Is ICF accreditation important as a coach?
As an aspiring coach a question you may be asking yourself is whether or not you should choose a certification that is accredited by the ICF. You may be sitting with the question “Should I become an ICF credentialed or certified coach?”
Or, as I like to put it, “To ICF or not to ICF?”
I remember when I was considering coaching certifications this was a big question on my mind. As I sifted through all the different programs, I couldn’t figure out whether ICF credentialing was important:
Would ICF credentialing help me in my coaching career?
Would ICF credentialing make me a better coach?
Would ICF credentialing offer me more legitimacy?
I ultimately chose a program that was ICF accredited, however after a decade in the coaching industry I have come to learn a lot about credentialing and accreditation. Here are my key takeaways:
Does being ICF credentialed help you in your coaching career? Not necessarily.
Does being ICF credentialed make you a better coach? Not necessarily.
Does being ICF credentialed offer you more legitimacy? Not necessarily.
Probably not the answers you’re looking for.
If you’re struggling to figure out whether or not pursuing ICF credentialing is important to you, I want to help out. This is the information I wish I knew as an aspiring coach.
Here’s what we’ll cover in this post:
What is the ICF
The difference between ICF accreditation and credentialing
What it means to be ICF credentialed or certified
Help you figure out the right path for you
What is the ICF?
The ICF stands for the International Coaching Federation. It was formed in 1995 to create some form of standardization in the coaching profession. As you know, a coach doesn’t need to be certified to do this work (if you want to read more about this head to my blog post: Do you need to be certified to become a coach?). This lack of standardization is one of the reasons why the coaching industry has so many negative associations connected to it. It means that coaches can practice in any way they want, which can lead to harmful coaching practices.
As the coaching industry grew in popularity, the ICF was formed to make sure that coaches were practicing with integrity and ethics. They did this by creating a series of competencies and ethical guidelines by which all ICF credentialed coaches must abide. As the ICF puts it:
“An ICF Credential is a professional certification indicating that you have met specific standards and requirements designed to develop and refine your coaching skills. It is an indication that you are dedicated to upholding strong principles of ethical behavior in coaching.”
Is this always the case, however? Not necessarily (I know that phrase again!) More on this later.
The difference between being ICF accredited and credentialed
Something I think is really important for aspiring coaches to understand is the difference between being an ICF accredited certification and an ICF credentialed or certified coach. They are two very different things.
An ICF-accredited certification means a coaching program operates under the ICF standards and code of ethics. To state that you are ICF accredited means that the ICF recognizes your curriculum as compliant with its core competencies and code of ethics. Certifications that are accredited need to go through a rigorous vetting process to receive accreditation.
However, something you need to understand as a coach, is that just because you have completed an ICF accredited program does not mean you are ICF credentialed or certified. It simply means you completed an ICF-accredited program.
Completing an ICF-accredited program is just one of the steps to becoming an ICF-credentialed/certified coach. To become credentialed you need to also:
Complete at least 60 hours of coaching education
Complete 10 hours of mentorship
Complete at least 100 hours of coaching with clients
Pass the ICF exam and coaching assessment
The ICF has 3 different levels of credentialing: Associate Certified Coach (ACC), Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and Master Certified Coach (MCC). The requirements for each vary with the ACC being the first level. If you want to find out more, head here.
I feel it’s important to share this because because it’s something I didn’t understand as a young coach. I thought simply completing an ICF-accredited program made me an ICF-credentialed coach. It doesn’t. It’s just one of many steps to become credentialed or certified.
What does it mean if the certification I’m considering is CCE accredited?
You may have looked at a program that said they were CCE-accredited and believed this could help you to become ICF-credentialed. So, here is where things can get a little misleading for student coaches.
Many certifications marketed to aspiring coaches will claim they are ICF credentialed however, they only have a CCE credentialing. Now, technically they are ICF credentialed, but CCE stands for Continuing Coach Education.
