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How to Become a Certified Life Coach in Texas

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Want to become a profitable life coach in Texas? 

Today, you’ll learn how. 

Becoming a life coach offers the flexibility and freedom to live life on your own terms, do something you love every day, and help others. 

I’ve helped over 3,500 new coaches start their businesses. Along the way, I’ve grown my own coaching practice into an eight-figure business. The questions I hear most often?

“How do I stand out in a crowded market?”

“What legal steps do I need to take?”

“Where do I find my first clients?”

In this guide, I’ll share the exact strategies that worked for me and my clients – and how you can use them to launch your coaching business in Texas.

Jump to: 

Key takeaways: 

  • No licensing requirements in Texas: There are no requirements for licensing or certification, so you can start coaching immediately. (I’ll show you how!)
  • Specializing in a niche sets you apart: Choosing a specific niche, such as career coaching, health coaching, or executive coaching, helps you stand out. Learn how to choose your niche below. 
  • Plenty of possibilities for life coaches: Texas is one of the top states for life coaching businesses. Coaches earn on average between $56,000 and $70,000 annually, but you can earn significantly more as a self-employed coach, if you position yourself right.

First…

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What is a life coach?

Life coaches guide clients in areas such as personal development, career goals, relationships, and overall wellbeing. Unlike therapists, they focus on the present and future rather than past trauma.

To become a coach, you’ll master skills like: 

  • Active listening
  • Problem solving
  • Leading 
  • Empathy 
  • Communication

I’ll show you how you can learn these skills (or improve them) in a bit. But first, let’s find out if becoming a life coach is really worth it–and if Texas is the right place to do so. 

Why should you become a life coach in Texas?

Starting your own coaching business can transform your life faster than almost anything else with more: 

  • Freedom
  • Flexibility
  • And fulfillment

How do I know? Over the past decade, I’ve built an eight-figure coaching business and helped thousands of coaches across 50+ industries do the same. 

And Texas is a great state to get started in (as a born Texan, I might be a little bit biased 🙂). Not only does Texas have an entrepreneurial spirit and a growing economy, but…

The coaching market is growing 

You can get started right away

  • There are no licensing requirements in Texas – start coaching immediately
  • Major cities like Houston and Dallas offer rich networking opportunities
  • You can reach your clients online starting right now

You get to build a life your love 

You can design your business around your ideal lifestyle, whether that means:

  • Run your business entirely online from anywhere 
  • Decide what your schedule looks like, while you help others achieve their life goals
  • Scale your income through courses and group programs

And with the right strategy, you can begin helping clients and generating income faster than you might think.

But can YOU become a coach? That’s what we’ll look at next. 

What qualifications do you need to be a life coach in Texas?

The short answer? You can start coaching in Texas without formal credentials because Texas doesn’t require a license or certification.

You see, a license is a state-regulated requirement for professionals like therapists and counselors (not coaches). Certification, on the other hand, is optional training from coaching programs.

However, you must stay within coaching. Your role is to guide clients toward their goals, not diagnose or treat mental health issues (like a therapist or counselor would). 

Also, certain niches, especially in health coaching, do have stricter regulations and some corporate clients might prefer certified coaches. So, make sure you’re aware of what’s required for your niche. 

With all that said, the question is: Should you get a certification? 

In most cases, you don’t need one. You can begin coaching right away while developing your skills through hands-on experience. Your success will ultimately depend on your ability to help clients achieve results, not the credentials on your wall.

And with that, we’ve come to the exciting part–how YOU can start your own life coaching business in Texas.

How do you become a life coach in Texas?

Now that you understand the opportunity and requirements, let’s break down the practical steps to launch your coaching business. Because starting your coaching career is closer than you might think–and here below, you’ll learn exactly how to find a niche, stand out from other coaches, and get clients fast.  

Visual with steps to become a life coach in Texas

1. Get certified (if you want to)

By now, you know a certification isn’t required. But you might decide to pursue one for other reasons, either because you’re in a health coaching niche that requires one or you want to build your confidence. 

In that case, here’s how to get certified in Texas:

  1. Find accredited programs: Find a certification program that’s approved by a well-established accreditation body like the International Coaching Federation (ICF) or the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). ICF offers three certification levels: ACC (Associate), PCC (Professional), and MCC (Master), so take a look at what certification level you want to pursue. 
  2. Choose a program that fits your needs: Consider the price, duration, curriculum, and whether it’s online or in-person.
  3. Finish the program: Complete the required training hours and assessments while practicing tools you’ll use with your clients.

Three great life coaching certifications worth considering are: 

  • Texas State University: A self-paced, online training program that incorporates ICF’s Core Competencies, making it a flexible option for aspiring coaches balancing other responsibilities. The program focuses on building foundational skills while offering practical tools to kickstart a coaching career. Price: $2,095.
  • iPEC Coaching: An online, ICF-accredited training program with an in-depth curriculum designed to equip coaches with advanced skills in energy leadership and transformational coaching. This program includes extensive live training, mentorship, and resources to help students master the art of coaching. Price: $13,395.
  • University of Texas at Dallas: An ICF-accredited life coaching certification in Texas, this program blends academic rigor with practical coaching techniques. The program is ideal for professionals looking to enhance their coaching credentials with evidence-based methodologies and hands-on experience. Price: $12,000.

