Crafting a Coaching Agreement: 7 Samples & Templates

Like any good service provider, a smart coach knows to use an agreement with clients. A service agreement sets the tone for the relationship going forward, outlines expectations, and includes all relevant information that clients need to know when getting started.

A coaching agreement is a service agreement designed specifically for the coaching relationship. It’s vital to craft a good, readable agreement for coaching, given the way most clients likely interact with agreements like these. People are used to service agreements for things like internet service and utilities, but they generally handle them by immediately scrolling to the bottom and clicking “sign” without having read any of the content.

As a coach, you want to set your clients up for success, and getting on the same page via a well-crafted coaching agreement is one of the first opportunities to set the right tone.

What is a Life Coaching Agreement Contract?

A life coaching agreement contract is a coaching agreement that is specifically designed for a life coaching arrangement. It outlines the specifics of the relationship between coach and client, one that is often not well understood by those outside the industry.

A good life coaching agreement should leave no doubts as to what the relationship entails, what is expected of each party, and how service delivery will happen (e.g., phone calls, in-person sessions, video chats).

Digital coaching agreements like Quenza’s Client Agreement (pictured) outline the specifics of the relationship between coach and client.

So what does that look like, on a more granular level? Let’s get into the details!

33 Things To Include and Questions To Ask Clients

When you’re crafting a coaching agreement, you need to make sure all your bases are covered. Here are two handy lists to guide you.

Make sure to include these in your coaching agreement:

1. Contact data for you and your client (e.g., phone number, email address, physical address).
2. The purpose and goal(s) of the coaching relationship (be specific).
3. The level of support you offer as a coach.
4. The tools or coaching software you use to support the coaching process.
5. Opportunities and limits of the coaching process (e.g., what your coaching can and can’t do, amount of progress the client should realistically expect).
6. Payment details (e.g., how much, how often, how to pay).
7. Scheduling and cancellation policies (e.g., clear rules for scheduling, rescheduling, and cancellation of sessions).
8. Confidentiality and data protection (how you will store and use their personal information, and how you will protect).
9. The coaching process (e.g., where and how coaching takes place, the expected time frame, length between sessions, communication, and support between sessions).
10. Expectations for coach and client (e.g., what the client should expect from the coach in terms of communications, techniques, methods, expertise).
11. A success disclaimer (e.g., a disclaimer that the client is responsible for the outcomes of the coaching journey, and success will depend on how they implement the advice and guidance of the coach).
12. What the client is responsible for (e.g., reminders that clients need to be accountable; they are responsible for being available, staying engaged, sharing pertinent information, etc.).
13. A general disclaimer that coaching is not a replacement or substitute for online therapy, and that coaches will not diagnose or treat disorders.
14. Terms for ending the coaching relationship (e.g., how it will end, when it will end, what each party is responsible for).
15. Refund policy (e.g., whether the coach offers refunds and if so, how and when).

If you include all 15 of the points above, you’ll be ahead of the curve!

Your coaching agreement can probably answer just about any question your clients might have.

Coaching is a two-way relationship; it’s also important to think about the information you need to collect from your clients at the beginning of the coaching relationship.

However, coaching is a two-way relationship; it’s also important to think about the information you need to collect from your clients at the beginning of the coaching relationship.

Information To Collect From Clients

Use this list of questions to guide you in determining what you need from your clients and how to collect it:

1. Where do you get your energy – what motivates and turns you on? What are you passionate about?
2. What moves you to tears of joy/sorrow?
3. How do you like to enjoy yourself? What do you enjoy doing?
4. What do you find works for you to make you feel better when you are experiencing stress?
5. Where are you likely to be most irresponsible?
6. What emotion (anger, fear, anxiety, etc.) may make you feel most out of control?
7. How might you sabotage your coaching progress and our professional relationship?
8. How will you know how effective our coaching has been?
9. Are you willing to tell me if you feel our coaching needs to go in a different direction or give me any other honest feedback?
10. How can I best coach you? For instance, do you like lots of structure or things done informally or a mix of both?
11. Do you understand that I will support YOU, not just your goals?
12. What are your values – the things in life that are really important to you? (If you are not sure of this we will find out as part of the coaching process.)
13. What career or business opportunities are you currently not making the most/anything of?
14. What are three personal desires you are currently not pursuing?
15. Is there anyone in your life who is constantly putting you down, making you feel inadequate, or whom you feel you have to tread carefully around?
16. What is the biggest challenge you have in your life right now?
17. What is your most urgent problem?
18. What are the biggest regrets you have in your life (personal, career/business)?

