Credentialing Paths

Credentials in the coaching profession are awarded by outside agencies after you have completed certain requirements, including coach training and coaching experience hours, as well as an examination. The two most widely recognized credentialing bodies are the International Coach Federation (ICF), and the Center for Credentialing and Education. ILCT is one of a handful of schools approved to offer training by both organizations, which means you can use the same classes for each.

International Coach Federation

The International Coach Federation’s (ICF) offers 2 primary coaching credentials: the 60-hour Associate Certified Coach (ACC) and the 130-hour Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential.

All ILCT courses meet not only the requirements for each of the ICF credentials but also can be used as Coaching Continuing Education Units.

Center for Credentialing and Education

The Center for Credentialing and Education offers the Board Certified Coach credential, primarily for those who hold a graduate degree in the social and behavioral sciences.

The Institute for Life Coach Training has been qualified by the Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc. (CCE) as a Registered Credential Training Provider, RCTP No. RCTP1005-BCC, to provide training courses qualified for credit for the Board Certified Coach credentials. All ILCT courses qualify for CCE credit unless otherwise indicated. ILCT is solely responsible for all aspects of the training courses.

For those with a doctorate degree (MD, JD, PsyD, Ph.D. etc.) or a master’s degree in counseling, you can obtain your BCC with as few as 30 hours of coursework.

Those with a Master's in the other social and behavioral sciences (education, psychology, social work, business, etc.) would complete 60 hours of coach training to qualify for the BCC.

For those with a Bachelor's degree, the BCC requires 120 hours of coach training from a CCE approved program.

Do I need a credential in order to work as a coach?

In general, the answer is No. At this time, there are no states that require you hold a coaching credential in order to practice – the same is true of most countries, so obtaining a credential really becomes a personal and business decision.

Two exceptions –

1. If your hope is to be a corporate coach, there are many large corporations which require that you hold a coaching credential, such as the PCC.
2. If you are licensed in a helping profession, the code of ethics for your licensure may require that you hold a credential or training in before adding a new modality.

Many pursue credentialing, in part because it helps to validate their professional level of training, and is a way to distinguish themselves, especially when marketing.