Christian Life Coach Certification Programs
The Center for Christian Coaching offers two Christ-centered coach training programs. The Certified Christian Life Coach (CCLC) certification is a 25-week live online program covering 78 training hours, with tuition of $3,795. The ICF Level 1 track adds 10 hours of mentor coaching for a total of 88 hours, with tuition of $4,795. Both are taught live by Bonnie Weiss, PCC, CPCC, CMC, MCS, in classes limited to 10 students, and both include Business and Marketing 101 plus a one-on-one business strategy session. An accelerated option meets two evenings a week over three months and covers the same hours.
“Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths”.
Psalm 25:4
Christian Coach Training Built on Biblical Principles
Whether you’re looking to become a Coach or you’re already a Coach, the Center for Christian Coaching provides training and certification for those who are seeking to serve God by serving others as a Certified Christian Life Coach.
Center for Christian Coaching trainings are based on Christian values, biblical principles, and reflect what we learn from Jesus about the coaching process. We provide all the skills training, resources, and tools necessary to build a thriving coaching practice – all in a Christian training environment and based on faith in God and the truth of His Word.
Hear from Jenn, a Certified Christian Life Coach and CCC graduate, on what the training was like and how she uses it now.
ICF Level 1 Accredited Christian Life Coach Training
Find the Program That’s Right for You
| Program feature | Option 1: Certified Christian Life Coach | Option 2: ICF Level 1 Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Establishing a coaching practice, or coaching within a ministry, church, or workplace | Establishing a coaching practice, or coaching within a ministry, church, or workplace, and pursuing an ICF ACC credential |
| ICF accreditation | Taught under CCC's ICF-accredited curriculum standards | Taught under CCC's ICF-accredited curriculum standards, and includes the mentor coaching required for ICF Level 1 |
| Length | 25 weeks, or 3 months accelerated | 25 weeks, or 3 months accelerated, plus mentor coaching |
| Format | Live online. Standard: weekly 2-hour class. Accelerated: two evenings per week. Limited to 10 students. | Live online. Standard: weekly 2-hour class. Accelerated: two evenings per week. Limited to 10 students. |
| Training hours | 78 hours | 88 hours, including 10 hours of mentor coaching |
| Mentor coaching | Not included | 10 hours included, meeting the ICF requirement for the ACC credential |
| Business & Marketing 101 | Included | Included |
| 1:1 business strategy session | Included | Included |
| You receive | Certified Christian Life Coach (CCLC) certificate and badge | CCLC certificate and badge, plus ICF Level 1 program completion |
| Leads to | CCC Certification (C.C.L.C.) | CCC Certification (C.C.L.C.) and eligibility to apply for the ICF ACC credential |
| Tuition | $3,795 | $4,795 |
| Payment plans | From $391.11/month over 9 months, with a $500 deposit | From $502.22/month over 9 months, with a $500 deposit |
Both programs cover the same 25-week curriculum, taught under the Center for Christian Coaching’s ICF-accredited standards, and both prepare you to coach within a ministry, church, or workplace or to build an independent practice. The difference is $1,000 and 10 hours of mentor coaching. Option 1 leads to your CCC Certification as a Certified Christian Life Coach. Option 2 adds the mentor coaching hours the ICF requires, so you finish with the same CCC Certification plus the training and mentor coaching needed to apply for the ICF Associate Certified Coach credential. If you are unsure which fits your calling, the free consultation is the fastest way to find out.
Upcoming Start Dates
Standard Program:
begins Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 1:00 to 3:00 pm ET.
Classes meet weekly on Wednesdays for 25 weeks. Limited to 10 students.
Accelerated Program:
begins Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 7:00 to 9:00 pm ET.
Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays over three months. Limited to 10 students.
Both formats cover the same curriculum and the same number of training hours, and both are available as either the CCC Certification or the ICF Level 1 track. The accelerated evening schedule works well for students who are employed full-time.
Our ICF Level 1 Accreditation
The Center for Christian Coaching is an accredited ICF Level 1 coach education provider. Our program is listed with the International Coaching Federation as Christ Centered Coaching Certification.
