Become an ICF Certified Coach.

Associate Certified Coach (ACC)

The Associate Certified Coach best fits those wanting to explore and start building their coach career.

Requirements for the Associate Certified Coach credential:

• 1.0 Life Coach Training Program
• Group Mentor Coaching (8 Sessions)
• 100 Logged Coaching Hours
• Pass the ICF Credentialing Exam

Requirements Explained

1.0 Life Coach Training Program: CTEDU’s 1.0 Life Coach Training Program includes 62.5 training hours, 3 individual mentor coaching sessions (ie, Assessments), and a performance evaluation at the ACC level. The 26-week program addresses the core competencies set out by the International Coach Federation. Attendance at a minimum of 22 of the 26 sessions will meet requirements for certification.

Group Mentor Coaching (8 Sessions): The ICF requires a total of 7 group mentor coaching sessions. These sessions are part of your 1.0 program. Additional group mentor cohorts are held frequently to make up missed sessions. Attendance of the 8 sessions will meet requirements for certification.

100 Logged Coaching Hours: In order to receive your Associate Certified Coach credential, you must maintain a coaching log of at least 100 coaching experience hours. These hours may include practice sessions with clients, internal coaching, and barter coaching with other coaches, but does not include time spent practicing during your training sessions.

Pass the ICF Credentialing Exam: The ICF Credentialing Exam is a 3 hour exam featuring 81 “situational judgment” questions. Each question will provide several multiple choice answers to choose from, and will require you to choose the BEST and WORST response for each question. CTEDU’s emphasis on practical application and practice thoroughly prepares coaches to successfully pass this rigorous exam.

Professional Certified Coach (PCC)

Designed by the ICF, the Professional Certified Coach certification best fits those wanting to be full-time coaches or to supervise other coaches. It’s a much more challenging credential and well-respected in the coaching field.

Required Courses for Professional Certified Coach:

• 125 Training Hours Required
  • 1.0 Life Coach Training Program (62.5 hours)
  • 2.0 Advanced Coach Training Program (62.5 hours)
• 10 Mentor Coaching Sessions Required
  • 6 total assessments (1-1 sessions) provided
  • 8-Session Group Mentor Coaching provided
• 500 Logged Coaching Hours
• Pass the ICF Credentialing Exam

Requirements Explained

1.0 Life Coach Training Program: CTEDU’s 1.0 Life Coach Training Program includes 62.5 training hours, 3 individual mentor coaching sessions (ie, Assessments), and a performance evaluation at the ACC level. The 26-week program addresses the core competencies set out by the International Coach Federation. Attendance at a minimum of 22 of the 26 sessions will meet requirements for certification.

2.0 Advanced Coach Training Program: CTEDU’s 2.0 Advanced Coach Training Program includes 62.5 training hours, an additional 3 individual mentor coaching sessions (ie, Assessments), and a performance evaluation at the PCC level. The 25-week program addresses the core competencies set out by the International Coach Federation. Attendance at a minimum of 22 of the 25 sessions will meet requirements for certification.

Group Mentor Coaching (8 Sessions): The ICF requires a total of 7 group mentor coaching sessions. These sessions are part of your 1.0 program. Additional group mentor cohorts are held frequently to make up missed sessions. Attendance of the 8 sessions will meet requirements for certification.

500 Logged Coaching Hours: In order to receive your Professional Certified Coach credential, you must maintain a coaching log of at least 500 coaching experience hours. These hours may include practice sessions with clients, internal coaching, and barter coaching with other coaches, but does not include time spent practicing during your training sessions.

Pass the ICF Credentialing Exam: The ICF Credentialing Exam is a 3 hour exam featuring 81 “situational judgment” questions. Each question will provide several multiple choice answers to choose from, and will require you to choose the BEST and WORST response for each question. CTEDU’s emphasis on practical application and practice thoroughly prepares coaches to successfully pass this rigorous exam.

ICF: Master Certified Coach

The Master Coach credential is the highest degree offered by the ICF and is extremely challenging to earn. The level of coaching required to pass the ICF’s standards is very high. The few who do pass, however, are seen as being at the top of their game. They are highly regarded in the coaching community and usually see opportunities for speaking and consulting endeavors in addition to their coaching practice.

