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ICF Coach Training Programs for Exponential Career Growth

Are you a coach who wants to take the next steps in your career?

Our ICF coach training programs are designed to help you become a better coach and boost your credibility. Becoming an ICF-certified coach means becoming part of a worldwide professional community. It also signals your clients that you work according to set standards and the ICF Code of Ethics, making you more trustworthy as a coach.

ICF ACC Level 1 Accredited Coach Training Program
ICF PCC & ACTC Level 2 Accredited Coach Training Program
ICF ACTC (AATC) Coach Training Program Logo

Our ICF coach training programs are designed to help you become a better coach and boost your credibility. Becoming an ICF-certified coach means becoming part of a worldwide professional community. It also signals your clients that you work according to set standards and the ICF Code of Ethics, making you more trustworthy as a coach.

What Do You Get from an ICF Accredited Coach Training Program​

The ICF (International Coaching Federation) offers certifications for coaches at various levels, depending on seniority. They range from the basic ACC (Associate Certified Coach) to PCC (Professional Certified Coach) to MCC (Master Certified Coach). At every level, you must complete a comprehensive training program to meet the standard of the ICF (see below for more details).No matter which level you are at, you will always gain:

Coaching Skills

From basic to advanced, you will learn coaching techniques to build a solid foundation for your practice.

Ethical Standards

ICF has strong ethical guidelines that help you to ensure integrity in all your coaching interactions.

Mentor Coaching

Receive guidance and advice from experienced mentors to refine your coaching methods.

Peer Learning

Collaborate with fellow aspiring coaches to learn more and have some fun while you’re at it.

Practical Experience

Collaborate with fellow aspiring coaches to learn more and have some fun while you’re at it.

Continuous Feedback

Get constructive feedback from mentors and peers to improve your coaching proficiency.

Your Individual Executive Coaching Program Unveiled

Our programs are far from one-size-fits-all. Each is meticulously customized to meet our clients’ specific needs, aspirations, and desires. Here’s what you can expect when working with us.

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What is ICF Coach Training?​

ICF-accredited coach training is a structured program that develops your coaching skills, knowledge, and competencies. It equips you with the expertise needed to help others achieve their goals and unlock their potential.

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How is ICF Coach Training delivered?

The ICF-accredited training is delivered through approved institutions, like Tandem Coaching, that meet all the criteria set by the ICF to ensure that all coaches are trained to the same standards. Below, you can find out more about the core competencies taught and the process you go through.

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How Do ICF Accredited Coach Training Programs Work?

These programs typically combine theoretical learning, practical coaching experience, and mentorship. You’ll participate in real-time classes, complete self-study assignments, and receive feedback on your coaching techniques from experienced coaches. 

The aim is to provide you with a robust set of coaching tools.

Benefits of ICF-Accredited Team Coaching Certification Training

Joining an ICF-Accredited Team Coaching program brings many benefits:

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1. Enhanced Skills

You’ll learn specialized coaching techniques that go beyond the basics, equipping you with advanced skills to handle a variety of coaching scenarios. These techniques include effective questioning, active listening, and giving and receiving feedback.

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2. Credibility

An ICF certification is respected worldwide, which significantly boosts your professional credibility. This recognition can set you apart in a competitive market, showing that you meet the highest standards of coaching practice.

3. Client Trust

Clients are more likely to trust and hire you if you have a recognized certification. An ICF credential assures clients that you have undergone professional standardized training and stick to ethical guidelines, which builds confidence in your abilities.

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4. Networking

During your training, you’ll meet other coaches and experts, allowing you to build a valuable professional network. These connections can lead to collaborative opportunities, knowledge sharing, and support throughout your coaching career.

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5. Career Opportunities

This certification can open up new job opportunities and higher-paying roles. Whether you’re looking to work in corporate coaching, life coaching, or another niche, an ICF certification can be a key factor in advancing your career.

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6. Resources

Gain access to exclusive ICF resources to keep learning and growing as a coach. These resources include webinars, research, and continuous professional development opportunities that keep you updated with the latest trends and practices in coaching.