CCE programs were first created for coaches who were already ICF-credential and who wanted to expand and deepen their coaching skills. In short, CCE was intended to be supplemental education for coaches who had already completed an ICF-accredited program.
To be CCE-accredited means you have to comply with certain standards and curriculum requirements, but what is important to understand is that a CCE program does not count toward your 60 hours of coaching education needed to become certified (unless you choose to do the Portfolio Path, more on that below).
Many certifications choose to pursue CCE accreditation because it is easier to receive and they can claim to be ICF accredited, which they technically are. But it’s not the accreditation that truly serves a new coach.
So should I choose an ICF-accredited certification?
When ICF accreditation and credentialing were created its intention was incredibly important- to create some form of standardization and compliance within the coaching industry.
What I have experienced as a coach and client is that just because a program is ICF accredited or a coach is ICF credentialed does not mean that they are any better or legitimate than a program or coach who isn’t operating under the ICF standards.
What often happens with standardization is that the focus becomes all on the standardization boxes being ticked. And so many ICF-accredited certifications can become quite rigid in their ways of teaching and coaching. There is no space for evolution and innovation, which is integral to working with folks in an ever-changing world. This is why many ICF-accredited programs don’t cover topics like trauma-informed care, gender-affirming space holding, diversity and inclusion, somatics and so much more (and if they do, there’s only space for one of these topics). Following the ICF standards often means that as a student coach, you miss out on a holistic coaching curriculum.
When I first created The Wholehearted Coaching Certification I aimed to create an ICF-accredited program. However, the more and more I tried to comply with the standards of the ICF, the more frustrated I became. I realized that I couldn’t hire teachers and facilitators who weren’t ICF-certified. This meant that I was limited to who could contribute to the program, regardless of how brilliant and experienced they were in their respective fields. I realized that 80% of my curriculum had to fall under the ICF requirements. This meant that I couldn’t create the holistic curriculum that I knew would serve student coaches in the best way so they could become impactful coaches.
And so, I created a compromise…
What does it mean to be ICF-aligned?
If you’ve checked out The Wholehearted Coaching Certification website you’ll notice that we say that our curriculum is ICF-aligned. What does that mean?
I deeply believe that as coaches we need to operate with ethics and that we need to be as skilled as possible. Certification ensures that we are practicing to the best of our ability and that we are not causing harm. I believe in a lot of what the ICF stands for. And so, our curriculum upholds the ICF standards, ethics, and beliefs. We use many of the same terms and we comply with the ICF code of ethics and competencies. However, we have also made space for what we believe is important- a holistic approach to coaching.
This means that once you graduate from The Wholehearted Coaching Certification, if it is important to you, you can pursue ICF credentialing easily through the Portfolio Path.
What is the Portfolio Path?
The ICF created the Portfolio Path for coaches who haven’t completed an ICF-accredited program or who did a CCE-accredited program and still want to be credentialed. You can count the hours in your certification program towards the 60 hours needed to be credentialed. You can find out more by heading here.
To help you do this, we have created a continuing education program that will guide you step by step in submitting your Portfolio Path application. Once you graduate, should ICF-credential be important to you, we will support you in every way to become certified through the ICF.
So, to ICF or not to ICF?
Ultimately, it’s up to you whether or not you choose a certification path that is ICF-accredited. But I do want to share with you what I have experienced as a coach who has been working for over ten years in this field.
Once you’re out “there”, you know, working with clients, corporations, and different organizations, what is most important to folks is how you coach and the impact you make. That’s it. I perhaps have been asked a handful of times if I am ICF credentialed and I have worked as a coach with individuals, universities and large companies. When it comes down to it, people want to work with someone who is good at what they do.
So, when choosing a certification make sure that you are choosing a program that resonates with your values and beliefs. Make sure you choose a program that shares your vision of what coaching is and can be.
Certified to Be a Coach? Here’s the Truth!
Here’s a question I hear all the time: “Do I need to be certified to be a life coach?”
