Let’s say you’re faced with a cold, disengaged client. Now, you’re down to the last ten minutes of your session, but they’re not really sharing anything.
As a life coach, you need to get to know your clients so you can help them. But how do you do that if they don’t open up?
Good news: There are research-backed tools out there that you can use to connect with your clients. One of the most famous ones is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test.
With just four letters, you get a preview of who your clients are and how they see the world.
That’s where an MBTI certification can come in handy for coaches. You can use this to master a personality assessment for engaging with clients.
In this guide, I’ll take you through what MBTI is, how you can get certified, and if it’s worth adding to your programs.
What Is MBTI Certification?
MBTI certification is the official training you go through so you can conduct an MBTI test. When certified, you can administer tests to your clients, groups, and even organizations.
As a coach, use MBTI to really get to know your clients. How they interact with others. How they make sense of the world.
Getting that deep can inspire you for ideas to make lasting and positive changes that are already aligned with who your clients are.
What MBTI Means
MBTI stands for the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. It’s been around since the 1920s, developed by Isabel Myers and Katherine Briggs, but has soared in popularity again in recent years.
- Viral content: MBTI became a topic for memes and trends to show how different personality types would act (e.g., how MBTI types dress, MBTI types as romantic partners).
- Identity and community: People use MBTI to quickly introduce themselves and find people with similar traits.
- Accessible: There are versions of MBTI testing that are free and available online. So, it’s easy to share with friends as a common topic to talk about.
How MBTI works
What makes MBTI so interesting is how it classifies personalities based on four pairs of preferences: Introvert vs. Extrovert, Intuitive vs. Sensing, Thinking vs. Feeling and Perceiving vs. Judging.
Your personality type can be a combination of the four, resulting in 16 personality types (e.g., INFJ, ESFP). Participants of the test get results like:
- Overview of your personality type
- Insight on your strengths and weaknesses
- How you approach different areas of your life (e.g., career, leadership, and relationships)
What is the MBTI Test used for?
The MBTI assessment helps individuals understand themselves and others. As a coach, use this to gain a new perspective about your clients.
- Introvert vs. Extrovert: Know the effect of social interactions on your client’s energy.
- Intuitive vs. Sensing: Understand how your clients process experiences. Do they think in terms of concepts and theories or do they cling to solid facts and data?
- Thinking vs. Feeling: Learn what guides your clients when making decisions and if emotion plays a big role.
- Judging vs. Perceiving: How do your clients make sense of the world? Discover if they prefer more structure or like to keep things more spontaneous.
10 Common misconceptions about the MBTI assessment
While popular, there are still people who find this a little too convenient (understandable). They believe that MBTI “boxes” you in a category or oversimplifies people.
Other misconceptions include:
- There are right and wrong answers with MBTI. You’re not being scored. MBTI will only reflect your personal preferences.
- MBTI is all hocus pocus. No scientific background. It’s been acknowledged by psychometric research for its good test-retest reliability.
- The test tells you who you are. No test, not even MBTI can capture the full complexity of being human. It just shows you how you perceive and interact with things.
- There’s one best MBTI personality. Whichever of the 16 types you get won’t guarantee success or that you’re a good person. People may like others with a certain personality type, but that’s just for them.
- MBTI predicts success. This test doesn’t measure aptitude or any real-world outcomes.
- People are strictly one type of MBTI personality. MBTI types are based on preferences and not absolute traits.
- MBTI can be used to diagnose mental disorders. The test isn’t meant for any clinical interpretation.
- Once you have a type, it never changes. Your MBTI type isn’t meant to change quickly or in the short term, but changes in environment or major life situations can cause shifts.
- Thinkers are cold and feelers are emotional. Don’t fall for these stereotypes. MBTI measures decision-making preferences, not emotional intelligence.
- Extroverts are outgoing and introverts are shy. Introversion and extroversion refer to how people use their energy, not their social skills.
Still, if the use of MBTI assessments is for better self-awareness, growth, and better communication, there’s no harm in giving it a try.
MBTI Certification Training Process
Becoming an MBTI-certified coach is more than taking a test. You’ll undergo interactive training that involves both theories and practical application.
A typical certification process includes:
- Self-study of learning materials
- Virtual or in-person workshops or multi-day intensives
- Practical assessments or case studies
- Written exams and quizzes
Aside from coaches, consultants who want to start a business can also benefit from MBTI training. You can use your knowledge of the MBTI assessment to complement existing consultant certifications.
