Those who aspire to be coaches often possess a genuine desire to help others. However, simply calling oneself a coach without proper certification can undermine credibility and hinder trust. Certification plays a crucial role in the coaching profession, enhancing credibility and opening doors to greater opportunities.
The path to becoming a certified coach typically involves foundational coaching certification programmes and leads to globally recognised credentials, such as those offered by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). If you're new to the certification process, this guide will help you navigate the steps to becoming a certified coach.
If you’ve been researching coaching, you’ve likely come across the term ICF. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the world's largest nonprofit organisation dedicated to advancing the coaching profession. Founded in 1995, the ICF sets rigorous global standards to ensure accredited coaching programmes deliver the highest quality training and education. With 59,627 members and 54,963 credentials coaches worldwide1, the ICF plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of coaching.
While it is not legally required to be a coach, certification significantly bolsters your credibility and client appeal. Many clients and organisations prefer working with credentialed coaches, as they know that you have met the industry-recognised standards of competence.
However, coaching certification alone doesn’t guarantee coaching excellence. A quality coaching certification programme will equip you with the essential skills, knowledge, and practical experience to become a great coach. The key to success lies in continuous learning and applying your skills effectively in your coaching practice.
The ICF offers a tiered certification system designed to recognise and validate coaching competencies:
Each ICF certification level has specific requirements for coaching experience and education. When selecting a programme, consider your career goals, time commitments, and available resources.
A straightforward Path: Level 1 ICF Accredited Programme
For many, a Level 1 ICF Accredited Programme is a solid starting point. These programmes, typically lasting 3-6 months, offer comprehensive support to meet the fundamental requirements, which include the coaching education, mentor coaching and performance evaluation.
Upon completing an Level 1 ICF Accredited Programme, they often offer continuous support to accumulate the required 100 coaching hours and prepare for the ICF ACC Exam. Individuals may then apply directly to the ICF for their ACC credential. Each credential is valid for three years and requires renewal.
Check out our ICF Level 1 Programme here.
A Deeper Dive: Level 2 ICF Accredited Programme
For those seeking a more advanced certification, a Level 2 ICF Accredited Programme, typically lasting 9 to 15 months, is an ideal choice. Many coaching academies offer bundled packages to make the transition to Level 2 more cost-effective.
It’s important to note that committing to a Level 2 programme requires a significant time investment and a serious dedication to a coaching career. This level offers comprehensive support to fulfil the advanced requirements, including 125+ coaching education hours, mentor coaching, and performance evaluation. Upon completion, individuals can work towards the ACC or PCC credential, requiring 100 or 500 additional coaching hours, respectively.
Search for a Level 2 programme with ICF’s Education Search Service (ESS) here.
A Seasoned Coach's Route: Portfolio Pathway to ICF Credentials
If you're an experienced coach who has gained knowledge and skills outside of the ICF ecosystem, you may be eligible for ACC or PCC accreditation through the Portfolio Pathway. This route is ideal for individuals with substantial coaching experience or for ACC/PCC coaches seeking to advance their credentials while utilising diverse learning opportunities.
The process involves documenting your learning and experience to meet the required coaching education hours, which are divided into core competencies (coaching-related) and resource development (non-coaching-related). Additionally, you’ll need to complete 10 hours of mentor coaching with an ICF-credentialed mentor and submit authentic coaching recordings for performance evaluation (one for ACC, two for PCC/MCC). Once you've submitted your documentation and recordings to ICF, you'll be invited to sit for the ICF exams to complete the process. Please note that this application process can take up to six months.
Becoming an ICF-certified coach is a journey that requires commitment, patience, and continuous learning. With dedication and the right guidance, you can navigate the process successfully and make a lasting positive impact on your clientsas a professional coach. Stay tuned for the next blog where we will dive deeper into the pathways you can explore to achieve your ICF-ACC credential.
1 ICF Professional Coaches Membership and Credentialing Fact Sheet November 2024 and are subject to frequent changes.