Well, yes and no. Let me explain….
Understanding Why Certification in Coaching Matters
Over ten years ago I took the leap and decided to become a life coach. One of the first things I had to figure out was whether or not I wanted to become certified and if so, which certification to choose.
If you’re here, you’ve probably done a little bit of research and you know that there are a LOT of options when it comes to becoming a coach. There are programs that span a year to programs that only take a weekend. Some focus on a particular tool, and others have a more holistic approach to coaching.
Here’s the truth: I don’t think you absolutely have to be certified to become a coach. There are some amazing coaches out there who’ve never officially trained or gotten certified. So much of coaching is innate and intuitive.
In fact, I deeply believe that those of us who are called to become a coach are already coaching whether we know it or not. We are the person that people turn to when they are going through a challenging time. Whether it’s our friends, family, or a random stranger there is something about us that makes folks feel safe, seen and heard.
However, while so much of coaching is intrinsic, I do believe that if we want to be of service to as many folks as possible and reduce harm in our coaching spaces, we need a little bit of guidance.
Most people who desire to become a coach want to work with diverse communities. They want to make an impact and work with people of varying backgrounds, needs, and lived experiences. They recognize that humans are complex. They carry with them the legacies of trauma, systemic oppression, and so much more.
This is where certification comes in.
Certification provides you with the tools needed to be as impactful as possible in your coaching spaces. It allows you to deepen your natural abilities and facilitate healing instead of harm. It ensures that coaches have undergone thorough training and have the skills needed to effectively support their clients.
What Certification (hopefully) Offers:
Ethical Standards and Practices: Certification programs emphasize ethical coaching practices. Coaches learn how to handle sensitive situations, maintain client confidentiality, and create a safe and supportive environment for their clients. These ethical standards are crucial for building a trustworthy coaching relationship.
Enhanced Skill Set: Certified coaches get comprehensive training covering a wide range of coaching techniques and methods. This allows them to offer more effective and personalized coaching sessions. For example, a certified coach might use cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, or somatic approaches, depending on the client's needs.
Credibility and Integrity: Certified coaches are often seen as more credible. Certification programs require coaches to follow a code of ethics and prove their coaching skills. According to the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE), certification shows a coach’s dedication to their profession and clients
Client Assurance: For potential clients, a certification can be a sign that the coach has been vetted and meets certain standards of practice. This can be crucial in building initial trust and rapport with the client.
Red Flags to Watch Out For in Coaching Certifications
When I was looking to become certified close to a decade ago the options were overwhelming. Today, there are even more programs to choose from (phew!). Honestly, this can be one of the most overwhelming parts of becoming a coach—choosing the right certification for you.
Here are some things to consider when choosing:
Does the certification have diversity within their team at all levels?
Does the certification offer a holistic approach to coaching?
Does the certification offer training in inclusive practices?
Does the certification emphasize practice coaching and offer mentorship from more experienced coaches?
Does the certification teach some basics about owning a business?
Why these are important considerations:
Does the certification have diversity within their team at all levels?
While the coaching industry is far more diverse than it was in the past, we have a long way to go when it comes to representation and inclusion. Oftentimes many programs will have a diverse student base but when it comes to the actual organizational structure of the program there is a total lack of diversity. This lack of diversity effects all aspects of the learning experience from the programming to educational material. If you want to ensure that you are being exposed to a broad curriculum that gives you the tools to work with all communities, make sure you check out the certification team (this includes training staff to the CEO).
Does the certification offer a holistic approach to coaching?
For so long coaching was focused on shifting people’s mindsets. While mindset work is an incredibly powerful tool, we must remember that healing is not just from the “neck up.” As coaches, we should have a tool box that allows us to take into account mind, body and spirit. Many certification programs focus solely on teaching their student coaches one tool. But, coaching is not a one size fits all modality. Each individual we coach is like a mosaic made of an array of parts. When we honor, respect and acknowledge a client’s past, lived experiences, and the intersections of their identity, we allow for deeper transformation to occur.