MBTI certification requirements
If you choose to be certified by The Myers-Briggs company, you have three learning pathways. Here’s an overview of each and the requirements needed to complete them.
- Public certification: Attend a four-day live session, either virtually or in-person, and pass a multiple-choice test.
- Self-guided certification: Complete 12 learning modules for up to 90 days and attend three online instructor-led sessions. To pass the course, submit all offline assignments and pass a multiple-choice exam.
- In-house certification: If you belong to a group or organization of more than ten employees, you can request that trainers be sent to your office. To pass, attend the four-day intensive and complete a written test.
3 Top MBTI training institute options
If you can’t decide on a specific program yet, check out these training centers and what they offer.
- The Myers-Briggs Company: Go directly to the pioneers. They are the official providers of MBTI certifications and assessments. Known globally for their expert faculty and professional quality.
- Psychometrics Canada: They’re known for niche MBTI training, specific to the needs of HR practitioners and coaches in Canada.
- Institute for Type Development (ITD) Australia: If you’re open to exploring other instruments inspired by both Jungian and MBTI personality types, check out their Majors PTI certification.
3 MBTI Certification Programs to Explore
There are many available options to get an MBTI certification. Get certified even when you’re just at home. No need to cut through traffic since many programs are offered virtually.
Just choose one based on your coaching goals, niche and the format you prefer.
1. MBTI Certification Program (The Myers-Briggs Company)
Best for: Life coaches looking for official and globally accepted MBTI practitioner credentials
Become an MBTI Certified Practitioner who knows how to practice ethically and effectively. Attend a four-day course and learn how the MBTI assessment (Step I and Step II) can be used for personal and leadership development.
- Organization: The Myers-Briggs Company
- Accrediting body: International Coach Federation (ICF)
- Duration: Four days (plus three hours pre-work)
- Price: $2,995
- Location: Online
- Recognition: International
Pros:
- Takes you from theory to practice
- Led by industry leaders and experts
- Gives you access to practical tools
Cons:
- More expensive than other programs
- Calls for focused training or taking time off
2. Online MBTI certification: MBTI Certification (Psychometrics Canada)
Best for: Canadian coaches, HR, and organizational professionals.
MBTI Certification Canada gives you a four-day virtual experience that prepares you to administer the MBTI test.
More than a certificate, you’ll also receive access to ready-made training materials, scripts, your own copies of the MBTI profile and interpretative report.
- Organization: Psychometrics Canada
- Accrediting body: Recognized by Canadian psychological and HR bodies
- Duration: Four days
- Price: $2,699
- Location: Online
- Recognition: International
Pros:
- Good for leadership and team development
- Access to ready-made presentation materials
- Gain 19 RD credits from ICF
Cons:
- Tailored mostly for Canadian context
3. Free MBTI certification: Let’s Get Personal: Working with Personality Type (UMD)
Best for: Leadership and executive coaches who want to improve communication and decision-making within their teams
If you plan to work with managers and leaders to use their personalities as a strength, then Let’s Get Personal: Working with Personality Type is a good starter for you. Learn how personalities shape the way people handle conflict resolution, manage stress, and influence team dynamics.
- Organization: University of Maryland (edX)
- Accrediting body: No accreditation
- Duration: Self-paced
- Price: Free (additional fee for the certificate)
- Location: Online
- Recognition: Not an official credential
Pros:
- Good for beginner coaches
- Has a specialized focus and audience
Cons:
- Can’t be used to administer and interpret the MBTI test
You can also look at other certifications for specialized training. There are a lot available like executive coaching certification, relationship coach certification and performance coach certification.
How to Become MBTI Certified (6-Step Guide)
Becoming certified for MBTI doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are actionable steps to guide you:
- Define your coaching goals: Think about it… How will you actually MBTI assessments for your practice? Will you use it to transform individual clients or will you use it to advise teams?
- Pick a certification program: The best choice isn’t really the most expensive or time-consuming one. Choose the program that suits you best. Your availability, your budget and your plans.
- Enroll and do the pre-work: Register, pay the tuition and finish the self-study tasks before the first session.
- Complete the training: Attend the live sessions and actively participate. Make the most of your experiences.
