First it’s worth noting that the ICF Credential requires you to complete a coach-training certification that is accredited by them. That’s typically the first step. Then there’s a number of practical areas to complete that will lead you all the way to applying for Associate Certified Coach credential.
Here’s how you can do it and the ways that Become helps you get there.
1. Research Coach Training Programmes: ICF Training programmes vary greatly in terms of their learning content. Look them up and narrow your choice down to ones where the content of the programme excites you!
Our Diploma in Integrative Coaching adopts a holistic approach that covers both transactional and transformation coaching. It is suitable for a wide range of coaches including life coaches and executive coaches. Due to its integrative nature it follows a number of evidence-based psychological foundations including person-centred approaches, cognitive-behavioural coaching and acceptance-commitment coaching (taken from ACT). You also don’t need any experience to apply for the Diploma although having worked with people in a 1-1 capacity helps.
2. Complete 60+ Hours of Accredited Coach Training: When you have selected your chose programme ensure that the certification provides you with at least 60 hours of accredited ICF training. This is the minimum you’ll need to apply for the ACC Credential. Note that by finishing an accredited ICF coach training programme you can call yourself an ICF Trained Coach.
Our Diploma is 66+ hours that are delivered in a blended approach mixed between live classes, mentoring and coaching practice.
3. Engage in at least 10 Hours of Mentoring: To help you further reflect on your coaching practice identify mentors who can support your unique skills and practice. Some training providers will include these mentoring hours as part of the ICF Coach Training programme you enrol on so it is worth asking your provider.
The 10 Mentoring Sessions are included as part of the Diploma in Integrative Coaching and we have a wide range of mentors, from career and executive coaches to love and relationships coaching.
4. Log a Minimum of 100 Hours of Coaching Practice: Evidence of your skills and practice are shown through a coaching log that you keep up to date as you work with clients. You will need a minimum of 100 hours/sessions to apply for ACC and you can complete these at any point following the start of an ICF programme of studies.
To help you build up your hours we provide you with access to a Coaching Pool so that as soon as you’re ready to start coaching you’ll already have a number of willing coachees who will want your support!
5. Apply with the ICF: Apply directly to the ICF with your training certificate (e.g. our Diploma), evidence of mentoring and coaching hours. Upon application you’ll need to do a multiple choice competency based test. Your coach training programme will have equipped you for this.
At Become we regularly provide refresher sessions to our alumni. In addition we have a coaching group that meets once a month, giving you a sense of community and support as you develop as a coach.
If you would like to learn more about the ICF we regularly run a free webinar that explores this process, what coaching is and isn’t and also our Diploma. You can book a spot here.
You can also get in touch with us directly, pop us an email and one of the team will get back to you.