Next up: Find your niche. 

woman working on a laptop in a home office

2. Find a coaching niche 

Want to set up your coaching business for long-lasting success? Then you need to find a niche.

Because guess what happens when you specialize…

You:

  • Become the go-to expert for your target audience
  • Deliver bigger results for your clients, faster
  • Can charge premium rates because your expertise is in demand

👋 High-five to that, right? 👋

A few in-demand life coaching niches include:

However, there are far more niches out there (think: creativity coaching, transformational coaching, and purpose coaching), so don’t limit yourself to these niches. 

To find your own niche, start with your existing skills. Ask yourself: 

What sellable skills do you already have? 

For instance, my journey began by coaching entrepreneurs on digital advertising—a skill I’d mastered in my corporate career. 

Not sure where to start? Check out this video for more tips on picking the right niche:

Next, what skills do you need as a coach? 

3. Develop coaching skills 

As a coach, the core skills you need to develop are: 

  • Listening: Listen to your clients without projecting yourself on them. 
  • Motivating: Help clients build confidence and maintain momentum, even when they can’t hold that space for themselves.  
  • Communicating: Hold your clients accountable, communicate clearly, and you’re able to empathize with them. 
  • Leading: Lead your clients to lead themselves. 
  • Being candid: Be honest with your clients, even when it’s tough to hear (and say). 

Don’t worry if you still need to develop any of these skills. As you’ll see below, a good place to start is to offer introductory rates while you build your coaching expertise – this creates a win-win situation where clients get affordable coaching and you gain valuable practice.

But how do you get clients to notice YOU? That’s what we’ll look at next. 

4. Build your brand

Your brand is what makes potential clients think, “This is the coach for me!”

A strong brand identity can boost your revenue by up to 23%. Plus, it builds trust with your clients.

So, how do you create a brand that resonates? Start with these questions:

  • What’s your story?
  • What’s your mission? 
  • What are your top three values? 
  • Who do you help, and how? 

Then, summarize your brand with one clear sentence:

I help ____[who] do ____[what] by ____[how].

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5. Set your pricing 

Now that you’ve defined your niche and brand, it’s time to price and package your offer. 

While one-off coaching sessions might seem straightforward, they’re less effective and harder to sell.

Instead, create a structured program that delivers a specific transformation over time.

This approach makes it clear what results clients can expect. (And remember, it’s those results they’re willing to pay for.)

So, how much should your coaching package cost?

A great starting point is a three-month package priced at $1,500.

This price point lets you build a sustainable business from day one. But it’s low enough to be an easy “yes” for your clients. 

Once you’ve gathered more experience and testimonials, you can then confidently raise your prices. For instance, many of my experienced clients offer $5,000-$10,000+ coaching packages.

Now, before you can get there, you need to build a steady client base. Let’s explore how to do that next.

6. Market your life coaching business

Marketing your coaching business can seem overwhelming at first, but it really doesn’t have to be.

The trick is to focus your efforts where your ideal clients already are.

Here are four beginner-friendly strategies to get started:

  • Leverage your network: Reach out to friends, family, and colleagues to let them know about your services. They could become your first clients or refer you to someone they know.
  • Attend local events: Use platforms like Meetup and Eventbrite to connect with potential clients face-to-face.
  • Join relevant podcasts: Being a guest on niche-specific podcasts is a great way to build trust with an already-engaged audience.
  • Post on social media: Figure out where your audience is most active and build connections by answering questions and offering advice.

For more advice on finding your first paying clients, check out this video:

But should you limit yourself to working with clients in Texas or can you offer your services online? 

Let’s find out!

Should you coach online or offline?

You can work with clients virtually or in-person. Personally, I run my coaching business entirely online.

Here’s why:

  • Lower costs: You don’t need to commute or pay for office space
  • Location independence: You’re free to work from wherever you want
  • Wider client base: You’re not limited to your local area and can coach clients from all over the world
  • Flexible scheduling: Without commuting, you can offer more time slots while still creating a schedule that fits your lifestyle
  • Scalability: It’s much easier to grow your business with group programs and digital courses when you don’t have to juggle logistics

Once you’ve decided how you’ll offer your services, it’s time to set up your business!

woman using laptop in office

How do you set up your life coaching business in Texas?

One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is selecting the structure for your business. The two most popular options are sole proprietorships and LLCs.

Important: This overview provides general guidance. For tailored legal advice that fits your specific needs, consider consulting a lawyer.

Sole proprietorship 

A sole proprietorship is the simplest way to get your coaching business up and running. You can start operating immediately under your own name.

That said, simplicity comes with trade-offs—you’ll be personally liable for all business debts and legal responsibilities.