Required Courses for Master Certified Coach:

• 200 Training Hours Required
  • 1.0 Life Coach Training Program (62.5 hours)
  • 2.0 Advanced Coach Training Program (62.5 hours)
  • 2 Additional Advanced Courses (40 hours each). Choose From:
    • Relationship Coach Training
    • Belonging & Equity Coach Training
    • Team Coach Training
    • Positive Psychology Coach Training
    • Leadership Coach Training
• Master Level Mentor Coaching Required
• 2,500 Logged Coaching Hours
• Pass the ICF Credentialing Exam

Requirements Explained

1.0 Life Coach Training Program: CTEDU’s 1.0 Life Coach Training Program includes 62.5 training hours, 3 individual mentor coaching sessions (ie, Assessments), and a performance evaluation at the ACC level. The 26-week program addresses the core competencies set out by the International Coach Federation.

2.0 Advanced Coach Training Program: CTEDU’s 2.0 Advanced Coach Training Program includes 62.5 training hours, an additional 3 individual mentor coaching sessions (ie, Assessments), and a performance evaluation at the PCC level. The 25-week program addresses the core competencies set out by the International Coach Federation.

Other Advanced Coach Training: CTEDU offers a range of additional advanced courses, usually ranging from 24–40 training hours per course. Coaches on their path to MCC can choose from a range of courses to meet the training hours required for MCC.

Master Level Mentor Coaching: To meet all the requirements for ICF MCC credentialing, the mentor coaching you receive must be provided by a Master Certified Coach. CTEDU’s exceptional team of mentor coaches feature multiple MCCs, which provides you plenty of opportunity to meet the MCC mentor coaching requirement.

2,500 Logged Coaching Hours: In order to receive your Master Certified Coach credential, you must maintain a coaching log of at least 2,500 coaching experience hours. These hours may include practice sessions with clients, internal coaching, and barter coaching with other coaches, but does not include time spent practicing during your training sessions.

Pass the ICF Credentialing Exam: The ICF Credentialing Exam is a 3 hour exam featuring 81 “situational judgment” questions. Each question will provide several multiple choice answers to choose from, and will require you to choose the BEST and WORST response for each question. CTEDU’s emphasis on practical application and practice thoroughly prepares coaches to successfully pass this rigorous exam.

Certified Teams Coach

The Advanced Certification in Team Coaching is the newest addition to ICF accreditation. It prepares you to work with clients on the topic of relationships as well as best practices to work with two people in a relationship. Relationship coaching is one of the most challenging yet fulfilling specialties and this certification will stretch you.

Required Courses to earn your Advanced Credential in Team Coaching:

• Hold an ICF ACC, PCC, or MCC Credential
• 60 hours of team-related coach training
  • CTEDU Team Coaching Course (24 hours)
  • Choose One:
    • Relationship Coaching (40 hours)
    • Belonging & Equity Coaching (40 hours)
• 5 hours of Supervision
• 5 Team Coaching Engagements
• Pass the ICF Team Coaching Certification Exam

Founding of the International Coach Federation

The International Coach Federation (ICF) was established in 1995 as a response to the growing interest and need for professional coaching. Founded by Thomas Leonard, a pioneer in the field, the ICF sought to create a standardized body that could provide credibility, ethical guidelines, and professional standards for coaches worldwide. Initially, the organization focused on networking and resource-sharing among coaches. However, as the coaching profession grew, the ICF began to offer accreditation programs to ensure quality and consistency in coaching practices.

Positive Psychology Lays the Groundwork

During the same period, the field of positive psychology emerged, pioneered by psychologists like Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Positive psychology shifted the focus of psychological research from pathology to the study of what makes life worth living, emphasizing strengths, virtues, and factors that contribute to human flourishing. This new perspective provided a scientific foundation for many principles that life coaching would later adopt, such as goal-setting, resilience, and well-being.

Coaching Emerges as a Growing Profession

The convergence of the ICF’s efforts to professionalize coaching and the rise of positive psychology created the rich soil for the life coaching field to grow. Positive psychology’s emphasis on empirical research and its application to everyday life helped legitimize life coaching as a valuable service for personal development. Coaches began to integrate positive psychology principles into their practices, offering clients evidence-based strategies to enhance their personal and professional lives.

Continued Growth and Professionalization of Coaching

As both fields evolved, the ICF has continued to play a crucial role in fostering the growth of life coaching by providing ongoing education, certification, and ethical guidelines, ensuring that coaches are well-equipped to help their clients achieve meaningful and lasting change. Today, the ICF is a global organization with thousands of members and credentialed coaches, continuing to shape the future of the coaching profession.

