Terms + Conditions

Last Updated: June 1, 2026

These Terms and Conditions govern your use of the INBGC website and your participation in INBGC's certification services. By accessing the site or submitting an application, you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, do not use our services.

Questions? Contact us at [email protected].

1. About INBGC

The Independent National Board for Grief Coaching ("INBGC," "we," "us," or "our") is an independent credentialing body for grief coaches located at 670 Meridian Way, Suite 284, Westerville, OH 43082. INBGC issues the Board Certified Grief Coach (BCGC) designation to candidates who meet its published eligibility, examination, and ethics requirements.

2. Acceptance of Terms

By visiting inbgc.org, creating an account, submitting an application, or purchasing any INBGC service, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Policy. These terms apply to all visitors, applicants, certified coaches, and others who access or use our services.

3. Eligibility

INBGC services are intended for adults (18 years or older) pursuing professional certification in grief coaching. Eligibility requirements are published at inbgc.org/eligibility. You represent that the information you provide in your application and throughout the certification process is accurate, complete, and current.

4. Certification Services

4.1 Application and review

INBGC reviews all applications to determine eligibility. Submission of an application and payment of the certification fee does not guarantee that certification will be awarded.

Where documentation does not meet the published eligibility requirements, INBGC identifies what is outstanding. Candidacy remains open, and the candidate may complete the outstanding requirement through any qualified provider, including the optional INBGC curriculum. Fees paid are retained and applied to the candidate's continuing candidacy.

INBGC reserves the right to decline or terminate an application where information provided is false, misleading, or incomplete, or where the applicant is otherwise ineligible under these terms. Fees are not refunded in such cases.

4.2 Examination

The Board Examination is administered by a third-party proctoring platform. Candidates must comply with all examination rules and proctoring requirements. Any attempt to cheat, misrepresent identity, share exam content, or otherwise compromise examination integrity will result in disqualification and may result in a permanent bar from certification.

4.3 Exam attempts

Candidates who do not pass the Board Examination may retake it subject to the following rules: a minimum 30-day waiting period between attempts, a maximum of three attempts within any 12-month period, and payment of the retake fee for each additional attempt. Candidates who do not pass within three attempts must reapply.

4.4 Practice exam

One practice exam attempt is included in the certification fee. The practice exam draws from a separate question bank than the live exam and is provided as a readiness assessment tool only. It does not preview actual exam content.

4.5 Optional curriculum

The INBGC curriculum is an optional exam preparation course. It is not required on either pathway. Purchasing and completing the curriculum confers no advantage on the Board Examination and does not guarantee a passing score or the award of the BCGC designation.

4.6 Verified practice hours

Candidates are responsible for accurately documenting and submitting their verified practice hours. Submission of false or misleading practice hour records is grounds for application denial, certification revocation, and potential referral to applicable professional licensing authorities.

4.7 Accommodations

INBGC provides reasonable accommodations for candidates with documented disabilities. Requests must be submitted in writing to [email protected], with supporting documentation, before an examination appointment is scheduled. INBGC will confirm approved accommodations with the candidate and with the proctoring platform in advance of the examination. Accommodations cannot be applied to an examination that is already in progress or completed.

5. Fees and Payment

5.1 Fees

All applicable fees are published on the INBGC Fees and Policies page. Fees are subject to change with reasonable notice. The fees in effect at the time of your payment govern your candidacy.

5.2 Payment

Payments are processed by Stripe. By submitting payment, you authorize INBGC to charge the applicable fee to your payment method. INBGC does not store full credit card information.

5.3 All fees are non-refundable

All fees paid to INBGC are non-refundable. This includes the certification fee on both pathways, the INBGC curriculum, additional practice exam attempts, Board Examination retakes, and annual renewal fees.

By submitting payment, you acknowledge and agree to this policy.

The certification fee pays for a process, not an outcome. Eligibility review, examination administration, and credentialing are carried out when a candidate engages them, and that work is complete whether or not the credential is awarded.

An unsuccessful Board Examination attempt is a completed examination and is not a refund event. Retakes are available under the rules in Section 4.3.

Where documentation does not meet the published eligibility requirements, candidacy remains open under Section 4.1 and fees paid are retained and applied to that candidacy.

Every eligibility requirement and every fee is published in advance. Program Administration will answer any question regarding eligibility or fees at no cost before payment is submitted.

5.4 Payment plans

Candidates enrolling under an INBGC payment plan authorize INBGC to charge the scheduled payments to the payment method on file. The certification fee must be paid in full before the credential is awarded. If a scheduled payment is missed, candidacy is suspended until the balance is brought current. Suspension pauses progress through the certification steps and does not cancel the application. Amounts already paid are non-refundable.

