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Team Coaching Competencies & Ethics
Self-paced orientation covering the ICF Team Coaching Competencies and ethical standards for team coaching. Experience our approach and meet the community – no cost, no commitment.
Our International Coaching Federation (ICF) accredited team coaching certification program gives you everything you need to earn your Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC) credential – with the rare advantage of learning from an instructor who holds both MCC and ACTC, coaching teams at the highest level.
With Cherie Silas, MCC, ACTC & team
Team coaching demand is exploding. Organizations are shifting from individual coaching to team-level interventions because that’s where the leverage is. They want coaches who can work with intact teams, cross-functional groups, and leadership teams as systems – not just collections of individuals.
But most training programs haven’t caught up. What gets marketed as “team coaching” is often facilitation skills repackaged, generic group dynamics theory, or programs built by instructors who’ve never held the ACTC themselves. You deserve better than theory from someone who hasn’t done the work.
You already coach individuals well. What you need is a structured, ICF-aligned approach to coaching teams as living systems – understanding team dynamics, stakeholder relationships, and organizational context in ways that individual coaching never touches.
That’s exactly what this program is designed for.
Cherie Silas is one of the few coaches who holds both MCC and ACTC. You’re learning team coaching from someone who’s done it, not someone who teaches theory about it.
The Team Coaching Competencies & Ethics module is completely free. Experience our approach before committing a single dollar.
Five hours of coaching supervision is mandatory for ACTC. We include it in the full program – most competitors charge extra or make you find it yourself.
We teach the 7-Eyed Model and systems framing – coaching the team as a single entity, not running group sessions for individuals.
You’ve mastered individual coaching. Now organizations are asking you to coach teams, and you need the methodology and credential to do it well. ACTC gives you the structured approach to team dynamics that individual coaching doesn’t cover.
You have your ACC and want to specialize. ACTC sets you apart in a growing market that most coaches haven’t entered yet. Team coaching is where the demand is heading.
You already work with teams but lack the ICF team coaching framework. ACTC gives your practice the structure and recognition it deserves – and makes you competitive for contracts that require ICF credentials.
Don’t have your ACC or PCC yet? No problem – start with our ACC Level 1 program or go straight to the Professional Coach Program which includes ACC + PCC + ACTC in one enrollment.
Self-paced orientation covering the ICF Team Coaching Competencies and ethical standards for team coaching. Experience our approach and meet the community – no cost, no commitment.
The foundational systems perspective: understanding teams as interconnected systems, not collections of individuals.
Enroll in Module 1Working with organizational context, stakeholder dynamics, and the team’s relationship to the wider system.
Enroll in Module 2The 7-Eyed Model in practice: helping teams see their patterns, assumptions, and blind spots from multiple perspectives.
Enroll in Module 3Building the team’s capacity to observe itself, hold complexity, and choose its responses intentionally.
Enroll in Module 4Guided group sessions that run throughout the program and beyond – reflect on your team coaching practice, develop professional self-awareness, and receive feedback from experienced coaching supervisors. Required for ACTC certification.
Expert review of your recorded team coaching sessions. Get detailed feedback on your team coaching competencies before submitting for certification.
EnrollTargeted preparation for the ICF Team Coaching certification exam. Walk into your exam confident and ready.
EnrollJump in with any module — no sequential order required. All times Eastern (ET).
Get a head start — begin free self-paced coursework now and be ready when your module begins.
Start Free CourseworkStart with any module – ACTC modules are independent, so you can join wherever fits your schedule. View upcoming sessions below.
Save vs. buying modules individually. Includes all core modules, supervision, recording review, and exam prep – everything you need from enrollment to certification.
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.
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.
Having an instructor who personally holds the ACTC means you’re learning from real team coaching experience – not just someone who read the competency framework.
“I learned so much from Cherie through the years that basically it became the core of my coaching style. Tandem Coaching provided me with such a solid foundation that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
“Tandem Coaching has been a well that I’ve returned to often. Beyond the courses I attended, I’ve been able to expand my network, grow my skills, and develop enduring relationships that have led to new income streams. All of this because of the time and effort that the instructors at Tandem Coaching invested in me – even beyond the classroom.”
The ICF Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC) is a specialized credential from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) that recognizes coaches trained to work with teams as systems. Unlike individual coaching credentials such as the ACC, PCC, or MCC, the ACTC specifically validates your ability to coach intact teams, cross-functional groups, and leadership teams – addressing how people collaborate, make decisions, and perform together.
