UNDERSTANDING 'ACCREDITATION', REGISTRATION & INSURANCE
If you have done your homework around 'health coaches' you have probably seen some fairly dodgy stuff out there and in some cases a bit of vitriol around health coaching itself. Yes, credibility is a major issue within the health industry, so choosing a quality course is essential if you want to be taken seriously. Increasing numbers of studies, particularly coming out of the US, show that those trained in evidence-based health coaching can greatly improve health outcomes for clients.
You have probably had a good look around at the myriad of courses and providers out there, all of which have novel and new products on offer. Even more perplexing is what some providers say you can or can't do with your 'qualification'. If you are confused, you are not alone! ‘Accreditation’ is a grey area at present, and while flexibility can be a positive, it can have its drawbacks. None-the-less there are commonsense elements you can use to weed out the options and clear the muddied waters.
Just to be clear...
Just to be clear...
- Colleges and courses can be accredited, that is industry accredited such as ours, or nationally accredited (referring to those that deliver content set out by government agencies). Our preference is to be internationally and industry accredited. WELL COLLEGE GLOBAL can react quickly to the latest changes and advances in health. This means, for our students and graduates, that you are trained in the very latest global, industry-guided information, that is continually updated.
- Practitioners can register with, or become members of industry bodies, or be accredited by industry bodies or government agencies. WELL COLLEGE GLOBAL offers graduates a range of accreditation/membership options and insurance to mix and match to meet their needs.
WELL COLLEGE'S ACCREDITATION
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WELL COLLEGE (formerly Cadence Health) is accredited with the:
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International Coach Federation approval pending
Well College Global has a accrediting cohort underway to finalise our application with the International Coach Federation (CF) to approve our Certified Health & Wellbeing Coach Program. Participants can pathway to become an ACC (Associate Certified Coach) level ICF coach, ICF are the Gold Standard in Coaching.
Many of our courses (units and some programs) are approved for continuing education with:
WELL COLLEGE GLOBAL is not an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO), we offer international content, not Australian only, which is one of the reasons why we don't deliver government funded courses. Instead, we are a completely independent college offering courses that contain international content approved by various international independent industry bodies, and in turn this offers you the option to gain insurance to practice safely across 26 countries, including Australia and NZ. We have been around since 1998 and have grown year-on-year to be one of the worlds top health coaching colleges.
Please refer to our FAQ for details regarding the use of the term 'diploma' by non-government accredited organisations.
- ESSA
- Fitness Australia and REPS NZ
- Physical Activity Australia and FITREC Australia
- ATMS and ANTA
WELL COLLEGE GLOBAL is not an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO), we offer international content, not Australian only, which is one of the reasons why we don't deliver government funded courses. Instead, we are a completely independent college offering courses that contain international content approved by various international independent industry bodies, and in turn this offers you the option to gain insurance to practice safely across 26 countries, including Australia and NZ. We have been around since 1998 and have grown year-on-year to be one of the worlds top health coaching colleges.
Please refer to our FAQ for details regarding the use of the term 'diploma' by non-government accredited organisations.
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YOUR ACCREDITATION, REGISTRATION & MEMBERSHIP AS A GRADUATE
1. ACCREDITATION LEVELS EXPLAINED: INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP, INDUSTRY MEMBERSHIP & ACCREDITATION IN THE HEALTH INDUSTRY
Registration is an important part of your credibility. We've outlined the four categories of membership broadly available across all areas of the health industry.
OPTION 1. The BASIC LEVEL OF MEMBERSHIP
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF COMPLIMENTARY THERAPISTS (IICT, 26 COUNTRIES AND INSURANCE OPTION with BMS Risk Solutions (BMS) AND GBI UK)
Simple membership to an organisation provides you with a logo and membership, for example the International Institute of Complementary Therapists (IICT) .
Simple membership to an organisation provides you with a logo and membership, for example the International Institute of Complementary Therapists (IICT) .
