Frequently Asked Questions about Certification and Accreditation
AANWC FAQs
What's the difference between AANWC & ANWCB member?
An AANWC applicant submits the required education credentials and we approve and endorse their current education WITHOUT TESTING.
An ANWCB applicant submits the required education credentials AND has to pass an ONLINE Exam. Plus, ANWCB members are added to the International Registry, showing they are in good standing.
Both certifications offer the same member benefits.
What makes this board certification different than other organizations?
Here’s what makes us different:
- We offer verifiable digital credential, downloadable, printable, and shareable to any platform.
- We offer incredible membership benefits and resources; including pre-qualification for liability insurance, introductions to products, programs, labs and discounts, etc.
- We thoroughly vet our members to make sure we offer board certification ONLY to qualified applicants.
- Pre-qualified for a GEHA license
ANWCB (Exam) board certification members, here’s what makes us different:
- Safe and secure ONLINE experience (application and exam).
- No travel or proctor fees.
- FREE AANWC membership (including all benefits)
- FREE Listing on the ANWCB Registry
- Pre-qualified for a GEHA license
What is the difference between Board Certification and Accreditation?
Board Certification is for individuals and Accreditation is for schools/programs.
What are the benefits of Accrediting my natural wellness coaching school/course?
All Accreditation Benefits explained here.
What are the Board Certification membership benefits?
What size is the certificate?
You have the ability to print it any size you desire – it is issued as a digital credential.
Is the certificate frame included?
No, the frames that show on the website are only mock-ups. You can print your digital certificate.
Where is the AANWC/ANWCB organization registered?
AANWC/ANWCB is a private organization registered in the state of Florida. There are 15 Advisory Board members with combined natural wellness experience of over 240 years.
Is AANWC/ANWCB International?
Yes, we offer Board Certification and Accreditation all over the world.
Can I get a refund?
AANWC Board Certification payment: No refund. However, if you paid your initial fee and you do NOT want to renew, you can login to your dashboard and click “cancel” on the annual subscription.
ANWCB Board Certification payment: If you paid your initial fee and you decide you do NOT want to sit for the Exam and you have not yet started the exam, we will issue a full refund – within 30 days of initial payment. If you have already logged in and started the exam, no refund will be issued. You can login to your dashboard anytime and “cancel” the annual renewal – subscription.
Accreditation payment: No refunds. You can login to your dashboard anytime and “cancel” the annual renewal – subscription.
Can I cancel my renewal?
Your payment is set up as an annual subscription, so every 365 days, it will auto-charge the respective “renewal fee” to whatever card you keep on file. You can login to your dashboard and cancel anytime.
If you have ANWCB Board Cert, your name will remain on the Registry until the payment fails, at which point, it will be removed. If you choose to reactivate, once your payment is processed, your name will be added back to the Registry.
For either credential, when you cancel, an “expiry” banner will show on your digital credential page and when you reactivate, the banner is removed.
Why do I need to upload my driver's license or passport to the application?
To show proof of identity.
Why might my application be denied?
If your education/credentials do not align with the title for which you’ve applied and you do not hold at least 30 hours in the respective subject.
What is the difference between Board Certification and Accreditation?
Board Certification is for individuals and Accreditation is for schools/programs.
What is the price difference between AANWC (non-exam) member and the ANWCB (exam) member?
Initial Fee = $295.00
Yearly Subscription = $195.00 (cancel anytime)
Initial Fee = $400.00
Yearly Subscription = $195.00 (cancel anytime)
Can I change my BC title at a later date?
No, you would need to cancel your current subscription and reapply for the new title on your dashboard.
What documentation is required for Board Certification?
1. Credentials: certificates, diplomas, degrees, transcripts, licenses, etc.
2. Copy of Driver’s License or Passport (for proof of identity).
Can I get a pdf (digital) file of my certificate?
Yes. Login to your dashboard and click “Digital Credential Sign in” on the left and you can login and download your certificate.
How do I choose my BC title?
Your education/credentials need to align with the title you choose. Some of the titles are more generic and some are very specific. For the more specific titles, corresponding education must be uploaded.
You can choose more than one AANWC title, but each title requires a dedicated application that aligns with the respective education.
Is there a Renewal Fee?
Yes, with each application (Board Certification & Accreditation), there is an annual renewal (subscription). You do NOT have to renew because it will auto-charge your card on file at the 365 day anniversary each year. However, you have the ability to cancel/reactivate your subscription anytime on your dashboard.
Renewal Fees:
Board Certification = $145
Accreditation = $175
Do you offer an Affiliate program?
Yes and you don’t have to be an AANWC/ANWCB member to apply.
* $25.00 fee per transaction
* Monthly Payout (PayPal)
* 365 day Cookie
Will I get a new certificate anually?
No. We offer digital credentials with no expiration date. However, if you cancel your subscription, the “expiry” banner will show on that respective digital credential public page.
What if I need a reprint of my certificate or an extra copy?
