As a coach, chances are you’re constantly bombarded with training options promising sky-high results. It may be difficult to tell which ones are legitimate and which will leave you drained of time and money.

In this guide, you’ll learn how much you should pay for a business coaching program and which ones are worth investing in, depending on your career goals.

None of the training programs in this list have sponsored this article. This selection is purely based on our research and several years of experience working in the coaching industry.

Let’s dive in to find the business coaching program that will deliver on its promises and propel your business forward.

What Is a Business Coaching Program?

A business coaching program is structured training centered around the skills, knowledge, and methodology needed to coach professionals, entrepreneurs, and teams. These programs cover a range of topics relevant to business coaching, including:

• Leadership development
• Strategic planning
• Communication skills
• Team building
• Goal setting

They often blend coaching methodologies with psychological principles and business theories to help coaches understand the dynamics and challenges of organizational environments.

Business coaching certification programs vary in duration, costs, and format. Many are available online as a self-study course, an interactive live training, or a combination of both.

Generally, the more personalized, interactive, and in-depth they are, the more they cost. You may also find business coaching programs that are held in person near you in the form of workshops, seminars, or intensive training sessions.

[ Read: 10 Top Female Business Coaches to Watch in 2024 ]

Though it may be difficult to tell which program is trustworthy, accreditation by a professional coaching organization is a good indicator. The two most well-established organizations that accredit business coaching programs are International Coach Federation (ICF) and European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC).

On the other hand, other programs have excellent reputations and reviews that aren’t associated with these organizations. Let’s take a look at the most well-known one.

What Is the Most Recognized Business Coaching Certification Program?

One of the most recognized business coaching certification programs is the Professional Coach Certification offered by Co-Active Coaching (also known as Coaches Training Institute or CTI). It’s one of the largest and most well-established coach training organizations globally, having over 30 years of experience in the industry.

[ Read: How to Become a Business Coach and Become Your Own Boss ]

Its comprehensive curriculum takes an experiential approach to learning and emphasizes the unique principles set by the institute. Co-active coaching is known for:

• Being client-centered: The coach is not an expert telling the client what to do, but rather a sounding board and support system as the client explores their own solutions and potential.

• Focusing on fulfillment: It goes beyond just setting goals; it emphasizes the client’s overall well-being and balance and the coaching process itself.

• Using five core contexts: Five key areas shape the coaching interaction: listening, intuition, self-management, curiosity, and forward action. These contexts aren’t techniques but rather the foundation for the coaching relationship.

The Professional Coach Certification at Co-Active Coaching is accredited by ICF. This means that it meets the highest standards of professional coaching education. Graduating from this training, you can trust that you’ll be equipped with the skills, knowledge, and credentials to become a successful business coach in various industries and settings.

You can complete this course in six months through weekly 90-minute online classes. Completing your coursework and coaching hours will take approximately 5-7 hours a week. You’ll get personalized feedback coaching real clients and learn from live demos during this time.

You’ll have a year to complete all 100 coaching hours and take your exam to receive your ICF credentials. The caveat is that you’ll need to complete five other courses as prerequisites to get enrolled in this certification program, each costing $1000-$2000.

This training is priced reasonably at $6,499 and has received positive reviews over the years. However, if you’re looking for an option without prerequisites or at a lower rate, keep reading for alternatives.

How Much Should I Pay for a Business Coaching Program?

The cost of business coaching programs varies significantly depending on the following:

• The reputation of the coaching institution
• The depth of the curriculum
• The mode of delivery (online or in-person)
• The level of support provided (e.g., mentor coaching and additional resources).

Generally, expect to pay a few hundred to several thousand dollars for a business coaching program. Shorter introductory courses or workshops may be on the lower end of the spectrum, ranging from $200 to $1,000. These programs may offer basic training and foundational skills in business coaching.

More comprehensive certification programs generally include in-depth coursework, mentor coaching, practical experience, and accreditation from recognized bodies like ICF. Therefore, they tend to be more expensive and range from $3,000 to $10,000 or more. On the flip side, they provide higher credibility, expertise, and support to establish yourself as a professional business coach.

