American Council on Exercise
ACE Health Coach Professional Certificate

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American Council on Exercise

ACE Health Coach Professional Certificate

Build a Meaningful Career in Health Coaching. Help people achieve goals and improve their health through exercise, nutrition, and behavior change.

Included with Coursera Plus

Earn a career credential that demonstrates your expertise
Beginner level

Recommended experience

6 months to complete
at 6 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Earn a career credential that demonstrates your expertise
Beginner level

Recommended experience

6 months to complete
at 6 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Knowledge for applying behavior-change science to help clients build motivation, set meaningful goals, and create sustainable lifestyle habits.

  • Strategies for conducting effective assessments to understand each client’s health, readiness, and unique needs, guiding personalized coaching plans.

  • Coach with professionalism and care by maintaining ethical standards, fostering trust, and empowering clients to take ownership of their health.

Details to know

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Taught in English
Recently updated!

January 2026

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Advance your career with in-demand skills

  • Receive professional-level training from American Council on Exercise
  • Demonstrate your technical proficiency
  • Earn an employer-recognized certificate from American Council on Exercise

Professional Certificate - 6 course series

What you'll learn

  • Explain the role of the health coach and how wellness is supported through people-centered, multidisciplinary care.

  • Apply core coaching competencies and communication skills to build effective, supportive client relationships.

  • Use behavior change theories to assess readiness, strengthen motivation, and support lasting health behavior change.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Health And Wellness Coaching
Category: Patient-centered Care
Category: Communication
Category: Behavior Management
Category: Motivational Skills
Category: Patient Education And Counseling
Category: Relationship Building
Category: Goal Setting
Category: Health Promotion
Category: Active Listening
Category: Coaching

What you'll learn

  • Use motivational interviewing, CBT principles, and SMART goals to support sustainable lifestyle change.

  • Conduct effective initial coaching sessions using agreements, assessments, and interview skills to build rapport.

  • Apply the ACE cycle, values-based coaching, accountability, and problem-solving to support lasting behavior change.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Motivational Interviewing
Category: Coaching
Category: Smart Goals
Category: Accountability
Category: Health And Wellness Coaching
Category: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Category: Active Listening
Category: Behavior Management
Category: Goal Setting
Category: Problem Solving
Category: Interviewing Skills

What you'll learn

  • Explain how stress, sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and substance use affect health and chronic disease risk.

  • Apply evidence-based guidelines and coaching strategies within scope to support nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management.

  • Support clients with obesity and weight concerns using behavior-based strategies, while recognizing when referral is needed.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Health And Wellness Coaching
Category: Nutrition and Diet
Category: Stress Management
Category: Exercise Science
Category: Substance Abuse
Category: Mental Health
Category: Nutrition Education
Category: Mindfulness
Category: Health Promotion
Category: Chronic Diseases

What you'll learn

  • Explain causes, diagnostic criteria, and lifestyle-based management of obesity, CVD, hypertension, and diabetes.

  • Apply evidence-based nutrition, physical activity, and stress strategies to improve cardiometabolic and mental health.

  • Recognize behavioral and clinical considerations across chronic conditions and identify when referral is appropriate.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Nutrition and Diet
Category: Chronic Diseases
Category: Stress Management
Category: Mental Health
Category: Diagnostic Tests
Category: Care Management
Category: Patient Evaluation
Category: Preventative Care
Category: Behavioral Management
Category: Exercise Science
Category: Health And Wellness Coaching
Category: Cardiology
Category: Blood Pressure

What you'll learn

  • Address social determinants of health while fostering inclusive, ethical, and professional coaching relationships.

  • Apply documentation, privacy, boundary-setting, and risk-management practices in health coaching.

  • Evaluate coaching career opportunities and apply sound business, legal, and marketing practices.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Workplace inclusivity
Category: Record Keeping
Category: Marketing
Category: Medical Privacy
Category: Legal Risk
Category: Health And Wellness Coaching
Category: Insurance
Category: Emergency Response
Category: Ethical Standards And Conduct
Category: Health Care Procedure and Regulation
Category: Social Determinants Of Health
Category: Crisis Management
Category: Practice Management
Category: Business Marketing
Category: Health Information Management
Category: Professionalism
Getting Ready for Your Exam

Getting Ready for Your Exam

Course 67 hours

What you'll learn

  • Apply effective study strategies to prepare for the health coach certification exam.

  • Demonstrate comprehension of key course concepts through practice exams and knowledge checks.

  • Evaluate personal readiness for the certification exam and identify areas for further review.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Behavior Management
Category: Learning Strategies
Category: Motivational Skills
Category: Chronic Diseases
Category: Ethical Standards And Conduct
Category: Health Education
Category: Health And Wellness Coaching
Category: Professionalism
Category: Nutrition and Diet
Category: Patient Communication

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

American Council on Exercise
American Council on Exercise
13 Courses4,171 learners

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