Login to your dashboard and click “Digital Credential Sign in” on the left and you can login and print your certificate as many times as you desire.
Can I change my digital credential to private (instead of public)?
- Click the Privacy button located at the bottom of the credential window.
- Switch the toggle button off in the pop-up window to make the credential private.
- Click Update privacy to save your changes.
- The credential is visible only to you.
- Social media share links stop working.
- The record is hidden from search engine results.
Where does AANWC stand regarding insurance codes?
AANWC and ANWCB Position on Health Coaching Billing Codes
Members have asked whether AANWC or ANWCB board certification will lead to insurance billing capability for health coaches. We are not pursuing that pathway, and the reasoning matters more than the answer.
What exists today. The American Medical Association maintains three Category III codes for health and well-being coaching: 0591T, 0592T, and 0593T. Category III codes are temporary codes created to track how often a service is used. Under Medicare they are currently contractor-priced, and commercial payers reimburse them at their own discretion.
What has been proposed. On July 14, 2026, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released the proposed Calendar Year 2027 Physician Fee Schedule (91 FR 43906). For the first time, CMS proposes national payment for these three codes, along with conditions of payment. The public comment period closes September 14, 2026, and a final rule is expected in late 2026. Nothing in it is final.
How the proposed pathway works. Under the proposal, the service would be performed under the direct supervision of the billing practitioner and may be furnished by auxiliary personnel under that supervision. The supervising physician or practitioner submits the claim. The coach does not bill.
CMS also proposes to adopt the CPT definition of the service, under which the coach is qualified by education, training, national examination, and where applicable licensure or regulation, having completed a training program whose content meets standards established by an applicable national credentialing organization. CMS names several certification standards that would satisfy the requirement, and states that the list is not exhaustive.
AANWC and ANWCB board certification recognizes health coaches in independent practice. It has never conferred billing capability and does not now. No certifying organization confers the ability to bill. That ability comes from the supervising practitioner and the payer, and under this proposal it attaches to a supervised clinical role rather than to independent practice.
The proposed service definition is built around national examination and supervised clinical delivery. Those are different professional positions, and we are not redesigning our credential to occupy the other one.
Coaches whose professional goal is supervised work inside a clinical setting should pursue a credential designed for that setting, and we will say so plainly when asked.
A caution. Several articles circulating online present long lists of codes as available to health coaches. Most of the codes on those lists, including medical nutrition therapy, health behavior assessment and intervention, preventive medicine counseling, chronic care management, and collaborative care management, are furnished and billed by licensed clinicians. A health coach who submits claims for services they are not qualified to furnish takes on significant personal risk. Verify any billing guidance against the code’s own requirements before acting on it.
On National Provider Identifiers. Some articles encourage health coaches to obtain a National Provider Identifier. AANWC and ANWCB do not encourage this. An NPI is an administrative identifying number, not a credential and not a qualification. It confers no ability to bill, no payer network access, and no professional standing. It also creates a permanent, publicly searchable record listing the holder as a health care provider, which is an appearance a coach in independent practice cannot support and cannot easily undo. Coaches who hold an NPI because an employer or contracting practice required one are in a different position, and that requirement comes from the practice rather than from the credential.
What is available now. Health coaches may serve clients using health savings (HSA) or flexible spending funds (FSA) where the client holds a letter of medical necessity, and may contract with employers, wellness programs, and clinical practices. None of these require a billing credential nor a National Provider Identifier.
We will publish an update when CMS issues the final rule.
ANWCB EXAM FAQs
How does the Exam work?
To learn more about each respective exam, please click here.
I want to take the exam, what is the next step?
To learn all the details about the Exams, click here.
Is there an Exam Prep Course?
Is the EXAM open book?
The Exam is timed and has many online security measures, so if you can find the time to look up answers (referencing notes or a book), it is NOT restricted. But, security will prohibit you from opening other tabs on your computer, while testing, because obviously we do NOT want Google to take the exam for you.
What size is the certificate?
You have the ability to print it any size you desire – it is issued as a digital credential.
Is the certificate frame included?
No, the frames that show on the website are only mock-ups. You can print your digital certificate.
Is there a Study Guide for the respective Exams?
What if I fail the exam?
If you fail your 2nd attempt, you will receive an email with a link to pay for 2 more attempts – for an additional fee of $255.00.
If at any point you choose NOT to proceed, you will NOT receive a refund because you have already tested, but you can cancel your annual subscription on your dashboard at any time.
If I pass the Exam, do I have to pay an additional fee to be a member of AANWC?
No, you automatically become a FREE member of AANWC and you get to enjoy all the great benefits.
How does Exam security work?
ANWCB ensures prevention of cheating and malpractices during the online test.
If any of these “unusual behaviors” below are detected during the exam (more than 4x), the test is terminated and forfeited. If it is your first attempt, you will move to the second attempt. If it is your second attempt, you will receive an email to purchase 2 additional attempts for $255.00.