5.5 Third-party and employer payment

Where an employer or other third party pays a fee on a candidate's behalf, the fee remains non-refundable and no refund is owed to the paying organization. Candidacy belongs to the individual candidate. If a scheduled third-party payment is not completed, the candidate is responsible for the outstanding balance.

5.6 Renewal fees

Annual renewal fees are due by the renewal deadline. Failure to pay the renewal fee by the deadline will result in inactive certification status.

6. The BCGC Credential: Use and Restrictions

6.1 Award of credential

The BCGC designation is awarded upon successful completion of all certification requirements. It is personal to the individual certified and is non-transferable.

6.2 Permitted use

A coach holding an Active BCGC credential may use the designation "Board Certified Grief Coach" and the abbreviation "BCGC" after their name in professional communications, marketing materials, profiles, and correspondence.

6.3 Prohibited use

You may not:

  • Use the BCGC designation before it has been formally awarded by INBGC
  • Continue to use the BCGC designation after your certification has lapsed, been suspended, or been revoked
  • Use the BCGC designation in a way that suggests clinical, therapeutic, or medical services
  • Misrepresent the scope, nature, or status of your BCGC credential to clients, referral partners, or the public
  • Authorize any other person to use your BCGC credential

Unauthorized use of the BCGC designation may result in certification revocation and legal action.

6.4 Registry listing

Active BCGC coaches are listed in the INBGC registry. Your name, certification number, and status will be visible for verification purposes. You may request directory privacy modifications by contacting [email protected], subject to INBGC's public accountability obligations.

7. Renewal and Continuing Education

Certified coaches must renew annually by paying the renewal fee and submitting the annual ethics attestation. Continuing education must be completed on the published three-year cycle and may be completed through any qualified provider. INBGC does not require continuing education to be purchased from INBGC. Failure to meet renewal requirements will result in inactive certification status. INBGC reserves the right to audit continuing education records.

8. Code of Ethics

All BCGC candidates and certified coaches are bound by the INBGC Code of Ethics and Scope of Practice. Agreement to this code is a condition of certification and renewal. A copy of the Code of Ethics and Scope of Practice is available at inbgc.org/ethics.

9. Suspension and Revocation

INBGC may suspend or revoke the BCGC designation for:

  • Violation of the INBGC Code of Ethics
  • Misrepresentation of credentials or practice records
  • Non-payment of fees
  • Conduct that harms clients or the public
  • Any material breach of these Terms and Conditions

Suspension and revocation follow the process described in the Code of Ethics and Scope of Practice. A coach whose certification is revoked is listed as Revoked in the INBGC registry and may not use the BCGC designation. Fees paid are not refunded in the event of suspension or revocation.

10. Intellectual Property

The INBGC name, logo, BCGC seal, certification marks, website content, curriculum materials, and exam content are the intellectual property of the Independent National Board for Grief Coaching. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or use INBGC's intellectual property without written permission, except as permitted by these terms.

Certified coaches are permitted to display the BCGC credential mark in accordance with INBGC's published usage guidelines while their certification is active.

11. Website Use

You agree not to:

  • Use the site for any unlawful purpose
  • Attempt to access systems, data, or accounts that are not yours
  • Scrape, copy, or reproduce site content without permission
  • Submit false, misleading, or fraudulent information
  • Interfere with the operation or security of the site
  • Use automated tools to access or interact with the site

12. Disclaimers

INBGC provides its services "as is." We make no warranties, express or implied, regarding:

  • Fitness of the services for any particular purpose
  • Career outcomes, income results, client volume, or referral opportunities resulting from certification
  • Third-party recognition of the BCGC credential by any employer, insurer, or institution
  • The uninterrupted availability of the website or services

Certification does not constitute a guarantee of competence, and INBGC is not liable for the professional conduct of individual certified coaches.

13. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, INBGC's total liability for any claim arising from these terms or your use of our services shall not exceed the amount you paid to INBGC in the twelve months preceding the claim.

INBGC is not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages, including lost income or business opportunity, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless INBGC, its officers, directors, advisory board members, employees, and contractors from any claims, damages, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your use of our services, your breach of these terms, or your professional conduct as a grief coach.

15. Governing Law and Disputes

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any dispute arising from these terms or your use of INBGC services shall be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Franklin County, Ohio, and you consent to the jurisdiction of those courts.

16. Changes to These Terms

INBGC may update these Terms and Conditions as our services, legal requirements, or policies change. We will post the updated version with a new "Last Updated" date. For material changes, we will notify active applicants and certified coaches by email. Continued use of our services after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

17. Contact

Questions about these terms?

Independent National Board for Grief Coaching
670 Meridian Way, Suite 284
Westerville, OH 43082
[email protected]