Considering NBC-HWC Renewal: Weighing the Value and the Future of Your Credential
If you’re a board-certified health coach who has held your NBC-HWC credential for a few years, you may find yourself facing an important and personal decision: Should I renew?
As the health coaching industry continues to evolve, so too does the landscape for certified professionals. A recent discussion among coaches revealed a wide range of thoughts, frustrations, and motivations around this topic. It’s clear that the decision to renew is not just about meeting requirements—it’s about career alignment, identity, and future direction.
Here’s a closer look at the key themes and considerations emerging from these ongoing conversations.
Why Some Coaches Are Choosing to Renew
Many coaches feel strongly about maintaining their NBC-HWC credential. For them, it represents a significant achievement and a standard of professionalism they want to uphold. Some of the most common reasons cited include:
Professional Credibility
The NBC-HWC is still regarded as the gold standard in the field. Renewing maintains that professional standing and signals continued commitment to coaching standards, ethics, and education.
Positioning for the Future
Some coaches believe that board certification will gain more value over time. As healthcare systems move toward value-based care and person-centered models—as reflected in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center’s strategic direction—there’s hope that coaches will increasingly be integrated into care teams.
Employer Requirements
In certain corporate wellness programs, integrative health clinics, and academic or research settings, maintaining the NBC-HWC credential is either preferred or required. Coaches working on lifestyle medicine teams or with multidisciplinary healthcare teams often find that certification is necessary to remain eligible.
Personal Milestone
Many coaches worked hard to earn this credential, and letting it lapse can feel like erasing a major career achievement. For those still identifying as coaches—even in part—renewal is seen as honoring that effort.
Why Other Coaches Are Letting It Expire
On the other hand, a growing number of coaches are opting not to renew, and their reasons reflect valid concerns about the current state of the profession.
Limited Return on Investment
The most common concern is financial: the cost of CEUs and the renewal process is high, especially when compared to the limited earning potential available in many coaching positions. Some coaches have found that clients, employers, or even potential partners in the industry do not prioritize board certification when hiring or contracting services.
Many Jobs Require a Medical License
Several professionals shared that opportunities to work within clinical settings often require more than just NBC-HWC certification. In practice, many roles prefer or mandate that applicants also hold licensure in nursing, physical therapy, mental health, or another medical profession. This can make it difficult for non-licensed coaches to find roles that utilize their certification meaningfully or sustainably.
Shifting Careers or Burnout
Some coaches have transitioned into adjacent or entirely new fields such as nursing, occupational therapy, or health education. Others have stepped away from coaching due to financial instability, burnout, or personal reasons. For these individuals, the credential no longer aligns with their current work, and continuing it feels unnecessary.
Challenges with the CE Process
Many expressed dissatisfaction with the CEU process—finding it difficult to locate courses that are both affordable and genuinely educational. There were also frustrations around courses being denied for credit, or approved content feeling too basic to be a good use of time and money.
Navigating Your Decision
If you’re in the midst of deciding whether to renew your certification, consider the following questions:
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Does the NBC-HWC credential still support your current or intended professional path?
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Are you in a role—or do you plan to pursue one—where board certification is a requirement or a competitive advantage?
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Can you fulfill the CEU and renewal requirements without it becoming a financial burden or a checkbox exercise?
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Would letting it lapse affect your credibility, future opportunities, or sense of professional identity?
There’s no universally right answer here. For some, certification is essential. For others, it was a meaningful chapter that has come to a natural close.
Looking Ahead
As CMS and other national health agencies begin to prioritize prevention, behavioral change, and person-centered care, the long-term outlook for health coaching as a profession is promising. However, widespread integration into clinical systems, insurance reimbursement, and formal care teams will likely continue to require coaches to also hold licensed healthcare credentials. This adds another layer of complexity for coaches considering their path forward.
Final Thought
If you’re already certified and questioning whether to renew, know that you’re not alone—and your decision deserves thoughtful reflection. Whether you choose to maintain your credential or move in a different direction, the knowledge and skills you’ve developed as a coach continue to hold value, even beyond the certification itself.