CHC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CHC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A client recovering from intense athletic training reports poor sleep and muscle soreness. What sleep-related coaching strategy supports recovery? → Prioritize 8–10 hours of sleep and add a short daytime nap
2. A client drinks coffee at 4 PM and reports trouble sleeping. What should a health coach explain about caffeine? → Caffeine has a half-life of about 5–6 hours and can delay sleep onset
3. Decisional balance, a key concept in the Transtheoretical Model, refers to: → Weighing the pros and cons of changing a behavior
4. What is 'sleep debt' in the context of health coaching? → The cumulative effect of not getting enough sleep over time
5. What is a common coaching approach for encouraging long-term behavior change? → Establishing SMART goals
6. According to the Relapse Prevention Model developed by Marlatt and Gordon, a 'high-risk situation' is best defined as: → A situation that threatens the individual's sense of control and increases risk of relapse
7. Which of the following is a violation of a health coach’s ethical responsibilities? → Prescribing dietary supplements
8. What validated tool is commonly used to assess a client's readiness to change health behaviors? → Stages of Change (Transtheoretical Model)
9. Which legal structure provides the most personal liability protection for a solo health coaching practice? → Limited Liability Company (LLC)
10. What is the primary purpose of a coaching agreement or contract with a client? → To establish roles, responsibilities, boundaries, confidentiality, and payment terms
11. Which element of the Health Belief Model acts as a trigger that prompts individuals to take action toward a health behavior? → Cues to action
12. Which outcome measurement tool is most commonly used in health coaching programs to track client self-efficacy? → General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE)
13. A health coach wants to track program effectiveness over time. Which metric best demonstrates behavior change progress? → Client's self-reported adherence to agreed-upon wellness actions between sessions
14. The Social Ecological Model emphasizes that health behaviors are influenced by: → Multiple levels including individual, interpersonal, community, and policy
15. Which acronym summarizes the core skills of motivational interviewing? → OARS
16. In Social Cognitive Theory, which concept refers to an individual's belief in their ability to successfully perform a specific behavior? → Self-efficacy
17. Which goal-setting framework is most commonly used in health coaching? → SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
18. What is the primary goal of motivational interviewing? → Elicit client’s own motivation for change
19. According to the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), which stage describes a person who has no intention to change their behavior within the next six months? → Precontemplation
20. Which substance is most likely to fragment sleep architecture even though it initially induces drowsiness? → Alcohol
21. What does informed consent involve in a health coaching relationship? → Giving the client all relevant details before starting
22. A health coach wants to expand services to corporate wellness. What is the FIRST step in developing a corporate program? → Conduct a needs assessment with HR stakeholders to identify employee health priorities
23. In the Transtheoretical Model, which process of change involves substituting healthier behaviors for problem behaviors? → Counterconditioning
24. How many hours of sleep per night does the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommend for adults? → 7–9 hours
25. Observational learning in Social Cognitive Theory suggests that people learn health behaviors primarily by: → Watching and imitating the behaviors of others
26. Which factor is most important in stress management for chronic disease prevention? → Practicing mindfulness regularly
27. Which pricing model charges a recurring monthly fee for ongoing coaching services? → Retainer model
28. Which marketing approach is most aligned with the ethical standards of a CHC-certified health coach? → Sharing evidence-based information and authentic client success stories (with permission)
29. A health coach uses a 0–10 readiness ruler and asks, 'Why did you choose a 5 and not a 2?' This technique is designed to: → Elicit the client's own arguments for change
30. Which evidence-based stress reduction technique is a health coach qualified to teach? → Guided relaxation, deep breathing exercises, and basic mindfulness practices