Coaching Foundations: ICF Competencies & Ethics
Self-paced orientation covering the ICF framework, core competencies, and ethical standards. Experience our teaching style and meet the community — no cost, no commitment.
The complete path from zero experience to Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential. Earn your ACC, PCC, and ACTC certifications through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) in a single enrollment — 125+ hours of coach education, mentoring, supervision, and exam prep for $7,499.
With Cherie Silas, MCC, Alex Kudinov, MCC & team
You’ve decided coaching is your career. Not a side interest — a real commitment. You want PCC-level credentialing, maybe even ACTC for team coaching. But every program you find only covers one piece.
One program gives you ACC. Another gets you from ACC to PCC. A third covers team coaching. Three enrollments, three schedules, three payment plans — and no guarantee the pieces actually fit together. You end up coordinating between programs, repeating prerequisite content, and spending months figuring out what comes next instead of developing your coaching skills.
Maybe you’re also wondering whether the investment is worth it. Buying ACC and PCC training separately costs more and takes longer. And you still have to find a team coaching certification on top of that.
That’s exactly why we built the Professional Coach Program. One enrollment, one integrated curriculum, one price. You start with foundational coaching, advance through systems and team coaching, and finish with three ICF credentials — all guided by Master Certified Coaches who have been there.
The Professional Coach Program is designed for people who want PCC-level coaching ability — not just the credential.
Cherie Silas and Alex Kudinov — both Master Certified Coaches — lead your training alongside a team of PCC-credentialed instructors. You learn from coaches who actively coach Fortune 500 leaders.
ACC, PCC, and ACTC in a single integrated curriculum. No re-enrollments, no coordinating between programs. $7,499 — saving $499 vs. enrolling in ACC and Systems Coach separately.
Phase 1 builds your 1-on-1 coaching foundation. Phase 2 adds systems thinking and team coaching. You graduate able to coach individuals, teams, and organizational dynamics.
Group mentor coaching, individual mentor coaching, group supervision, and performance evaluation prep are all included. No separate purchases, no add-ons, no surprises.
Start at your own pace with the free Foundations module. Phase 1 runs sequentially through ACC modules. Phase 2 follows with systems coaching on a flexible schedule. Finish in 12–18 months.
ICF Coach Knowledge Assessment prep is built in. When you finish, you get documentation, guidance on the application process, and support through credentialing — not just a certificate.
This program is designed for people who know coaching is their path and want to reach PCC level without the piecemeal approach.
You’re starting from scratch and want to go all the way to PCC. Instead of enrolling in one program now and figuring out the next step later, you lock in the complete path upfront.
You’re transitioning into coaching from leadership, HR, consulting, or a related field. You want the fastest credible path to PCC-level credentials that qualifies you for professional coaching roles.
You already use coaching skills in your leadership role and want formal ICF credentials to coach executives, teams, or lead coaching initiatives inside your organization.
Self-paced orientation covering the ICF framework, core competencies, and ethical standards. Experience our teaching style and meet the community — no cost, no commitment.
Build your coaching foundation through four core modules covering session structure, contracting, listening, powerful questioning, direct communication, cognitive reframing, and advanced techniques. Includes group supervision, mentor coaching, and exam prep.
You earn your ACC credential at the end of Phase 1 — a real milestone, not just a stepping stone.
Advance beyond individual coaching into systems dynamics, team coaching, and organizational-level work. Builds directly on Phase 1 skills. You finish Phase 2 with PCC and ACTC credentials.
This is the same curriculum as our standalone Systems Coach Program — but you enter it seamlessly as a Professional Coach Program student.
New cohorts begin throughout the year — pick the start date that works for you.
Don’t wait — start your free self-paced coursework now and be ready when live sessions begin.
Start Free CourseworkYou start with Phase 1 (ACC training) — join the next available ACC cohort and progress sequentially through the program. Phase 2 (Systems Coach) follows on a flexible schedule.
All training, mentoring, supervision, and exam prep included. Three ICF credentials (ACC + PCC + ACTC) in one enrollment. Save $499 vs. buying ACC and Systems Coach separately.
Our instructors don’t just teach coaching — they coach Fortune 500 leaders, design coaching programs for global organizations, and train other coaches to do the same.
Cherie is a co-founder and CEO of Tandem Coaching with over 20 years of experience as a corporate leader turned professional coach. She ranks in the top 3.7% of over 56,000 credentialed coaches worldwide and was named the #16 most influential coach by Global Gurus. Her background in executive, leadership, and agile coaching – combined with deep organizational design expertise – gives students a rare blend of real-world leadership and coaching mastery. Cherie is also a co-author of the Enterprise Agile Coaching book and one of only 215 Accredited Coaching Supervisors worldwide with EMCC.
Alex is a technology leader turned professional coach with over 20 years of experience spanning software development, product leadership, and consulting across industries including Oil & Gas, Investment Banking, and Commodities Trading. He brings a unique perspective that bridges human, business, and technology dimensions, making him especially effective for coaches working in corporate and tech environments. Alex holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, is a co-author of the Enterprise Agile Coaching book, and is a Scrum Alliance Certified Enterprise Coach and Professional Scrum Trainer.
Kalina is a senior trainer and facilitator with 15+ years of experience delivering practical, business-focused leadership and organizational effectiveness training in large corporate environments. An ICF PCC, she integrates NLP, Positive Psychology, and neuroscience into human-centered learning experiences that translate into real-world application.
Karen is an ICF Professional Certified Coach and experienced facilitator, with extensive experience in leadership development and executive coaching. She brings warmth, rigor, and real-world insight to the classroom, helping students develop their authentic coaching voice.