If you ask these 18 questions of your clients at the start of your relationship, you will drastically reduce the chances of missing an important challenge, desire, goal, or another vital piece of information from your client. The more information you collect at the start, the better able you will be to meet your client’s needs.

3 Helpful Coaching Agreement Samples

It’s best to create a unique, customized coaching agreement that will meet all of your needs; however, if you’d prefer to use a template over starting from scratch, there are tons of good resources available.

Here are three of the best sample coaching agreements you can adapt to your coaching practice:

1. ICF Sample Coaching Agreement: a great choice for any type of coaching partnership, but particularly one where the coach is licensed by the International Coach Federation.
2. ACE Sample Coaching Agreement: a short agreement that is ideal for coaches who focus on helping their clients make behavior changes.
3. My Journey Coach Sample Coaching Agreement: a general agreement that can be easily adapted or expanded.

4 Coaching Agreement Templates To Use

If you’re looking for an agreement that’s ready to go – with just a few details added – Quenza’s Coaching Client Agreement is one good example.

This customizable Expansion template comes formatted with pre-made sections that lay out the terms and conditions of a typical coaching engagement, as shown below.

Otherwise, take a look at the following and see which one might meet your needs:

1. Life Coaching Contract Template from Approve Me
2. Coaching Contract Template from SignWell
3. Coaching Agreement Template from Signaturely

Best Online Solution For Creating and Sending Forms

Although coaching session templates can be handy, you’ll still need to think about how you will create, send, collect, and store important forms. You need a convenient way to handle these forms. After all, it won’t matter how well-designed they are if you forget where you saved them or which version is the most up-to-date!

The best method for handling coaching contracts and forms like these is to use software that is built to handle them. Instead of digging through your device’s folders and using your clunky inbox to handle such important documents, you can use an online solution to send and save them at the click of a button.

There are several such solutions out there, but none offers more flexibility and convenience than Quenza.

How To Use Quenza’s Unique Features: 9 Tips

With Quenza, you’ll find it easy to design the forms and agreements you need, and you can do it to your exact specifications.

Further, you can use Quenza’s many helpful features to streamline other areas of your coaching practice too.

Here are 9 tips on how to use the Quenza coaching platform to boost your effectiveness as a coach:

1. Use the drag-and-drop builder to create or customize coaching tools, resources, exercises, and assessments that you can share with your clients quickly and easily.
2. Utilize the plethora of resources in Quenza’s Expansion library of evidence-based activities (like the Coaching Client Agreement above).
3. Send forms, resources, and other Activities directly to your clients with a single click, and collect their responses automatically.
4. Use designated Pathways to schedule Activities and resources to be sent to your clients at a specific time or at specific intervals.
5. Take client or session notes and store them safely and securely in the client profile within Quenza’s coaching platform (which handles data according to HIPAA and GDPR standards).
6. Monitor your client’s compliance with your coaching program and see their progress in real-time.
7. Use the built-in reminders feature to encourage your clients to stay on top of their assigned activities.
8. Chat with your clients directly in the Quenza platform, keeping all your communication in one convenient place.
9. Encourage clients to stay connected and engaged via the client app, which is currently available in 16 languages.

The Importance of Clear Communication in Coaching Agreements

Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful coaching relationship. A well-crafted coaching agreement not only outlines the terms and conditions of the engagement but also serves as a tool for setting clear expectations between the coach and the client.

By explicitly detailing the responsibilities, boundaries, and goals of both parties, the agreement helps to prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. For instance, clarity on confidentiality clauses ensures that clients feel secure in sharing sensitive information, knowing that their privacy is protected.

Furthermore, specifying session schedules, payment terms, and cancellation policies upfront helps to avoid potential disputes and fosters a sense of professionalism and trust. This transparency allows the client to fully engage in the coaching process, confident that their coach is committed to a structured and ethical practice.

In essence, clear communication through a detailed coaching agreement enhances the overall effectiveness of the coaching relationship, paving the way for more productive and meaningful interactions.

“The coaching agreement is not merely a formality – it is the foundation upon which the entire coaching relationship is built. A well-crafted agreement creates the safety, clarity, and mutual commitment that enable transformative coaching conversations.”

