You've Worked Hard for This
We know how hard you worked to get here and you deserve to be recognized for your achievements. Unfortunately, not everyone calling themselves a Health Coach can say the same.
How will a client or employer know the difference between a trained practitioner and someone who woke up a few months before and decided to call themselves a Health Coach? How do we keep the public safe?
The answer is simple: Professional membership.
Professional membership allows clients, peers, and employers seeking the most qualified practitioner to easily spot your professional membership seal which tells them you carry the RHC or RHNC title, that you are registered, that you are held accountable to a very strict scope and code of ethics, and that you have professional liability insurance.
When you join and add one of HCA's internationally recognized titles to your credentials, you will set yourself apart from those with little to no education.
One day we hope to eliminate professional discrimination in the eyes of insurance coverage and conventional medical professionals. The day will come that we all work side by side in a mutually supportive way. This fight for recognition will not be successful if the industry remains split over numerous small organizations and separating by each individual modality.
Collectively we stand strong and poised to create change.
How will a client or employer know the difference between a trained practitioner and someone who woke up a few months before and decided to call themselves a Health Coach? How do we keep the public safe?
The answer is simple: Professional membership.
Professional membership allows clients, peers, and employers seeking the most qualified practitioner to easily spot your professional membership seal which tells them you carry the RHC or RHNC title, that you are registered, that you are held accountable to a very strict scope and code of ethics, and that you have professional liability insurance.
When you join and add one of HCA's internationally recognized titles to your credentials, you will set yourself apart from those with little to no education.
One day we hope to eliminate professional discrimination in the eyes of insurance coverage and conventional medical professionals. The day will come that we all work side by side in a mutually supportive way. This fight for recognition will not be successful if the industry remains split over numerous small organizations and separating by each individual modality.
Collectively we stand strong and poised to create change.
Why is Membership Critical?
In a field not regulated by the government, it is absolutely CRITICAL to have an industry governing body committed to upholding educational standards. This not only ensures easy identification of those lacking qualifications, attempting to market themselves to clients as a Health and Nutrition Counsellor or Health Coach, but also lends credibility to you, the practitioner, telling the public that you are a trained professional.
Ultimately, the public needs to be protected. Your reputation as a qualified professional deserves be recognized, and the 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.
If you graduated from an accredited program you automatically qualify for membership as a Registered Health & Nutrition Counsellor ™, or a Registered Health Coach ™.
Ultimately, the public needs to be protected. Your reputation as a qualified professional deserves be recognized, and the 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.
If you graduated from an accredited program you automatically qualify for membership as a Registered Health & Nutrition Counsellor ™, or a Registered Health Coach ™.
Member Benefits
By maintaining your registration on an annual basis, you may use our current dated "Approved Member" seal and designation. At a quick glance, any potential client, medical professional, or peer will know you are educated and registered to practice.
Designations Available With Membership:
Not sure if you qualify? Click here for a list of approved schools.
- Registered Health Coach™ (RHC™) 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 client sessions.
- Registered Health & Nutrition Counsellor™ (RHNC™) designation is available to graduates who have completed a combined Health Coach and Nutrition training. A minimum of 300 hours of study is required for the Health Coach portion and an additional minimum 700 hours for the nutrition training. The program also must contain a combined minimum of 30 hours of case study work that includes client sessions.
Not sure if you qualify? Click here for a list of approved schools.
As a member you will have access to affordable:
- liability insurance (USA & Canada)
- extended health benefits
- life insurance
- accidental death insurance
- critical illness insurance
Upon approval of your application, professional members will be granted the right to use one or both of our internationally recognized titles, RHC™ or RHNC™, depending on which program you graduated from.
You will also receive a current dated Approved Member Seal to use on your stationary, website, business cards etc. This seal will confirm with the public, your professional standing and education level. You truly stand out from the rest when displaying the HCA seals.
You will also receive a current dated Approved Member Seal to use on your stationary, website, business cards etc. This seal will confirm with the public, your professional standing and education level. You truly stand out from the rest when displaying the HCA seals.
We understand that ongoing education is crucial for your growth and the quality of care you provide to your clients. Maintaining an active professional membership with the Health Coach Alliance (HCA) requires that all professional members complete 20 hours of continuing education for their first 5 years of consecutive membership.
We recognize the significant experience and expertise you acquire over the years. In light of this, professional members continuing education requirements are reduced to 10 CEC's per year after 5 consecutive years of professional membership.
We recognize the significant experience and expertise you acquire over the years. In light of this, professional members continuing education requirements are reduced to 10 CEC's per year after 5 consecutive years of professional membership.
All members are required to follow a strict set of core values that will support and protect its members, their clients and the public at large.
Each individual member must adhere to our code of ethics and the governing laws to ensure the public has access to quality services that are safe and ethical. These standards are applicable to all members regardless of location, specialties, niche or area of focus or varying scopes of practice.
Each individual member must adhere to our code of ethics and the governing laws to ensure the public has access to quality services that are safe and ethical. These standards are applicable to all members regardless of location, specialties, niche or area of focus or varying scopes of practice.
More Useful Resources at Your Fingertips
In addition to the many benefits that accreditation will provide, we also offer some great resources that will benefit you, your clients and your practice.
ADVOCACY
ULTIMATE BOOK LIST
BEST PRACTICES
|
LIABILITY INSURANCE
BUSINESS TOOLS GUIDE
FORMS & TEMPLATES
|
MEMBER DISCOUNTS AND PERKS
LISTING IN MEMBER
VERIFICATION REGISTRY 
EVENTS & RETREATS
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Which Membership Should I Choose?
Membership Offerings |
Professional Membership |
Student Membership |
HCA Professional Title |
Yes |
No |
HCA Registration Number |
Yes, Profession Level # |
Yes, Student Level # |
Registry Listing |
Yes |
No |
Access to Professional Liability Insurance |
Yes |
No |
Access to Group Medical & Dental Insurance (Canadian Only except QB) |
Yes |
Yes |
Exclusive Use of CAIN Receipts |
Yes |
No |
Member Only Perks & Discounts |
Yes |
Yes |
Free Access to Exclusive Member Events |
Yes |
Yes |
Access to Member Resources |
Yes |
Yes |
Member Support |
Yes |
Yes |
Join Advocates for Your Profession |
Yes |
Yes |
Professional Membership: In order to qualify for professional membership, you must have graduated from an HCA approved program.
Student Membership: This membership is reserved for members working towards a designation through an HCA approved program.
Student Membership: This membership is reserved for members working towards a designation through an HCA approved program.
** If you are a graduate of a Nutrition Consulting or Holistic Nutritionist diploma consisting of a minimum of 2000 hours; including advanced subjects such as Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Nutrition Sciences, and Symptomatology, visit our partner site the Canadian Association for Integrative Nutrition to apply for the Registered Holistic Nutrition Practitioner (RHNP) professional designation.
