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 applicants will receive notice of the change on the week of April 1st, 2025.
Credentials Until April 30th, 2025
Everyone who applies for a credential with the BCLC must specify the level of credentialing he/she is seeking. Currently, the BCLC offers four national credentials in Christian Coaching, which are the CCLC (Certified Christian Life Coach), the CACLC (Certified Advanced Christian Life Coach), the CMCLC (Certified Master Christian Life Coach), and the highest level of credentialing, the CPCLC (Certified Professional Christian Life Coach). Individuals, who meet the requirements for any given credential, may also be eligible to receive more than one designation and can request consideration when submitting the application packet.
Credentials Starting April 30th, 2025
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 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.
For a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) section on these changes, please scroll to the bottom of the page.
UPDATED CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS STARTING APRIL 30TH, 2025
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.
Be able to document a minimum of 2 hours of mentor coaching.
Be able to document coaching liability insurance.
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.
COMING SOON: 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.
Be able to document a minimum of 80 hours of coaching experience.
Be able to document a minimum of 4 hours of mentor coaching.
Be able to document coaching liability insurance.
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.
COMING SOON: 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.
Be able to document a minimum of 175 hours of coaching experience.
Be able to document a minimum of 6 hours of mentor coaching.
Be able to document coaching liability insurance.
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.
COMING SOON: Apply for Certification
CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS PRIOR TO APRIL 30TH, 2025
CCLC – Certified Christian Life Coach
Basic Requirements:
Identify and practice as a Christian Coach. This refers to independently practicing life coaches who incorporate biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and professional practice.
Completion of Professional Life Coaching 101 and 201 or 24 educational hours/CEs of specialized life coach training related to the incorporation of biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and professional practice.
Once the credential is awarded, maintain at least 12 CEs every two years related to the incorporation of biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and practice.
Additional Supportive Documentation Needed:
Copy of any earned degree(s).
Copy of current, valid, and professional license(s) or coaching certifications.
Contact hour and educational documentation that demonstrates the education/training incorporated biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and practice.
Identify and practice as a Christian Coach. This refers to independently practicing life coaches who incorporate biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and professional practice and are involved in the practice of Christian Coaching.
Completion of 36 educational hours/CEs of specialized life coach training related to the incorporation of biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and professional practice.
Once the credential is awarded, maintain at least 12 CEs every two years related to the incorporation of biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and practice.
Additional Supportive Documentation Needed:
Copy of any earned degree(s).
Copy of current, valid, and professional license(s) or coaching certifications.
Contact hour and educational documentation that demonstrates the education/training incorporated biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and practice.
Identify and practice as a Christian 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 60 educational hours/CEs of specialized life coach training related to the incorporation of biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and professional practice.
Be able to document at least one year of experience in coaching related activities with clients or in the training/equipping of others on coaching topics.
Once the credential is awarded, maintain at least 12 CEs every two years related to the incorporation of biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and practice.
Additional Supportive Documentation Needed:
Copy of any earned degree(s).
Copy of current, valid, and professional license(s) or coaching certifications.
Contact hour and educational documentation that demonstrates the education/training incorporated biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and practice.
CPCLC – Certified Professional Christian Life Coach
Basic Requirements:
Identify and practice as a Christian 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 200 educational hours/CEs of specialized life coach training related to the incorporation of biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and professional practice.
Be able to document at least two years of experience in coaching related activities with clients or in the training/equipping of others on coaching topics.
Once the credential is awarded, maintain at least 12 CEs every two years related to the incorporation of biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and practice.
Additional Supportive Documentation Needed:
Copy of any earned degree(s).
Copy of current, valid, and professional license(s) or coaching certifications.
Contact hour and educational documentation that demonstrates the education/training incorporated biblical principles and coaching skills with appropriate theory, knowledge, and practice.
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.
