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Top 7 Free Online Life Coaching Certifications for New Coaches Ranked
March 25, 2023
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August 13, 2024
Are you looking to become a certified life coach without spending a dime?
In this guide, I have highlighted the top seven free online life coaching courses, and tips on selecting the right certification for your needs.
Additionally, I also discuss the pros and cons of free certifications and how you can start a coaching business even without a formal certification.
We picked the top 7 free online life coaching certifications for 2024 by checking what past students and experts say and looking at important details from each program.
We make sure our reviews follow a strict no-conflict-of-interest policy. In this way, we are able to maintain our editorial independence and provide objective, honest, and fair reviews.
We were not able to add customer reviews for all courses, but we tried our best to include as many as possible.
Let’s dive in!
In Brief: Top 7 Free Online Life Coaching Certifications for New Coaches
🥇 Life Coach Certification Online Mini Course by Life Coach Training Institute: Best for beginners wanting a comprehensive introduction with an upgrade option.
🥈 4 Steps to Become a Life-Changing Life Coach by Inner Life Skills: Best for aspiring coaches wanting practical tools and foundational methods.
🥉Life Coaching 101: Complete Guide to Becoming a Life Coach by Udemy: Best for beginners and professionals wanting to grow their coaching business.
Professional Life Coach by Alison: Best for individuals seeking CPD-accredited, structured learning.
Life Coaching Skills in a Nutshell by Udemy: Best for those seeking a quick, concise introduction to coaching essentials.
Free Life Coaching Course by Oxford Home Study Centre: Best for those looking for a flexible and thorough introduction to life coaching.
Life Coaching Free Course by eLearning College: Best for individuals seeking foundational coaching skills with a CPD certification option.
Do you need a life coaching certification?
The life coaching industry is largely unregulated. Technically, anyone can call themselves a life coach without certification.
To put it simply, you do not need a life coach certification to start your own coaching business.
However, having a certification enhances your credibility and shows commitment to professional development.
Free online certifications can provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to kick-start your coaching career without the financial burden.
These courses offer a comprehensive introduction to life coaching principles, tools, and techniques.
But they have their own set of benefits and drawbacks.
Pros and cons of a Free Life Coaching Certification
Let’s explore the specific advantages and disadvantages of opting for free life coaching certification.
Benefits of Free Life Coaching Certification
- Cost-Effective: Free certifications eliminate the financial barrier, making them accessible to everyone. You can gain valuable knowledge without any upfront investment.
- Flexibility: These courses are often self-paced, allowing you to learn at your own convenience. This is ideal for those balancing other commitments.
- Foundational Knowledge: Free courses provide a comprehensive introduction to life coaching, covering essential principles and techniques.
- Accessibility: Being online, these courses are accessible from anywhere in the world and whenever you want. It offers a global learning opportunity at your pace.
Drawbacks of Free Life Coaching Certification
- Basic Level Content: The material covered is often introductory and might not delve into advanced coaching techniques necessary for professional practice.
- No Formal Certification: While the course is free, obtaining an official certificate usually requires a payment. Moreover, free courses often lack accreditation from recognized coaching organizations like ICF.
- Limited Interaction and Support: There is often minimal direct interaction with instructors. This hinders those who benefit from guided learning and real-time feedback.
- Self-Discipline Required: The self-paced nature demands a high level of motivation and discipline, which can be challenging for some learners.
My Top 7 Picks for Free Online Life Coaching Certifications
Here’s a table summarizing the top 7 free online life coaching certifications for new coaches:
| Program Name | Best For | Our Review | Learn More |
| Life Coach Certification Online Mini Course | A comprehensive introduction for beginners | 4.5/5 | Learn More |
| 4 Steps to Become a Life-Changing Life Coach | Practical tools and foundational methods | 4.5/5 | Learn More |
| Life Coaching 101: Complete Guide to Becoming a Life Coach | Growing a coaching business | 4/5 | Learn More |
| Professional Life Coach | CPD-accredited, structured learning | 4/5 | Learn More |
| Life Coaching Skills in a Nutshell | A quick, concise introduction to coaching | 3.5/5 | Learn More |
| Free Life Coaching Course | Flexible and thorough introduction | 3/5 | Learn More |
| Life Coaching Free Course | Foundational coaching skills | 3/5 | Learn More |
1. Free Life Coach Certification Online Mini Course by Life Coach Training Institute – Best for a Comprehensive Introduction.