– International Coaching Federation (ICF), Core Competency Framework

Adapting Coaching Agreements to Different Client Needs

Every client is unique, and so are their coaching needs. This is why it’s crucial for coaches to adapt their agreements to suit individual client requirements. Tailoring coaching agreements involves customizing elements such as the frequency and duration of sessions, the specific goals and outcomes desired, and any additional services that might be necessary.

For example, a client seeking career coaching might need a different approach compared to someone looking for personal development. By customizing the agreement, coaches can address specific client challenges more effectively, ensuring that the coaching process is aligned with the client’s personal or professional objectives.

Additionally, this flexibility demonstrates the coach’s commitment to providing personalized support, which can significantly enhance client satisfaction and retention. Tools and templates can be adjusted to include or exclude certain provisions, thereby creating a bespoke agreement that resonates with the client’s unique context and needs.

This adaptability not only helps in delivering more focused and relevant coaching but also in building a stronger, more collaborative relationship with the client.

What Are the Legal Requirements for Coaching Agreements?

While coaching agreements are not regulated as strictly as therapy contracts, they serve essential legal functions. A properly drafted agreement establishes the coaching relationship as a business arrangement with clear terms, reducing liability exposure for practitioners. Key legal elements include limitation of liability clauses, intellectual property protections for proprietary coaching materials, and dispute resolution procedures.

Practitioners should also address jurisdiction-specific requirements, particularly when coaching across state or international boundaries. Some jurisdictions have specific requirements for service contracts, cancellation policies, or consumer protection disclosures. Consulting with a legal professional familiar with coaching practice in your area ensures your agreement meets all applicable requirements while remaining client-friendly.

How Do ICF Ethics Standards Shape Coaching Agreements?

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) Code of Ethics requires coaches to establish clear agreements with clients before beginning the coaching engagement. ICF Core Competency 3 specifically addresses the ability to establish and maintain agreements, requiring coaches to explain what coaching is and is not, discuss logistics and fees, and reach agreement on the overall coaching plan and goals.

Coaches pursuing or maintaining ICF credentials should ensure their agreements align with the latest ICF ethical guidelines, including provisions about conflicts of interest, maintaining professional boundaries, and ensuring clients understand the distinction between coaching and other professional services such as therapy or consulting. Regular review of ICF updates helps keep agreements current with evolving professional standards.

How Can Digital Tools Streamline Coaching Agreement Management?

Digital platforms have transformed how coaches create, distribute, and manage agreements. Tools like Quenza enable practitioners to build customized agreement templates, deliver them electronically to clients, collect e-signatures, and store completed documents securely. This eliminates the administrative burden of printing, mailing, and filing paper agreements while providing a more professional client experience.

Advanced platforms also integrate agreement completion into broader client onboarding workflows, combining the agreement with intake questionnaires, goal-setting exercises, and welcome materials. This comprehensive digital onboarding approach saves time for both practitioners and clients while ensuring no critical steps are missed before the coaching engagement begins.

What Should Coaching Agreements Include for Group and Corporate Engagements?

Group and corporate coaching agreements require additional considerations beyond individual coaching contracts. Corporate agreements should address the three-party relationship between coach, coachee, and sponsoring organization, clarifying reporting requirements, confidentiality boundaries with organizational stakeholders, and outcome measurement expectations. Group coaching agreements need provisions for participant conduct, group confidentiality norms, and individual versus collective goal-setting.

Corporate agreements should also specify intellectual property ownership for any materials developed during the engagement, data privacy compliance requirements particularly for international organizations, and clear deliverables that satisfy both the individual coachee and the sponsoring organization. Including these elements protects all parties and prevents scope creep throughout the engagement.

How Often Should Coaching Agreements Be Reviewed and Updated?

Best practice recommends reviewing coaching agreements at least annually and whenever significant changes occur in your practice, pricing, or the regulatory environment. Client feedback should inform agreement revisions, particularly if common questions or misunderstandings arise around specific clauses. Tracking which sections generate the most client inquiries helps identify areas that need clearer language.

Practitioners should also review agreements when professional standards change, such as updates to the ICF Code of Ethics, new data privacy regulations, or changes in insurance or liability requirements. Maintaining a version history of your agreement helps demonstrate professional diligence and allows you to reference previous terms if questions arise about past client engagements.

