185: My Journey As A Non-Certified Coach Online

Written By Allison Nelson

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In the world of online coaching, a debate tends to pop up again and again: Should a coach be certified?

As someone who's been a coach for years without an official certification, I’ve seen this conversation play out on social media, in Facebook groups, and through heated discussions on Instagram reels. And while the debate is intense online, it doesn’t come up much in person. But the reality remains: a lot of aspiring and experienced coaches question whether they need certification to be "legit."

Today, I’m sharing my personal journey as a non-certified coach and my perspective on this ongoing debate.

Certification: Do You Need It to Be a Great Coach?

One of the first questions people ask is why I chose not to get certified as a coach. The truth? It was never on my radar when I first entered the industry. I started my coaching journey because I knew I could help people, and that was enough. But, like many others, I considered certification along the way—not because I felt I *needed* it, but because I let outside voices make me feel like I wasn’t the “real deal” without it.

I’ve been coaching for over five years without a formal certification. It wasn’t until recently that I got certified in group coaching, but before that, I helped people without an official credential. Does that make me less of a coach? I don't believe so.

Here’s the thing: certification alone doesn’t define the quality of a coach. What matters is how effectively you can help your clients achieve their goals. For me, my value as a coach comes from my unique experience, the results I deliver, and the relationships I build with my clients—not a piece of paper.

Why I Didn’t Prioritize Certification

Let me be clear—I have nothing against coaching certifications. I just never felt like they aligned with how I wanted to serve my clients. When I thought about investing in a certification, it always felt like I was doing it for the wrong reasons. The primary driver was the perception that it could raise my prices or make me more “credible” to a certain audience.

But as a coach, I’ve always focused on*providing a top-tier experience for my clients. I wanted to invest in things that would directly benefit them—whether that meant learning new techniques, diving deeper into specialized training, or improving my business systems. In my case, investing in specific, practical skills always made more sense than pursuing a generalized certification.

One example of this is when I took a deep dive into solution-focused brief coaching —a method that’s helped many of my clients move forward quickly and effectively. I didn’t earn a certification for it; instead, I completed a course, studied the material, and applied it in my work.

And you know what? That made me a better coach. Not because I had a shiny certificate to hang on my wall, but because I honed a skill that improved my clients' results.

Integrity Over Credentials

Another important point to consider is integrity. Whether you're certified or not, you need to know your limits as a coach.

For instance, I don’t give legal or financial advice to my clients, even though I’ve been through those processes myself. That’s not my lane, and I don’t pretend it is. But unfortunately, there are coaches out there who overstep those boundaries, and that’s where clients can get hurt.

This is why some people prefer to hire certified coaches—it gives them peace of mind that a coach knows their limits.

But let’s be honest: certification doesn’t guarantee integrity. I’ve known certified professionals in various fields who were just going through the motions. Ultimately, integrity and commitment to serving clients are what matter most.

Should You Get Certified?

If you’re thinking about whether to get certified, ask yourself this: Why are you doing it? If it’s because you believe it will genuinely improve your coaching abilities and give your clients better outcomes, then go for it. But if you’re considering certification solely because of external pressure, it’s worth rethinking your decision.

For me, the path I took has worked. I focused on professional development that aligned with my values and helped me serve my clients better, certification or not.

Whether you're certified or not, what truly matters is staying true to your integrity, continuously learning, and showing up for your clients with 100% commitment.

Final Thoughts: Be True to Yourself

At the end of the day, being a successful coach comes down to more than credentials. It’s about passion, dedication, and the ability to genuinely help people. I’m proud of the work I’ve done as a non-certified coach, and I encourage you to find what works best for you—whether that means certification or not.

Follow your values, stay in your lane, and invest in what truly matters for your growth as a coach.

Let your success be defined by the impact you make, not by whether or not you have a capital “C” in front of the word "coach."

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Allison Nelson
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