ACCREDITED COUNSELLORS, COACHES, PSYCHOTHERAPISTS AND HYPNOTHERAPISTS (ACCPH UK)
Organisation in the UK providing registration and insurance options for their members in the UK including logo and a range of other benefits.
Organisation in the UK providing registration and insurance options for their members in the UK including logo and a range of other benefits.
There are other accrediting bodies popping up regularly, we recommend you contact them directly to see if you can join their membership base with our qualifications, Some of the accrediting bodies are training providers and may want you to undertake their course first.
OPTION 2. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
Includes membership to a body that has strong advocacy and presence in the industry and offers extensive member continuing education, lobbying and representation, for example ASLM and CMA. Associate (non-voting) membership is available to our graduates without an underlying qualification, no health fund rebates are available at present for associate members (see below).
OPTION 3. ADVANCED MEMBERSHIP
Enabling health fund rebates (not medicare); the minimum standard has been an Advanced Diploma and is now a bachelor degree.
OPTION 4. INDUSTRY REGISTRATION AND MEMBERSHIP
This is the gold standard based on extensive criteria enabling providers to offer Medicare rebates (only applicable and relevant for highly qualified primary health care professionals such as doctors and dieticians).
2. GRADUATE REGISTRATION OPTIONS SECURED BY WELL COLLEGE
As a quality provider, WELL COLLEGE GLOBAL offers a range of membership and accreditation options for our graduates to suit all backgrounds. If you hold a previous qualification or new to the industry, we have a membership that will suit you. We recommend you opt for the highest level of registration you can and select bodies who are independent of training providers.
1. THE Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine (ASLM, Australasia)
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Associate membership to the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine (ASLM) is available to all WELL COLLEGE graduates. Associate members do not have voting rights and do not receive the full range of member benefits, but have access to the member-only information and resources published by the Society. It’s a great way to keep informed while supporting ASLM’s work. Please note that Associate membership must not be misrepresented for credentialing purposes. Other students who fall outside of these areas can apply direct to ASLM for a review on a case-by-case basis.
A full membership is open to applicants who are otherwise appropriately qualified, registered health professionals and practitioners. All eligible students receive free membership during the course of their studies. |
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2. Complementary Medicine Association (CMA, Australia)
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ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP: May be granted providing the applicant has a supportive interest in the Association’s aims and objectives, is over 16 years of age and who meets the requirements of clause (b) (below). An Associate membership may also be granted to a member who wishes to retain a basic CMA membership whilst holding another associations membership, which provides them health fund status (advanced membership option).
(b) That he/she is considered by the Federal Executive to be a fit and proper person to be a member of the Association. |
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3. International Institute of Complementary Therapists (IICT) (Available in 26 Countries)
Registration with IICT is available in 26 countries including Australia, New Zealand, United States of America, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Channel Island, Estonia, Greece, Iceland, Isle of Man, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Gibraltar.
An insurance option with BMS (Aus.NZ) or GBI UK may be available to you with registration.
An insurance option with BMS (Aus.NZ) or GBI UK may be available to you with registration.
4. American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP, and insurance options)
The AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF DRUGLESS PRACTITIONERS (AADP) offer both membership registration and insurance options.
5. Australian Committee of Natural Therapies (ACONT)
ACONT - the Australian Committee of Natural Therapies Inc., is a national association representing Natural, Traditional, Bioenergetic and Magnetic Therapies.
ACONT is a Schedule 1 Association listed with the TGA -Therapeutic Goods Administration, representing qualified Natural Therapies Practitioners of many different ingestive modalities. All suitably qualified Schedule 1 practitioners receive a TGA Advertising Exemption Certificate, which allows them to acquire restricted advertising material concerning Schedule 1 products, and may assist in obtaining Schedule 1 products for their clients.
ACONT is a Schedule 1 Association listed with the TGA -Therapeutic Goods Administration, representing qualified Natural Therapies Practitioners of many different ingestive modalities. All suitably qualified Schedule 1 practitioners receive a TGA Advertising Exemption Certificate, which allows them to acquire restricted advertising material concerning Schedule 1 products, and may assist in obtaining Schedule 1 products for their clients.