Final Thoughts

A good coaching agreement will set the tone for the rest of the coaching relationship. It’s an opportunity to start off on the right foot and make sure you don’t miss any important details.

To make sure you make the most of this opportunity, consider using software that’s designed to handle forms and documents like this. If you choose a reliable tool, it will streamline your process and enhance your effectiveness as a coach.

Happy coaching!

We hope this guide helped you. To test out Quenza’s digital coaching tools today, don’t forget to start your 1-month trial.

Our flexible e-coaching software gives you all you need to enhance your clients’ development and outcomes with professional solutions of your own, helping you drive positive, sustainable behavior change even more effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a coaching agreement include?

A comprehensive coaching agreement should include scope of services, session logistics (frequency, duration, format), fee structure and payment terms, confidentiality provisions, cancellation and rescheduling policies, termination clause, the distinction between coaching and therapy, client and coach responsibilities, and methods for measuring progress toward goals.

Is a coaching agreement legally binding?

Yes, a properly executed coaching agreement is a legally binding contract between the coach and client. It establishes the terms and conditions of the professional relationship and can be enforced in court if disputes arise. Having clients sign the agreement before sessions begin protects both parties and sets clear expectations for the engagement.

How long should a coaching agreement be?

A coaching agreement should typically be 2-4 pages, long enough to cover all essential terms but concise enough that clients will read it thoroughly. Using clear, plain language rather than legal jargon helps keep the document accessible. The most important factor is that all critical elements are addressed, not the total length of the document.

Do ICF coaches need a coaching agreement?

Yes, the ICF Code of Ethics and Core Competency Framework require coaches to establish clear agreements with clients. ICF Competency 3 specifically addresses establishing and maintaining agreements, including explaining what coaching is, discussing logistics and fees, and reaching agreement on the coaching plan. Having a written agreement is considered essential professional practice for ICF-credentialed coaches.

Can coaching agreements be signed electronically?

Yes, electronic signatures are legally valid for coaching agreements in most jurisdictions under laws such as the ESIGN Act (US) and eIDAS (EU). Digital platforms like Quenza enable coaches to send agreements electronically and collect e-signatures, streamlining the onboarding process while maintaining legally compliant documentation.

How often should a coaching agreement be updated?

Coaching agreements should be reviewed at least annually and updated whenever significant changes occur in your practice, pricing, regulatory requirements, or professional standards. Additionally, if client feedback reveals common questions or misunderstandings about specific clauses, those sections should be revised for clarity.

References

1. International Coaching Federation. (2019). ICF Code of Ethics. https://coachingfederation.org/ethics/code-of-ethics

2. International Coaching Federation. (2019). Updated ICF Core Competency Model. https://coachingfederation.org/credentials-and-standards/core-competencies

3. Grant, A. M. (2014). The efficacy of executive coaching in times of organisational change. Journal of Change Management, 14(2), 258-280. https://doi.org/10.1080/14697017.2013.805159

4. de Haan, E., Duckworth, A., Birch, D., & Jones, C. (2013). Executive coaching outcome research: The contribution of common factors such as relationship, personality match, and self-efficacy. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 65(1), 40-57. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031635

5. Passmore, J., & Fillery-Travis, A. (2011). A critical review of executive coaching research: A decade of progress and what’s to come. Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice, 4(2), 70-88. https://doi.org/10.1080/17521882.2011.596484

6. Stober, D. R., & Grant, A. M. (2006). Evidence Based Coaching Handbook: Putting Best Practices to Work for Your Clients. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118269435

7. Bluckert, P. (2005). The foundations of a psychological approach to executive coaching. Industrial and Commercial Training, 37(4), 171-178. https://doi.org/10.1108/00197850510602060

8. Drake, D. B. (2008). Finding our way home: Coaching’s search for identity in a new era. Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice, 1(1), 16-27. https://doi.org/10.1080/17521880801945807

9. Bachkirova, T., Cox, E., & Clutterbuck, D. (2014). Introduction. In E. Cox, T. Bachkirova, & D. Clutterbuck (Eds.), The Complete Handbook of Coaching (2nd ed., pp. 1-18). Sage. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781473674783

10. Theeboom, T., Beersma, B., & van Vianen, A. E. M. (2014). Does coaching work? A meta-analysis on the effects of coaching on individual level outcomes in an organizational context. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 9(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2013.837499