How to Become a Certified Life Coach in NYC

Wondering how to become a life coach in New York? 

That’s what you’ll learn in this article. 

I started my coaching business in NYC and scaled it to eight figures, so I know exactly how you can get there. 

If you want…

• More meaningful work
• A flexible schedule
• A higher income (without having to work more)

…Then life coaching could be an ideal career for you. 

Ready to get started? Let’s go!

Key takeaways:

• Choose the right structure: The most common business structures are LLCs and sole proprietorships. An LLC can offer more legal protection, while sole proprietorship is simpler to set up. 
• Build a profitable business: The average New York life coach earns $79.468 per year, but plenty of life coaches earn six figures and beyond. 
• Certifications are optional: New York doesn’t regulate life coaching, so you can practice it without a certification or license, as long as you have the right experience and can help your clients get results. 

Should you become a life coach in New York? 

Life coaches help their clients achieve meaningful transformations, whether it’s mastering finances, finding the right partner, or improving their health–just to name a few examples. 

As you can see, life coaching gives you plenty of options to choose from. You can use your experience to help people – while ALSO gaining more flexibility and freedom in your own life. 

The coaching market generates $4.564 billion, so your unique gifts and skills are needed. 

But why become a life coach in NYC specifically?

For one thing, you can earn a higher salary. According to Glassdoor, life coaches in NYC can earn $79,468 per year (compared to the national average of $67k).

Another benefit? Working in NYC means you get easy access to lots of events and organizations that can help you network, like the ICF local NYC chapter. With over eight million inhabitants and a median household income of $76,607, there are plenty of potential clients around you. 

But what do you need to become a life coach? Let’s take a look at that next. 

What qualifications do you need to become a life coach in New York? 

One common question I hear is, “Do you need specific qualifications to become a life coach in NYC?” 

Let’s answer that now.

Do life coaches need a certification or a license? 

Typically, you don’t need a coaching certification or a license to offer life coaching, but some health-related niches might require one. That’s because the coaching industry is unregulated in New York, so anyone can call themselves a coach without having any credentials.

With that said… 

You should only offer coaching on a topic you have experience in, so you can help your clients get results. 

Take myself, for example. I became a coach without being certified or having an MBA, and I’ve helped thousands of people get results like this:

How do you get certified as a life coach? 

If you want to get certified, I recommend researching accredited programs that align with your needs. For example, look for ICF-accredited certifications. These are split into three credentials (ACC, MCC, and PCC), each representing your level of expertise. 

You’ll also want to focus on things like delivery method (online or in-person), price, duration, and curriculum.

Here are a few general examples of certifications to look at:

Life Coach Certification Training Program – iPEC 

iPEC’s life coach program is accredited by the ICF and offers three different certifications to help prepare you to work with clients. 

Cost: Available upon request

Completion time: 7-9 months

Certified Life Coach – Suny Schenectady County Community College

👉This NY-based program helps you go from a beginner to a certified life coach with your own coaching practice. Plus, it’s delivered online, which means you can study at your own pace.

Cost: $1,995

Completion time: Self-paced 

Ultimately, the right program for you can vary based on your niche, but choosing an accredited program (like ICF) will help ensure you get your money’s worth.

How do you set up your life coaching business in New York? 

Next, choose your business structure. The best options for most coaches are a sole proprietorship or an LLC. 

Note: While I outline the steps to take to set each one up, this information is just meant as an overview. My friend and legal coach Lisa Fraley offers personalized advice on how to set up your business. 

Sole proprietorship

A sole proprietorship involves less paperwork and hassle upfront. The flipside? If your business has debts or gets sued, you’re personally liable. 

When setting up a sole proprietorship you need to: 

• Choose a business name: You can use your your legal name or create a unique business name for your coaching practice. If you decide on a different name, you’ll need to register it as a “Doing Business As” (DBA) or Fictitious Business Name (FBN). Check that your chosen name isn’t already in use by searching the New York Department of State database.
• Understand your tax obligations: As a sole proprietor, you’ll report your business income and expenses on your personal tax return using IRS Schedule C. Be aware of New York state and city-specific tax requirements, which might include sales tax if you’re selling physical products like workbooks or journals alongside your coaching services.
• Acquire an employer identification number (EIN) and open a business bank account: While an Employer Identification Number (EIN) isn’t mandatory for sole proprietors unless you have employees, it can make opening a business bank account and filing taxes much easier. A dedicated business bank account also helps separate your personal and business finances, simplifying accounting and protecting your assets.

