Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a transformative coaching method that allows you to create deeper and more sustainable changes in your coaching sessions.

It involves techniques like reframing, anchoring, and rapport-building, which can dismantle limiting beliefs your clients may have struggled with their entire lives.

Like with most specialties, becoming an NLP life coach starts with earning the right qualifications. Read on to learn about some of the top accredited NLP coaching certification options and what past students say about them. 

What Is NLP?

NLP is a coaching tool that explores the relationship between the following:

• Neurological processes (neuro)
• Language (linguistic)
• Behavioral patterns learned through experience (programming)

Image Source: javatpoint.com

NLP gives you a deeper understanding of how language and thought patterns influence your clients’ actions and outcomes. Here are a few examples of using NLP techniques when coaching clients:

• Reframing limiting beliefs: A client may say, “I’m terrible at sales.” An NLP coach can help them reframe this belief to “I’m improving my sales skills every day” and identify past successes in communication.
• Anchoring: If a client struggles with public speaking, an NLP coach might help them create a physical anchor, such as pressing their thumb and forefinger together.

• Using the meta-model: If a client says, “No one values my work,” an NLP coach can challenge this statement by asking, “Who specifically?” or “How do you know that’s true?” This helps break generalizations and uncover more accurate perspectives.
• Mirroring and matching: Coaches trained in NLP can subtly match a client’s body language and speech patterns to build rapport and make the client feel understood and comfortable.

Using these techniques helps clients overcome limiting beliefs and act more intentionally. It also lets you cultivate deeper connections with them and facilitate more sustainable transformations.

What Is NLP Certification?

Image Source: anlp.org

Several trusted institutions offer NLP training programs accredited by organizations such as:

• The Association of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (ANLP)
• The Association for Integrative Psychology (AIP)
• The Society of NLP

Others are accredited by major coaching organizations like the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

Introductory courses in NLP generally cover techniques like listening, rapport-building, and reframing. Advanced programs may focus on additional methods that complement NLP, like hypnotherapy, timeline therapy, or Mental and Emotional Release (MER).

You can earn NLP certification online or get trained in person at a location near you. Many online instructors conduct interactive classes with peer coaching exercises, which give you access to in-depth training without the need to travel.

How Much Does an NLP Coaching Certification Program Cost?

It depends on the credibility of your training provider and whether the program is conducted in person.

You can find self-paced online courses with the basics of NLP for a few hundred dollars or less. However, these courses typically only include a series of pre-recorded videos you must sit through without any interactive exercises or personal evaluation.

Some reputable training providers, on the other hand, offer introductory certification programs online at around $300 to $1000. They incorporate live classes and breakout sessions to practice NLP techniques and ask questions from facilitators. In-person programs don’t necessarily cost more (depending on the training provider), but they will require you to cover your travel costs.

More comprehensive certification programs with multiple levels of training and certification can range from $1000 to $5000 or more.

The Best NLP Coach Certification Training Options

Here’s a mix of online and in-person training options to get certified as an NLP coach. These organizations offer various levels of training and are accredited by reputable organizations. 

Although we’ve not taken these courses ourselves, we’ve included reviews from graduate coaches highlighting their experience at the training.

NLP.com

NLP.com (also known as Empowerment Inc.) has been offering global NLP training in alternative and integrative approaches to psychology, human understanding, and personal growth for 40 years. It is led by Dr. Matt James, a master NLP trainer.

Certifications at NLP.com are held in person at various locations in the US and can be completed within a week. They include:

• The Integrative NLP Practitioner Certification Training: A four-day interactive and experiential training introducing you to NLP at $294.
• The Accelerated NLP Master Practitioner Certification Training: An advanced one-week intensive training only for certified NLP practitioners. It covers quantum healing tools and other techniques taught through hands-on training at $5,795-6,795.
• The Empowerment Breakthrough Training: The continuation of the advanced training that combines NLP with hypnosis and the mental and emotional release (MER) technique. It’s a one-week intensive program at $4,200-5,200.