The ICF introduced the ACTC to meet growing demand for qualified team coaches. Organizations increasingly need coaches who can help teams navigate complexity, address team dynamics, and build capacity for high performance – rather than coaching individuals one at a time. Team coaching treats the team itself as the client, helping it develop shared goals and collective behavior that drives results.
To earn the ACTC, you must complete ICF-accredited team coaching education, demonstrate team coaching experience, receive coaching supervision, and pass the ICF Team Coaching certification exam. You must also already hold an individual coaching credential (ACC, PCC, or MCC). Tandem’s ICF-accredited ACTC program helps you meet ICF requirements for team coaching certification in one integrated pathway – with all education, supervision, and exam prep included.
To earn the ACTC credential, the ICF requires you to meet five core criteria. Here’s what each one involves:
The ICF requires at least 60 hours of team coaching education that covers all eight ICF Team Coaching Competencies. Key requirements include:
Tandem’s program provides 60+ hours that exceed these requirements, with a carefully designed mix of live modules led by MCC-level instructors and self-paced learning that lets you apply concepts between sessions. You’ll practice coaching real teams, not just study theory.
You need five team coaching engagements completed within the past five years. The ICF has specific criteria for what counts:
This is one area where planning ahead pays off. Many coaches start identifying team coaching opportunities early in their training so they can build their engagement portfolio in parallel with their education.
The ICF requires five hours of coaching supervision with a qualified supervisor. Supervision is distinct from mentor coaching – it focuses on your development as a reflective practitioner, not just skill-building:
Tandem includes supervision hours as part of the full program, so you won’t need to source a supervisor separately.
The final step is passing the ICF Team Coaching certification exam. Here’s what to expect:
Tandem offers a dedicated test prep module ($59) that walks you through the competency framework, provides practice questions, and helps you identify areas that need additional review before sitting for the exam.
The typical timeline depends on your pace and how quickly you can secure team coaching engagements:
Because experience hours can overlap with training, many coaches complete the full ACTC process within a year. The biggest variable is securing your five team coaching engagements – coaches who already work with teams in their current role often move through faster.
Transparency matters when you’re investing in your coaching career. Here’s the full cost breakdown so there are no surprises:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tandem Full ACTC Program (all modules, supervision & exam prep) | $2,499 |
| ICF ACTC Application Fee (member) | $250 |
| ICF ACTC Application Fee (non-member) | $350 |
| Total Investment | $2,749 – $2,849 |
Tandem’s program includes all training modules, group supervision hours, and access to exam prep materials in one bundled price. There are no hidden fees or surprise add-ons beyond the ICF application fee, which is paid directly to the ICF when you apply for the credential.
Yes. The ACTC is an advanced team coaching credential that builds on individual coaching foundations. The ICF requires that you hold a current ACC, PCC, or MCC credential before you can apply for the ACTC.
This prerequisite exists because effective team coaching requires a solid grounding in core coaching skills – active listening, powerful questioning, and holding space – before adding the complexity of group dynamics, systems thinking, and multi-stakeholder relationships.
If you don’t yet hold an individual coaching credential, you’ll want to start there first. Tandem offers an ICF Level 1 ACC program that provides the foundational training and credential you need. Or consider the Professional Coach Program to earn ACC + PCC + ACTC in one enrollment.
The distinction matters for ACTC certification – and for your coaching practice. Team coaching works with an intact team that shares goals, outcomes, and accountability. Group coaching brings together individuals who may share a topic or interest but don’t work together day-to-day.
The ACTC credential specifically validates your ability to coach teams as systems. If your practice focuses on group coaching (cohort programs, mastermind groups), you may use some overlapping skills, but the ACTC is designed for coaches working with intact organizational teams.
If you’ve been coaching teams informally – perhaps as a leader, consultant, or agile coach – you may wonder whether that experience counts toward ACTC certification. Here’s how prior learning and experience apply:
The key takeaway: your experience building high-performance teams is valuable, and the ACTC helps you formalize it with a globally recognized credential. You’re not starting from zero – you’re adding structure and credibility to expertise you’ve already developed.
Have questions about the ACTC path?