- Pass the exam: Get at least an 80% score to earn your certificate.
- Leverage your credential fast: Start using MBTI in your sessions, whether as part of the client onboarding process or as one of your coaching tools. Promote it everywhere to get clients.
How much does MBTI certification cost?
MBTI training cost varies. Here’s a quick look:
- Entry-level ($0-$200): There aren’t really any free certifications, but if you need a low-commitment way to learn MBTI, there are free or cheap online courses and resources you can check. Not official, not recognized for giving assessments.
- Mid-tier ($2,295-$2,700): Covers programs like GS Consultants or Psychometrics Canada. Includes more accredited and recognized training options.
- Premium ($2,995+): Covers the Myers-Briggs Company’s official program, which dives deep into the assessment and provides strong support.
Is MBTI Certification Worth It?
It depends on what you want to achieve as a coach. Here’s a rundown of pros and cons:
Pros:
- Widely used assessment in the field of HR, coaching and consulting
- Practical and insightful tool for improving personal and professional relationships
- Promotes self-awareness on communication styles and decision-making
- Opens new doors to new markets (e.g., career, executive, educational, counseling, HR)
- Access to official and exclusive MBTI materials and reports
Cons:
- Needs time and financial investment
- Debate on MBTI’s scientific validity
- Not everyone accepts MBTI as based on evidence
- May not be applicable for other life coaching niches that don’t look at personal growth and team management
MBTI training online testimonies
Here’s what actual graduates have to say:
- Allison Gross-Ebert, US Department of State: “We use the MBTI assessment about ten times per year and it always sparks amazing conversation. It brings such self-awareness to our students that the MBTI certified trainers here find it priceless.”
- Gary Westbroek, consultant: “From the onset of MBTI assessment and Step II certification, I better understand my own preferences and how to leverage those in my role as an internal consultant.”
- Margaret Quane, leadership coach: “The virtual delivery was seamless and the availability of (free) virtual support materials for practitioners is also excellent. Once you pass the exam you are ready to hit the ground running!”
The general consensus online: MBTI is helpful, especially if you want to help clients get clear and find new approaches.
Is MBTI Still Relevant?
Definitely. It’s still a popular choice for fellow coaches, HR professionals, and corporations as a tool for understanding people.
It’s also just a really good tool for understanding yourself. From there, you can improve the different aspects of your life.
Is MBTI true?
The MBTI is a real assessment, based on psychological theory. But, not all psychologists agree on how reliable it is, especially for diagnosis.
For coaching, it’s a good guide to use. But don’t take it as an absolute.
Is the MBTI test accurate?
Most people agree. But remember that the MBTI is a self-report tool. It just reflects the preferences you have at the moment.
Results can be affected by your mood or how you see yourself.
Does MBTI change over time?
Your core or fundamental MBTI type is believed to be stable. But if your preferences change with big life shifts and personal growth, you can get a new result.
That’s why as a coach, take MBTI as a guide and not a fixed identity.
How often should I take the MBTI test?
You can take the MBTI assessment once. But if you experience transformation, you can check again.
It’s not really meant for retakes unless something big happens.
What MBTI is the best for coaching?
There’s no single “best” MBTI type for coaches. What matters is that you have the traits and skills that make you a successful coach when you’re starting a coaching business.
Common personality traits of a good coach include:
- Empathy
- Active listening
- Non-judgemental
- Good communicator
Beef Up Your Coaching Toolkit
All coaches want to make an impact, but not all do. Boosting your knowledge with an MBTI certification helps you deliver real value.
Think structure and clarity. With a world-class personality assessment, you’ll strengthen your coaching sessions and help clients understand themselves and others better.
And that’s just one coaching tool you can start with.
There are many more out there that can help you run and grow a successful coaching business. Take my 3-Step Blueprint to Become a Highly-Paid Coach, for example.
This proven system attracts the premium clients you’re looking for. It’s for you if you’re:
- Stuck in the cycle of attracting the wrong people
- Losing hope after trying programs that flop
- Overwhelmed by doing everything and not seeing results
- Doubting that you can even sell a high-ticket program
How to craft a highly irresistible offer, how to build your own lead generation machine, how to sell naturally and confidently… Everything’s laid out for you. You just have to walk the path and commit to success.
Get your copy of the 3-Step Blueprint to Become a Highly-Paid Coach Now.