Consider your budget, career goals, and the value you expect to receive from the program when determining how much you should pay for it. Here are a few well-regarded programs, from the most budget-friendly to the most high-end ones.

7 Business Coaching Programs to Consider

Entrepreneurship and Business Life Coach certification by Transformation Academy

Transformation Academy offers online life coach certifications accredited by the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and has trained over 700,000 students globally. Their self-paced courses are pre-recorded and taught by psychologist Joeel Rivera.

The Entrepreneurship and Business Life Coach certification is the most budget-friendly business coaching program with only $197. The same course is also offered on Udemy for $65, with significant discounts offered periodically.

You can complete it in about 11 hours online at your own pace and learn about subjects like:

• Helping clients find clarity about their business ideas and goals
• Turning a business vision into a concrete action plan
• Getting clients unstuck when they hit mental roadblocks
• Identifying and creating new revenue streams
• The psychology behind entrepreneurship

The program gears toward existing life coaches who want to specialize in guiding aspiring entrepreneurs. It teaches a step-by-step system called the Quantum Leap Business Model, created by the founders of the academy.

Though online courses can’t be measured against more robust coach certification programs, Transformation Academy may be an excellent option for learning the foundations of entrepreneurship and business coaching before you commit to something bigger.

Business Coach Certification Program by Mindvalley

Mindvalley’s program offers a flexible way to become a certified and experienced business coach in 16 weeks. It’s designed for busy coaches and takes only three hours a week to complete with bite-sized lessons you can go through at your own pace.

Throughout the program, you’ll benefit from weekly live sessions with seasoned Mindvalley facilitators, who will give you immediate answers to your questions. You’ll also attend peer coaching labs to solidify your skills and gain hands-on coaching experience in a supportive environment.

Beyond what most curriculums cover, you’ll get access to over 16 hours of live session recordings with coaches who have worked with an elite clientele of Olympic athletes and Oscar-winning actors. Your instructor will be Ajit Nawalkha, bestselling author and co-founder of Evercoach by Mindvalley.

The biggest highlight of getting certified by Mindvalley is access to its worldwide ecosystem. You’ll get to attend their Supercoach Experience event, an annual gathering reserved for past and current students of Mindvalley’s coaching programs. You’ll also get to join the exclusive online communities of the world’s biggest transformational education platform, where you can connect with fellow coaches and potential clients.

Your Mindvalley certification will also grant you 42 Continuous Coaching Education (CCE) units with the ICF that you can use to renew your existing credentials. Attending the program is tied to an application process and costs $5,999 with a 15-day money-back guarantee.

Business Coach Certification by WABC

The Worldwide Association of Business Coaches (WABC) offers a hands-on program for experienced coaches and senior leaders wanting to continue their professional development.

Their Certified Business Coach (CBC) program for those with at least seven years of business and organizational experience and business coaches wanting to enhance their client services.

The program follows a practical approach demonstrating the real-world application of coaching competencies and best practices. This way, you can immediately translate learned concepts into effective coaching.

Becoming a WABC-certified business coach signifies expertise and commitment that can boost your credibility, especially in the corporate world. You’ll need to pass a screening interview and be a member of the organization to enroll in their program. To keep your credentials, you’re required to continuously participate in ongoing professional development to stay up-to-date with the latest business coaching trends.

CBC is delivered online for 6-9 months. Program costs aren’t publicly available, but you may contact the program providers to get a breakdown of the latest fees.

Coaching Certification by the Center for Executive Coaching

The Center for Executive Coaching offers a certification program for aspiring business coaches, focusing on practical methods to deliver results for clients. This program is perfect for those who want to coach business owners, executives, and leaders across various levels.

There are four different paths you can take to complete your certification with this training center:

• Option 1 costs $4,900 and takes 2-4 months to complete online at your own pace.
• Option 2 helps you complete the entire Level 1 and 2 ICF certification online and costs $7,350.
• Option 3 is a 3-day intensive seminar also for $7,350.
• Option 4 combines everything for $9,800 and takes 7-10 months.