The Professional Coach Program is Tandem Coaching’s integrated path to International Coaching Federation (ICF) Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credentialing. It combines ICF Level 1 coach education (ACC credential) with Level 2 education (PCC + ACTC credentials) into a single enrollment.
Instead of enrolling in separate programs for each credential, you get a continuous curriculum of 125+ hours of ICF-accredited coaching education designed to develop your coaching ability from foundational skills through advanced systems and team coaching. Whether you want to become a life coach, executive coach, or build a coaching business – this program gives you the education, coaching experience, and credentials to help clients achieve their goals and launch your career with confidence.
Three ICF credentials – each a globally recognized coaching certification:
Each credential is applied for separately through the International Coaching Federation after meeting the education, mentoring, and experience requirements. Holding all three positions you as a certified professional coach with both individual and team coaching expertise.
Tandem offers the same training content through two standalone programs: the ACC Certification Program ($3,999) and the Systems Coach Program ($3,999). The Professional Coach Program bundles both for $7,499 — saving $499.
Beyond the cost savings, the bundled program provides a single enrollment, coordinated scheduling, and a curriculum that flows directly from Phase 1 into Phase 2 without administrative gaps.
No. The Professional Coach Program is designed for people with no prior coach training. Phase 1 starts with foundational concepts and builds from there.
If you already have ACC certification or 60+ hours of ICF-accredited training, the Systems Coach Program (bridge from ACC to PCC + ACTC) is the right fit — you don’t need to repeat Level 1 training.
Most students complete both phases in 12 to 18 months. Phase 1 (ACC) follows a sequential cohort schedule. Phase 2 (Systems Coach) runs on a flexible schedule, with multiple entry points throughout the year.
You can start immediately with the free Coaching Foundations module, then join the next available ACC cohort when you’re ready to enroll.
The only additional costs are ICF’s own fees: the exam fee, application fee, and optional membership. Those are paid directly to ICF, not to Tandem.
Start with the free Coaching Foundations module. It covers ICF competencies and ethics at no cost and lets you experience our teaching style before committing to anything.
If you decide coaching is the right path but aren’t sure about PCC yet, you can enroll in the ACC program standalone for $3,999 and bridge to PCC later through the Systems Coach Program.
Choose the path that matches where you are and where you want to go.
| Feature | ACC Program | Professional Coach | Systems Coach (Bridge) | ACTC Team Coaching |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites | None | None | 60+ hours ICF training | ACC or PCC credential |
| Credentials earned | ACC | ACC + PCC + ACTC | PCC + ACTC | ACTC |
| Training hours | 60 hours | 125+ hours | 65+ hours | 60+ hours |
| ICF accreditation level | Level 1 | Level 1 + Level 2 | Level 2 | Team Coaching |
| 1-on-1 coaching skills | ||||
| Systems & team coaching | ||||
| Mentor coaching included | ||||
| Supervision included | ||||
| Exam prep included | ||||
| Price | $3,999 | $7,499 | $3,999 | $2,499 |
| Typical timeline | 6–9 months | 12–18 months | 6–9 months | 6–9 months |
| Best for | Starting out, exploring coaching | Committed to PCC-level career | ACC holders advancing to PCC | Adding team coaching specialty |
Everything you need to know about the Professional Coach Program.
None. The Professional Coach Program is designed for people starting from scratch. Phase 1 begins with foundational coaching concepts and builds progressively. No prior coaching experience or training is required.
Most students complete both phases in 12 to 18 months. Phase 1 (ACC) takes approximately 6–9 months following a sequential cohort schedule. Phase 2 (Systems Coach) takes another 6–9 months on a flexible schedule.
You can start immediately with the free Coaching Foundations module and join the next available ACC cohort when you’re ready.
Everything you need from enrollment to credentialing:
The only additional costs are ICF’s own fees (exam fee, application fee, and optional membership), which are paid directly to ICF.
The curriculum content is the same. The Professional Coach Program bundles both programs into a single enrollment for $7,499, saving $499 vs. buying ACC ($3,999) and Systems Coach ($3,999) separately.
Beyond cost savings, the bundled enrollment provides coordinated scheduling and a seamless transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 without re-enrolling.
The Systems Coach Program ($3,999) is the right fit. It’s designed as a bridge from ACC to PCC + ACTC. You don’t need to repeat Level 1 training.
The Professional Coach Program is for people starting from zero who want the complete path in one enrollment.
Yes. You can enroll in the ACC program standalone for $3,999. After earning your ACC, you can bridge to PCC + ACTC through the Systems Coach Program for another $3,999 (total $7,998).
The Professional Coach Program saves $499 over that path and provides a single, coordinated enrollment from the start.
Yes. Phase 2 of the Professional Coach Program is the same systems coaching curriculum that qualifies for both PCC and ACTC credentials. You can apply for ACTC through ICF after meeting the team coaching experience requirements.
The program is blended — live Zoom sessions combined with self-paced coursework on our learning platform. All live sessions are interactive, not lectures. You practice coaching in breakout rooms with peers and get real-time feedback from instructors.
The program is led by Cherie Silas, MCC and Alex Kudinov, MCC, along with a team of PCC-credentialed instructors. Both Cherie and Alex hold ICF’s highest credential (Master Certified Coach) and actively coach Fortune 500 leaders.
Yes. The Coaching Foundations module is completely free — no credit card, no commitment. It covers ICF competencies and ethics and gives you a feel for our teaching style and community before you invest.
Three ways to begin. Every option includes MCC-led instruction and our supportive coaching community.
