Last Modified: July 30, 2026
PART I: OVERVIEW & DEFINITIONS
1. Organizational Structure
AANWC and ANWCB are independent, private, non-governmental organizations. Neither is a state agency, a federal agency, nor an accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
AANWC (American Association of Natural Wellness Coaches) operates as a governing body responsible for establishing and overseeing program accreditation standards and professional board certification standards within the natural wellness coaching field.
ANWCB (American Natural Wellness Coaches Board) is a certification board operating within the AANWC structure, responsible for the administration of advanced individual board certification designations, including the administration of the ANWCB examination and credentialing processes.
While both AANWC and ANWCB engage in accreditation and board certification activities, each operates under distinct standards, eligibility pathways, and designation structures. References to “AANWC/ANWCB” throughout these policies refer collectively to both organizations except where a distinction is expressly stated.
2. Foundational Distinction: Accreditation vs. Board Certification
These policies govern two distinct but related processes, and it is essential that both organizations and individuals understand the difference:
Accreditation (Schools and Programs)
Accreditation is granted exclusively to educational institutions, schools, programs, and courses. It reflects AANWC/ANWCB’s evaluation and approval of a program’s curriculum, structure, and educational objectives. Accreditation is not granted to individuals.
Board Certification (Individuals)
Board Certification is granted exclusively to individual wellness coaches who meet established eligibility requirements. It reflects an individual’s verified education, training, and/or demonstrated competency as assessed by AANWC or ANWCB. Board Certification is not granted to schools or programs.
These two processes are complementary: graduates of AANWC/ANWCB-accredited programs may be pre-qualified for board certification, but accreditation of a program does not automatically confer board certification upon any individual. Each process follows its own application, review, and eligibility standards as set forth in these policies.
3. Definitions
AANWC Accreditation
An application-based process through which schools and programs are reviewed and approved by AANWC. Once accreditation is granted, graduates of the accredited program are pre-qualified to apply for AANWC Board Certification. AANWC-accredited programs are also approved as CEU providers.
ANWCB Accreditation
An elevated accreditation designation, available by invitation only, and only after AANWC Accreditation has been granted. ANWCB Accreditation allows graduates to apply for AANWC board certification titles and/or to sit for the ANWCB Board Certification examination. ANWCB-accredited programs are also approved as CEU providers.
AANWC Board Certification
An individual credential granted by AANWC to wellness coaches who meet verified education and training requirements. AANWC Board Certification is non-exam-based.
ANWCB Board Certification
An advanced individual credential granted by ANWCB to wellness coaches who meet elevated eligibility requirements and successfully pass the ANWCB examination.
Program
A course of study or combination of instructional material that may be broad in scope but follows a logical instructional sequence promoting education as defined by AANWC/ANWCB. Material that has met AANWC/ANWCB requirements is represented externally as an officially accredited program.
Certificant
An individual wellness coach who has been granted board certification by AANWC or ANWCB and who is subject to these policies in that capacity.
Accredited Organization
A school, program, or educational institution that has been granted accreditation by AANWC or ANWCB and that is subject to these policies in that capacity.
4. Purpose
The purpose of these policies is to articulate the standards and procedures that govern AANWC/ANWCB program accreditation and individual board certification, ensuring that affiliated educational offerings and credentialed wellness coaches maintain consistency and quality within the natural wellness coaching industry.
5. Scope
These policies apply to: (a) all organizations seeking or holding AANWC/ANWCB program accreditation; and (b) all individuals seeking or holding AANWC/ANWCB board certification. Each party is responsible for demonstrating and maintaining compliance with all applicable policies and criteria prior to, during, and after accreditation or certification has been granted.
PART II: PROGRAM ACCREDITATION
6. Accreditation Eligibility
Accreditation is voluntary and may be granted to schools, programs, and courses that demonstrate a comprehensive natural or holistic educational approach with relevant high-quality subject matter and clearly defined educational objectives. Accreditation is granted to educational offerings only – not to individuals.
