Introducing the new IAPLC membership framework
Over the past several years in the IAPLC membership, I’ve had thousands of conversations with certified life coaches at very different stages of their journey.
- Some are newly certified and asking, “Where do I even start?”
- Some have been trying for years and are quietly wondering why nothing seems to click.
- And some are experienced, successful coaches who feel oddly isolated at the level they’ve reached.
For a long time, the coaching industry has treated all of these coaches as if they need the same thing.
They don’t.
That recent insight is what led me to redesign the International Association of Professional Life Coaches membership into a clear, three-tier framework—based on stage and need, not upsells or pressure.
Here’s how the new structure works.
Tier 1: Gold Professional Membership
This tier is for coaches who need legitimacy, structure, and a professional place to belong.
It’s ideal for newly certified coaches, coaches without consistent income yet, or anyone rebuilding confidence. Members receive association endorsement, a directory listing, access to the full training library, and a monthly community meeting—along with ethics, standards, and professional identity support.
This tier answers questions like:
“Am I legitimate?”
“Where do I start?”
“Do I really belong in this profession?”
Tier 2: Premium Training & Coaching Membership
This tier is for coaches who don’t need more motivation—they need direction, accountability, and feedback.
In addition to everything in Tier 1, Tier 2 includes onboarding guidance, two monthly implementation-focused group calls, advanced business trainings, and live workshops on collaboration and content marketing.
The value here isn’t more content—it’s interpretation, prioritization, and clarity.
This tier answers questions like:
“What should I focus on right now?”
“Why am I doing things but not seeing results?”
“Can someone help me sanity-check my decisions?”
Tier 3: Mastermind Membership
This tier is for experienced, often six-figure coaches who don’t need teaching—but do need peers.
It’s a curated, confidential mastermind environment designed for high-level conversation, perspective, and professional maturity. My role here is not as a coach or advisor, but as a convener and steward of the space.
This tier answers questions like:
“Who understands the challenges at this level?”
“Where can I think out loud with professionals I respect?”
“How do I avoid plateau thinking?”
What’s important to understand is this:
This is not an ascension model.
You don’t move up because you’re sold.
You move when your needs change.
You simply choose the room that matches where you are right now.
The goal of this framework is to give certified life coaches what the industry has long been missing: a professional home that provides legitimacy, clarity, and support—at every stage.
If you’ve ever felt unsupported, unsure, or like you were trying to figure this profession out on your own, I invite you to explore the new IAPLC membership structure.
You can see all three tiers here:
https://iaplifecoaches.org/membership
PS: If you’re not sure which tier fits you, that’s okay. Read through them slowly. The right one usually feels obvious.