ICF Level 1 accreditation means our program has been reviewed and approved against ICF standards for coach-specific training hours, observed coaching with written feedback, 10 hours of mentor coaching, and a final performance evaluation at the ACC skill level.
Completing an ICF Level 1 program does not by itself award you the ICF Associate Certified Coach credential. ICF also requires 100 logged coaching hours and a passing score on the ICF credentialing exam, and you apply to ICF directly. What our program does is fulfill your training and mentor coaching requirements through a single accredited track, so you are not assembling them from separate providers.
Since launching the ICF Level 1 program in 2024, 16 Center for Christian Coaching graduates have earned their ICF Associate Certified Coach credential.
Our CCNI Accreditation
The Center for Christian Coaching is also accredited by Christian Coaches Network International, the oldest and largest credentialing body in Christian coaching. CCNI was founded in 1998 by Judy Santos, MCC, and has credentialed Christian coaches worldwide ever since.
Holding both ICF and CCNI accreditation matters because the two organizations measure different things. ICF accreditation confirms that our coaching methodology meets international professional standards. CCNI accreditation confirms that our curriculum is genuinely built on biblical principles rather than secular coaching with Scripture added afterward. CCNI has aligned its competencies with the ICF’s while preserving what makes Christian coaching distinct, so the two are complementary rather than competing.
To hold CCNI accreditation, a program must demonstrate both Christian faith principles and sound coaching technique, and must continue meeting those standards over time rather than qualifying once.
Every certificate we issue carries both the ICF and CCNI badges. Graduates of our program are eligible to apply for the CCNI Christian Certified Coach credential, and receive a code for a three-month free trial membership with CCNI, available through our agreement with them, with membership at $19 per month afterward.
How to Start a Christian Life Coaching Business
You may be led to integrate faith with entrepreneurship.
This may include starting a Christ-centered business that is rooted in a purpose that goes beyond profits and is focused on serving others, glorifying God, and reflecting His values in every business practice.
At the Center for Christian Coaching, we provide training and resources to support you in this endeavor including:
- A Business and Marketing 101 video series (see details below).
- A 1:1 one-hour consultation with your instructor following your training to review your next steps.
- Videos and written resources to assist you with Christian entrepreneurship.
- Valuable resources to support you as a Christian Life Coach.
Business and Marketing 101 – You will learn:
- Create a vision for a Christ-centered business.
- Identify your “Who” – your ideal client and decide which coaching services you will offer.
- Learn how to perform marketing research.
- Follow a business checklist to create the foundation of your coaching business.
- Find clarity around God’s design for your business.
What Is Included in Your Tuition
CCC tuition is all-inclusive. Your program fee covers 78 hours of coach-specific training, Business and Marketing 101, your one-on-one business strategy session, more than 60 coaching tools and resources, Student Learning Center access, and the alumni community. The ICF Level 1 track adds 10 hours of mentor coaching for a total of 88 hours, meeting the ICF requirement for the ACC credential. There are no separate module purchases or required add-ons.
The ICF Level 1 track adds the 10 hours of mentor coaching ICF requires for the ACC credential. There are no separate module purchases or required add-ons.
What You Will Learn in Our ICF Level 1 Accredited Training
- How to keep Christ at the center of your coaching
- The eight Cornerstone Coaching Skills essential to your long-term success
- The ICF Core Competencies and Ethical Standards
- How to use coaching assessments, tools, handouts and resources
- The difference between coaching, ministry, counseling, and mentoring
- How to help your client hear and discern God’s Voice
- How to cultivate trust and safety with clients
- How coaching from a Christian perspective can provide healing and release from fear, limiting mindsets and other barriers
- The Christ-Centered Coaching Model
- The value of creating a Christ-centered vision and S.M.A.R.T. goals
Christian Life Coach Certification Program Details
- 78 Hours of Christ-Centered ICF-Accredited Training, or 88 Hours with ICF Mentor Coaching
- Weekly Live 2-Hour Virtual Classroom, or Two Evenings Weekly in the Accelerated Program
- Private Student Learning Center
- Small Class Size, Limited to 10 Students
- Regular Feedback & Support
- 60+ Coaching Tools and Resources
- Marketing & Business Building Module
- One-on-One Strategy Session for Building Your Business
- Alumni Support Community
- Tuition: $3,795, or $4,795 with 10 hours of ICF mentor coaching
- Payment plans available from $391.11/month
What Can You Do With a Christian Life Coach Certification?