An independent professional body and register for counsellors, coaches, psychotherapists and hypnotherapists. If you're residing in the UK ACCPH can also insurance options if you're a member.
7. UK HEALTH COACHES ASSOCIATION
UK and Ireland health coaches association that offers registration and industry support. Read about the advantages of joining HCA here.
YOUR INSURANCE OPTIONS
(DOMESTIC & OVERSEAS)
AS A GRADUATE WITH WELL COLLEGE GLOBAL
If you are reviewing courses from overseas, ensure that the content will relate to where you live and double check that you can get insurance on completion of that course or program. For example, if you study in the US and US-based content you may be able to secure registration with an industry body (remember that's the easy bit), but it can be challenging to find insurance to work in Australia or New Zealand. You want to ensure that you are insured for the following
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1. Public Liability Insurance
2. Professional Indemnity Insurance 3. Product Liability Insurance for those who also sell products on their website |
At WELL COLLEGE (formerly Cadence Health) our courses contain global data and we have registration and insurance in 26 countries*. You have the choice to mix and match your insurance to your registration and accreditation memberships or alternatively some registration and accreditation bodies offer insurance with your membership. As you can see the options are endless.
*IICT - Australia, New Zealand, United States of America, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Channel Island, Estonia, Greece, Iceland, Isle of Man, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Gibraltar.
*IICT - Australia, New Zealand, United States of America, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Channel Island, Estonia, Greece, Iceland, Isle of Man, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Gibraltar.
1. MIX & MATCH YOUR MEMBERSHIP WITH AN INSURANCE PLAN OF YOUR CHOICE
YOUR INSURANCE OPTIONS
1. Choose your membership
2. Then go to an insurer of your choice or if you have a previous qualification simply add a caveat to your existing insurance (contact your insurer).
3. We regularly deal with the below insurers and recommend that you make a few quick calls to decide on your best option:
2. Then go to an insurer of your choice or if you have a previous qualification simply add a caveat to your existing insurance (contact your insurer).
3. We regularly deal with the below insurers and recommend that you make a few quick calls to decide on your best option:
- Marsh Insurance (Australia and NZ)
- BMS Insurance
- AON (Australia and NZ)
- BizCover Australia and International (requires Australian address)
- GBi UK and Europe
- Westminster Insurance (UK)
- Balens Insurance via UK Health Coaches registration
- AADP (USA and Canada)
2. A MEMBERSHIP OPTION WITH AN INSURANCE PLAN INCLUDED
BASIC MEMBERSHIP WITH INSURANCE OPTION
Available for all students completing our programs. Upon completion of your program, we will provide you with a Grad Pack (accessed inside your free eBusiness course) which outlines how to register with the International Institute of Complementary Therapies (IICT) and gain insurance with BMS (Australia and NZ), and BGi Insurance or Westminster Indemnity (UK).
Registration and insurance depending on your status and level of cover starts at $69 for registration and $293 for insurance per year. Ongoing professional training is not required by the industry at present, however we strongly encourage our graduates to maintain their training and skills by undertaking at least 50 hours a year of ongoing professional development.
Registration and insurance depending on your status and level of cover starts at $69 for registration and $293 for insurance per year. Ongoing professional training is not required by the industry at present, however we strongly encourage our graduates to maintain their training and skills by undertaking at least 50 hours a year of ongoing professional development.
WHAT IS 'RECOGNISED'?
UNDERSTAND WHAT QUALIFICATION YOU'LL GAIN & AVOID ENDING UP WITH TRAINING THAT DOESN'T MEASURE UP
WELL COLLEGE GLOBAL launched the 'Advanced Certificate of Nutrition & Health Coaching' in 2015 by submitting a 7-unit qualification initially to IICT who approved it and created a pathway for insurance for those completing the program and registering with them. IICT deemed that students completing this program could refer to themselves as 'Recognised Nutrition & Health Coaches' or 'Certified Nutrition & Health Coaches'.
The program submitted to IICT was a seven-unit program that had at it's core four units in nutrition, psychology and behaviour change, wellbeing coaching and physical and mental health (along with a minimum of three electives across business, health and education).
