No one organization or credentialing board supervises, sets standards for, or provides single oversight of the nation's many health coach certification programs. NSHC certifies as health coaches only licensed clinicians/practitioners to engage individuals in wellness and those with moderate to high health risks, chronic conditions, and disease, tapping into an individual's own motivation to change health behavior.

NSHC's health coach certification eligibility criteria are most stringent; that which requires a current license, registration, or certification to assess, plan, treat, implement and/or evaluate clinical interventions in clinical and wellness settings. Upon learning this, many employers prefer their staff to be trained by the NSHC.

Knowing the patient/client's general health and wellness cannot be separated from their health conditions, the National Society of Health Coaches is dedicated to advancing the use of Evidence-based Health Coaching (EBHC)® by clinicians and practitioners.