The ICF certification process includes 3 levels, organized at global level. For each level, the future coach must follow a number of hours and demonstrate a minimum experience. Here are the details:

• ACC or Associate Certified Coach: 60 hours of training for coaching and 100 hours of practice
• PCC or Professional Certified Coach: 125 hours of training and 750 hours practice
• MCC or Master Certified Coach: 200 hours of training and 2500 hours of practice

According to the chosen level (ACC, PCC or MCC), the coach will introduce a record and pass a test (a coaching session by phone and a written examination based on the case studies) with the ICF.

These exams are available in English, French and German. Unlike the academic qualifications which validate a training level, ICF certification validates updated levels for training and experience. To maintain its validity, the certification process must be renewed every 3 years.

Future coaches who have already followed a partial route with an ICF accredited school (without certification in this context) or have been trained in coaching at a non-accredited school, theymust prove that the training was focused on coaching in accordance with the 11 skills of the coach defined by ICF.

The ICF certification is a recognition validating:

• the training received (certification),
• the experience gained: a high level of knowledge and abilities.
• the competence (oral and written exams) showing mastery of the 11 essential coaching skills

Moreover, with the ICF certification you will ensure your prospective customers that you are a professional and experienced coach who respects a well-defined code of ethics.