Do I Need a Coaching Credential - Part Two

You want to become an ICF credentialed coach. Congratulations! 
 
The ICF values excellence in the coaching world and has been the leading standard setter since the inception of professional coaching. 
 
Holding an ICF credential is an enriching journey. It means that you have met the highest coaching standards and have been trained by a quality program. 
 
The ICF has two credentialing paths for newer and seasoned coaches. They also outline three levels of coaching ability: foundational, proficiency, and mastery. 
 
This overview gives you a summary of what to consider and how to determine which path is a better fit for you.

LEVEL ONE: ACC

The ICF has the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) level. In the coaching world, this is comparable to having a bachelor’s degree in coaching.
 
ACC programs provide the foundation of coaching and give you enough basics to add coaching to another profession skillfully. 
 
For example, if you are an HR Director and want to embed coaching into conversations with employees or a team process, then the ACC-level training is perfect for your situation.
 
Another example of adding coaching skills to an already existing career is when consultants realize a client’s mindset is impeding progress. In this scenario, adding basic coaching skills helps the consultant up-level their client’s capacity for success.

LEVEL TWO: PCC

The next level up is the Professional Certified Coach (PCC). This level would be equivalent to a master’s degree in the coaching world. PCC is the most sought-after level of training.
 
The ICF considers PCC-level training to be the complete coach training program. This level teaches more advanced coaching skills and prepares you to contract with private clients. 
 
Your skills are evaluated at this training level, and you are given feedback, so you know if you are meeting quality coaching standards.
 
This level of training is the perfect path if you wish to establish yourself as a professional coach, launch a coaching business, and contract with private clients or companies.

LEVEL THREE: MCC

The highest level is the Master Certified Coach (MCC). In the coaching world, holding an MCC credential would be akin to having a doctorate in coaching.
 
MCC is an option once you have been a professional coach for years, completed 2500 hours of professional coaching, and attended a level three training.

Which path is best for me?  To determine which path is the best fit for you, consider which of these scenarios apply to you.
 
A Professional Growing a Private Clientele:  

• “My goal is to have a private coaching practice.”  PCC is recommended.
  
• The PCC track is designed for private practice coaches. This leads to the MCC level training after being in practice for years.
  
• The ACC level training is a partial training only. 

 
Managers, Directors & HR Professionals:

• “My goal is to add coaching skills into my existing career path.” ACC is recommended.
• “My goal is to add coaching skills into my existing career path, and I am close to retirement and see coaching as my legacy work to give back.” PCC is recommended.
• “I feel called to transition into leadership coaching and run a full-time or part-time coaching practice.” PCC is recommended.

 
Leaders Fostering a Coaching Culture:

• “My goal is to create a coaching culture in my organization and start coaching my leadership team.” ACC is recommended.
• “I am 5-10 years away from retirement. I find meaning in self-development work and wish to give back by coaching new leaders.” PCC is recommended.

 
Psychologists, Physicians & Therapists:

• “My goal is to add coaching and self-actualization skills into my therapeutic approach and treatment plan options.” ACC is recommended.
• “I feel called to transition out of the therapeutic setting and into a coaching focus. I am at a point in my career where I feel called to help people build a positive life and focus more on self-actualization methodologies.” PCC is recommended.

You can review our ACC program here and PCC level program here.