LLC

With an LLC, you get more legal protection and potential tax benefits, but it’s also a more expensive and complicated structure to go with.

Ultimately, when you’re debating between the two, think about your long-term business goals. 

If you want to keep your business simple and don’t mind the risk, consider a sole proprietorship. Otherwise, I’d recommend an LLC.

To set up an LLC, you need to: 

• Choose a name: Ensure your LLC’s name is unique and meets New York’s naming requirements. The name must include “Limited Liability Company” or an abbreviation like “LLC.” Check availability through the New York State Division of Corporations and consider conducting a trademark search.
• File articles of organization: Submit Form DOS-1336 (Articles of Organization) to the New York Department of State. 
• Appoint a registered agent: Designate a registered agent who can receive legal and tax documents on behalf of your LLC. In New York, you may choose the Department of State as your registered agent, or you can appoint another individual or service.
• Comply with New York’s publication requirement: Within 120 days of forming your LLC, you must publish notices of your LLC’s formation in two newspapers (one daily and one weekly) designated by the county clerk where your LLC is located. This requirement may cost a few hundred dollars, depending on your county.
• Pay annual fees: New York LLCs must file a biennial statement with the Department of State every two years. The filing fee is $9.
• Acquire an EIN and open a business bank account: Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) through the IRS. Use your EIN to open a business bank account to keep your personal and business finances separate.

Other resources

To learn more about starting a coaching business in New York, take a look at these resources and consult a lawyer who can help you choose the right structure for yourself.

• How to Start a Business in New York
• Business Entity Types in New York
• Legal requirements for life coaches

Okay, up next: The exact steps to becoming a life coach.

How to become an online life coach in New York 

By now you know how to set up your business in New York. But how do you get your first paying clients? Stand out in a crowded market? Become profitable? 

Here’s how to start a successful NYC-based life coaching business online. 

1. Choose whether you’ll coach in person or online

You’ll first need to decide if you want to be a virtual coach or an in-person coach. 

As an in-person life coach, you need to: 

• Find a rental space to host sessions, something that will add overhead costs to your business
• Focus on your local community to attract clients in your area 

Online coaching offers far more flexibility and profitability. 

You get to enjoy: 

• Lower costs: You don’t need to pay for office space or spend time on commuting
• Scalability: Host group sessions and online courses from your home 
• Location independence: Work from anywhere and with clients from all over the US   

After deciding on how you offer your services, it’s time to choose a niche.

2. Find a niche 

“Life coaching” is a broad term. It’s so general that it doesn’t really speak to anyone in particular.

That’s why you first need to find a niche. A niche allows you to connect with specific people and solve their unique problems, which makes your services more valuable and easier to market.

So, how do you find your niche? Start by asking yourself:

• What am I really good at?
• What problems do I want to help people solve?

Look at your unique experiences, skills, and gifts. That’s how I found my first niche. I helped small business owners use digital advertising to grow their businesses because it was a skill I had acquired in my day job at the time. 

A few other examples: 

My student Ruby is a former matchmaker who helps men who are looking for a serious relationship:

And my student Ryan has built a seven-figure rental property portfolio and helps people invest in real estate:

As a life coach, there are many services you could offer, like:

• Mindset coaching
• Executive coaching
• Relationship coaching
• Business coaching
• Financial coaching
• Health coaching
• Career coaching

Once you have a niche, you’ll want to make your business stand out. Let’s talk about that next.

3. Create a strong coaching brand

Your brand is what sets you apart from every other coach in your niche. But here’s the thing—it’s about much more than just your fonts or color palette.

You see, research shows that 82% of customers are more likely to buy when they feel an emotional connection with a brand.

As a coach, your job is to build that emotional connection.

How? Share your story.

Your story is your “secret sauce”—the unique experiences and methods you bring to the table that no one else does.

For example, let’s say you want to niche down as a financial coach. What in your background could resonate with a potential client?

