Failing the NBHWC Exam Doesn’t Mean You’re Not a Great Coach
If you didn’t pass the NBHWC board exam, you’re not alone, and you’re not a failure. You’re a capable, caring coach who hit a bump in the road. And while this may not have been the outcome you were hoping for, it doesn’t define you.
The NBHWC exam is tough. Plenty of smart, skilled, compassionate coaches don’t pass on the first try. That doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for this field. It means you're human. And like any challenge, it's something you can face, learn from, and come back stronger.
Studying and test-taking are skills all their own. And passing (or not passing) a standardized exam doesn’t always reflect your ability to build trust, hold space, or help clients grow.
Choosing to try again, after the disappointment, the self-doubt, and the fear isn’t just a personal victory. It’s professional development. It’s lived resilience. It’s you embodying the exact kind of growth and mindset we want to help our clients cultivate.
And that makes you the kind of health and wellness coach clients want in their corner.
If you're planning to retake the exam, here are a few places to start:
✅ Reflect on your first experience with the nBHWC Exam
Start with your score report.
Which content areas were your lowest? Plan to focus extra study time there.
What felt most challenging—timing? unfamiliar terms? tricky scenarios? test anxiety?
✅ Review how you studied
What was your approach last time? Did you read through materials from your health coach training program, take a practice test, try to memorize everything, or just wing it?
What helped? What didn’t?
✅ Shift your strategy
This time, make sure your prep fits both your learning style and your lifestyle.
Lean into evidence-based study strategies like active recall and spaced repetition—which help your brain actually hold onto information long-term.
Review content in small, consistent doses instead of cramming. Spacing out your review gives your brain time to absorb, forget, and re-learn—which strengthens your memory.
Use tools that make it easy to revisit material incrementally, so you're reinforcing knowledge a little at a time without burning out.
Don’t try to do it all—do what matters most. The NHBWC Content Outline is your roadmap.
If you’re looking for tools that support your learning style and help you stay consistent without the overwhelm, Health Coach Study Hall has you covered.
Our materials are:
Built for busy coaches who need flexible, time-efficient study options
Grounded in evidence-based strategies like active recall to actually help you retain what you learn
Aligned with the NBHWC Content Outline, so you can feel confident you’re studying the right material
Whether it’s a full-length practice exam, content-specific quizzes, or a simple, guided study plan to keep you on track, our resources are made to halt the mental spiral so you can show up to the NHBWC exam again—smarter, steadier, and more confident than ever.
We’ve got your back and we’re rooting for you!