NBHWC Practice Questions (2026) — Free Sample Questions with Answers

Answer: B

Explain the health risks of excess weight so he sees why weight loss should be his primary goal: Leading with risk information steers the client toward the coach's agenda and may strengthen his "should" mindset instead of his own motivation.

Invite him to describe his life at his best and what matters most in that picture: Correct. Exploring a wellness vision and the values behind it helps the client find meaningful, self-chosen goals, which gives the "how" of change more motivation.

Ask him to commit to a specific weekly weight-loss target before the next session to build momentum: Setting a numeric target before his values and vision are clear is premature and may not reflect what he actually wants.

Suggest he return to coaching once he is sure what he wants, since coaching requires a clear goal: Helping clients clarify what they want is a core coaching task. A client does not need a clear goal to begin.

Work on the "why" (values, vision, purpose) before the "what" and "how". Self-chosen goals tied to values last longer.

Answer: C

"That's disappointing. Let's make sure next week goes differently.": This voices the coach's own disappointment, which signals judgment, and moves to fixing things before understanding the client's experience.

"Takeout isn't so bad. Most of it is fine if you order smart.": This minimizes the client's feelings and slips into giving advice. Reassurance is not the same as accepting the client where they are.

"It sounds like a hard week, and you're being tough on yourself.": Correct. Reflecting the difficulty and the client's self-criticism, without evaluating her choices, conveys acceptance and makes it safe to explore what happened.

"Why do you think you keep sabotaging the plan we made together?": A "why" question and the word "sabotaging" are both judgmental. They are likely to make the client defensive.

Unconditional positive regard means accepting the client as a person no matter what they did. Reflect feelings first and stay curious instead of evaluating.

Answer: D

Engaging: Engaging builds the working relationship and rapport. The pair has already moved past this to an agreed focus.

Focusing: Focusing is finding and agreeing on a direction. That has already happened, since sleep is the agreed target.

Planning: Planning builds commitment and a specific action plan. These questions draw out reasons, not concrete steps.

Evoking: Correct. Evoking draws out the client's own motivations and reasons for change (change talk), for example by exploring importance and benefits.

MI processes: engaging (relationship) → focusing (direction) → evoking (client's own motivation) → planning (commitment and steps).

Answer: C

Explain caffeine's half-life in detail and tell her to stop all coffee after noon starting today: This gives detailed information and a directive without first finding out what the client already knows, and it ignores her autonomy.

Avoid answering because providing any health information is outside a coach's scope: Sharing general, evidence-based information when the client asks for it is within scope for health and wellness coaches.

Ask what she knows, offer brief information with permission, then ask her view: Correct. Ask-offer-ask: explore what she knows, offer information with permission, and then ask how it applies to her.

Give her a printed handout on sleep hygiene and move on to the next item on the session agenda: Handing over material without exploring her understanding or reaction is not ask-offer-ask and misses the chance to evoke her own thinking.

Ask-offer-ask (elicit-provide-elicit): find out what the client knows → share information briefly, with permission → ask for her interpretation and next steps.

Answer: B

Use positive psychology exercises in each session to treat her depressive symptoms over the next few months: Treating possible depression is mental health treatment and outside the coach's scope, even when positive psychology tools are used.

Express concern and support a referral to her healthcare provider or a mental health professional: Correct. Persistent symptoms suggesting a mental health condition call for referral. The coach can keep coaching on wellness goals as appropriate while the client gets professional care.

Call emergency services immediately, because any mention of hopelessness requires an emergency response: Emergency activation is for imminent danger. She denies thoughts of self-harm, so a timely referral is appropriate rather than an emergency call.

Avoid mentioning the symptoms so as not to damage rapport, and keep the focus on her physical activity goals: Ignoring signs that call for referral fails the coach's ethical duty to the client's wellbeing.

Coaches don't diagnose or treat. Persistent mental health symptoms → refer. Imminent danger → emergency response. Coaching can continue alongside appropriate care.

Answer: D

Normal glucose regulation: An A1c below 5.7% is considered normal. 6.0% is above that cut-off.

Type 2 diabetes: Diabetes is diagnosed at an A1c of 6.5% or higher, confirmed by repeat testing. 6.0% is below that threshold.

Hypoglycemia: Hypoglycemia is a low blood-glucose level at a point in time. A1c reflects average glucose over about 2–3 months.

Prediabetes: Correct. An A1c of 5.7–6.4% is classified as prediabetes, a strong signal for lifestyle change to lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

A1c: below 5.7% = normal; 5.7–6.4% = prediabetes; 6.5% or higher = diabetes. Coaches support lifestyle change; clinicians diagnose.