Sleep Science Coach Certification
Help clients sleep better and feel better. Learn the science of sleep, sleep hygiene, circadian rhythms and recovery, hear from sleep, nutrition and meditation experts, and coach lasting change with the FLOW coaching model.
- 2-year certification
- 100% online and self-paced
- Open-book online exam
- AADP accredited
Or 6 monthly payments of $79 with our in-house plan, no credit check. Everything you need to study and certify.
Enroll now- Course manual, video training and Notes Pack
- Expert video interviews with transcripts
- Sleep questionnaire, sleepiness scale and case studies
- Digital and printed certificate
- Coaching Business Builder included free
Secure checkout through NESTA, the parent company of the Spencer Institute.
Better sleep changes everything
Sleep affects hormones, brain function, mood, hunger, weight and performance. People who get less sleep tend to eat more, weigh more and face a higher risk of diabetes, yet good sleep is one of the most overlooked pillars of health.
Of all coaching styles, sleep coaching has some of the widest reach, because almost everyone can sleep better. As a Certified Sleep Science Coach, you'll help clients understand their sleep, build healthy sleep habits and recover better, and you'll know when to refer them to a doctor.
Built for coaches and health professionals
Open to all levels, with no prerequisites. Sleep coaching fits alongside any coaching, fitness or health practice.
Personal trainers
Trainers who want to help clients recover, perform and manage weight through better sleep.
Health and wellness coaches
Coaches who want to add one of the most universally needed specialties.
Medical and allied health pros
Professionals who want practical coaching tools for patients' sleep habits.
New coaches
Career changers looking for a growing coaching niche.
What you'll learn
- What sleep is, the stages of sleep, sleep needs, sleep debt, and perceived vs actual alertness
- How sleep affects the brain, mental health, memory and dreaming
- Sleep hygiene, the sleep environment, mattresses and pre-sleep rituals
- How nutrition and sleep interact, including the hunger hormones ghrelin and leptin
- Common sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea, and when to refer clients
- How meditation and stress management improve sleep
- How to run an initial client interview with a sleep questionnaire and sleepiness scale
- Recovery coaching, practiced through client case studies with SMART goals, exploratory questions and action steps
- The FLOW coaching model, built on ICF coaching guidelines and applied to a client case study
- How to apply what you learn with real-world case studies: a busy executive with irregular sleep, a burned-out software engineer, an athlete with poor recovery, and night-shift workers managing diabetes and weight
- Circadian rhythms and the body clock (the SCN and clock genes), jet lag and social jet lag, light exposure, meal timing and coaching shift workers
- How to tailor sleep strategies for new parents, business travelers, older adults and athletes, and how melatonin works, with supplement questions referred to the client's healthcare provider
Inside the course: 16 lessons
- 1Sleep Science Foundations
The course manual and video training, plus your Notes Pack, sleep questionnaire and sleepiness scale.
- 2Sleep Hygiene
Interview with Pete Bills, "The Sleep Geek," on sleep hygiene, sleep tracking, caffeine and alcohol.
- 3Dreams
Interview with dream expert Justina Lasley on the meaning and value of dreams.
- 4Nutrition and Sleep
Interview with Dr. Chris Mohr on sleep, hunger hormones and weight management.
- 5Sleep and the Brain
Interview with neurobiologist Dr. Kristen Willeumier on brain health and sleep.
- 6Sleep Disorders
Interview with sleep medicine expert Dr. Robert Rosenberg on insomnia and other disorders.
- 7Meditation and Stress
Interviews with meditation experts Tom Cronin, Sarah McLean and Greg de Vries.
- 8Bonus Research Library
Infographics, sample presentations and research papers (not on the exam).
- 9Recovery Coaching
Three lessons on recovery, with case studies of a busy executive, a burned-out software engineer and a competitive athlete.
- 10The FLOW Coaching Model
Two lessons on the FLOW model and ICF guidelines, with a FLOW Coaching Method download and a night-shift worker case study.
- 11Circadian Rhythms and Shift Work
Three lessons on the body clock and countermeasures, with case studies of shift workers with diabetes and obesity and a Stanford study on light therapy for shift work.
Sleep habits you'll coach
Practical strategies clients can use tonight:
- Sleep hygiene
- Consistent sleep schedule
- Light exposure
- Digital curfew
- Meal timing
- Pre-sleep rituals
- Bedroom environment
- Caffeine and alcohol
- Meditation
Coach with confidence
Tools and frameworks for real client sessions:
- Sleep questionnaire
- Sleepiness scale
- Sleep diary
- FLOW coaching model
- ICF guidelines
- SMART goals
- Recovery plans
- Client case studies
- Strategies by client type
Coaches educate, teach, inform and refer. Unless you're a licensed medical professional, you don't diagnose, treat or prescribe, and you refer clients with possible sleep disorders to their doctor.
Build your coaching career
The Spencer Institute has introduced the Coaching Business Builder, included free with your certification to help you launch and grow your practice.