Here’s what you’ll need to address when setting up a sole proprietorship:

  • Choose a coaching business name: You can either use your legal name or opt for a unique coaching business name, such as a “fictitious business name” (FBN) or “doing business as” (DBA). Read more about choosing a coaching business name here.
  • Understand your tax obligations: As a sole proprietor, you report your business income and expenses on your personal tax return using IRS Schedule C. While Texas doesn’t have a state income tax, your services may be subject to sales tax. 
  • Acquire an employer identification number (EIN): An EIN isn’t mandatory unless you have employees, but it can simplify opening a business bank account and help separate personal and business finances.

LLC

If you prefer additional protection against business debts and legal risks, forming an LLC might be a better choice. However, the process involves more steps and higher costs.

Here’s how to establish an LLC:

  • Choose a business name: Ensure your desired name is unique and meets Texas naming requirements. Check its availability on the Texas Secretary of State’s website.
  • File a certificate of formation: Submit Form 205 to the Texas Secretary of State. The filing fee is $300.
  • Designate a registered agent: This individual or service will receive legal documents on your behalf. In Texas, the agent must have a physical address within the state.
  • Meet annual filing requirements: Texas LLCs must file a Public Information Report annually.
  • Obtain an EIN and set up a business bank account: Apply for an EIN through the IRS to open a dedicated business bank account and maintain clear financial separation between your business and personal life. 

Life coaching insurance 

Another question you’ll need to answer is whether you want life coaching insurance. 

Because coaching is generally not regulated, this isn’t mandatory for most coaches. So while licensed professionals like therapists and doctors need insurance, coaches don’t. (Note that there can be exceptions, especially if you are in health coaching niches.)

However, you might want to get insurance to get peace of mind to be protected from potential risks and liabilities. 

A few insurances you might consider are: 

  • Professional liability insurance 
  • General liability insurance
  • Cyber liability insurance 
  • Business owner’s policy 
  • Health insurance 

I talk more about coaching insurance here.

Coaching contract

You’ll also need a valid coaching client contract. Your coaching agreement helps you set boundaries and clarify your and your clients’ obligations. I talk more about coaching contracts here (and I’ll show you how to create yours). 

Other resources: 

To learn more about starting a coaching business in Texas, take a look at these resources: 

FAQ: Become a life coach in Texas

Can you make a career out of life coaching?

Yes, you can make a career out of life coaching by building a strong client base and offering valuable services. Many life coaches earn a full-time income by providing one-on-one sessions, group coaching, and online courses. Success depends on your niche, marketing efforts, and ability to deliver results for clients.

How quickly can you become a life coach?

You can become a life coach right away. All you need is a niche and a laptop. However, if you decide to get certified, you can become a certified life coach in 3-12 months. 

How much does it cost to start a life coaching business?

Starting a life coaching business can cost $2,000 to $10,000, depending on expenses like certification, marketing, and tools like scheduling software. You can reduce costs by starting small and scaling as you gain clients.

How much can you earn as a life coach in Texas?

Life coaches in Texas typically earn $40,000 to $80,000 per year, with the average life coach salary being $63,065. Income varies based on factors like niche and experience. Coaches with high-ticket services or group programs can earn six figures or more.

Get the Ultimate Guide

for building a
6-Figure Coaching Business so you can achieve more freedom!

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Want to start your own profitable business today? 

Congratulations! Now you know what it takes to become a certified life coach in Texas.

This career offers both the opportunity to create meaningful impact and build your dream lifestyle – but navigating the coaching industry can feel very overwhelming. 

While I’ve packaged a lot of information into this guide, there are still so many more things that need to fall into place for you to build a successful business.

Maybe you wish you had a clear roadmap instead of having to figure it all out on your own… 

I used to feel the same way. 

I started my coaching journey while working a corporate job. And the advice I found out there didn’t work for me – building an audience first for years or quitting my job weren’t options for me.

After all, I wanted to transition out of my job fast–but at the same time, I didn’t want to risk everything I had built by burning bridges or taking on massive financial risk. 

Instead, I had to learn the hard way by spending tens of thousands of dollars and countless hours testing different strategies. 

After a few years, things finally clicked and I grew my first coaching business to $106,000 in just four months–and that same week, I handed in my resignation letter. Since then, I’ve helped thousands of people just like you start their own businesses. 

To help you avoid all that trial and error I had to go through, I packaged everything I’d learned into my coaching training program, Employee to Entrepreneur (ETE). It’s designed to give you the structure and support you need to build your coaching business from scratch. 

Want to take the first step toward a wildly profitable coaching business and learn more about ETE? 

Get my FREE PDF on how to grow a six-figure coaching business. It’ll show you how it’s possible to replace your salary (and more) by strategically starting and growing your own coaching business.

Read more: 

The Truth About Life Coaching

How to Become a Life Coach in California

How to Become a Life Coach in New York

(This article and its advice have been crafted through my own research. It doesn’t constitute legal advice – for that, you should always seek help from a legal professional.)

About Luisa Zhou

Luisa Zhou has helped thousands of students build and scale their own profitable online coaching business. Fun Fact: She used to work as an engineer for the Space Station and holds a B.S.E. from Princeton. Click here to learn more about Luisa.

Hope you enjoy this blog post.

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