The Life Coach Training Institute offers a free mini course designed to introduce you to the basics of life coaching. This course includes key concepts and skills essential for effective coaching, preparing you to decide if a career in life coaching is right for you.
Course Content
The course covers the core principles of life coaching and how it differs from other helping roles. It provides insights into the coaching process through demo sessions and emphasizes mastering active listening to build trust with clients.
You’ll learn techniques for asking powerful questions, tools for setting and achieving goals, and steps to launch your own coaching practice.
Duration
The mini course is self-paced, consisting of seven sessions that you can complete at your convenience.
Speciality: Offers the option to upgrade to a full certification course with additional training and a certificate.
CoachFoundation’s Score: 4.5/5
2. 4 Steps to Become a Life-Changing Life Coach by Inner Life Skills – Best for practical tools.
The InnerLifeSkills free life coach certification course, named “4 Steps to Become a Life-Changing Life Coach,” offers a sample of their paid certification programs.
The course is designed by Colleen-Joy, a successful MCC (ICF Credentialed Master Coach) with over 35 years of experience.
It includes real coaching lessons and methods from their ICF-accredited programs to provide a foundational understanding of life coaching.
Course Content
In this course, you’ll learn their ILS 3-Step Coaching Method, a foundational process applicable in various coaching contexts..
This course includes insights from real case studies across diverse coaching niches, including wellness, lifestyle, and executive coaching.
They introduce the “Disney Strategy Process”, a popular method based on Walt Disney’s brainstorming technique, and download the process for your use.
They help understand three key metrics essential for building a successful coaching business through marketing success tips. It also touches upon how to attain professional coaching credentials with the ICF Credential Guide.
Duration
The course provides immediate access to 16 video tutorials and several downloadable resources, which can be completed at your own pace. Estimated time to complete varies based on individual schedules but is designed to be concise and focused.
Speciality: Offers downloadable coaching worksheets and audio guides.
CoachFoundation’s Score: 4.5/5
3. Life Coaching 101: Complete Guide to Becoming a Life Coach by Udemy – Best for business growth.
The “Life Coaching 101: Complete Guide to Becoming a Life Coach” course by Udemy provides a comprehensive guide to becoming a life coach. It covers essential topics such as the fundamentals of life coaching, the future of the life coaching industry, and practical strategies for building a successful coaching practice. The course aims to instill confidence in participants, enabling them to create a thriving life coaching business.
Course Content
The course covers core coaching skills, such as effective listening, powerful questioning, and creating impactful coaching sessions. You’ll learn about the ethical considerations and boundaries within the coaching philosophy.
The course also provides marketing strategies to attract clients and build a successful coaching business.
Additionally, it also offers practical tools such as the Wheel of Life, goal-setting techniques, and mindset shifts are also included.
Duration
The course includes 1 hour and 42 minutes of on-demand video content, allowing learners to complete it at their own pace.
Speciality: Provides actionable strategies and tools to start and grow a coaching practice.
CoachFoundation’s Score: 4/5
4. Professional Life Coach by Alison – Best for CPD-accredited learning.
The Alison Professional Life Coach course provides a solid foundation in life coaching principles and techniques.
The course covers the fundamentals of life coaching, including the differences between life coaching and therapy, core coaching skills, and ethical considerations.
Course Content
In this course, you’ll learn strategies for increasing motivation and overcoming obstacles like lack of confidence and self-doubt.
It includes insights into various coaching formats, including one-on-one, group, and online coaching, will be provided.
Additionally, you’ll receive step-by-step guidance on starting a life coaching practice and develop core coaching skills, including communication, emotional intelligence, and ethical practices.
Duration
The course consists of 6-10 hours of learning material, which can be completed at your own pace. There are no deadlines, allowing for flexible study schedules.
Speciality: Offers option to obtain a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certificate for a small fee.
CoachFoundation’s Score: 4.0/5
Don’t trust us? Here’s what Alison’s clients have to say about it on Trustpilot:
5. Life Coaching Skills in a Nutshell by Udemy – Best for a quick, concise introduction to coaching essentials.
The “Life Coaching Skills in a Nutshell” course is designed to provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of key life coaching skills.
