Completing the Health Coaching Pathway at Iowa

Step 1: Pass the Health Coaching Course (HHP:4020)

  • Must finish with a grade of 77% or higher 
  • Must complete one coaching session recording 20-minutes in duration with 20-minutes of structured feedback from instructor

Step 2: Pass the Lifestyle Medicine Course (HHP:3030)

  • Must finish with a grade of 77% or higher
  • Must complete one coaching session recording 20-minutes in duration with 20-minutes of structured feedback from instructor

STEPS 1 AND 2 CAN BE COMPLETED IN ANY ORDER

Step 3: Pass a Practical Skills Assessment (PSA)

  • $125 fee paid to the Community Health Collaborative
  • Must turn in a recorded 20-minute coaching session to Kelli Saginak or Lauren Steinke (Can be done with a family member or friend but must follow a health coaching structure)
  • Kelli or Lauren reviews session using PSA rubric 
  • Meet with Kelli or Lauren to receive at least 20-minutes of structured feedback
  • Once passed, you will receive a certificate saying you completed our Approved Health Coaching Training Program

Becoming a board-certified Health and Wellness Coach

Step 1: Complete an approved training program

  • See previous slide with steps on completing the Health Coach Pathway at Iowa
  • Keep track of certificate after passing PSA to turn in 
     

Step 2: Complete 50 coaching sessions

  • Must be at least 20-minutes duration, follow a coaching structure (not just health education), and done via telephone, Zoom/Skype, or in-person (Can only be tracked AFTER completion of PSA)
  • Track these sessions using template from National Board for Health and Wellness 
     

Step 3: Document completion of an Associate's degree or higher

Step 4: Have materials (listed above) complete prior to applying to sit for exam

  • Application window will close ~2 months prior to the designated exam window

Step 5: Take the Board Exam

  • Exam is 150-questions, 2 sections each 1 hour and 52 minutes in duration (fee associated with exam)
  • Exam is taken online at a local testing center (closest one to Iowa City is in Hiawatha)
     

Enrolling in the Health Coaching internship

If you have taken lifestyle medicine and the health coaching course…

  • You are eligible for the internship! 
  • Email Kelli and Lauren to set up an interview.

However...

  • You may not count your health coaching sessions toward the required 50 sessions for board certification.
  • Talk to your advisor about enrolling in lifestyle medicine if you are not already.

If you have taken the health coaching course, lifestyle medicine, and passed the PSA…

  • You are eligible for the internship!
  • Email Kelli and Lauren to set up an interview. 

AND…

  • You may count your health coaching sessions toward the 50 required sessions for board certification.
  • Email Lauren to complete PSA prior to meeting with ‘real clients’ in the internship, if you have not already.

Note: the internship is repeatable for multiple semesters.

Important resources

Co-Directors of Health Coach pathway

Image not found

Kelli Saginak

Title/Position
Professor of Instruction
Co-Director, Health Coaching Pathway
This is a photo of Lauren Steinke

Lauren Steinke

Title/Position
Assistant Professor of Instruction
Co-Director, Health Coaching Pathway

National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching

Visit the NBHWC website for additional information on health and wellness coaching certification.