A Christian life coach is a powerful instrument in God’s hands, guiding others to discover their purpose, grow in faith, and make biblically sound decisions.
Whether providing encouragement, wisdom, or accountability, they help individuals align their lives with God’s greater plan. Through Christian Coaching, lives are transformed, not just for personal fulfillment but for the glory of God.
People assume that becoming a Christian life coach means launching a coaching business, but coaching is a skillset and there are numerous other ways to use this calling for God’s glory.
A Christian life coach is ultimately a servant of God, equipped to guide, encourage, and uplift others in their spiritual and personal journeys. God may use you where you already have influence and relationships, or He may lead you to start a Christian Life Coaching practice or ministry. It might be a combination of both!
Whatever your calling is, He will lead and provide you with the knowledge and resources needed to serve in His kingdom and fulfill His purpose.
This training will focus on a Christ-centered approach to discovering and fulfilling God’s plan for your life. This model emphasizes integrating Biblical principles into every decision and coaching relationship.
What We Provide at CCC & What Sets Us Apart
Learn Coaching Skills Based on Biblical Principles
Our program integrates coaching skills with biblical principles, providing you with a solid foundation that aligns with your faith and values. This approach ensures that your coaching is both effective and spiritually enriching.
Unique Class Experience
Experience dynamic classes that go beyond traditional lectures. Our live training in a Christian environment ensures you engage deeply with the material and develop practical skills you can immediately apply.
Resources & Tools
You will receive 60+ Biblically-based tools and handouts to become a successful Christian Life Coach, as well as on-going student support to start and continue your coaching practice.
Impact on Your Own Personal Growth
Joining our program is not just about acquiring new skills; it’s about experiencing spiritual growth yourself. Our curriculum is designed to promote deep personal development, helping you develop into a more confident and effective Christian Coach.
Certification
Upon successful completion, the Center for Christian Coaching will issue your Certificate as a Christian Life Coach (C.C.L.C.). Students completing our ICF Level 1 track also fulfill the training and mentor coaching requirements to apply for the ICF Associate Certified Coach credential.
Thriving Alumni Community
Become part of a genuine Christian Community. Our alumni network offers ongoing coaching support, networking within the alumni group, and opportunities to share experiences and successes online, ensuring you remain connected and inspired long after completing the program.
Who Teaches at the Center for Christian Coaching
Bonnie Weiss, PCC, CPCC, CMC, MCS, founded the Center for Christian Coaching in 2017 and has been teaching classes since 2019. She personally leads every program. Her ICF Professional Certified Coach credential and Mentor Coach Specialist designation mean the mentor coaching hours in the ICF Level 1 track are delivered by a qualified mentor coach. Classes are limited to 10 students so every participant receives direct feedback.
Content & Monthly Schedule
Month 1: Preparing to Coach and the Christ-Centered Model
- Christ-Centered Coaching: Preparing to Coach
- How to Anchor your Heart and Mind on Christ
- Developing Discernment
- Listening to God
- The Christ-Centered Coaching Model
- Establishing the Coaching Relationship
- Establishing Clear Coaching Agreements
- 2025 ICF Code of Ethics
- 2025 ICF Core Competencies
Month 2: The Eight Core Coaching Skills
- Getting Rid of Judgement
- Standing on Holy Ground
- Active Listening
- Asking Powerful Questions
- Direct Communication
- Raising Self Awareness
- Breaking Down Barriers
- Accountability
Month 3: Getting Started With Your Client
- Getting Started with The Client
- The Pre-Coaching Session
- Assessments
- Practicing the Discovery Session
- Applying The Coaching Model
Month 4: Christ-Centered Vision and S.M.A.R.T. Goals
- Christ-Centered Vision
- Creating the Vision – God’s Way
- Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals that align with God’s Vision
- Live the Dream
- Moving Into Action
Month 5: The Coaching Session and Overcoming Barriers
- The Coaching Session
- Establishing the Coaching Agreement
- Facilitating Learning and Results
- Coaching Practice
- Identifying Barriers and Obstacles
- Biblically-Based Ways to Overcome Barriers and Obstacles
Month 6: Building a Thriving Practice and Certification
- Victory in Jesus
- Steps to Building a Thriving Coaching Practice
- Continued Coaching Practice
- Marketing 101: Filling Your Practice!
