Scope of Practice
Understanding the boundaries and competencies of your APU credential.
Within Scope
- Provide health education and wellness coaching
- Develop lifestyle and nutrition recommendations
- Conduct health assessments using approved frameworks
- Create personalized wellness plans
- Support clients through behavior change
- Recommend supplements and lifestyle modifications
- Offer functional medicine-informed coaching protocols
- Provide group coaching and wellness workshops
Outside Scope
- Diagnose medical conditions or diseases
- Prescribe medications or controlled substances
- Order laboratory tests (unless licensed to do so)
- Provide psychotherapy or mental health treatment
- Replace the care of licensed medical professionals
- Make claims of curing or treating diseases
- Perform invasive procedures of any kind
Important Notes
Your scope of practice may be expanded or limited depending on your jurisdiction, existing professional licenses, and the specific credential you hold. Healthcare professionals (RNs, NPs, MDs) may operate within a broader scope consistent with their existing licensure.
APU encourages all practitioners to familiarize themselves with local and national regulations governing health coaching and wellness practice in their jurisdiction.
Referral Protocol
When a client presents with concerns outside your scope of practice, you are expected to refer them to an appropriately licensed healthcare professional. Maintaining a referral network is part of responsible practice.
Contact: standards@accrediprouniversity.com
Last updated: February 2026