The course aims to empower participants with the foundational knowledge and techniques needed to effectively start and run a coaching practice.
Course Content
In this course, you will grasp the underlying philosophy and major concepts in life coaching. It covers the philosophy behind life coaching, key coaching concepts, and practical strategies to brand and market a coaching business.
Duration
The course can be completed in approximately one hour, making it a quick yet informative introduction to life coaching. It includes 11 downloadable resources to aid learning.
Speciality: Offers practical strategies for starting and marketing a life coaching business.
CoachFoundation’s Score: 3.5/5
6. Free Life Coaching Course by Oxford Home Study Centre – Best for a Flexible and Thorough Introduction.
The free life coach certification course at Oxford Home Study Centre provides a comprehensive introduction to life coaching.
The course is designed to be flexible, allowing learners to study at their own pace with no deadlines or time restrictions.
It covers essential coaching principles, skills, and techniques necessary for effective life coaching.
Course Content
The course covers a range of essential topics, starting with the basics of life coaching and progressing through the coaching process. You’ll learn various tools and techniques used in life coaching, along with fundamental communication and listening skills. They also focus on developing facilitation and effective negotiation skills, and offer strategies for dealing with difficult situations.
Duration
The course is self-paced, allowing learners to complete it at their convenience.
Speciality: Offers opportunity to obtain a course completion certificate, a CPD Accredited Certificate, or an Endorsed Certificate from the Quality Licence Scheme for a small fee.
CoachFoundation’s Score: 3.0/5
Some customer reviews, as found on Trustpilot:
7. Life Coaching Free Course by eLearning College – Best for Foundational Skills.
The free life coach certification course at eLearning College provides an introductory understanding of life coaching. This course is designed to fit around your existing commitments with no deadlines or time restrictions.
It covers essential life coaching principles and practices, aiming to equip learners with the skills necessary to begin a career in life coaching or improve personal development.
Course Content
In this course, you’ll understand the core goals and objectives of life coaching. It includes insights into why clients seek life coaching and the key practices and responsibilities of an effective life coach.
It covers the importance of aligning coaching practices with personal values and provides effective tools and methods used in coaching.
Duration
The course is designed to be completed in approximately one month, though it is self-paced, allowing learners to progress at their own speed.
Speciality: Offers opportunity to obtain a course completion certificate, a CPD Accredited Certificate, or an Endorsed Certificate from the Quality Licence Scheme for a small fee.
CoachFoundation’s Score: 3/5
Here’s what the clients have to say about it on Trustpilot:
How To Find The Right Certification
When choosing the right certification, consider your career goals, current skill level, and learning preferences. Look for programs that:
- Align with your specific interests and coaching niche.
- Offer a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
- Provide opportunities for interaction and feedback.
- Are recognized and respected within the coaching industry.
Research the course content thoroughly and read reviews from past participants. If possible, start with a free course to gauge your interest and commitment before investing in a more comprehensive paid program.
Methodology
To evaluate the seven life coach certifications online, we used a straightforward method that took into consideration the important factors outlined in the “How to Find the Right Certification” section.
In order to find the best life coaching certification programs for this year, we prioritized these factors based on how much they affect a program’s quality and its fit for potential coaches.
The data is sourced from program administrators, alumni, and educational reviews and analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods to ensure accuracy and depth.
We strictly adhere to a no-conflict-of-interest policy with full disclosures, maintaining editorial independence to ensure unbiased evaluations.
To determine the best online coaching certification, our team of specialized editors and researchers ensures thorough analysis and diverse viewpoints in our evaluation process.
Our rankings are updated bi-annually and presented in an interactive format, allowing users to easily compare certifications and access up-to-date information.
Start a Coaching Business Without a Certification
While certification can enhance your credibility, it’s not mandatory to start a coaching business.
What you really need is access to the right tools and knowledge on how to package and design your courses.
That’s where we come in. We can help you set up your business from scratch, ensuring you have everything you need to succeed.
Conclusion
Free online life coach certifications provide an excellent starting point for aspiring coaches, offering flexibility, foundational knowledge, and the opportunity to explore the profession without financial risk.
While they have limitations such as basic content and lack of formal accreditation, they can still be a valuable stepping stone in your coaching journey.
By choosing the right certification, gaining practical experience, and continuously developing your skills, you can build a successful coaching practice and help others achieve their goals.
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