The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the world’s largest coaching and coaching-related organisation. The International Coach Federation (ICF) is dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards, providing independent accreditation, and creating a global network of certified coaches.

Coaches can earn a globally recognised, independent certificate through the International Coach Federation (ICF). ICF Credentials are issued to professional coaches who have passed stringent academic and experience requirements and demonstrated a full understanding of the coaching abilities that define the industry standard. Earning ICF certifications demonstrates a coach’s commitment to ethics, mastery of coaching skills, expertise and dedication to clients.

The ICF also recognises coach-specific training programmes. ICF-accredited training programmes must pass a rigorous evaluation process and demonstrate that their curriculum aligns with the ICF Core Competencies and Code of Ethics. ICF approved training in India is in great demand due to various factors.

ICF is well-known among coaching professionals all across the world for:

• Developing core coaching abilities
• Creating rules for coach-specific training programmes through accreditation
• Developing a certifying scheme that is recognised around the world
• Creating a code of ethics and professional standards
• Continuous learning is provided through world-class events, Communities of Practice (CPs), and archived learning.
• Conversations on the future of coaching are being led and information provided to coaches.

During the ICF Coach certification programme, the best ICF accredited coach programmes ensure that participants understand the differences between Life Coaching, Business Coaching, Executive Coaching, and Wellness Coaching.
ICF-accredited coaches can specialise in any of these coaching specialties to expand their business.

Based on the amount of coaching hours, the ICF offers three different levels of credentialing:

• 100 hours of coaching as an Associate Certified Coach (ACC).
• 500 hours of coaching as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC).
• 2500 hours of coaching as a Master Certified Coach (MCC).

The CKA is an online multiple-choice exam based on the ICF Core Competencies and Code of Ethics that allows you to demonstrate your understanding of your coaching program’s coaching training.

Your ICF certificate is good for three years; to keep it active, you must complete 40 hours of continuing education and 10 hours of Mentor Coaching.

• An Level 2 or Level 1 programme with at least 60 hours of coach-specific training is required.
• Mentor Coaching for a total of 10 hours over a minimum of three months, as evidenced on your online application. Your Mentor Coach must be an ACC, PCC, or MCC in good standing who has completed a full cycle of the credential, including renewal.
• Following the start of your coach-specific training, you must have a minimum of 100 hours (70 paid) of coaching experience with at least eight clients. At least 25 of these hours must be completed within the last 24 months of completing the certification application.
• Evaluation of performance (audio recording and written transcript of a coach session to be uploaded with your application).
• The CKA must be completed.

Individuals who want to become a Certified Life Coach, Business Coach, Certified Career Coach, ICF Certified Leadership Coach, or ICF Certified Executive Coach should pursue ICF certification, as ICF Certified Coaches are more well-known in the coaching community.
An ICF-approved coach training programme can lead to the ICF ACC or ICF PCC.

ICF Coach Certification 

ICF Credential holders are members of a self-regulating organisation of elite coaches who hold themselves and the coaching profession as a whole accountable. They pursue and complete demanding education and practise requirements, demonstrating their unwavering dedication to coaching excellence.

Coaching is currently unregulated and one of the fastest-growing professions. To put it another way, anyone may call oneself a coach. Choosing to earn an ICF credential will not only set you apart from the competition, but it will also demonstrate to others that you take coaching seriously and are committed to your own professional development.

With an ICF certificate, you stand out from the crowd of coaches. It also shows your clients how serious you are about your new career and how dedicated you are to your own professional growth. Hence, ICF approved certification in India is in great demand.

It can also help you charge higher rates and earn more money, as well as attract more clients who are serious about changing their lives, land more corporate contracts, and enhance referrals and client satisfaction.

Enrolling in an ICF-approved coach training programme is the ideal way to begin started as a Leadership Coach, Certified Life Coach, Executive Coach, Career Coach, Business Coach, or Wellness Coach.

ICF ACC & ICF PCC

ICF-certified coaches are more well-known in the coaching sector. When it comes to coaching, the International Coach Federation (ICF) is the gold standard. The ICF Coach certification can be used to progress to the ICF ACC level or to the ICF PCC level directly.

The ICF ACC, which is the core ICF Coach Certification, can be earned through ICF-accredited coach programmes. The ICF PCC level is an intermediate credential that has been certified by the ICF. ICF Certification can help ICF Coaches gain more reputation in the coaching industry, as well as improve their coaching skills and brand authority.

The ICF certification demonstrates that the ICF Coach follows the ICF definition of coaching, as well as the ICF definition of ethics, ICF Coaching standards, and ICF Coaching guidelines, which helps to establish trust with corporate clients.

ICF approved coach programs in India

Coach credibility, coach branding, and exceptional coach programme methodology, tools, approaches, and approved material are all ensured by the best ICF recognised coaching programmes.

Furthermore, the best coaching schools teach you everything you need to know about coaching, including how to pick a coaching specialisation in ICF approved programs in India, whether it’s Wellness Coaching, Life Coaching, Business Coaching, or Leadership Coaching. We will explore how to choose a coaching speciality during our ICF approved certification in India course, as choosing the right niche ensures that you will improve as a coach.

Because ICF Coach certification at ICF ACC or ICF PCC validates coaching skills, ICF credentials can open up several prospects for corporate coaching.
The ICF Coaching is based on the ICF definition of coaching, standards, and set guidelines to ensure that ICF Coaches have high skills, experience, brand, and recognition in the market after obtaining ICF coach certifications.

If you just want to get started then ICF ACC is a good start, and if you are sure about coaching as a profession for you, then you can directly go for ICF PCC Certification, as ICF PCC certification is a longer duration program, has more number of hours required of coaching for a person to become a coach.  ICF PCC certification is generally what corporates are looking for as the hiring managers/stakeholders want to ensure that the coach that is being onboarded is well trained, and well-experienced coach.

• Completion of an ICF-accredited coach training program in its entirety (ACTP).
• Following the start of your coach-specific training, you must have a minimum of 500 hours (440 paid) of coaching experience with at least 25 clients. At least 50 of these hours must be completed within the preceding 24 months of completing the certification application.
• The Coach Knowledge Assessment must be completed (CKA).

Please check the ICF website for more information and up-to-date information. Currently, due to Covid, some temporary adjustments to the requirements have been made, which have been published on the ICF website.

ICF PCC certification is gaining a lot of recognition in the market, and coaches who are ICF PCC credentialed generally have an edge over coaches who are not ICF accredited.