ICF Credentialing Program
ICF Program Accreditation
As an independent and objective organization, ICF does not offer coach training itself. Rather, ICF offers an accreditation process to coach training programs.
Please note: ICF accredits specific training programs rather than schools. Accredited programs must also submit a renewal application every three years to maintain ICF approval.
Click here to view an ICF presentation about "Finding a Coach Training Program."
Three types of recognition are available from ICF:
Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) – Comprehensive programs of 125 hours or more. ACTP programs offer six (6) observed coaching sessions by an experienced coach and a final exam that takes the place of the ICF final exam.
Approved Coach Specific Training Hours (ACSTH) – Programs of 30-120 hours of pre-approved coach training.
Continuing Coaching Education Courses (CCE) – Advanced or niche specific courses, tywep_pically thirty (30) hours or less, that are pre-approved as coach training.
ACTP Graduates
Coaches that complete an ACTP program (with final exam) are eligible to apply for a credential using the streamlined ACTP Application Form.
Please note that the FULL ACTP program must be completed in order to apply for a credential using an ACTP Application.
ACSTH Graduates
Coaches that complete an ACSTH program may apply for a credential using the Portfolio Application Form, once the appropriate amount of training hours has been obtained.
Portfolio applicants are required to complete a final exam with ICF as part of the application process.
CCE Graduates
Graduates of CCE program may use CCE credits toward an ICF credential when applying through the Portfolio route.
Credentialed coaches may also use CCE credits to renew their PCC or MCC credential every three years.
ICF chapters, Special Interest Groups (SIGs), and the Virtual Community are eligible to offer CCE credits to coaches through their monthly programs.
Non-Accredited Programs
Completion of an ACTP, ACSTH, or CCE program is not required in order to be eligible to apply for an ICF credential. However, ICF cannot guarantee that training from a non-accredited program will be accepted.
All accredited programs submit to a rigorous review and must contain certain elements. When searching for a training program, accredited or not, ICF recommends the following criteria:
- Does the program follow and teach the Core Competencies, Ethical Standards, and Definition of Coaching as defined by the ICF?
- # Does the program offer a significant level of direct interaction between trainer and student? (face-to-face or voice-to-voice instruction)
- Does the program offer constant feedback, both written and oral, to students?
ICF has approved over 50 ACTP and ACSTH programs worldwide. While a program may not be headquartered near you, many programs offer teleclasses or will offer their program in various locations throughout the world. ICF recommends that you research coach training programs not based on their location, but based on their offerings.
Locating a Coach Training Program
Visit the ICF Web site at www.coachfederation.org and click on “Coach Training” in order to learn more about programs and to access a list of all ACTP, ACSTH, and CCE programs.
The International Coach Federation accredits new programs throughout the year.
Click here to view an ICF presentation about "Finding a Coach Training Program."
International Coach Federation
credential@coachfederation.org
+1-859-219-3580
1-888-423-3131
Thank you for your interest in ICF Credentialing!