Jay Shetty is one of the biggest names in the self-help world with over 50 million+ social media followers, a bestselling book, and a coaching certification school that’s attracted tens of thousands of students since 2020.
So when coaches or aspiring coaches start researching certification programs, his name comes up fast.
Is it worth it? The honest answer requires looking past the Instagram aesthetic. In this review, we’ll cover what the program actually includes, what graduates say, what the media has found and what questions you should ask before handing over thousands of dollars.
What Is the Jay Shetty Certification School?
The Jay Shetty Certification School is a coaching program launched in 2020. It certifies graduates as “Jay Shetty Certified Life and Success Coaches”. This is a proprietary credential (not an independent accreditation).
The program includes:
- 165 hours of pre-recorded video lessons covering coaching fundamentals like the Wheel of Life
- 12 hours of live training with Jay Shetty’s team
- 20 hours of unsupervised coaching practice (recorded and submitted)
- 33 hours of self-selected activities
- Monthly Q&A sessions with Jay Shetty
- Access to a “Business Launchpad” with lessons on building a coaching business
- A community platform for graduates
- A one-year listing on the school’s coach directory
- A final assessment
The total is described as 108 hours of learning over up to 6.5 months, though the program is largely self-paced aside from the live cohort sessions.
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Who Is Jay Shetty?
Jay Shetty is a British-Indian author, podcast host, and motivational speaker known for his “monk to media” origin story. He spent several years in India living as a monk before returning to build a career in media and personal development.
He built his following through short-form inspirational content that blends Eastern philosophy with accessible pop psychology. This helped him grow to over 50 million followers across various social platforms.
His bestselling book Think Like a Monk drew on his monk experience and his views on living with intention. He’s also one of the most sought-after speakers in the personal development space.
That said, his credibility has come under scrutiny. Multiple outlets, including The Guardian, have reported discrepancies in his claimed timeline as a monk and raised questions about plagiarism. He has also described holding a degree in behavioral science when his actual degree was in management. These details matter when evaluating whether the credibility of his brand transfers to a coaching credential.
How Long Is the Jay Shetty Certification Program?
The program is self-paced for most of the content. The exception is live training sessions, which you complete with a cohort.
According to the school’s website, the total time commitment is 108 hours which can take roughly 6.5 months. The website doesn’t break this down into a weekly schedule, so the actual pacing is largely up to you.
How Much Does the Jay Shetty Certification School Cost?
The school doesn’t publish pricing on its website. To get a price, you’re required to book an introductory call with an enrollment advisor.
Reported prices from students and media vary:
- The Guardian journalist John McDermott reported being quoted $7,400 and then offered a “one-time deal” of $6,800
- A separate student reported a price of $7,800
- Reddit users have reported different amounts depending on when they called and how long they hesitated
One Reddit user who attended the introductory call shared this experience:
“The price of the training seems to vary a lot. He initially told me $7,400, but when I hesitated, he started lowering it. He just kept insisting that he wanted a clear yes or no answer from me.”
When the same user asked for more time to decide, the advisor reportedly told them they would be blacklisted from the program and charged $10,000 in the future.
These tactics such as variable pricing, artificial urgency, and pressure aren’t unique to Jay Shetty’s school, but they’re worth flagging. Most reputable coaching programs have published pricing and don’t use high-pressure sales calls.
Is the Jay Shetty Certification School ICF-Accredited?
No. The Jay Shetty Certification School is not accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) or any other major independent coaching body.
The credential you receive upon graduation is called the “Jay Shetty Certified Life and Success Coach”, which is a proprietary title. It carries Jay Shetty’s brand recognition, but not the third-party validation that ICF or other accreditors provide.
This doesn’t automatically make the training poor. But it does mean the credential’s value is almost entirely tied to how well-regarded Shetty’s brand remains which, as noted above, has faced some headwinds.
Reviews From Graduates and the Media
What Students Say
On the school’s own website, graduates highlight a few consistent themes:
- A strong sense of community with other students
- Mindfulness and spirituality woven through the curriculum
- Personal growth during the program
Most testimonials on the website focus on personal transformation rather than professional outcomes. This means fewer details on whether graduates built successful coaching practices afterward.