The exam will terminate after 4 warnings for the following:
- Minimizing the browser
- Resizing the browser
- Opening a new tab
- Opening a new program
- Taking a screenshot
- Pressing Ctrl + C or Ctrl + V
- Pressing Print Screen
- Pressing F12
Do I need a computer camera to take exam?
No. ANWCb ensures prevention of cheating and malpractices during the online test.
If any of these “unusual behaviors” below are detected during the exam (more than 4x), the test is terminated and forfeited. If it is your first attempt, you will move to the second attempt. If it is your second attempt, you will receive an email to purchase 2 additional attempts for $255.00.
The exam will terminate after 4 warnings for the following:
- Minimizing the browser
- Resizing the browser
- Opening a new tab
- Opening a new program
- Taking a screenshot
- Pressing Ctrl + C or Ctrl + V
- Pressing Print Screen
- Pressing F12
Will I get a new certificate annually?
No. We offer digital credentials with no expiration date. However, if you cancel your subscription, the “expiry” banner will show on that respective digital credential public page.
What if I need a reprint of my certificate or an extra copy?
Login to your dashboard and click “Digital Credential Sign in” on the left and you can login and print your certificate as many times as you desire.
Can I get a pdf (digital) file of my certificate?
Yes. Login to your dashboard and click “Digital Credential Sign in” on the left and you can login and download your certificate.
If I have not passed the exam and my subscription is due, do I still have to pay it?
Yes. Regardless of whether or not you passed the exam, you will still owe your annual subscription fee to hold your exam spot.
Can I change my digital credential to private (instead of public)?
- Click the Privacy button located at the bottom of the credential window.
- Switch the toggle button off in the pop-up window to make the credential private.
- Click Update privacy to save your changes.
- The credential is visible only to you.
- Social media share links stop working.
- The record is hidden from search engine results.
Where does AANWC stand regarding insurance codes?
AANWC and ANWCB Position on Health Coaching Billing Codes
Members have asked whether AANWC or ANWCB board certification will lead to insurance billing capability for health coaches. We are not pursuing that pathway, and the reasoning matters more than the answer.
What exists today. The American Medical Association maintains three Category III codes for health and well-being coaching: 0591T, 0592T, and 0593T. Category III codes are temporary codes created to track how often a service is used. Under Medicare they are currently contractor-priced, and commercial payers reimburse them at their own discretion.
What has been proposed. On July 14, 2026, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released the proposed Calendar Year 2027 Physician Fee Schedule (91 FR 43906). For the first time, CMS proposes national payment for these three codes, along with conditions of payment. The public comment period closes September 14, 2026, and a final rule is expected in late 2026. Nothing in it is final.
How the proposed pathway works. Under the proposal, the service would be performed under the direct supervision of the billing practitioner and may be furnished by auxiliary personnel under that supervision. The supervising physician or practitioner submits the claim. The coach does not bill.
CMS also proposes to adopt the CPT definition of the service, under which the coach is qualified by education, training, national examination, and where applicable licensure or regulation, having completed a training program whose content meets standards established by an applicable national credentialing organization. CMS names several certification standards that would satisfy the requirement, and states that the list is not exhaustive.
AANWC and ANWCB board certification recognizes health coaches in independent practice. It has never conferred billing capability and does not now. No certifying organization confers the ability to bill. That ability comes from the supervising practitioner and the payer, and under this proposal it attaches to a supervised clinical role rather than to independent practice.
The proposed service definition is built around national examination and supervised clinical delivery. Those are different professional positions, and we are not redesigning our credential to occupy the other one.
Coaches whose professional goal is supervised work inside a clinical setting should pursue a credential designed for that setting, and we will say so plainly when asked.
A caution. Several articles circulating online present long lists of codes as available to health coaches. Most of the codes on those lists, including medical nutrition therapy, health behavior assessment and intervention, preventive medicine counseling, chronic care management, and collaborative care management, are furnished and billed by licensed clinicians. A health coach who submits claims for services they are not qualified to furnish takes on significant personal risk. Verify any billing guidance against the code’s own requirements before acting on it.
On National Provider Identifiers. Some articles encourage health coaches to obtain a National Provider Identifier. AANWC and ANWCB do not encourage this. An NPI is an administrative identifying number, not a credential and not a qualification. It confers no ability to bill, no payer network access, and no professional standing. It also creates a permanent, publicly searchable record listing the holder as a health care provider, which is an appearance a coach in independent practice cannot support and cannot easily undo. Coaches who hold an NPI because an employer or contracting practice required one are in a different position, and that requirement comes from the practice rather than from the credential.
What is available now. Health coaches may serve clients using health savings (HSA) or flexible spending funds (FSA) where the client holds a letter of medical necessity, and may contract with employers, wellness programs, and clinical practices. None of these require a billing credential nor a National Provider Identifier.
We will publish an update when CMS issues the final rule.