List of ICF Coaching Competencies

Here are the core competencies you’ll develop in an ICF-accredited program:

Demonstrates Ethical Practice

Understands and consistently applies coaching ethics and standards of coaching.

Embodies a Coaching Mindset

Develops and maintains a mindset that is open, curious, flexible and client-centered.

Establishes and Maintains Agreements

Partners with the client and relevant stakeholders to create clear agreements about the coaching relationship, process, plans and goals. Establishes agreements for the overall coaching engagement as well as those for each coaching session.

Cultivates Trust and Safety

Partners with the client to create a safe, supportive environment that allows the client to share freely. Maintains a relationship of mutual respect and trust.

Maintains Presence

Is fully conscious and present with the client, employing a style that is open, flexible, grounded and confident.

Listens Actively

Focuses on what the client is and is not saying to fully understand what is being communicated in the context of the client systems and to support client self-expression.

Evokes Awareness

Facilitates client insight and learning by using tools and techniques such as powerful questioning, silence, metaphor or analogy

Facilitates Client Growth

Partners with the client to transform learning and insight into action. Promotes client autonomy in the coaching process.

ICF Coach Certification Process

All ICF-accredited coach certification programs have certain elements in common. These are listed below.The path to becoming an ICF-certified coach involves several key steps:
Complete an ICF-accredited training program. This foundational step provides you with the essential skills and knowledge required for professional coaching. Depending on the level of certification you want to attain, you will need a different number of coach training hours.
Accumulate a specified number of coaching hours. Practical experience is crucial to developing your coaching abilities and demonstrating your competence. These need to be mostly paid coaching hours, and they must be completed within a defined time frame prior to submitting your application.
Participate in mentor coaching sessions. These sessions involve feedback and guidance from experienced coaches, helping you refine your techniques and approach.
Submit recorded coaching sessions for assessment. This step ensures that your coaching practice meets ICF’s standards and guidelines. Coaching sessions need to be framed in a certain way and have a defined beginning, middle, and end to ensure that the client feels safe and can make consistent progress.
Pass the ICF Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA). This exam tests your understanding of coaching principles, core competencies, and ethical guidelines, validating your readiness for certification.
By following these steps, you’ll gain the credentials and confidence to excel in the coaching profession and make a meaningful impact on your clients’ lives.

You Got Questions. Here Are Some Answers.

What Are Some of the Best ICF Coach Training Programs?

The top ICF Coach Training Programs are those that are officially ICF-accredited, like the ones we offer here at Tandem Coaching.

With our ACC and PCC Certification Training, you can be sure to get exactly the skills and knowledge intended by the ICF (International Coaching Federation).

Each ICF Coaching Certification Program has different specific requirements, depending on the level of certification you would like to attain.

At Tandem Coaching, we offer the ACC Certification Program and the PCC Certification Program.

For ACC, you will need 60 hours of coach-specific education, a minimum of 100 hours of coaching experience, and 10 hours of mentor coaching. Additionally, you will need to pass a performance evaluation and an exam.

For PCC, you will need 125 hours of coach-specific education, a minimum of 500 hours of coaching experience, and 10 hours of mentor coaching. Additionally, you will need to pass a performance evaluation and an exam.

We can help you successfully complete all the requirements on whichever path you choose.

The ICF offers three primary levels of certification (or ‘credentialing’ as they call it) for coaches: 

  • ACC – Associate Certified Coach
  • PCC – Professional Certified Coach
  • MCC – Master Certified Coach

There are additional qualifications that coaches can get through the ICF, like the Advanced Certification in Team Coaching, which we also offer here at Tandem Coaching.

With an ICF certification, you can become an executive coach, life coach, career coach, and more. This credential opens doors to opportunities in various industries, including corporate, healthcare, education, and personal development.

You will have opportunities to be employed (as an internal coach) or self-employed so that you can work with a wide variety of clients from different walks of life.

The ICF Coach Training Programs teach skills that are relevant across industries. Therefore, industry-specific training programs are not needed.Coaching addresses soft skills, such as communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence. Also, the coaching methodology is about guiding the client to find their own solutions rather than giving advice.That’s why coaching skills are not specific to any industry.