7. Definition of Accreditation
AANWC/ANWCB accreditation is an application-based process through which educational programs are evaluated for alignment with established internal standards related to curriculum, structure, and educational objectives. Accreditation reflects that a program met applicable review criteria at the time of evaluation.
Accreditation does not constitute endorsement of individual student outcomes, experiences, or representations made by an accredited organization, and does not extend to oversight of business practices, financial arrangements, or any matter beyond the educational program content and structure expressly reviewed.
8. Scope of Accreditation
Accreditation is limited in scope to the review of educational program content, structure, and stated objectives. It does not constitute recognition, approval, or validation of any academic degree, credential, title, or designation awarded by an affiliated organization to its graduates.
AANWC/ANWCB does not confer academic degrees of any kind, including but not limited to bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees. Some accredited programs may issue their own titles or designations based on their internal educational models. Such titles are determined solely by the issuing organization and are not reviewed, validated, or endorsed by AANWC/ANWCB.
Accreditation should not be interpreted as recognition of equivalency to state-licensed, federally regulated, or regionally or nationally accredited academic degree programs. AANWC/ANWCB-accredited programs are non-state and non-federally regulated.
Accreditation by AANWC/ANWCB does not confer eligibility for federal student financial aid and does not guarantee that credits or credentials earned will be accepted or transferable by any other institution.
9. AANWC vs. ANWCB Accreditation
AANWC accreditation serves as the primary program accreditation pathway. ANWCB accreditation is available by invitation only and represents an elevated level of review and recognition. ANWCB program accreditation may only be pursued after AANWC accreditation has been granted, and is reserved for organizations meeting elevated educational and professional criteria as determined by AANWC/ANWCB.
10. Program Duration
Program duration, pace, or time to completion is not a determining factor in accreditation decisions. Accredited programs may vary significantly in length. AANWC/ANWCB does not equate program length with educational rigor. Organizations are responsible for ensuring that the scope and depth of content are appropriate regardless of duration.
11. Good Faith
AANWC/ANWCB requires each organization seeking program accreditation, or currently holding an accredited program, to engage in the process in good faith. Programs must provide accurate and truthful information prior to and throughout the accreditation process. Any program that fails to participate in good faith by falsifying information at any time may be subject to punitive measures at AANWC/ANWCB’s discretion.
For the purpose of this requirement, falsification is defined as the fabrication, in whole or in part, and through commission or omission, of any information provided by an organization to AANWC/ANWCB. This includes but is not limited to: providing false or misleading data related to accreditation status; providing false or misleading program information or outcomes data; providing false or misleading information to obtain a postponement or extension on an accreditation action; forging signatures of authorization; or engaging in any false or misleading advertising with respect to accreditation status.
12. Fraud
Misrepresentation by omission or commission found in any material submitted to AANWC/ANWCB by an accredited organization or applicant organization will result in immediate revocation of the program’s application or accreditation status at the discretion of AANWC/ANWCB.
13. Organization Responsibilities
It is incumbent on organizations to ensure that all accredited programs and the individuals within them are bound to the AANWC/ANWCB Code of Conduct regardless of membership or credential status. If an individual associated with an accredited program breaches the Code, it is compulsory that the organization take action to remedy the situation. If negligence is found, AANWC/ANWCB reserves the right to take corrective measures against the parties involved.
If AANWC/ANWCB staff discovers negligence on behalf of the organization or individual(s) involved in an AANWC/ANWCB-accredited program, AANWC/ANWCB reserves the right to revoke the program’s accreditation and to take remedial or punitive actions against the parties involved at its discretion. Outcomes will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Organizations holding an AANWC/ANWCB-accredited program are obligated, by virtue of the accreditation received, to be in full compliance with the AANWC/ANWCB Code of Conduct at all times.
AANWC/ANWCB-accredited programs are non-state and non-federally regulated.