In addition to the ICF, there are several other global and regional coach accrediting bodies. Coaches should be aware of other accreditation options, and consider how and why an ICF accredited training program is right for them.

National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC): NBHWC provides certification for health and wellness coaches, integrating evidence-based practices with collaboration with the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). Health & Wellness coaching is a $16 billion field globally, and is growing every year. Many ICF accredited health and wellness coaches are also choosing to become NBHWC accredited. Coach Training EDU offers dual-accredited programs that help coaches meet both ICF and NBHWC training requirements in as little as 6 months.

European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC): The EMCC provides accreditation and sets professional standards for coaches, mentors, and supervisors, with a strong presence in Europe. Established to develop, promote, and set the expectation of best practices in coaching and mentoring, the EMCC is also leading the way in emphasizing coaching supervision as a valued tool for established coaches. Coaches who operate exclusively in European countries may find the EMCC accreditation valuable, while coaches who want a more US-focused or global reach often choose the ICF.

Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE): The Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) is a nonprofit organization that provides credentialing, assessment, and business services to a wide variety of professions, not just coaching. Coaches who pursue the CCE’s Board Certified Coach (BCC) credential often come with advanced degrees and/or years of experience in people-helping disciplines such as counseling or social work. Coaches may experience challenges in qualifying for the BCC based on their educational background, or struggle to make the transition to life coaching based on relatively limited training and recognition provided by this credential.

International Association of Coaching (IAC): The IAC focuses on rigorous coaching standards and offers certification based on demonstrated coaching mastery, rather than training hours. The IAC tends to be a highly regarded credential in Asia and parts of Europe. Coaches may find a limited awareness of their accreditation if they are working primarily in the US or Europe.

Association for Coaching (AC): Based in the UK, the AC offers accreditation and promotes a strong code of ethics and continuous professional development. The Association for Coaching places greater emphasis on coaching supervision, as well as multiple membership levels. Coaches operating primarily in the UK might find this accreditation helpful.

Coach Training EDU Offers 3 Different Levels of Certification with 4 Areas of Specialized Coaching

Associate Certified Coach (ACC): The perfect certification to start your coaching practice or get hired as an in-house coach. It provides foundational coaching skills and meets the initial requirements for becoming a certified coach through the International Coach Federation (ICF).

Professional Certified Coach (PCC): Ideal for those serious about advancing their coaching career, full-time coaches, and directors of coaching programs. This certification builds on the ACC with more advanced skills and greater depth of knowledge, suitable for higher-level coaching roles.

Master Certified Coach (MCC): For those wanting to master the craft of coaching and make a significant impact on the field. This highest level of certification demonstrates expert coaching abilities and leadership in the coaching profession.

Each of these levels can be paired with any of the following specialized certifications to tailor your coaching expertise.

Certified Executive Coach

The Executive Coach Certification is designed to give you a solid foundation through an ICF-approved program, supplemented with tools, context, and examples specific to the executive field. This popular certificate aligns with the ICF’s levels of certification.

Required Courses for Certified Executive Coach (Level 1 – ACC):

• 1.0 Essential Life Coach Training (26 sessions)
• Executive Specialization (12 modules)
• Group Mentor Coaching (8 sessions)

Add the 2.0 Advanced Coaching course for the Professional Certified Executive Coach.

Certified Wellness Coach

The Wellness Coach Certification gives you the confidence to apply coaching principles to areas of wellness such as exercise, sleep, dietary choices, and more. This program qualifies you for the ICF ACC credential, and meets requirements 2 out of 3 total requirements for the NBHWC credential.

Required Courses for Associate Certified Wellness Coach (Level 1 – ACC):

• 1.0 Essential Life Coach Training (26 sessions)
• Wellness Specialization (12 modules)
• Group Mentor Coaching (8 sessions)

Add the 2.0 Advanced Coaching course for the Professional Certified Wellness Coach or NBHWC Exam Prep Course for the NBHWC accreditation.

Certified Relationship Coach

The Relationship Coach Certification equips you with tools and guidelines to help clients navigate a variety of relationship topics and concerns. The skills and strategies covered are applicable to intimate relationships, parent-child relationships, friendships, and professional relationships.

Required Courses for Associate Certified Relationship Coach (Level 1 – ACC):

• 1.0 Essential Life Coach Training (26 sessions)
• Relationship Specialization (8 modules)
• Group Mentor Coaching (8 sessions)

Add the Advanced Relationship Coaching course (16 weeks) to become a Professional Certified Relationship Coach.