Maybe you:

• Paid off $50,000 in student loans faster than anyone thought possible.
• Mastered a budgeting system that completely eliminated overspending.

These stories are powerful because they’re relatable. They make your audience stop and think, “Wow, this person really understands what I’m going through—and they can help.”

A strong brand isn’t just about looking polished; it’s about being authentic and creating connections.

Up next, let’s talk about how to package your coaching services to deliver maximum value.

4. Create a coaching package 

When it comes to pricing your coaching services, you’ve got three main options: Hourly, retainer, or package rates. 

Let’s break them down:

• Hourly pricing: This option means you’re paid for each hour you work. While it’s simple to calculate, there’s a major drawback: It shifts the focus to your time rather than the results you deliver. And that’s not the kind of value your clients are truly looking for.
• Retainer pricing: With a retainer, you charge clients a fixed amount per month. It’s predictable and steady, but here’s the catch—it can blur boundaries. Clients may expect unlimited access, and that’s a slippery slope.
• Package pricing (My top recommendation): A package rate focuses on results, not hours. It helps both you and your clients zero in on the transformation you’ll deliver, which creates clarity and sets clear expectations.

As a new coach, you can do what I did: start with a $1,500 package for three months. This timeframe gives you enough room to help your clients achieve meaningful results.

For more on that, check out this video:

Need extra help creating your first package?

Ready to build your package? I’ve got more tips to help you nail it here. 

5. Market your coaching business  

Once your coaching business is up and running, it’s time to market it. 

Now, being in NYC is a huge advantage here because there are all kinds of events you can attend locally, including networking events, workshops, and professional gatherings.

But local networking is just one option. I didn’t build my coaching business with events, and neither do you have to. (If you, like me, are a huge introvert.)

There are plenty of other ways to market yourself as a coach, including:

• Getting interviewed on podcasts: Share your expertise with a wider audience and position yourself as a thought leader.
• Using social media: Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn are great places for reaching potential clients and showcasing your coaching success stories.
• Getting referrals: Tell friends, family, and colleagues about your coaching services and how you can help. Ask for referrals—your first clients often come from personal connections or recommendations.

I know these strategies work because I’ve used them myself—and so have my students—to build successful coaching businesses. My first few coaching clients came through referrals and engaging in social media communities. 

So, there you go – that’s how to become a life coach in NYC! To finish, let’s cover some questions you might have.

FAQ: Become a life coach in New York 

What type of life coach is most in demand?

The most in-demand types of life coaching are:

• Health and wellness coaching
• Career coaching
• Mindset coaching
• Financial coaching
• Relationship coaching

With that said…there’s demand for coaching in many different niches. By niching down, it’ll be easier for you to stand out among other coaches and attract your dream clients. For example, you could choose parenting coaching, recovery coaching, or grief coaching to target a smaller, more specific audience.

How much do life coaches earn in NYC? 

The average salary for a life coach in NYC is $79,468. But that’s just the starting point. Coaches who run their own businesses can go well beyond this figure—hitting six figures or even more by offering value-driven packages and delivering results. 

What’s next? 

There you have it! Now you know how to become a life coach in New York. 

As you can see, starting a coaching business online (while having access to everything NYC has to offer) makes a lot of sense. You get to work on something you love, help others, earn more money, and control your time—all while building a career with purpose.

I get it because I’ve been there. Years ago, I was working a comfortable job at a New York tech firm. But I wanted more. 

I dreamed of freedom, flexibility, and making an impact.

It took me a few years of trial and error, but eventually, I grew my first coaching business to six figures in just four months. Since then, I’ve helped thousands of people start their own businesses and create lives they love.

To make it easier for you and give you a roadmap so you don’t have to figure it out on your own, I’ve taken everything I learned and put it into my coaching training program, Employee to Entrepreneur (ETE).

Want to learn more about it? 

Get started by downloading my FREE PDF that shows you how to grow a six-figure business.

Read more:

How to Become a Life Coach in California

The Best Life Coach Courses

Top Coaching Trends (Future of Coaching) 

Simple Ways to Make Passive Income for Life Coaches

How to Build a High Ticket Coaching Funnel

How to Plan a Highly Effective Coaching Session

(Disclaimer: This article is not meant as legal advice. Consult a legal expert for tailored legal information that applies to your specific situation.)