14. Program Delivery Standards
The following operational standards must be met by all programs when promoting to potential learners. Should any standard not be met, or if AANWC/ANWCB determines there is insufficient support to determine compliance, the application will be denied and the contact person listed in the application will be notified:
• How the program is delivered (e.g., face-to-face, webinar, telephonic, or combination)
• Intended participants
• Policies on payment of tuition and fees
• Policies on withdrawals and refunds
Should any of the above standards be found non-compliant after accreditation has been granted, accreditation will be revoked and the contact person will be notified. In order for an accredited program to remain in good standing, the annual subscription payment must be made on time. If payment fails, the school will be removed from the Holistic Health Link directory as an AANWC/ANWCB-accredited school.
15. Distribution of Accredited Courses
AANWC/ANWCB-accredited courses may be offered in one or multiple physical locations or online by the accredited organization. If the accredited program operates in partnership with a third party (a secondary organization physically or virtually hosting the training), the accredited organization’s headquarters must be the entity that distributes the program to affiliates and administers certificates of completion to graduates.
16. Unethical Behavior
AANWC/ANWCB has the latitude to suspend, revoke, or deny a program accreditation application based on previous behavior of the program or individuals integral to its operations. Instances of unethical or questionable behavior prior to submission can be a legitimate barrier to the application process and to subsequent accreditation.
PART III: INDIVIDUAL BOARD CERTIFICATION
17. Board Certification Eligibility
Board Certification is available to individual wellness coaches who meet AANWC or ANWCB eligibility requirements. There are two pathways to eligibility:
Pathway 1 – Graduates of Accredited Programs
Graduates of AANWC/ANWCB-accredited programs are pre-qualified to apply for the corresponding board certification. Pre-qualification means the individual’s educational pathway has already been reviewed and approved through the program accreditation process. Pre-qualified applicants are still required to complete the certification application and meet all applicable requirements.
Pathway 2 – Independent Applicants
Individuals who did not complete an AANWC/ANWCB-accredited program may apply for board certification independently. Independent applicants are individually reviewed and assessed against AANWC or ANWCB educational, training, and professional standards. AANWC/ANWCB retains sole discretion to determine whether an independent applicant meets eligibility requirements.
18. AANWC Board Certification
AANWC Board Certification is a non-exam-based credential available to wellness coaches who demonstrate verified education and training that aligns with AANWC standards.
19. ANWCB Board Certification
ANWCB Board Certification is an advanced, examination-based credential representing demonstrated competency within the natural wellness coaching field. ANWCB Board Certification is available to individuals who meet elevated eligibility requirements and successfully pass the ANWCB examination.
20. Individual Certificant Responsibilities
All board-certified individuals are solely responsible for:
• Ensuring that their use of any AANWC/ANWCB title or designation complies with all applicable laws and regulations in every jurisdiction in which they practice or hold themselves out.
• Accurately representing the nature of their board certification – including that it is a professional designation, not an academic degree, and not equivalent to a state-licensed or federally regulated credential.
• Maintaining compliance with the AANWC/ANWCB Code of Conduct at all times.
Maintenance of Board Certification.
Board certification is maintained by an active annual subscription. In order for a board-certified individual to remain in good standing, the annual renewal payment must be made on time. Board certification is issued as a digital credential through a third-party credentialing service with a publicly accessible verification page displaying the certificant’s name, credential, issuing organization, issue date, and validity status. If the annual subscription lapses or is cancelled, the individual’s board certification is suspended and the digital credential is revoked, and its verification page will reflect that the credential is no longer valid. Board certification and the digital credential are reinstated upon reactivation of the subscription. An individual whose certification is suspended or lapsed cannot represent themselves as currently board certified.
21. Certification and Professional Designations: Disclaimer
AANWC and ANWCB board certification designations are professional credentials issued under the authority of AANWC/ANWCB’s internal standards. They do not constitute governmental recognition, academic accreditation, or licensure of any kind. Certificants may not represent their AANWC/ANWCB board certification as an academic degree or imply equivalency to any state-licensed, federally regulated, or regionally or nationally accredited credential.
PART IV: CONDUCT & CODE OF ETHICS
22. Code of Conduct
The following Code of Conduct applies to all AANWC/ANWCB-accredited organizations and all AANWC/ANWCB-board-certified individuals. Each party is required to:
• Practice respective professions following accepted industry standards and guidelines.
