No, you don’t have to be a member of FLCA to apply for the credential. However, the application fee for nonmembers is higher. Additionally, there are many benefits to being a member of FLCA.

No, your bachelor’s degree can be in any area. You will show proficiency in Family Science in other ways.

If you received your higher education outside of the U.S., then have your education evaluated through an outside service, such as XXXXX that helps the evaluators understand the level of education you have.

Family Science proficiency can be demonstrated by having approved credentials (i.e., MFT, CFLE). You can also demonstrate proficiency by having gone through an FLCA-approved program (program approvals in progress) or by completing the Family Science proficiency chart found in the application.

Coaching proficiency can be demonstrated by having approved credentials (i.e., BCC, ICF). You can also demonstrate proficiency by having gone through an FLCA-approved program (program approvals in progress) or by completing the Coaching proficiency chart found in the application.

No. The coaching proficiency must be documented with coaching classes/trainings that you’ve received, not those that you’ve provided to others. Although being able to teach a coaching course/training is helpful, it does not necessarily demonstrate that you’ve been taught the requisite skills.

No. The family science proficiency must be documented with family science classes/trainings that you’ve received, not those that you’ve provided to others. Although being able to teach a family science course/training is helpful, it does not necessarily demonstrate you’ve been taught the requisite skills.

The requirements for this certification have been set to achieve a standard for the field. Third party reimbursement and parent recognition will only come when there is a consistent benchmark. This does NOT mean you aren’t doing good work! Not having this certification does not negate the experience you have.

All levels require a bachelor’s degree, Family Science proficiency, and Coaching proficiency. The levels of credential differ by the number of coaching hours you have done and supervision hours you have received. Refer to the credential chart to find the level that meets your experience, making sure to notice the required supervision hours.

It is important to have someone to discuss your coaching with so you can grow as a coach. A plan for supervision and documentation of supervision for your coaching helps ensure continued growth. Receiving or participating in some level of supervision does not mean you are a novice or incapable. Think of supervision as a way to bounce ideas off someone else in the coaching field all while honing your coaching skills.

The purpose of supervision is for the coach to have someone to discuss their coaching with that can help them assess their work and grow in their skills. A supervisor does not have to have a specific training or background, although some level of experience in coaching is a must. A supervisor can be someone who has the knowledge, training, and temperament to help a coach in this way. Ideally, your supervisor will be someone who works in the field of family life coaching. We ask that you identify someone who will have this relationship with you and tell us a little about them. If we have concerns that the person you describe won’t have the knowledge and skills to help you, we will let you know.

If you have gotten supervision in the past but haven’t documented it, have the person who has done the supervision write a letter describing the nature, frequency, and number of hours of supervision they’ve provided to you (to the best of their knowledge). Make sure they sign the letter and then submit this with your application. Then start keeping documentation!

Please compile all the information requested in the application for the level you are applying for. Once you have all information, you will then submit it altogether. Please submit all documents in easy-to- read formats (Word documents or PDFs). Please do not submit any documents as a photo or series of photos. Please also verify any scanned documents are readable. If the required information is difficult to see or read, it will be more difficult for evaluators to assess your application and qualifications, potentially resulting in delays in the review process or denial of your application.

No. Include necessary information but in this case, more is not better. If the required information gets lost in extra information, it will be more difficult for evaluators to assess your qualifications, potentially resulting in delays in the review process or denial of your application. For example, send only classes/trainings you have taken, not ones you have taught.

Yes, but please look over the requirements for the credential on the certification webpage. There are documents as well as instructional videos to help you understand if you meet the requirements. If, however, the reviewers reject your application for lack of information, you will have a short time period to provide the missing information. If you are not able to submit the missing information, then you are welcome to apply again when you have the additional requirements.

You will receive notification if the reviewers reject your application for missing particular documents. You will have a short time period to provide the missing information. If you are not able to submit the missing information, then you are welcome to start the application process again when you have all the additional requirements.

If the reviewers reject your application, you will receive an email detailing the reasons. If the reasons include missing information, you will have a short time period to provide the missing information. If you are not able to submit the missing information, then you are welcome to start the application process again when you have the additional requirements. If your application is rejected for other reasons, you are welcome to start the application process again when you meet the specific requirements as outlined in the rejection email.

Sometimes applications are denied due to the applicant not achieving the coaching hours or required supervision hours for the higher levels (expert, professional). If you applied for the expert or professional levels, it’s possible you could be approved at a lower level. You will be given the opportunity to choose a lower level in the denial letter. You will have a short time period to respond to either accepting the lower level or accepting the denial and reapplying when you meet the specific requirements of the higher level. Please note: there is a process for applying for a higher level, once you have been approved for a lower level.

No, the fee is not refundable. Please look over the requirements for the specific credential you are interested in on the certification page. There are documents and videos on the website to help you understand if you meet the requirements. the review panel is not able to review your potential submission documents ahead of time but if you have questions as you gather your documents, please email info@flcassociation.org.

We understand there are a number of requirements for this certification. You may be doing great work very successfully without the certification. However, this certification process has been established to formalize the field of family life coaching so as to provide families with comfort knowing there was rigor behind the certification process. It is our hope that through the certification process, we will build a foundation of credentialed professionals who will be recognized by the family science and coaching fields as well as the general public. The certification of family life coaches will also indicate to the insurance industry the rigor of the field thereby encouraging third party reimbursement for services. As with so many professional fields, a certification is also something to display proudly, indicating your commitment to the field of family life coaching. If, however, you feel you are meeting the needs of your clients professionally and successfully, you may choose not to be certified through the Family Life Coaching Association. That is certainly fine. This certification is not required nor can it guarantee quality of services. But we hope you will choose to become a certified family life coach to help propel the field forward.