Notice: Beginning April 30th, the Board of Christian Life Coaching (BCLC) will officially transition to the Board of Christian Coaching (BCC). As part of this change, credentialing titles and designations will be updated to reflect the new board name. Please see below for further details regarding how this transition may affect your current or future credentials. Current credential holders received notice of the changes.

The Board of Christian Coaching: Life Coaching

Everyone who applies for a credential with the BCC  must specify  the level of credentialing he/she is seeking. Currently, the BCC offers three national credentials  in Christian Coaching, which are the  CLC  (Certified Life Coach), the  CPLC  (Certified Professional Life Coach), and the highest level of credentialing, the  CMLC  (Certified Master Life Coach).

Please note that individuals may only hold one active life coaching credential at a time. This means that upon approval for a new or higher-level credential, any previously held credential will be retired. This policy is in place to maintain clarity in credential recognition, uphold professional standards, and ensure each coach’s title accurately reflects their current level of training and certification within the BCC framework. This does not apply to specialization credentials.

For a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) section on these changes, please scroll to the bottom of the page.

Board of Christian Coaching: Life Coaching Credentials

CLC – Certified Life Coach

Basic Requirements:

Identify and practice as a Christian Life Coach. This refers to independently practicing life coaches who incorporate biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and professional practice.
Completion of Light University’s Professional Life Coaching 101 and 201 courses, or 24 educational hours/CEs from an approved specialized Christian life coach training program that integrates biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and professional practice.
Completion of the Christian Life Coach Knowledge Assessment.
Be able to document a minimum of 2 hours of mentor coaching.
Once the credential is awarded, maintain at least 12 CEs of an specialized Christian life coach training every two years related to the incorporation of biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and practice.

Additional Supportive Documentation Needed:

Professional Liability Insurance: While not required by law or for certification, liability insurance is strongly recommended for life coaches. It helps protect against potential claims arising from client interactions, even when services are delivered ethically and within scope. Please consult legal counsel and your state’s regulations. If you carry liability insurance, include your policy details with your online application.

Apply for Certification

CPLC – Certified Professional Life Coach

Basic Requirements:

Identify and practice as a Christian Life Coach. This refers to independently practicing life coaches who incorporate biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and professional practice.
Completion of a minimum of 24 educational hours/CEs of an approved specialized Christian life coach training related to the incorporation of biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and professional practice.
Completion of the Christian Life Coach Knowledge Assessment.
Be able to document a minimum of 80 hours of coaching experience.
Be able to document a minimum of 4 hours of mentor coaching.
Once the credential is awarded, maintain at least 18 CEs of a specialized Christian life coach training every two years related to the incorporation of biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and practice.

Additional Supportive Documentation Needed:

Professional Liability Insurance: While not required by law or for certification, liability insurance is strongly recommended for life coaches. It helps protect against potential claims arising from client interactions, even when services are delivered ethically and within scope. Please consult legal counsel and your state’s regulations. If you carry liability insurance, include your policy details with your online application.

Apply for Certification

CMLC – Certified Master Life Coach

Basic Requirements:

Identify and practice as a Christian Life Coach. This refers to independently practicing life coaches who incorporate biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and who are involved in a significant professional practice of Christian Coaching.
Completion of a minimum of 24 educational hours/CEs of an approved specialized Christian life coach training related to the incorporation of biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and professional practice.
Completion of the Christian Life Coach Knowledge Assessment.
Be able to document a minimum of 175 hours of coaching experience.
Be able to document a minimum of 6 hours of mentor coaching.
Once the credential is awarded, maintain at least 24 CEs every two years related to the incorporation of biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and practice.

Additional Supportive Documentation Needed:

Professional Liability Insurance: While not required by law or for certification, liability insurance is strongly recommended for life coaches. It helps protect against potential claims arising from client interactions, even when services are delivered ethically and within scope. Please consult legal counsel and your state’s regulations. If you carry liability insurance, include your policy details with your online application.

Apply for Certification

Application Resources

Mentor Coaching Template: Download here.

Mentor coaching is a key part of the credentialing process because it helps ensure that coaches are growing in both competency and confidence through focused feedback and reflection. This completed template can be uploaded along with your application. Mentor coaching may be completed through the International Christian Coaching Association (details here); if you’ve previously worked with a mentor coach and would like to confirm if they qualify, please email ibcc@aacc.net with their information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What if my training or experience doesn’t meet the new requirements?
Since all current credential holders are being grandfathered in, you do not need to meet the new requirements to maintain your certification. The new structure applies only to future applicants.
Will I receive a new certificate automatically?
Yes, your new certificate will reflect the updated credential name via email.
When do these changes take effect?
These updates are effective on April 30th. However, they will not impact your renewal date or your ability to coach or market your credential.
What happens if I renew late? Will I still be grandfathered in?
Yes, if you renew within the standard 30 grace period, you will still be transitioned to the new credential structure. If your certification lapses beyond the grace period, reinstatement requirements may apply.
Why is “Christian” no longer in the credential name?
Our training and credentialing process remain distinctively Christian, rooted in biblical principles and a faith-based approach to coaching. However, we want to ensure that our credentialed coaches have the credibility to serve in any setting, whether faith-based, professional, or secular, without unnecessary barriers. Updating the credential names aligns with industry standards, allowing you to bring Christ-centered coaching to more people while maintaining the highest level of professional recognition.