• Accurately represent credentials, training, scope of practice, and experience. Exercise caution not to misrepresent any of these.
• Deal responsibly in advising parties regarding potential risks related to their fields of expertise.
• Maintain confidentiality concerning both personal and business information gathered in the performance of their professions, except in the case of overriding legal and/or health concerns.
• Avoid instances where conflict of interest or compromise of professional judgment may occur.
• Act with integrity to uphold the standards of their profession and of AANWC/ANWCB, and avoid any conduct that could adversely reflect on AANWC/ANWCB and its accredited programs or certificants.
• Refrain from representing AANWC/ANWCB board certification designations as academic degrees or implying equivalency to state-licensed or federally regulated credentials.
• Refrain from representing a program’s AANWC/ANWCB accreditation status in a manner that is inaccurate, misleading, or broader in scope than what has been officially granted.
Violations of the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation of board certification (for individuals) or accreditation (for programs), as applicable.
PART V: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & EXTERNAL REPRESENTATION
23. External Reference to AANWC/ANWCB
The “AANWC/ANWCB” name and acronym may be used when accurately stating a program’s accreditation status, an individual’s board certification or affiliation, or when describing AANWC/ANWCB as an entity. All such references must clearly and factually convey AANWC/ANWCB’s role and must not overstate or misrepresent the nature of the relationship. This applies to all marketing materials in which an affiliation is stated or implied, including paid digital advertising.
Acceptable: “We offer an AANWC/ANWCB-accredited training program whose graduates meet the educational requirements to apply for AANWC/ANWCB Board Certification.”
Unacceptable: “We offer AANWC/ANWCB Board Certification Courses.”
Organizations and educational offerings are not permitted to use AANWC/ANWCB trademarks or any language that conveys a direct or implied affiliation with AANWC/ANWCB in a program name, course title, or organization name. This practice contributes to market confusion and is therefore prohibited. AANWC/ANWCB staff has the latitude to determine what constitutes “implied affiliation.”
AANWC/ANWCB’s intellectual property (IP) must be adequately cited in all material provided to the public, including but not limited to marketing materials, websites, curriculum, and course content.
AANWC/ANWCB accredits specific educational offerings (e.g., a course’s curriculum). Organizations are never granted an “overall” accreditation by AANWC/ANWCB. Implying such an affiliation is considered intentional misrepresentation and a Code of Conduct violation.
The application process is considered to begin once the full application has been submitted online. Claiming accreditation status prior to official grant is a Code of Conduct violation.
Board-certified individuals may accurately represent their AANWC or ANWCB certification designation in professional materials, subject to the restrictions in these policies.
24. Program Logo Usage
AANWC/ANWCB accredits specific courses, programs, and schools. Logo usage must accurately reflect the scope of what has been accredited.
If an organization is found to have deliberately misappropriated any AANWC/ANWCB logo, AANWC/ANWCB holds the right to revoke or suspend program accreditation and remove its listing from the Holistic Health Link directory.
Programs may only reference or display AANWC/ANWCB accreditation in marketing materials, websites, or other public-facing content after it has been officially granted. Referencing accreditation prior to official receipt is misleading and a breach of the AANWC/ANWCB Code of Ethics.
Accredited programs and schools in good standing as AANWC/ANWCB Members may use the AANWC/ANWCB Member logo/emblem on marketing materials as found on the respective member dashboard.
Accredited programs and schools will have a dedicated listing on the Holistic Health Link directory.
Graduates of an accredited school or program are pre-qualified to apply for AANWC and/or ANWCB Board Certification. Neither accreditation of the program nor pre-qualification status constitutes the grant of board certification itself.
PART VI: COMPLAINTS, APPEALS & ENFORCEMENT
25. Third-Party Complaints
AANWC/ANWCB may receive communications from individuals who are not applicants, certificants, or affiliated organizations. AANWC/ANWCB does not investigate, mediate, or resolve disputes between third parties and accredited programs or between third parties and individual certificants, except where such matters directly implicate potential violations of internal standards. AANWC/ANWCB retains sole discretion to determine whether any such communication warrants review or action.