- Final Recorded Coaching Session for Certification
- Final Online Exam
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Center for Christian Coaching accredited by the ICF?
Yes. Our program holds ICF Level 1 accreditation and is listed with the International Coaching Federation as Christ Centered Coaching Certification, verifiable in the ICF Training Program Search Service. Level 1 accreditation covers our coach-specific training hours, observed coaching, 10 hours of mentor coaching, and ACC-level performance evaluation. Since launching the Level 1 program in 2024, 16 of our graduates have earned their ICF ACC credential.
What is the difference between ICF and CCNI accreditation?
They measure different things. The International Coaching Federation sets professional standards for coaching competency and ethics worldwide. Christian Coaches Network International sets standards for coaching built on biblical principles. The Center for Christian Coaching holds both, so our training is recognized in the broader coaching profession and in the Christian coaching community. Graduates can apply for the CCNI Christian Certified Coach credential in addition to pursuing an ICF credential.
How much does Christian life coach certification cost at CCC?
The Certified Christian Life Coach program is $3,795 with full payment. The ICF Level 1 track, which adds 10 hours of mentor coaching, is $4,795. Payment plans are available from $391.11 per month for nine months with a $500 deposit.
How long does it take to become a certified Christian life coach?
The standard program runs for 25 weeks with a live two-hour class each week, and includes 78 training hours. An accelerated option covers the same material in three months, meeting two evenings a week. Both lead to the same certification, and both are available as either the CCC Certification or the ICF Level 1 track.
What is the difference between the two CCC programs?
The difference is $1,000 and 10 hours of mentor coaching. Both include the same 25-week curriculum, Business and Marketing 101, and a one-on-one business strategy session. The CCC Certification covers 78 training hours. The ICF Level 1 track totals 88 hours and includes the mentor coaching ICF requires for the ACC credential.
Does completing the ICF Level 1 program give me the ACC credential?
No. ICF requires 100 logged coaching hours and a passing score on the ICF credentialing exam in addition to accredited training, and you apply to ICF directly. Our Level 1 program fulfills your training and mentor coaching requirements through a single accredited track.
Do I need an ICF credential to work as a Christian life coach?
No. Coaching is an unregulated profession, and you can coach without a credential. Many students choose our CCLC program because they plan to coach within a ministry or workplace. An ICF credential matters most if you intend to build an independent practice or work with organizations that require one.
Does the program teach me how to start a coaching business?
Yes. Every enrollment includes the Business and Marketing 101 video series and a one-hour, one-on-one consultation with your instructor to map your ideal client, work through a business foundation checklist, and plan your launch.
What is the difference between Christian life coaching and Christian counseling?
Counseling generally addresses healing from the past. Coaching partners with a client to move forward toward a goal. CCC training covers this distinction directly, along with the boundaries between coaching, ministry, counseling, and mentoring.
Are classes live or self-paced?
Classes are live and online, with a cohort of no more than 10 students meeting weekly in a two-hour virtual classroom. Business and Marketing 101 and the resource library are available on demand through your Student Learning Center.
Can I complete the program while working full-time?
Yes. The standard program meets once a week for two hours over 25 weeks. The accelerated program meets two evenings a week for three months. Both are live online with a cohort of no more than 10 students, and coursework is completed between sessions through your Student Learning Center.
Is the mentor coaching included or an extra cost?
The 10 hours of ICF mentor coaching are included in the $4,795 ICF Level 1 tuition. Many coach training organizations require students to purchase mentor coaching separately. Mentor coaching is provided by Bonnie Weiss, who holds the ICF Mentor Coach Specialist designation.