Does the certification offer training in inclusive practices?
Speaking of identity, finding a certification that offers some training in inclusive practices is key. This includes but is not limited to DEI, gender-affirming space-holding and trauma-informed practices. Of course, we can’t learn everything, but we should be exposed to foundational learnings in these practices. When we work with clients, we need to make space and acknowledge systemic oppression, cultural differences, trauma, gender identity, neurodivergence, ableism and so much more. We need to understand which identities our clients prioritize and identify with. By doing so, we can create a safe(r) space that facilitates real transformation instead of unintentionally causing harm.
Does the certification emphasize practice coaching and offer mentorship from more experienced coaches?
It’s one thing to learn about coaching concepts and another to actually practice them with real clients. The certification you choose should have some form of mentorship and practice coaching for their student coaches. Mentorship ensures that you are practicing ethically and skillfully with the assistance of a more experienced coach. Practice coaching allows you to practice your skills in real-time and in real situations. An analogy I love to use is that of learning how to drive. It’s one thing to take your driving test on a computer and a whole other to get on the road. Mentorship and practice coaching ensure that once you’re on the road you will feel confident.
Does the certification teach some basics about owning a business?
This is going to sound silly but one of the things that caught me the most off guard when I graduated from my coaching certification was that I was now a business owner. I mean duh, right? But this totally came to me as a surprise. I thought I would spend most of my days as a coach connecting with clients, making an impact, and changing lives! And then I realized that in order to connect with clients, make an impact, and change lives, I would need to figure out how to run a business. I would need to understand things like marketing, bookkeeping, contracts and so much more. The truth is that you can be the greatest coach ever but if you don’t know the basics of setting up and running a business, it’s hard to build a thriving practice.
When it comes down to it, the certification you choose should allow you to feel confident as a coach. Confident to work with diverse communities. Confident to work with folks who have different needs. Confident to create a space of transformation and healing. This is what we aim to do at The Wholehearted Coaching Certification.
What Makes The Wholehearted Coaching Certification Unique
Our mission at The Wholehearted Coaching Certification is to help you become the impactful coach you want to be. We’re dedicated to providing a holistic and inclusive certification program that prepares you to make a real difference in your clients' lives.
Here’s what makes our program so unique:
A holistic curriculum: This includes foundational learning in somatics, mindfulness, trauma-informed care, gender-affirming space holding, diversity and inclusion, and much more.
An emphasis on practice coaching and guided mentorship: You will walk away from this program confident about your coaching skills.
An equal focus on not only how to coach but also how to start a value-aligned business: We ensure you are well-equipped to build your coaching practice from the ground up.
A diverse team of coaches and changemakers: They will not only teach you powerful coaching tools but also how to work with a wide range of clients of varied backgrounds and needs.
A transformational curriculum: It not only shows you how to guide others on their growth journey but supports you on yours as well.
Our mission at The Wholehearted Coaching Certification is to change the landscape of the coaching industry by fostering a new generation of diverse coaches who practice with ethics, skill and care. We aim to make coaching a more diverse and inclusive space by training coaches who practice through a healing-centered lens that aims to create liberation for both the coach and the communities they work with.
Unsure if being a life coach is the path for you?
Free Coaching Workshop: If you want to learn more about coaching and what a coach actually does, make sure to check out our free coaching workshop where we discuss all the ins and outs of being a coach.
What’s possible as a coach: If you want to find out what’s possible as a certified Wholehearted Coach, check out what our coaches have to say about the Wholehearted Coaching Certification.
Ready to become a life coach?
The Wholehearted Coaching Certification is a holistic life coaching certification that teaches you foundational coaching skills from a decolonized perspective. Our mission is to make coaching a more diverse, safe, and inclusive space by fostering a new generation of coaches who prioritize healing, transformation, and liberation for all
Learn More: Visit our website to learn more about our curriculum, values and what our coaches love most about the program
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