26. Complaints & Disciplinary Policy
In the event an accredited organization or board-certified individual violates the AANWC/ANWCB Code of Conduct, program rules, requirements, and/or these policies, AANWC/ANWCB may issue a formal reprimand, impose a suspension, or revoke the relevant accreditation (for organizations) or board certification (for individuals).
Within thirty (30) days from receipt of written notice of a determination by AANWC/ANWCB, the affected organization or individual may submit a written appeal to: info@aanwc.com. The Appeals Committee will conduct and complete the appeal review within ninety (90) days after receipt of the request.
27. Communications Policy
AANWC/ANWCB reserves the right to limit or discontinue communication with any individual or organization that engages in abusive, harassing, or otherwise inappropriate conduct. All such determinations are made at the sole discretion of AANWC/ANWCB.
28. Enforcement
AANWC/ANWCB reserves the right to suspend, revoke, or deny program accreditation or individual board certification based on violations of these policies or conduct deemed inconsistent with organizational standards. Enforcement actions are determined on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of AANWC/ANWCB and may apply separately or simultaneously to an organization and to individuals associated with that organization.
29. Discretion and Authority
AANWC/ANWCB retains sole and absolute discretion in all matters relating to program accreditation and individual board certification decisions, policy interpretation, and enforcement actions. All determinations made by AANWC/ANWCB are final.
PART VII: LEGAL PROVISIONS
30. No Reliance; No Warranty
No individual or entity may rely on AANWC/ANWCB program accreditation or individual board certification as a guarantee of specific educational outcomes, quality of instruction, business practices, financial results, or individual professional success.
AANWC/ANWCB makes no warranties of any kind, express or implied, with respect to any accreditation or board certification decision, including but not limited to implied warranties of fitness for a particular purpose. Accreditation and board certification reflect compliance with internal standards at the time of review only, and may be modified, suspended, or withdrawn at any time in accordance with these policies.
Reliance on any AANWC/ANWCB accreditation or board certification determination is at the sole risk of the relying party.
31. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, AANWC/ANWCB, its officers, directors, staff, and representatives shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages arising out of or relating to any program accreditation or individual board certification decision, denial, suspension, revocation, or any reliance placed on any AANWC/ANWCB determination.
32. Indemnification
Each accredited organization agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless AANWC/ANWCB, its officers, directors, staff, and representatives from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of or related to: (a) the organization’s use or display of any AANWC/ANWCB accreditation status or logo; (b) representations made by the organization regarding its accreditation status; or (c) any dispute between the organization and any student, graduate, or third party.
Each board-certified individual agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless AANWC/ANWCB, its officers, directors, staff, and representatives from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of or related to: (a) the individual’s use of any AANWC/ANWCB board certification designation or title; (b) representations made by the individual regarding their certification status; or (c) any dispute between the individual and any client, employer, or third party.
33. Governing Law; Jurisdiction
These policies shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any dispute arising under or relating to these policies shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Sarasota County, Florida, and each party irrevocably submits to personal jurisdiction in such courts.
34. General Disclaimer
AANWC/ANWCB program accreditation and individual board certification are voluntary processes reflecting compliance with internal organizational standards at the time of review. Neither accreditation nor board certification constitutes governmental recognition, academic accreditation, licensure, or endorsement of any program, individual, credential, title, or representation made by any affiliated organization or certificant. Accreditation is granted to educational programs and schools only; board certification is granted to individual wellness coaches only. Neither process constitutes a guarantee of educational quality, business practices, individual outcomes, or professional success. AANWC/ANWCB does not mediate or resolve disputes between students and educational institutions, between graduates and employers, or between third parties and affiliated organizations or certificants. Nothing in these policies shall be construed to create any duty of care, contractual obligation, or agency relationship between AANWC/ANWCB and any third party.