Since then the program has also been reviewed and consequently accredited with the International Accreditation and Recognition Council, providing a higher level of recognition of the content and training.
While you will find all manner of training programs that 'spring board' from the modality we created; we highly recommend that you look closely at the quality of the units in any program you are considering. You will see providers utilising similar sounding 'programs', some don't come even close to meeting the 7-unit program we submitted. Every unit you take with us reflects strong educational practices, health values and a clear scope of practice, which is why we are upfront about everything. So, while you can take all manner of small, cheap 'programs' through to very large expensive ones, it comes down to buyer beware; do your homework, consider if possible if the provider is being upfront and providing you with all the information required, ask questions and then decide for yourself.
The program submitted to IICT was a seven-unit program that had at it's core four units in nutrition, psychology and behaviour change, wellbeing coaching and physical and mental health (along with a minimum of three electives across business, health and education).
Since then the program has also been reviewed and consequently accredited with the International Accreditation and Recognition Council, providing a higher level of recognition of the content and training.
While you will find all manner of training programs that 'spring board' from the modality we created; we highly recommend that you look closely at the quality of the units in any program you are considering. You will see providers utilising similar sounding 'programs', some don't come even close to meeting the 7-unit program we submitted. Every unit you take with us reflects strong educational practices, health values and a clear scope of practice, which is why we are upfront about everything. So, while you can take all manner of small, cheap 'programs' through to very large expensive ones, it comes down to buyer beware; do your homework, consider if possible if the provider is being upfront and providing you with all the information required, ask questions and then decide for yourself.
WELL COLLEGE'S STANCE
We know it's all quite confusing, and the confusing messages by some providers don't help. Some suggest that you don't actually need any qualification or registration, which is true in a sense though not in your best interest. What some providers don't tell you (and you should ask why) is that if you charge for a service you become liable for what you say and do in delivering the service, hence having some sort of backing behind you is vital.
Holding quality registration or membership shows a high degree of industry commitment, and holding insurance that specifically reflects your training and its scope of practice should be a consideration in any course you chose. It's critical to have robust registration, and even more robust insurance based on a relevant scope of practice that the training is based on, and that directly reflects the modality it's registered under.
Yes you can do a very inexpensive and super short course to become a Health Coach and even get insurance, but ask yourself if that will really stack up if it is ever in doubt! Keep in mind that you can gain insurance based on all manner of training to be many things. We recommend you consider if the training you are being provided will stack up to the scope of practice the insurance is based on.
Holding quality registration or membership shows a high degree of industry commitment, and holding insurance that specifically reflects your training and its scope of practice should be a consideration in any course you chose. It's critical to have robust registration, and even more robust insurance based on a relevant scope of practice that the training is based on, and that directly reflects the modality it's registered under.
Yes you can do a very inexpensive and super short course to become a Health Coach and even get insurance, but ask yourself if that will really stack up if it is ever in doubt! Keep in mind that you can gain insurance based on all manner of training to be many things. We recommend you consider if the training you are being provided will stack up to the scope of practice the insurance is based on.
Here's what we think is important in choosing a qualification
1. That a health coaching program has solid educational values and qualities (including elective options)
2. Graduates can access various levels of registration (for membership or accreditation) based on their individual situation
3. Registration ensures you can gain insurance that is based on a robust health coaching program
4. Students are supported when they graduate to build a strong health coaching industry
5. 100% commitment to quality training in health coaching that supports community health
6. Pathways to higher education
7. The college clearly reflects health coaching passion and holds pathways to higher education options
1. That a health coaching program has solid educational values and qualities (including elective options)
2. Graduates can access various levels of registration (for membership or accreditation) based on their individual situation
3. Registration ensures you can gain insurance that is based on a robust health coaching program
4. Students are supported when they graduate to build a strong health coaching industry
5. 100% commitment to quality training in health coaching that supports community health
6. Pathways to higher education
7. The college clearly reflects health coaching passion and holds pathways to higher education options