How Do I Become a Financial Coach?

To become a financial coach, you should first investigate the laws in your jurisdiction that govern who can provide financial advice. Depending on the type of advice and support that you give as a financial coach, you may be required to be licensed as a financial advisor before opening your practice. As such, you may need to receive training as both a financial advisor as well as a professional coach. Once you've completed any necessary training and received licensure, you can begin to offer your services to others.

Typically, you will not need a license to become a professional coach. You may, however, choose to obtain professional credentials by completing a life coach certification program. These programs are usually offered through professional coaching associations. As part of your training, you may be able to focus on coaching people in financial matters. If financial coaching courses are not available as part of your training program, you may want to seek out continuing education courses that can help you become a financial coach. You may also want to start working as a general life coach, improving your coaching skills before you decide to specialize in one area of coaching.

Many areas regulate the offering of financial advice. If you become a financial coach with the intention of just trying to motivate your clients to spend their money wisely and to develop savings, you may not need to undergo any further training or licensing. If you plan to offer more specific financial advice, such as suggestions about appropriate investments, you may run afoul of the law in your area unless you become licensed as a financial advisor. The process to become a licensed financial advisor varies by jurisdiction, but may require you to complete a bachelor's degree, a series of certification classes or both. You may also need to complete an internship before you can sit for your financial advisor license.

After you have obtained the training necessary to become a financial coach, it will typically be up to you to begin your financial coaching practice. You may be able to kick-start your coaching career by becoming certified by a professional association that can add you to its directory of coaches. You may also be able to offer financial advising and financial coaching as a "package deal" which can set you apart from other financial coaches and advisors who only have training in one area.