NBC-HWC – National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach Study Guide and Certification
Exam Preparation Material
What do health & wellness coaches do? - ✔✔Health & wellness coaches partner with clients
seeking to enhance their well-being through self-directed, lasting changes, aligned with their
values. In the course of their work, health & wellness coaches display an unconditional positive
regard for their clients and a belief in their capacity for change, honoring the fact that each
client is an expert on their own life, while ensuring that all interactions are respectful and non-
judgmental.
4 parts of outline - ✔✔Coaching structure, Coaching process, Health/Wellness, and
Legal/Ethics
1.1 Coach preparation prior to session - ✔✔Overview Prior to a coaching session, the coach
reviews materials, eliminates distractions, and takes time to become mindful and present. The
coach's state helps the client become calm and receptive, which fosters self-awareness and self-
discovery.
Competencies
1.1.1. Coach is calm, present, and emotionally available 1.1.2. Review available client materials
1.1.3. Logistics (meeting location, conference call arrangements, etc.)
1.2. First session or before Overview - ✔✔The coach's aims for the initial session, or intake
session, are to describe the coaching process, review information and assessments provided by
the client, and determine if the client is an appropriate candidate for coaching. The coach
clarifies roles and expectations; e.g., the coach will not diagnose or prescribe, nor give
unsolicited advice; the client will self-determine his/her vision, goals, and action steps; and the
client will be actively engaged in trying new behaviors as planned with the coach. Logistics and
responsibilities (client vs. coach) are confirmed in a written Coaching Agreement.
1.2. First session or before - Competencies - ✔✔1.2.1. Set the climate/stage
1.2.1.1. Establish rapport
, 1.2.1.2. Gauge client's intentions for coaching/obtain information why coaching is sought
1.2.2. Determine if the individual is a candidate for health and wellness coaching and is an
appropriate candidate for you specifically
1.2.3. Explain the coaching process
1.2.4. Establish the Coaching Agreement
1.2.4.1. Guidelines and specific parameters of the coaching relationship (e.g., roles, logistics,
fees, scheduling, inclusion of others if appropriate, confidentiality)
1.2.4.2. Client vs. coach responsibilities, setting appropriate expectations
1.2.4.3. Understand type of coaching relationship (i.e., short laser coaching session vs. long-
term coaching relationship, telephonic, coaching apps, face-to-face, incentivized coaching)
1.2.5. Review assessments, if any used, and other data sources
1.2.6. Ensure appropriate time management of this and all sessions
1.3. Early (typically in the first, second or other early session) Overview - ✔✔In the initial
stages of coaching, time is spent exploring the client's values, vision, purpose, and priorities.
The coach refers to these in subsequent sessions to elicit motivation. During early sessions, the
coach also spends adequate time exploring the client's understanding of his/her health and
wellness, so goals are not set prematurely. Note that when choosing a focus (Topic 1.3.4), the
coach is not the "expert" deciding what is most appropriate; instead, the client is empowered to
select an area that feels important, motivating, or timely.
1.3. Early (typically in the first, second or other early session) Competency - ✔✔1.3.1. Have
client assess current state of his/her health and/or wellbeing
1.3.2. Explore the client's vision of his/her optimal health and/or wellbeing
1.3.3. Identify gaps between current state and client's desired lifestyle/outcomes
1.3.4. Explore and clarify client preference for priority areas of focus
1.3.5. Establish or refine client's specific long-term goals that lead toward desired outcomes
1.3.6. Establish or refine client's short-term SMART goals or action steps for what will be
accomplished between sessions
1.3.7. Support the client in achieving the SMART goals or action steps including back-up plans
Exam Preparation Material
What do health & wellness coaches do? - ✔✔Health & wellness coaches partner with clients
seeking to enhance their well-being through self-directed, lasting changes, aligned with their
values. In the course of their work, health & wellness coaches display an unconditional positive
regard for their clients and a belief in their capacity for change, honoring the fact that each
client is an expert on their own life, while ensuring that all interactions are respectful and non-
judgmental.
4 parts of outline - ✔✔Coaching structure, Coaching process, Health/Wellness, and
Legal/Ethics
1.1 Coach preparation prior to session - ✔✔Overview Prior to a coaching session, the coach
reviews materials, eliminates distractions, and takes time to become mindful and present. The
coach's state helps the client become calm and receptive, which fosters self-awareness and self-
discovery.
Competencies
1.1.1. Coach is calm, present, and emotionally available 1.1.2. Review available client materials
1.1.3. Logistics (meeting location, conference call arrangements, etc.)
1.2. First session or before Overview - ✔✔The coach's aims for the initial session, or intake
session, are to describe the coaching process, review information and assessments provided by
the client, and determine if the client is an appropriate candidate for coaching. The coach
clarifies roles and expectations; e.g., the coach will not diagnose or prescribe, nor give
unsolicited advice; the client will self-determine his/her vision, goals, and action steps; and the
client will be actively engaged in trying new behaviors as planned with the coach. Logistics and
responsibilities (client vs. coach) are confirmed in a written Coaching Agreement.
1.2. First session or before - Competencies - ✔✔1.2.1. Set the climate/stage
1.2.1.1. Establish rapport
, 1.2.1.2. Gauge client's intentions for coaching/obtain information why coaching is sought
1.2.2. Determine if the individual is a candidate for health and wellness coaching and is an
appropriate candidate for you specifically
1.2.3. Explain the coaching process
1.2.4. Establish the Coaching Agreement
1.2.4.1. Guidelines and specific parameters of the coaching relationship (e.g., roles, logistics,
fees, scheduling, inclusion of others if appropriate, confidentiality)
1.2.4.2. Client vs. coach responsibilities, setting appropriate expectations
1.2.4.3. Understand type of coaching relationship (i.e., short laser coaching session vs. long-
term coaching relationship, telephonic, coaching apps, face-to-face, incentivized coaching)
1.2.5. Review assessments, if any used, and other data sources
1.2.6. Ensure appropriate time management of this and all sessions
1.3. Early (typically in the first, second or other early session) Overview - ✔✔In the initial
stages of coaching, time is spent exploring the client's values, vision, purpose, and priorities.
The coach refers to these in subsequent sessions to elicit motivation. During early sessions, the
coach also spends adequate time exploring the client's understanding of his/her health and
wellness, so goals are not set prematurely. Note that when choosing a focus (Topic 1.3.4), the
coach is not the "expert" deciding what is most appropriate; instead, the client is empowered to
select an area that feels important, motivating, or timely.
1.3. Early (typically in the first, second or other early session) Competency - ✔✔1.3.1. Have
client assess current state of his/her health and/or wellbeing
1.3.2. Explore the client's vision of his/her optimal health and/or wellbeing
1.3.3. Identify gaps between current state and client's desired lifestyle/outcomes
1.3.4. Explore and clarify client preference for priority areas of focus
1.3.5. Establish or refine client's specific long-term goals that lead toward desired outcomes
1.3.6. Establish or refine client's short-term SMART goals or action steps for what will be
accomplished between sessions
1.3.7. Support the client in achieving the SMART goals or action steps including back-up plans
