Board Certified Grief Coach (BCGC)
The independent board certification for grief coaches — not a course, not a certificate program. A credential that verifies your competency, upholds professional standards, and holds you accountable for the duration of your career.
What board certification means
Most grief coaches have completed a training program. Some have completed several. Training teaches skills — and quality training programs do that well.
Board certification is different. It is what happens after training. An independent board reviews your qualifications, tests your competency through a proctored exam, evaluates your supervised practice, and holds you to ongoing professional standards that must be maintained for your certification to stay active.
You do not earn board certification by completing a course. You earn it by demonstrating that you meet the standards the profession requires — and continuing to meet them every year.
INBGC is that board for grief coaching.
The credential: Board Certified Grief Coach (BCGC)
BCGC is the designation earned by coaches who pass the INBGC certification process. It indicates that a coach has:
- Met documented eligibility requirements for grief coaching training and practice
- Passed a proctored certification exam covering the core competency domains of grief coaching
- Completed and submitted a minimum of 25 supervised practice hours
- Agreed to and operates under the INBGC Code of Ethics
- Maintains active certification through annual renewal and continuing education
BCGC-certified coaches are listed in the INBGC public registry, which referral sources — hospice organizations, funeral homes, therapists, and healthcare providers — can use to verify credentials.
Two pathways. One credential.
Every BCGC candidate follows one of two eligibility pathways. Both lead to the same exam, the same supervised practice review, and the same credential. The pathway does not appear on the certification — only the credential does.
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INBGC Curriculum Path
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Equivalency Path
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|---|---|---|
| How it works | Complete the INBGC grief coaching curriculum, then sit the certification exam. | Arrive with grief coaching training from another program and sit the same certification exam. |
| Best for | Coaches who want structured, exam-aligned preparation before testing. | Coaches who have already trained elsewhere and are ready to test their competency. |
| Cost | Certification fee: $3,750 + Curriculum: $1,250 = $5,000 | Certification fee: $3,750 |
| Credential | Same exam. Same supervised practice review. Same credential. | Same exam. Same supervised practice review. Same credential. |
Training from any reputable grief coaching program may qualify for the equivalency path. Eligibility is reviewed during the application process.
What the certification process includes
Every candidate completes the same steps, regardless of pathway.
Application and eligibility review
Submit your application with documentation of your grief coaching training, practice hours, and professional background. Applications are reviewed before you advance to examination.
Practice exam
One practice exam attempt is included with your certification fee. It mirrors the live exam format and produces a topic-area results breakdown so you know exactly where you stand before sitting the proctored exam.
Proctored certification exam
The certification exam is administered remotely through a live proctoring platform. It covers the core topic areas of grief coaching established by the INBGC Advisory Board.
Supervised practice submission
Submit documentation of a minimum of 25 supervised practice hours — scheduling records or a signed professional attestation are both accepted. Client confidentiality is always protected.
Credential awarded
Candidates who meet all requirements are awarded the BCGC designation, listed in the INBGC public registry, and issued a digital credential.
Standards
The competency standards, exam topic areas, ethics code, and scope of practice guidelines for BCGC certification were developed by the INBGC Advisory Board — a group of licensed therapists, hospice professionals, and experienced grief coaches — and are independent of any training program.
INBGC maintains a training-testing firewall. The organization that administers your exam has no financial interest in selling you training. That independence is what makes the credential meaningful.
Certification fees
The certification fee is $3,750 for every candidate, regardless of pathway. This covers application review, the proctored exam, supervised practice review, one practice exam attempt, and your first year of credentialing.
The optional INBGC curriculum — structured preparation covering every exam topic area — is available as a separate add-on for $1,250. It is preparation, not a requirement.
| Certify with existing training | $3,750 |
| Train and certify with INBGC | $5,000 |
| Annual renewal | $495 / year |
Full pricing details, retake policy, and renewal requirements →
Who this is for
BCGC certification is designed for practicing coaches and helping professionals who are already working with — or planning to work with — people navigating grief and loss.
Common backgrounds of BCGC candidates include:
- Life coaches seeking a credentialed grief specialization
- Licensed therapists and counselors who want to offer grief coaching outside clinical scope
- Nurses, hospice workers, and healthcare professionals supporting grieving patients
- Clergy and pastoral counselors working with bereaved communities
- Funeral directors and death care professionals
- Career changers with lived grief experience and a calling to help others
Frequently asked questions
INBGC is an independent credentialing body. BCGC-certified coaches are listed in the public registry, which referral sources including hospice organizations, funeral homes, and therapists use to verify credentials. Recognition by other certifying bodies is not required for the credential to carry professional weight — what matters is whether your referral sources and clients trust the standard it represents.
Candidates who do not pass receive a topic-area score report so they know exactly where to focus. Retakes are available at $375 per attempt, with a minimum 30-day wait between attempts and a maximum of three attempts within a 12-month period.
Yes. The equivalency path is designed for coaches who have completed training elsewhere. Your prior training is reviewed during the application process to confirm it meets the eligibility threshold. If it does, you proceed directly to the certification exam.
Timeline varies depending on your pathway, how quickly you complete your supervised practice hours, and exam scheduling. Most candidates complete the process within three to six months of application approval.
A certificate is issued by a training program when you complete a course. Board certification is issued by an independent body after you demonstrate competency through examination and supervised practice — and it requires ongoing renewal to stay active. One is proof you attended a program. The other is proof you meet a professional standard.
Annual renewal is $495 and includes an ethics attestation and confirmation of good standing. Continuing education is completed on a three-year cycle, with a required portion in ethics, scope of practice, risk and referral, and working with diverse and disenfranchised grief populations.
Become board certified.
Applications are open and reviewed on a rolling basis — apply when you're ready.