A past student named Sergio Romero said on TikTok that if you already know how to be a coach, he wouldn’t recommend the program. The content is foundational, and experienced coaches may not get much new from it.
What the Media Says
The Guardian spoke with Jay Shetty school graduates directly. While they described it as a worthwhile personal experience, none of them were earning a full-time income from coaching a year after completing the program.
The article also noted a pattern some observers have compared to MLM dynamics. This is where graduates joined Shetty’s team to sell more courses rather than building independent coaching practices themsleves. An anonymous Reddit user pointed out that Shetty himself doesn’t teach the program. The lessons are pre-recorded and live sessions are run by his team.
Jay Shetty Certification School: Is It Worth It?
This depends a lot on what you’re looking for. Here’s how to think about it honestly:
- If you’re brand new to coaching and you love Jay Shetty’s content and teaching style, this could be a meaningful first step. That said, at $7,000+, it’s an expensive one. There are ICF-accredited programs with comparable content at lower prices.
- If you already have coaching experience, the foundational content probably won’t teach you much you don’t already know. The community is the main draw, and that alone rarely justifies the price.
- If credentials matter for your career, the proprietary Jay Shetty certification doesn’t carry the same weight in professional settings as ICF accreditation. Many corporate clients and coaching directories specifically ask for ICF credentials.
- If you want to build a real coaching business, the program’s outcomes data is not encouraging. None of the graduates The Guardian interviewed were coaching full-time a year later.
The community and the mindfulness content are genuinely valued by many graduates. But the sales tactics, variable pricing, and lack of independent accreditation are legitimate red flags that deserve weight in your decision.
Coaching Certification Alternatives to Consider in 2026
If you want solid coaching training with independent credentialing, here are some programs worth looking at:
- ICF-Accredited Programs. The ICF is the globally recognized standard for coaching education. Programs with ICF accreditation have met rigorous quality benchmarks and the credential transfers across contexts.
- iPEC (Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching). Covers coaching fundamentals alongside an energic leadership methodology. Has ICF accreditation and specialized tracks in health, executive, and performance coaching.
- Institute of Positive Psychology (IPP). Integrates positive psychology principles into coaching training. Good option for coaches interested in evidence-based approaches.
- Association for Talent Development (ATD). Primarily focused on organizational and corporate coaching. Relevant if your target clients are businesses rather than individuals.
- Tony Robbins–Madanes Training. Worth comparing directly if you’re drawn to celebrity-founded programs. Has some similarities in structure and pricing to the Jay Shetty school, but with a longer track record.
For a broader overview, check out our other coaching certification reviews and guides.
FAQ
Is the Jay Shetty Coaching Program ICF-Accredited?
No. The Jay Shetty Certification School is not accredited by the International Coaching Federation or any other independent coaching body. Graduates earn a proprietary “Jay Shetty Certified” credential, not an ICF designation.
Does Jay Shetty Teach the Certification Program Himself?
Not the day-to-day content. Jay Shetty hosts monthly Q&A sessions, but the curriculum is delivered through pre-recorded videos and live sessions run by his team.
Is the Jay Shetty Certification School a Scam?
There’s no evidence of outright fraud. But prospective students have raised legitimate concerns about aggressive sales tactics, variable pricing, artificial urgency, and limited transparency. It’s worth evaluating carefully, especially given the price tag.
How much does the Jay Shetty Certification School cost in 2025?
The school doesn’t publish pricing. Reported costs from students and journalists range from approximately $6,800 to $7,800, depending on when you speak with an enrollment advisor and how the negotiation goes. Book a call to get the current figure directly.
Can you get a refund from Jay Shetty’s coaching program?
The school’s refund policy isn’t prominently disclosed on the public website. Before enrolling, ask specifically about the refund window and conditions and ne sure to get it in writing.
Is a Jay Shetty certification recognized by employers or coaching directories?
It depends on the context. Many corporate clients and professional coaching directories specifically look for ICF credentials. A Jay Shetty certification carries brand recognition but may not satisfy formal credentialing requirements in professional settings.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in May 2024 and has since been updated for accuracy.
