NBC-HWC Certifying Exam Virtual Course
Welcome to the NBC-HWC Exam Preparation Course!
This course is aligned with the 2026-2030 NBHWC Content Outline core competencies.
Coaches will have two options to choose from:
1) Attend and participate in the LIVE program with a cohort of coaches
2) Study through the virtual self-directed program here at your own pace
If you want to study at your own pace without attending live sessions, you’re in the right place!
Note - If you were looking for the Study Group with live sessions, the dates, times, and registration details are on this page if you prefer to learn in a cohort setting with small-group study sessions.
This virtual course is designed for coaching professionals to advance their test-taking expertise, anchored in the core competencies required to earn the National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) credential.
Rather than relying on passive learning or lecture-style instruction, this course takes an active, adult-learning approach. You’ll engage in hands-on activities and applied practice question exercises designed to deepen your understanding of core coaching competencies, ethical guidelines, and evidence-based health and wellness coaching principles. You won’t just absorb information—you’ll practice, reflect, and apply it to enhance retention and real-world readiness.
We aim to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to excel on the NBC-HWC exam and elevate your coaching practice. Together, we will navigate the intricacies of the exam content, refine your coaching strategies for test-specific scenarios, and help you study smarter—not longer!
You’ll receive a variety of resources, including:
2 timed mini-practice tests
flashcards (access to the private Quizlet+ Classroom)
study workbook with downloadable handouts and worksheets,
A full library of resources walking through test-taking strategy, core competency review, and practice questions.
Prepare to embark on this journey toward professional excellence and certification by keeping it simple, applied, and brain-based!
Registration for the 2026 Exam Prep Coures opens December 23
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What to Expect and How to Prepare
Learn what to expect on the 2026-2030 NBC-HWC Certifying exam, key resources available and how to prepare
Learn what to expect on the 2026-2030 NBC-HWC Certifying exam, key resources available and how to prepare
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How to Study
Learn how to apply brain-based approaches to your study plan and actively engage with the material for deeper integration of knowledge, understanding, and application of the core competencies.
You’ll receive a downloadable Study Workbook to get started.
Learn how to apply brain-based approaches to your study plan and actively engage with the material for deeper integration of knowledge, understanding, and application of the core competencies.
You’ll receive a downloadable Study Workbook to get started.
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Creating your Road Map
This activity will help you map out your timeline for study activities. You’ll also receive some sample plans and downloadable templates.
This activity will help you map out your timeline for study activities. You’ll also receive some sample plans and downloadable templates.
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Multiple Choice Test-Taking
In this lesson, you will be introduced to frameworks to discern between several reasonable responses in situational judgement style multiple choice questions.
In this lesson, you will be introduced to frameworks to discern between several reasonable responses in situational judgement style multiple choice questions.
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Practicing
In this lesson, you’ll have an opportunity to practice with situational judgement style questions to get a feel for what to look for and how to approach multiple choice questions.
In this lesson, you’ll have an opportunity to practice with situational judgement style questions to get a feel for what to look for and how to approach multiple choice questions.
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Coaching Presence, Relationships, & Sessions
In this lesson, you’ll review the Coaching Presence, Relationships, & Sessions core competencies and practice with activities to enhance comprehension and knowledge retention, including reviewing sample practice questions.
In this lesson, you’ll review the Coaching Presence, Relationships, & Sessions core competencies and practice with activities to enhance comprehension and knowledge retention, including reviewing sample practice questions.
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Theories, Models, & Approaches to Behaviour Change
In this lesson, you’ll review the Theories, Models, & Approaches to Behaviour Change core competencies and practice with activities to enhance comprehension and knowledge retention, including reviewing sample practice questions.
In this lesson, you’ll review the Theories, Models, & Approaches to Behaviour Change core competencies and practice with activities to enhance comprehension and knowledge retention, including reviewing sample practice questions.
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Skills, Tools, & Strategies
In this lesson, you’ll review the Skills, Tools, & Strategies core competencies and practice with activities to enhance comprehension and knowledge retention, including reviewing sample practice questions.
In this lesson, you’ll review the Skills, Tools, & Strategies core competencies and practice with activities to enhance comprehension and knowledge retention, including reviewing sample practice questions.
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Ethics & Professional Practice
In this lesson, you’ll review the Ethics and Professional Practice core competencies and practice with activities to support knowledge retention and competency integration, as well as practice with sample test questions.
In this lesson, you’ll review the Ethics and Professional Practice core competencies and practice with activities to support knowledge retention and competency integration, as well as practice with sample test questions.
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Health & Wellness
In this lesson, you’ll review the Health & Wellness core competencies and practice with activities to support knowledge retention and competency integration, as well as practice with sample test questions.
In this lesson, you’ll review the Health & Wellness core competencies and practice with activities to support knowledge retention and competency integration, as well as practice with sample test questions.
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Practice with Flashcards
Begin practicing with virtual flashcards to build knowledge and retention in the core competencies, biometrics, and what the coach needs to know for the exam. You’ll gain access to the Quizlet+ Classroom with several study features.
Begin practicing with virtual flashcards to build knowledge and retention in the core competencies, biometrics, and what the coach needs to know for the exam. You’ll gain access to the Quizlet+ Classroom with several study features.
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Practice with a Mini Test
In this lesson you’ll have an opportunity to try out a mini practice test that is timed, with answers and a score.
In this lesson you’ll have an opportunity to try out a mini practice test that is timed, with answers and a score.
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Next Steps
This lesson will equip you with strategies to take into the final week before your exam and draw closure to the study phase and transition into a focus on brain optimization.
This lesson will equip you with strategies to take into the final week before your exam and draw closure to the study phase and transition into a focus on brain optimization.
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Additional Resources
Here you’ll find additional resources to continue practicing and refining your test-taking preparation, including a full video library of practice question reviews.
You’ll also receive discounts on all four available practice tests, including the full 150 Question Simulation with answers and rationales.
Here you’ll find additional resources to continue practicing and refining your test-taking preparation, including a full video library of practice question reviews.
You’ll also receive discounts on all four available practice tests, including the full 150 Question Simulation with answers and rationales.
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Your instructor:
Melissa Pylypchuk
Master Certified Coach (ICF) & NBHWC
University-level instructor, mentor coach, & assessor
What People Are Saying
“Thanks to her expert guidance, I passed the Board Exam on my first attempt.
Melissa’s video content is of exceptional quality—clear, engaging, and perfectly pitched to help you
understand even the trickiest concepts. The range of practice questions she provides is outstanding,
closely mirroring the style and complexity of the real exam, which gave me real confidence on test day. I found the combination of self-paced materials and practice questions invaluable for reinforcing my knowledge and honing my test-taking skills.
What really set Melissa’s programme apart was her practical advice on stress and time management. Her study plans and weekly tips helped me stay organised and calm throughout the process, ensuring I was well-prepared both mentally and theoretically.
Melissa is also incredibly approachable and supportive. She made herself available for 1:1 conversations whenever I needed extra help or reassurance, always responding promptly and thoughtfully to my questions. It was lovely to have a 1:1 with her a week prior to taking my exam to give me that final boost of confidence.
I highly recommend anyone preparing for their NBHWC exam to consider getting help from Melissa. Her programme is a wise investment in your success—she truly cares about her students and goes above and beyond to help you achieve your goals..”
Dr. Johnny Bloomfield, NBHWC