assessment: health assessments
- Nutritional Counselling and Coaching Skills
- Introduction into Herbs
- Cooking With Whole Foods and Meal Planning
- Section knowledge tests
- Case studies and/or skills labs
- A Final Exam
Optional/Recommended Courses:
- Nutrition Business Fundamentals
- Nutritional Research Applications
**Please note that "Licensed" will replace Registered in provinces that do not permit the word registered in their titles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens if my Application for program approval is denied?
We have listed the curriculum topics above to ensure you have a good understanding of the requirements.
This should give you a good idea of whether or not you would be approved. Should we deny your application for any reason, take it as an opportunity to really fine tune your course.
We allow a six month time frame to add the missing requirements to your courses should you wish to do so. There will be no charge for a second review for approval within that six month time period.
If you opt not to add the materials we require for designation approval, you may be considered to have your course added as a Continuing Education course for credit.
This should give you a good idea of whether or not you would be approved. Should we deny your application for any reason, take it as an opportunity to really fine tune your course.
We allow a six month time frame to add the missing requirements to your courses should you wish to do so. There will be no charge for a second review for approval within that six month time period.
If you opt not to add the materials we require for designation approval, you may be considered to have your course added as a Continuing Education course for credit.
Do I pay the fee upfront or after my program has been approved?
Please make payment with your application for approval. This fee is for review of the program, not to be added as an approved school.
What is the fee for approval and how often do I need to pay it?
The fee for review is $1000.00 CAD per year. You will receive an annual review package to ensure we are up to date with your course and any changes that may have occurred since your last payment.
If you change your course or should our requirements change, we may need to do another full review again.
It is the responsibility of the school to advise HCA of any of such changes to your curriculum.
If you change your course or should our requirements change, we may need to do another full review again.
It is the responsibility of the school to advise HCA of any of such changes to your curriculum.
MY PROGRAM IS NOT BASED IN CANADA. CAN I STILL QUALIFY FOR APPROVAL?
Absolutely! Although our organization is founded in Canada, we are an international organization with members and approved schools from all over the world.
Canada: Not only will you begin attracting a larger Canadian audience, you will be doing your Canadian students a huge favour by getting approved in Canada.
Associations outside of Canada cannot offer the full spectrum of resources required to create a successful and thriving practice. These resources include but are not limited to Scope of Practice guidance, Liability Insurance, Group Medical & Dental, discounts to products and services and events.
In addition, we offer support services and location relevant offerings internationally. Currently, we offer pre-approved, group discounted liability coverage to the following countries: Canada, USA and the UK.
Canada: Not only will you begin attracting a larger Canadian audience, you will be doing your Canadian students a huge favour by getting approved in Canada.
Associations outside of Canada cannot offer the full spectrum of resources required to create a successful and thriving practice. These resources include but are not limited to Scope of Practice guidance, Liability Insurance, Group Medical & Dental, discounts to products and services and events.
In addition, we offer support services and location relevant offerings internationally. Currently, we offer pre-approved, group discounted liability coverage to the following countries: Canada, USA and the UK.
I have additional courses that I want to share with your members, is that possible?
Our members are an eager bunch and they are always asking for ways to expand their expertise and knowledge. As an Approved School, you have the option to add your additional courses to our ever growing list of Continuing Education courses to be counted towards their 20 credit per year requirement.
The review for CE courses is 50% off for approved programs within the six months after approval. You can learn more here.
The review for CE courses is 50% off for approved programs within the six months after approval. You can learn more here.
I am already approved with another association; why would I need approval from another?
It is our experience that most schools benefit from being accredited by multiple associations worldwide as potential students / members tend to pick their schools based on their preferred association or location.
Ready To Apply?Now that you have read through the requirements and have determined which designation is the best fit for your program, you are ready to submit your application.
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