Nurse Coach

Board Certification

CoachRN is rooted in excellence, integrity, and professional credibility. Our work is aligned with the rigorous standards set by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC), the national certifying body for Nurse Coaches. AHNCC is the only nationally accredited certification organization for Holistic Nursing and Nurse Coaching. Our certification programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC) and recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Program.

Mary Turner, founder of CoachRN, is a Board-Certified Nurse Coach through AHNCC, a designation that reflects advanced knowledge, ethical practice, and a deep commitment to holistic healing.

At CoachRN, we honor the unique role of the Nurse Coach in transforming healthcare by integrating body, mind, and spirit. We proudly support nurses on their journey to board certification and beyond, helping them embody their calling, elevate their practice, and bring lasting change to the individuals and systems they serve.

Nurse Coach Board Certification Options

AHNCC offers two nurse coach board certifications. Both credentials require candidates to meet the nurse coach eligibility requirements and successfully complete the same nurse coach certification examination.

  • NC-BC®

    Nurse Coach Board Certified

    The NC-BC® credential is available to registered nurses who meet AHNCC’s education, nursing practice, continuing education, and supervised coaching experience requirements.

    This certification recognizes the nurse’s knowledge and competence in professional nurse coaching.

  • HWNC-BC®

    Health and Wellness Nurse Coach Board Certified

    The HWNC-BC® credential is available to registered nurses who meet the nurse coach certification requirements and already hold an AHNCC Holistic Nursing Certification.

    Candidates for the HWNC-BC® credential take the same certification examination as candidates for the NC-BC® credential. The distinction is that the HWNC-BC® credential recognizes certification in both holistic nursing and nurse coaching.

    Which Credential Will You Earn?

    • Nurses who do not currently hold an AHNCC Holistic Nursing Certification may apply for the NC-BC® credential.

    • Nurses who hold an eligible AHNCC Holistic Nursing Certification may apply for the HWNC-BC® credential.

    Both credentials demonstrate that the nurse has met national standards for education, experience, and competence in nurse coaching.

Eligibility Criteria

Registered nurses from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds may pursue nurse coaching. However, nurses who want to apply for national board certification through the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) must meet specific eligibility requirements.

To qualify, applicants must have:

  • An Active RN License

    A current, unrestricted U.S. registered nurse license is required.

  • Nursing Education

    Applicants must have earned at least an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Nursing Diploma from an accredited academic institution. International applicants must have their nursing education evaluated to confirm that it is equivalent to a nursing degree program in the United States.

  • Active Nursing Practice

    The required amount of RN practice depends on your nursing degree:

    • Bachelor’s degree in nursing or higher: At least two years of full-time RN practice, or 4,000 part-time hours, completed within the past five years.

    • Associate degree or nursing diploma: At least four years of full-time RN practice, or 8,000 part-time hours, completed within the past seven years.

  • Nurse Coach Education

    Applicants must complete at least 60 continuing nursing education hours within the three years before applying. The education must include content aligned with the Nurse Coach Core Values and Nurse Coach Competencies.

    Academic coursework may also qualify when completed through an accredited institution with a grade of “C” or higher, or a passing grade in a pass/fail course.

    For academic credit:

    • One quarter credit equals 10 contact hours.

    • One semester credit equals 15 contact hours.

  • Mentored or Supervised Coaching Experience

    Applicants must complete at least 60 hours of nurse coaching experience that has been mentored or supervised by a Certified Nurse Coach Supervisor.

    A validation letter from a Certified Nurse Coach is also required as part of the certification application.

  • Candidate Agreement and Application

    Applicants must complete the AHNCC certification application, agree to the terms of the Candidate’s Agreement, and attest that the information submitted is accurate.

    These requirements are established by AHNCC and may be updated. Nurses should review the current AHNCC certification handbook and application requirements before applying.

Disclaimer: None of these courses are required to apply for the AHNCC certification examinations nor do they predict in any way success on the certification examinations. There are many ways candidates should prepare for the certification examination. Candidates should use a variety of resources and consider their own education and experiences. Review the content outline and reference materials listed in the handbook for additional exam-related information.