In addition to intensive training, NLP.com offers a one-year-long comprehensive certification option for $19,995. The four modules of the Integrative NLP Coaching program focus on the following aspects of NLP:

• Spiritual
• Mental
• Emotional
• Physical

Participants will attend a five-day in-person workshop and work with three other students in their peer mastermind group throughout the year. Besides NLP’s scientific and spiritual aspects, the program also covers the business and marketing skills needed to run a successful coaching practice.

Although program fees at NLP.com are pretty steep, one of their graduates wrote in his Trustpilot review that the value for money he received was extremely high in terms of training delivery and support.

It’s unclear which program this student took, and there aren’t any more independent reviews online currently about the institution. However, NLP.com has a page with several written and video testimonials highlighting various aspects of the certification.

Inspire 360

Inspire 360 is a top-rated NLP training center based in the UK, founded by Ewan Mochrie and Joanne Binks. Its main programs are:

• The NLP Practitioner Certification: A 7-day in-person program with three certifications (in NLP skills, hypnotherapy, and timeline therapy) at around $2,000 plus tax.
• The NLP Master Practitioner Certification: A 10-day in-person program that includes four certifications (in NLP, hypnotherapy, timeline therapy, and master coach accreditation) at around $3,120 plus taxes.
• The NLP Coach Accreditation: A two-day training program with the prerequisite to complete the NLP Practitioner Certification at around $930 plus taxes.

Inspire 360 only has 5-star reviews on Trustpilot (41 in total). Its total score is 4.8 because Trustpilot rates companies based on how old their reviews are and whether or not they are solicited, instead of just drawing an average.

Some graduates wrote long and detailed positive feedback for Trustpilot, particularly about training delivery. The review page of Inspire 360 also lists several video testimonials from students, highlighting their experience at the training.

MindBridge

MindBridge offers a unique dual certification as an NLP Coach and Practitioner, accredited by both the ICF and the ANLP. Jerry and Marilou Seavey hold the classes over several weekends in Dubai, but they are available online as well.

These interactive sessions provide hands-on learning opportunities with plenty of demonstrations, supervised exercises, and personalized feedback. MindBridge also offers a variety of resources you can look back on after your training to integrate what you’ve learned.

The course consists of 85 ICF-approved coach-specific training hours that can earn you Level 1 credentials. This is broken down into the following:

• 69 hours of interactive training
• 16 hours of reinforcement learning and practice groups

Tuition fees are currently at $4,795 for the full program.

Although there aren’t many reviews about MindBridge online, some of their past students shared positive feedback on its Facebook page.

Besides the effective training delivery, they highlight the long-term support received from facilitators as they continued their training in NLP practices.

iNLP

The iNLP Center offers an online NLP coaching program focusing on practical coaching skills. Through experiential learning, you’ll apply your coaching skills in real-world scenarios rather than just understanding theoretical concepts.

Its hybrid approach combines:

• 170-240 hours of online lectures that you can complete at your own pace
• Unlimited live, interactive Zoom sessions led by seasoned NLP practitioners
• Peer-to-peer practice hours with other students

Completing the course earns you 24 coach core-competency hours accredited by the ICF that you can put toward earning or renewing your credentials. You’ll also be certified by the International NLP Association.

The program costs:

• $499 for the Basic NLP Practitioner Training
• $599 for the NLP Master Training
• $799 for the combined program

The iNLP center has a 4.9 combined average rating from 551 reviews submitted through Facebook and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

A recent graduate, Samuel, highlighted that the course involved the following:

• A “global, knowledgeable, dedicated, and passionate” faculty from Europe, Australia, South America, and North America
• Unlimited live classes to fully understand concepts and see how they are applied in real coaching situations
• Peers with impressive qualifications from top universities around the world

Read our full review to learn more about the NLP Life Coach certification at iNLP.

Launch Your NLP Coaching Practice

These certification options can prepare you for running an NLP-specialized coaching practice. If you want to look into other life coaching programs, here are a few we’ve covered on our blog:

• Co-Active Training Institute
• Center for Creative Leadership
• NeuroLeadership Institute
• iPEC
• Institute of Positive Psychology
• Erickson Coaching
• Coach U

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in February 2024 and has since been updated for accuracy.