What is ICF Accreditation, and what are the steps to becoming a certified accredited coach? The coaching industry has grown incredibly over the years, and with such growth comes an even greater demand for high standards and professionalism. 

The International Coaching Federation is one of the more respected organisations in the world of coaching. It offers a level of accreditation necessary to ensure the coaches meet the industry standards and also abide by a strict code of ethics. This article explains what ICF accreditation is and describes the steps you need to take to become a certified accredited coach.

What is ICF Accreditation?

The International Coach Federation is an internationally recognised organisation that sets the gold standard for professional coaching. The ICF accreditation indicates that a professional coach has gone through serious training, follows prescribed ethical guidelines, and has demonstrated coaching competencies through stringent assessment.

ICF credentialing means a coach is properly trained in coaching, has developed the required coaching competencies, and works in a manner congruent with the ICF Code of Ethics. In fact, this credential adds credibility to your coaching practice, enhances your reputation, and helps you find and attract clients for business growth more easily.

There are three levels of credentials with the ICF:

ACC Associate Certified Coach: An initial certification for coaches, those just entering into professional coaching. 

PCC Professional Certified Coach: A higher degree of coach who has gone through more training and experience.

MCC Master Certified Coach: This is the highest level of ICF credential for highly experienced coaches who can prove their mastery in coaching.

Why is ICF Accreditation Important?

Global Recognition: Its credentials are globally recognised, and you automatically stand out as a professional and credible coach.

Ethical Standards: The ICF's code of ethics stipulates how to exercise professionalism and integrity in coaching.

Career Growth: As an ICF-certified coach, you become an attractive choice for any potential client, employer, or organisation seeking to hire skilled and accredited coaches.

Pass the ICF Credentialing Exam CCE

The final step in ICF credentialed coach status is passing the CKA or Coach Knowledge Assessment. This will be a multiple-choice, online testing of one's knowledge concerning the core competencies, ethical standards, and skills of ICF coaching. Such programs meet the educational requirements that the ICF asks for and provide the core knowledge base and skills one should have to become a coach. There are three main types of ICF-approved training programs:

ACSTH (Approved Coaching Specific Training Hours): Provides training hours specific to ICF’s core competencies.

ACTP (Accredited Coach Training Program): A comprehensive program that includes all training hours, mentor coaching, and assessments required for ICF accreditation.

CCE: Continuing Coach Education for accredited ICF coaches looking to recertify or upgrade their credentials.

Be sure to select a program that meets your needs and desired certification level, such as ACC, PCC, or MCC.

Required Coaching Hours

Once you are trained, you must accumulate the requisite number of hours in coaching in order to demonstrate your practical experience. The number you must amass varies according to which certification you wish to pursue, as follows:

ACC: 100 hours of coaching experience, with at least 75 hours of paid coaching with at least eight clients.

PCC: 500 hours of coaching experience, including at least 450 hours of paid coaching with at least 25 clients.

MCC: 2,500 hours of coaching experience, including at least 2,200 hours of paid coaching with at least 35 clients.

Work with a Mentor Coach

To apply for ICF certification, you will need to go through mentor coaching. During mentor coaching, you will be paired with an experienced ICF-certified coach who will give you feedback on how to improve your coaching.

For ACC, a minimum of 10 hours of mentor coaching must be conducted within at least three months.

The requirement for PCC/MCC still involves mentor coaching; however, the same amount may be tailored differently, more specialised, to meet the level of skill being acknowledged in advanced coaching.

Submit Your Application to the ICF

Once you have completed your training, coaching hours, and mentor coaching, you will be eligible to submit your application to the ICF. To apply, you will need to verify your coach training and experience, submit your coaching logs, and provide proof of your mentoring sessions. You will also need to pay for the application fee. An application fee is different according to the level of certification.

Pass the ICF Credentialing Exam CCE

The final step in becoming an ICF credentialed coach is passing the CKA or Coach Knowledge Assessment. This multiple-choice online test will assess one's knowledge of the core competencies, ethical standards, and skills of ICF coaching.

Once you have passed the exam and when ICF reviews your application, you will be granted your ICF credential!

Conclusion

A journey of commitment, education, and experience, becoming an ICF-certified professional coach is indeed a satisfying one. While it helps to validate a person's coaching skill internationally, it also opens many channels toward a global network of clients and professional opportunities. Most importantly, it will satisfy the soul. One can achieve this ICF accreditation by following each step discussed above in taking one's coaching career to the next level: choosing the appropriate training program for oneself, gaining coaching experience, working with a mentor, and passing the credentialing exam.

If you are ready to start your journey toward ICF certification, consider the ICF-accredited training programs with Mental Sea Academy. Our program entails thorough training, mentorship, and support for your coaching goals and aspirations toward an ICF-certified coach license.

Take the first step today and unlock your potential to become a professional and accredited coach. Learn advanced coaching skills.

Apply to the ICF

After training, coaching hours, and mentor coaching, you'll be able to apply to the ICF. Application steps include verification of coach training and experience, coaching log submissions, and evidence of mentoring sessions. You will also need to pay an application fee, which might vary depending on the level for which you want certification.

Pass the CCE (ICF Credentialing Exam)

Passing the CKA will be the final step toward your ICF-accredited coach status. It is an online, multiple-choice examination that tests one in relation to the ICF coaching core competencies, ethical standards, and coaching skills.

When you pass the exam, and the ICF review is published, you get your ICF credential!

Conclusion

Becoming an ICF-certified coach is a rewarding journey of commitment to education and experience. In addition to validating your coaching skills, it opens up a whole world of professional opportunities and access to a wide variety of clients worldwide. 

These are the steps toward ICF certification, such as choosing the right training program, gaining experience as a coach, working with a mentor, and passing a credentialing exam, which will elevate your coaching career to the next level.

That is why we highly recommend starting your coaching journey with the ICF Certified Professional Exper Coach Training Course with Mental Sea Coaching Academy. Their training programs provide in-depth training and mentorship so that you can achieve your coaching goals while becoming an ICF-certified coach.

Take the first step towards becoming a professional Accredited Coach!