Talk to UsOur full ACTC program ($2,499) includes everything you need – supervision, exam prep, and recording review. Most competitors charge these separately.
| Feature | Recommended Tandem Full Program $2,499 – all included | Typical Programs Other team coaching training | DIY Path Self-assembled route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instructor Holds ACTC | Yes (MCC + ACTC) | Varies | N/A |
| Free Trial Module | Yes – start before paying | No | N/A |
| Supervision Included | Included in full program | Often $500–800 extra | Must arrange yourself |
| Exam Prep Included | Included in full program | Sometimes extra | Find separately |
| Recording Review | Included in full program | Varies | On your own |
| Systems Coaching Model | 7-Eyed Model | Generic | Varies |
| ICF Application Support | Guided | Varies | On your own |
| Ongoing Community | 1,000+ coaches | Varies | None |
All four core modules, group supervision, recording review, and exam prep – one price, no surprises.
Everything you need to know about earning your Advanced Certification in Team Coaching.
The Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC) is an ICF credential that recognizes coaches trained to work with teams as systems. It’s for coaches who already hold an ACC, PCC, or MCC and want to add team coaching to their practice. If you work with leadership teams, cross-functional groups, or intact organizational teams, the ACTC validates your specialized expertise.
No – you need any current individual coaching credential from the ICF. ACC holders, PCC holders, and MCC holders can all pursue the ACTC. You do not need to be at the PCC level first.
The PCC (Professional Certified Coach) is an individual coaching credential that recognizes advanced one-on-one coaching skills. The ACTC (Advanced Certification in Team Coaching) is a separate, specialized credential for coaching teams. They address different competencies – the PCC covers ICF Core Competencies for individual coaching, while the ACTC covers the ICF Team Coaching Competencies. Many coaches hold both.
You need five team coaching engagements within the past 5 years. Each must involve coaching an intact team (3+ members) working toward shared goals. You document them through the ICF application with client organization details, dates, team size, and coaching hours. Engagements can begin while you’re still in training.
Most participants complete the full program in 4–6 months, depending on their schedule. The self-paced modules offer flexibility, and live sessions are scheduled in cohorts. Total timeline from enrollment to ICF certification is typically 6–12 months, including time to complete team coaching engagements and supervision.
Yes. Each core module ($399) and supporting module can be purchased separately. However, the full program ($2,499) saves you money and includes supervision, recording review, and exam prep – everything you need for certification in one package.
Coaching supervision is a reflective practice where a qualified supervisor helps you examine your coaching patterns, blind spots, and development areas. Unlike mentor coaching (which focuses on skill-building), supervision focuses on your professional development and self-awareness as a team coach. The ICF requires 5 hours for ACTC certification. Our program includes group supervision led by accredited supervisors.
The exam is a computer-based assessment administered through the ICF portal. It tests your knowledge of the ICF Team Coaching Competencies and ethical standards specific to team coaching. The format is multiple-choice. Our test prep module ($59) prepares you specifically for this exam.
With Tandem’s full program: $2,499 (includes all training, supervision, recording review, and exam prep) plus $250 ICF application fee for ICF members ($350 for non-members). Total: approximately $2,749–$2,849. Individual module pricing totals more if purchased separately.
Yes. Tandem offers two paths to combined credentials: The Systems Coach Program ($3,999) bridges from ACC to PCC + ACTC if you already have foundational training. The Professional Coach Program ($7,499) bundles everything from ACC through PCC + ACTC in one enrollment for coaches starting from scratch.
Both. The free introductory module is entirely self-paced. Core modules combine live (synchronous) sessions with self-paced learning, meeting the ICF requirement of at least 50% live instruction. This hybrid format gives you flexibility while ensuring the interactive practice that team coaching demands.
Team coaching works with an intact team that shares goals, outcomes, and accountability – the focus is on team dynamics and how the group performs together. Group coaching brings together individuals who may share a topic but don’t work together day-to-day. The ACTC credential specifically validates your ability to coach teams as systems, helping them navigate complexity and build high-performance habits collectively.
Yes. Your five required team coaching engagements can include work from the past 5 years, even before you started formal training. They must meet ICF criteria (intact team, 3+ members, documented), but they don’t have to have been labeled “team coaching” at the time. Education hours, however, must come from an ICF-accredited program – prior workshops or non-ICF training don’t transfer.
Individual modules can be cancelled before the first live session for a full refund. The full program follows the same policy. Self-paced modules that have not been accessed can be refunded. Contact us for specific situations – we’re reasonable people.
Choose the path that fits your goals and budget. Every option includes ICF-accredited training from an instructor who holds both MCC and ACTC.
