What Is ICF Certification?

What is ICF certification?

ICF certification is the common name for an ICF credential, a professional qualification for coaches issued by the International Coaching Federation. The ICF was founded in 1995 and was previously called the International Coach Federation. It is a non-profit body that sets global standards for coaching practice, ethics and training.

Strictly, the ICF credentials coaches and accredits training programs. A coach holds a credential. A school offers accredited training. People often use the word certification for both, which causes confusion when comparing courses.

An ICF credential tells clients three things: the coach has completed a set amount of approved training, has real coaching experience, and has shown they can apply the ICF Core Competencies and follow the ICF Code of Ethics.

What are the three ICF credential levels?

The ICF offers three credentials. Each level requires more training hours and more coaching experience than the one before. All three are assessed against the same ICF Core Competencies, but the standard of skill expected rises with each level.

The ACC suits new coaches and leaders who want a recognized foundation. It shows you can hold a sound coaching conversation and work ethically. The PCC suits people who coach regularly, as a profession or a major part of their job, and many corporate buyers treat it as the working standard for external coaches. The MCC is the highest ICF credential and reflects mastery built over thousands of coaching hours. It is a long-term goal rather than a starting point.

Whichever level you choose, the ICF Code of Ethics applies. It covers confidentiality, conflicts of interest, clear agreements with clients and sponsors, and honesty about what coaching can and cannot do. The minimum requirements at each level are:

• Associate Certified Coach (ACC): at least 60 hours of coach-specific training and at least 100 hours of coaching experience.
• Professional Certified Coach (PCC): at least 125 hours of coach-specific training and at least 500 hours of coaching experience.
• Master Certified Coach (MCC): at least 200 hours of coach-specific training and at least 2,500 hours of coaching experience.

How do you get ICF certification?

The exact route depends on the level and the type of training you choose, but the main steps are the same for most applicants. Always check the current requirements on the ICF website before you apply, as they are updated from time to time.

1. Complete ICF accredited coach training at the right level for the credential you want.
2. Coach real clients and keep an accurate log of your coaching hours.
3. Complete 10 hours of mentor coaching with a qualified mentor coach over at least three months.
4. Where required, submit recorded coaching sessions for a performance evaluation against the ICF Core Competencies.
5. Pass the ICF Credentialing Exam, which tests how you apply coaching knowledge and ethics.
6. Submit your application, then renew your credential every three years with continuing coach education.

What is the difference between ICF Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 training?

ICF accredited training is grouped into levels that line up with the credentials. Level 1 programs prepare coaches for the ACC. Level 2 programs prepare coaches for the PCC. Level 3 programs are aimed at experienced coaches working towards the MCC.

Level 1 and Level 2 programs usually include the training hours, the mentor coaching and the performance evaluation in one package. That makes the application simpler, because much of the evidence is handled inside the program.

A practical example: an HR business partner who wants to coach managers in her company might start with a Level 1 program, gain her ACC, and later move to Level 2 as her coaching hours grow.

Do you need ICF certification to work as a coach?

No. Coaching is not a regulated profession in most countries, so anyone can call themselves a coach. Many capable coaches practice without a credential.

In practice, the credential matters more each year. Many organizations now ask for an ACC, PCC or MCC when they hire external coaches, and some ask the same of internal coaches. Because there is no license, the credential acts as independent evidence that a coach meets a recognized standard, in a similar way to how clients rely on professional bodies in other fields.

• Corporate buyers use credentials to shortlist coaches quickly.
• Clients gain assurance about ethics and confidentiality.
• Coaches gain a clear development path and a professional network.

How do you choose an ICF accredited coach training program?

Not every coaching course leads to an ICF credential. Some short courses are useful for building skills but do not count towards the training hours the ICF requires. Before you pay a deposit, ask the provider to confirm its accreditation level and check it against the ICF's public directory of accredited programs. Then check these points before you enroll.

• Is the program listed as ICF accredited, and at which level?
• Are mentor coaching and the performance evaluation included?
• How much observed practice and feedback will you receive?
• Are the faculty credentialed coaches, ideally at PCC or MCC level?
• Does the format, in-person or online, fit your work schedule?
• Does the content suit your goal, such as one-to-one coaching, team coaching or coaching as a leader?

ICF certification training with Team Transformation Academy

Team Transformation Academy is the coach training arm of Team Transformation, an ICF-accredited coaching, consulting and training company based in Dubai since 2015. The Academy offers ICF Level 1 and Level 2 accredited coaching education and is an IMC Accredited Training Provider. Team Transformation was founded by Dr. Haris Syed, PhD, an ICF Master Certified Coach, and works with coaches and organizations across MENA, Asia and Europe.

The Academy suits professional coaches, HR and L&D specialists, and leaders who want to coach their teams with a recognized qualification behind them. Programs such as ICF Accredited Coach Training, Coaching Certification for Leaders and Certified Manager as a Coach give different starting points, depending on whether you plan to coach professionally or inside your own organization. The upcoming schedule lists current intakes.