When a high character trainer conducts a course, students are assured high value. Most certifying bodies ignore this fact entirely. They assume that adequate NLP skills will suffice (even though skills are not actively monitored). This is only part of what is required for a high quality NLP course to be delivered.

Why character matters in an NLP trainer

People of character are trustworthy in delivering NLP training by exhibiting the following traits:

• Honesty. Quality NLP trainers do not promise outcomes that are unlikely and unreasonable, such as change your entire life by taking this training or demolish all roadblocks in your way or learn to get people to do what you want. Such claims are extraordinarily unfair.

• Leadership. An NLP trainer of character is a mature and able leader who knows there is more to personal development on the whole than NLP techniques. A true leader serves his clients and cares about their outcomes and personal growth. Importantly, he or she knows the limits of NLP and does not attempt to coach people inappropriately.

• Realism. The very best NLP trainers don’t assume NLP is magic. They don’t treat the mind as if it were a simple program that can be manipulated. Quality NLP trainers always coach students to keep in mind the limits of reality.

Marketing practices banned by INA

1. Hype and false claims. Any NLP organization making unrealistic claims about the benefits of NLP, what it can do for people, how lives will change, incomes will skyrocket, relationships will transform overnight, etc…

2. Overpricing. We do not endorse pricing that far exceeds $200 USD per day of training, not including travel, meals, etc…

3. High pressure sales tactics of any kind.

4. Aggressive follow up, telemarketing, excessive email, spam tactics and other annoyances.

Ethical marketing of NLP training includes a keen awareness of the prospective students needs. Trainers should not want to sell courses to people who will end up with buyers remorse. Nonetheless, this is a common occurrence in the field of NLP. Trainers hype their courses, make outrageous claims and then proceed to under deliver, leaving students with a very poor impression of the field of NLP.

Why not be honest? Honest sales people create satisfied clients who enter the course with realistic expectations and, given a high quality NLP training, usually end up satisfied and ready to recommend NLP to their peers. This is a positive cycle that INA wishes were the standard in the field.

NLP practitioners should be rightly classified as consultants, be it personal, life, business or any niche in which the practitioner is qualified to participate. In other words, NLP certification is a purely educational endeavor and not subject to any rules other than the normal practice of business wherever you may be located.

NLP is a set of tools that lies squarely in the public domain, therefore no person, organization or body has control over the field, which was established to be a grass roots movement and nothing more. Over the decades since the introduction of NLP into the behavior sciences, various individuals and organizations have attempted to secure sole rights to NLP, but none succeeded. Therefore, the field is entirely available to anyone who ventures into it for any reason. The practitioner is free to work within the overall limitations of local commerce.

This state of disregulation makes it particularly important for the prospective NLP student to understand that he or she must investigate NLP training organizations to ensure said organizations are honest and open about what NLP is, what the practitioner can do and what certification means.

Unfortunately, many NLP training institutes are not forthcoming about the wide range of legitimate training opportunities available. Many organizations insist that NLP certification is only valid through their particular training courses (making all other certification invalid), which is a falsehood perpetrated for the purpose of generating more sales. This trend within the field does not reflect well upon its integrity.

Any organization stating or implying anything beyond what is stated here will never be accepted into the International NLP Association. May we all strive for greater awareness and maturity as representatives of the body of knowledge known as neuro-linguistic programming.

INA quality guidelines for online NLP training and certification

1. All character issues regarding the NLP trainers involved apply without exception.

2. The online NLP course must be multi-media, involving training manuals, audio guides and video demonstrations of the more complex protocols.

3. Students must have access to a qualified NLP trainer to address questions, comments or other concerns with the training material.

4. The course must provide exercises that have to be done in the real world among people. Students must prove to their assigned instructor that all exercises were completed, demonstrating the outcomes and a thorough understanding of the material.

5. Written tests in essay form must be given and approved for each training module.

6. At least one live interview must take place between student and trainer prior to certification.

7. The NLP online training organization must be open and honest about the nature of the study materials, what is provided and what is not provided to the student.

8. The NLP online training organization must not sell NLP certification to someone who it believes would be better of attending an in-person training.

9. The NLP online training organization must provide timely technical support to students.

10. All training fees and costs must be disclosed prior to purchase.

Given the savings in cost, convenience and the guidelines above, INA believes that online NLP training courses offer a unique opportunity to make neuro-linguistic programming available to a wider audience. Prospective students should be meticulous in investigating any online NLP training center to ensure its programs and certification meets INA guidelines.

The International NLP Association recommends the following practices that will help prospective NLP student choose a high quality NLP training course. Many, many NLP trainings do not stand up to these standards. Given your investment of time, money and energy, consider the following thoroughly.

1. Interview the lead trainer personally. The lead trainer should make himself or herself available to address questions prior to any financial commitment on the student’s part.

2. Pricing. A fair price for NLP training is roughly $200 USD per day including materials, but not including room, board, and travel. No over-priced NLP training has ever proven worth the investment.

3. Do not succumb to high pressure sales tactics! High pressure tactics are used by unethical marketers who do not have the students’ best interests in mind.

4. The student should be genuinely impressed with the NLP training organization, lead trainer and supporting staff. Trust your judgment.

5. Consider all costs, travel, and time investment to ensure your ability to finish the course.

6. Do not consider training that claims to make you a certified NLP practitioner quickly. The best NLP courses usually take six months or more to complete. The NLP body of knowledge is broad and deep. Mastering the skills takes time.

7. Anything that sounds too good to be true is too good to be true.

All in all, treat your investment in neur0-linguistic programming as a serious educational endeavor worthy of your highest standards.

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