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The Truth About Coaching Certification: Pros, Cons, Do You Need It?

Wondering if you really need a coaching certification to start your business? This honest breakdown covers the pros, cons, and what actually matters for success. #coachingcertification #lifecoachbusiness #startacoachingbusiness #newcoach #coachingtips #businesscoachforwomen #superbloomcoach

May 26

Do you really need a coaching certification to be a successful coach? Or is it just an expensive piece of paper?

If you’ve been stressing about whether or not to get certified, you’re not alone. Some coaches swear by it, others say it’s a waste of time and money.

So today, I’m breaking down the real pros and cons of coaching certification—so you can make the right decision for your business. And by the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly what to do next.

Superbloom Coach Presents: The Ultimate Guide to Starting Your Life Coaching Business

Episode 3: The TRUTH About Life Coaching Certification | Coaching Businesses MUST HAVE?!

Follow Moriah Riona Branding's YouTube Channel for the best business and branding tips for coaches, creatives, and female service-based entrepreneurs


Hey there, I’m Moriah Riona, an award-winning luxury brand designer, luxury branding coach, and the host of the Superbloom Coach Podcast, and this is Superbloom Coach Presents: The Ultimate Guide to Starting Your Life Coaching Business!

Every day this month, I’m walking you step by step through launching your coaching business the right way.

If you haven’t grabbed the free workbook yet, head to moriahriona.com/workbook—it’s designed to help you take action on everything we cover. So go grab it now!

The Truth: Do You Really Need Coaching Certification?

One of the biggest questions I get from new coaches is: Do I need a certification to be successful?

Some coaches say you absolutely must be certified to be legit. Others say it’s completely unnecessary.

So let’s talk about the real truth behind coaching certifications—the pros, the cons, and how to know if you should invest in one.

The Pros & Cons of Coaching Certification

The Pros: When Coaching Certification Can Be Valuable 

I’ll be honest—getting certified was one of the most transformative experiences of my life.

Not only did it make me a better coach, but it also completely changed my mindset and confidence around coaching.

When I went through my certification, I had a moment where everything clicked—where I felt like a real coach for the first time. And that feeling was priceless.

If you want to know more about my own experience, be sure to check out my vlog series about getting certified!

So here are the biggest benefits of getting certified:

  1. It gives you confidence in your skills. If you feel like you need more structure and tools to coach effectively, certification can certainly help.
  2. It provides a clear coaching framework. A great certification program will give you proven techniques that make coaching easier.
  3. It helps build credibility. Some clients may prefer to work with a certified coach, especially in corporate or executive coaching.
  4. If you want to work for a company as a coach, they may require it. Some businesses and organizations only hire certified coaches.

So if you feel like you need structured training to be a better coach, or you want that credential to boost your credibility, a certification can be a great investment.

The Cons: When You Don’t Need Coaching Certification

On the flip side, a certification doesn’t automatically mean you’ll get clients or make money.

  1. It’s not legally required to be a coach. Coaching isn’t a regulated industry, which means you don’t need a certification to get started.
  2. It doesn’t guarantee success. You can have multiple certifications, but if you don’t know how to get clients, you won’t have a business.
  3. Some of the best, most successful coaches don’t have one. They focused on getting results, not just collecting credentials.
  4. It can delay you from actually starting your business. Some coaches spend years getting certified but never take action to actually sign clients.

At the end of the day, clients don’t hire you because of a certification—they hire you because they trust you to help them solve a problem.

Do YOU Need Coaching Certification? (My Honest Opinion)

So here’s my take: If getting certified will give you the confidence to actually start coaching and taking clients, go for it.

But if you’re using it as a reason to avoid putting yourself out there and starting your business—don’t do that.

Some of the most successful coaches in the industry never got certified. What they did instead? They started.

So if you’re still feeling stuck, ask yourself:

  • Do I actually need this to move forward?
  • Or am I just afraid to put myself out there?

Because here’s the thing—the fastest way to become a great coach is to start coaching.

I’d love to know—what’s your decision?

Are you planning to get certified, or are you going to start coaching without it?

DM me over on Instagram—I’d love to hear where you’re at and what you’re thinking!

Jump-Start Your Coaching Business: This is So Much More Valuable Than a Certification!

And whether you get certified or not, a certification alone won’t build your business.

You still need to know how to get clients, create offers, and market yourself—and that’s exactly what I teach inside Dream Client Accelerator.

So if you’re ready to stop waiting and actually start your coaching business, keep following this series because I’m walking you through exactly how to do it.


So now that you know the truth about coaching certifications, let’s talk about something just as important—confidence.

Because whether you decide to get certified or not, the real key to success as a coach isn’t a piece of paper—it’s your confidence in your ability to help people.

And in tomorrow’s episode, I’m breaking down how to feel confident as a coach—even if you’re brand new. We’re talking about imposter syndrome, fear of putting yourself out there, and the mindset shifts that will help you own your expertise.

So hit the subscribe button, grab the workbook, and I’ll see you in the next episode!

And hey—if you got something out of this episode, could you tap that like button or leave a review on Apple Podcasts? It means the world and helps other new coaches find the support they need too.


Can you do me a quick favor:

Thank you for taking the time to read this post! If you found it helpful, inspiring, or just plain enjoyable, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leaving a review not only helps others discover this content but also fuels my passion for creating more of what I love. Plus, your feedback helps me keep improving and providing value. So, if you have a moment, please drop a quick review—your support means the world to me!

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