- 90-Day Career Starter Workbook
- Comprehensive Coach Pricing Guide
- Marketing strategies to attract clients
- Additional growth tools and ongoing updates
Everything you need to know
| Format | 100% online training and exam. Study on any device, at your own pace. |
|---|---|
| Study time | About 20–30 hours, self-paced. Most students finish in 3–4 weeks. |
| Prerequisites | None. No textbook needed. |
| Course materials | Course manual, Sleep Science video training, Notes Pack, expert video interviews with transcripts, presenter slides, sleep questionnaire and sleepiness scale. Sleep Diary (PDF and interactive), FLOW Coaching Method, Coaching Sleep Science and Applying the Science of Sleep Coaching Step-by-Step downloads, plus the "Coaching for Better Sleep Outcomes" video. Bonus infographics, sample presentations and research papers (not on the exam). |
| Exam | 60 multiple-choice questions, taken online and non-proctored. Open book: keep your digital manual handy to search during the exam. You need 70% or higher to pass. Three attempts included, with instant results. A $95 retest fee applies if all three attempts are used. |
| Certificate | Digital certificate as soon as you pass. A printed certificate with an official seal is mailed free within North America in 2–4 weeks. International students are welcome; additional shipping fees apply. |
| Certification term | 2 years. Renew by completing 2.0 CEUs (20 hours) of continuing education. |
| Course access | Lifetime access to your training materials. |
| Continuing education | Approved for Spencer Institute 2.0 CEUs, NESTA 2.0 CEUs, MMACA 2.0 CEUs and ITCA 2.0 CEUs. |
| Accreditation | Accredited by The Certification and Accreditation Board of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP). See our accreditations. |
Become a Certified Sleep Science Coach
Everything is included: online training, exam, digital certificate, printed certificate and the Coaching Business Builder.
- Pay once, start today
- 2-year certification
- Digital certificate as soon as you pass
- 6 payments of $79
- Payments are 30 days apart
- Includes a one-time $30 processing fee ($474 total)
- No credit check
Sleep Science + Stress Management Coach
Get both certifications for $522 instead of $744. Pay in full only; the bundle isn't eligible for discounts or payment plans.
3-day money-back guarantee. If the course isn't right for you, let us know within 3 days, subject to our policy guidelines.
Secure checkout through NESTA. NESTA is the parent company of the Spencer Institute, so your order is processed on NESTA's secure online store.
Results we've helped create
The best thing about this course was the variety of insights from experts backed by scientific research! It was cutting edge and up to date with research. The resources section was outstanding, and I especially appreciated an often overlooked aspect: business! I really feel confident about immediately implementing this into my work with clients.
The Sleep Science Coaching certification by Spencer Institute is comprehensive and does an excellent job of positioning you for either a stand-alone sleep-focused service or to enrich other services you provide.
This was much more than I expected. Beyond the good technical information in the manual, many of the videos offered a great perspective on dreams, sleep disorders, and more. I'm glad I did it.
Questions about the Sleep Science Coach Certification
Is this program accredited?
Yes. All Spencer Institute courses are accredited by The Certification and Accreditation Board of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP). The course is also approved for continuing education by NESTA, MMACA and ITCA. See our accreditations.
What does a sleep science coach do?
A sleep science coach helps clients understand their sleep and build habits that improve it, from sleep hygiene and routines to light, nutrition and stress. Unless you're a licensed medical professional, you educate, teach and refer; you don't diagnose or treat sleep disorders.
Do I need any experience or prerequisites?
No. The course is open to all levels, and no textbook is needed.
Can I start anytime?
Yes. The whole course is available as soon as you enroll, 24/7.
How long does it take?
About 20–30 hours of study, at your own pace. Most students finish in 3–4 weeks, and you keep lifetime access to your training materials.
How does the exam work?
The exam is 60 multiple-choice questions, taken online. It's open book, so keep your digital manual handy to search during the exam. You need 70% to pass, you get three attempts, and you see your results instantly. If all three attempts are used, a $95 retest fee applies.
Does the certification expire?
The Sleep Science Coach Certification is valid for 2 years. To renew, complete 2.0 CEUs (20 hours) of continuing education. You keep lifetime access to your training materials either way.
Can I pay monthly?
Yes. Choose our in-house 6-month payment plan at $79/mo (6 payments, including a one-time $30 processing fee, for $474 total) with no credit check, or pay over time with Affirm at checkout. All payments must be complete before you take the exam.
Is there a bundle with Stress Management?
Yes. Get the Sleep Science and Stress Management Coach certifications together for $522 instead of $744. The bundle is pay in full only and isn't eligible for discounts or payment plans.
Can international students enroll?
Yes. The course and exam are 100% online. Your digital certificate is issued as soon as you pass, and your printed certificate is mailed free within North America. International students are welcome; additional shipping fees apply.
Why does checkout say NESTA?
NESTA is the parent company of the Spencer Institute. All Spencer Institute courses are sold through NESTA's secure online store, so you'll see the NESTA name at checkout. Your training, exam and certification all come from the Spencer Institute.
What if the course isn't right for me?
Every course comes with a 3-day money-back guarantee, subject to our policy guidelines.
Ready to help clients sleep better?
Start today and study at your own pace, with lifetime access to your training materials.
Questions? Call 1-877-348-6692 or send us a message.