Certified Academic Life Coach

The 1.0 Academic Life Coach Training program was the first coach training approved by the ICF specifically to work with high school and college students. This certification is ideal for those who want to specialize in academic coaching.

Required Courses for Associate Certified Academic Coach:

• 1.0 Academic Life Coaching, OR 1.0 Essential Life Coaching with Academic Specialization
• Group Mentor Coaching (8 sessions)

Add the 2.0 Advanced Coaching course for the Professional Certified Academic Coach.

6 Things Your Life Coaching Program Should Offer

1. Level 1 or Level 2 Accreditation: Research thoroughly. Many organizations use the term “Accredited” or even “ICF-Accredited” without meeting all the standards for ICF credentialing. When researching, be sure to ask if a school is an accredited Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 training provider. To earn your ACC (the first level of coach credentialing), you will need a Level 1 program. To earn your PCC, you will need a Level 2 program. Level 3 programs are exclusively for coaches working towards MCC who already have a coach credential. Note that CCE (continuing coach education) programs, while they may be ICF-Accredited, will not meet all the training standards to earn an ICF Credential. Make sure you are equipped to ask the right questions.

2. Live Classroom Attendance Requirements: Check the course attendance policy. Ensure your schedule allows you to be fully present in all coursework. ICF accredited training programs are required to track your attendance at live sessions. Programs that are offered with optional or no live coursework will not meet ICF standards.

3. Support in Gaining Coaching Experience: Get practical experience. The ICF requires at least 100 coaching hours for the ACC credential, and 500 hours for your PCC. Look for a program that provides ways to help you earn these hours, through barter coaching with peers in the program, connecting you with potential clients, and helping you build a thorough coaching business.

4. Provide Quality Feedback: Your Level 1 or 2 accredited program will automatically provide a mentor coach, who will provide constructive feedback to enhance your skills. The more years of experience and the higher credential your mentor coach has, the better your experience and opportunity to grow as a coach. CTEDU has one of the strongest presences of Master Certified Coaches on their team of many training organizations, as well as PCC mentor coaches with years of stellar experience.

5. Resources to Apply to the ICF & Pass the Exam: Once you’ve completed your education, practice hours, and mentor coaching, you will need to apply to the ICF with your Level 1 or Level 2 certificate to receive your credential. Be sure your training program provides you with the practical steps and additional support to complete this process. Coach Training EDU has an entire support team in your corner to ensure you can earn the credential you have worked so hard to complete.

6. Help in Launching Your Coaching Career: Your certification gives you the credibility to start your own coaching practice or enhance your value as an in-house coach. With your certification, the possibilities are endless. Find a program that will not only provide exceptional coach training, but will help you launch a successful coaching career. Coach Training EDU provides free business building resources, mastermind sessions, and ongoing resources to help our coaches do their life’s work.

1.0 Essential Certification Requirements: To achieve the 1.0 Essential certification from Coach Training EDU (CTEDU), you must complete the following:

• Attend at least 22 out of 24 main classes.
• Complete three overviews.
• Complete the Group Mentor Coaching Course.
• Complete at least 10 hours of practice coaching.

Certification Levels:

• Associate Certified Coach (ACC): Best suited for those starting their coaching career.
• Professional Certified Coach (PCC): Ideal for full-time coaches or those supervising other coaches.
• Master Certified Coach (MCC): The highest credential, for those mastering the craft and seeking leadership roles in coaching.

Each of these certifications builds on the foundational skills acquired in the 1.0 Essential course and includes additional specialized training and practice requirements to ensure comprehensive coaching proficiency.

In addition to the requirements for CTEDU certification, the International Coaching Certification requires the following:

• At least 100 hours of coaching experience, 25 of which must have occurred within 18 months prior to submitting the credential application.
• Depending on the track, some coaches may need to submit a recording for a performance evaluation by an ICF coach.
• Passing of the Coach Knowledge Assessment (ICF Credentialing Exam).

• Completion of an NBHWC-approved training program.
• Accumulate at least 50 coaching sessions after completing your training program.
• Document at least 75 coaching sessions in total.
• Pass the Health & Wellness Coach Certifying Examination.

Yes. We have been accredited by the ICF since 2013.

Yes. We have been accredited by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching since 2022.

Continuing education is a requirement for both the International Coaching Federation and the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching. CTEDU offers free monthly continuing education workshops, as well as several advanced courses that meet the full requirements for continuing education.