The training is grounded in business psychology, leadership, and neuroscience principles, and is filled with practical tools and coaching methods you can apply right away.

It’s a straightforward and flexible way to fulfill your training hours and other requirements for your Associate Certified Coach (ACC) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credentials through the ICF.

Organizational Coaching Training by IECL

Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership (IECL) offers affordable options for completing your ICF certification and business coach training online through live classes. You can choose from various class schedules adjusted to locations around the world. However, it’s mainly geared toward the Asia-Pacific region.

On the flip side, enrollment fees cost $3,150 for members and $4,155 for non-members, which is lower than most training options in the US. It takes seven weeks to complete your training through these three stages:

• Three full days of live virtual workshops
• 21 hours of pre-workshop online learning
• 23 hours of post-workshop activities (practice groups and a reflective essay)

The self-paced part of the training will require about 3 hours a week, a format that allows you to fit the program around your existing schedule. The curriculum incorporates online modules, live instructor-led sessions, and peer group discussions. This combination provides a solid foundation in coaching theory while giving you valuable real-time feedback.

The program is accredited by the ICF and lets you fulfill your requirements for your ACC and PCC credentials. If earning these designations isn’t your priority, you can also go through IECL’s more condensed programs to speed up your training process.

Executive Coaching Certification at iPEC

The Executive Coaching Certification program at iPEC provides specialized coach training with a unique approach. With over 25,000 graduates, iPEC has the most accreditations among top life coach training programs. Though it may not be for everyone, many students rave about the energy-centered philosophy of the organization.

The Executive Coaching Certification has no prerequisites and consists of two phases:

• Phase one focuses on iPEC’s signature Core Energy Coaching™ methodology and Energy Leadership™ Index (ELI) assessment, making you a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) upon completion.

• Phase two delves deeper into executive coaching specifics, granting you the Executive Coach Certification.

Through these two trainings, you’ll be equipped to help leaders create high-performing teams, manage stress, and overcome common business challenges. iPEC emphasizes personal growth and provides a high level of support with dedicated mentors for its coaches.

However, that support comes with a high price tag. At $13,395, this program is one of the most expensive coach certification options. It takes 7-9 months to complete with 3 live, interactive training modules that last 3 days each and are spaced 3 months apart—with self-study, live webinars, and practical skill-building in between.

Business Coach Training at the College of Executive Coaching

The College of Executive Coaching caters to post-graduate professionals expanding their career into coaching. One of the highlights of this program is its world-class faculty of 20 PhD and MBA graduate instructors.

It offers various cost and duration options with a 128-hour track you can complete in a year that fulfills all requirements for ICF credentialing. This program option is one of the most expensive ICF-accredited training options at $10,800, but you can also opt for their shorter non-accredited programs at $6,400 or $3,790.

Beyond core coaching skills, this program emphasizes individual development. It offers the following:

• Personalized leadership training
• Extensive practice with feedback on your coaching techniques
• A program dedicated to building your coaching practice from the ground up

This comprehensive approach gives you the tools and confidence to thrive as a professional coach.

Flexibility is another key advantage of studying at the College of Executive Coaching. Instead of the one-size-fits-all curriculum most certification programs follow, you can choose individual courses, personalized coaching sessions with mentors, or an entire certificate program based on your needs and schedule. They also offer convenient phone-based coaching sessions for added flexibility.

Overall, it’s ideal for graduate-level professionals looking for in-depth training from renowned instructors, personalized development, and a program tailored to their specific goals.

Build a Thriving Coaching Business

We hope this guide has given you some clarity on which business coaching program is best for you.

Once you’re ready to take clients, Paperbell can streamline the admin side of your business so you can focus on building your dreams.

It’s an all-in-one client management tool that handles your bookings, contracts, payments, and more.

Try Paperbell for free with your first client.