“Double crown” coaching awards
Coaching for Performance is a unique “double crown” certification pathway with Performance Consultants, the pioneers of the global coaching industry, and the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the largest global accreditation body with over 130 local chapters around the world.
As you progress on your coaching journey, you will be eligible to apply for your Transformational Leader accreditation or Performance Coach certification with Performance Consultants. Both leader and coach certification pathways offer three qualification levels:
- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
Then, depending on your level, you can apply for a coaching credential with the ICF:
- Associate Certified Coach (ACC)
- Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
- Master Certified Coach (MCC)
The programme is also aligned with the Association for Coaching (AC) and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) so that your can use it to apply for their accreditation. Please note that each coaching body has its own requirements.
Becoming an ICF-certified coach
Coach-specific training for ICF credentials (ACC, PCC, MCC)
Whether you are a novice looking to achieve coach certification or an experienced coach seeking an advanced coaching credential, all direct training hours and self-study hours completed on Coaching for Performance, Levels 1, 2 and 3 count as coach-specific training because the programme meets the following ICF-recommended criteria:
- follows and teaches the ICF Core Competencies, ICF Code of Ethics and ICF Definition of Coaching;
- offers a significant level of direct interaction between trainer and student (face-to-face and voice-to-voice instruction); and
- offers constant feedback to students.
The hours can be included when applying for all three levels of ICF credentials, ACC, PCC and MCC. Participants receive a Certification Toolkit containing certification guidelines, logs and simplified individual electronic progress tracking for the ICF credential requirements (see tables below).
GOLD-STANDARD COACHING TRAINING FROM THE PIONEERS OF COACHING IN THE WORKPLACE
“Thanks to the entire Performance Consultants team for walking the path with me to allow me to gain this certification. It is not about the piece of paper but the rigor of the process and the learning achieved has been invaluable.”
John Collingwood, ACC (Associate Certified Coach) and Senior Director, Global Talent Identification & Development, Tupperware Brands Corporation
Register for our free Coaching for Performance webinar to find out more about our coaching certification pathways
ICF-accredited programme:
ACC credential via ICF ACSTH Path
Coaching for Performance: Coach Certification Pathway is a full coach training programme approved by the ICF (ACSTH approved). After completing the approved programme (also available via distance learning), you will have completed 63 Approved Coach Specific Training Hours (ACSTH) (51 hours of student contact and at least 12 hours of self-study). On completing all of the ICF credential requirements (see table below for full details) you can apply for the ACC credential via the ACSTH Path.
ICF-aligned programmes:
ACC, PCC or MCC credential via ICF Portfolio Path
The ICF Portfolio Path to certification has the flexibility that enables you to account for any previous coach training, provided it is ICF-aligned and meets the ICF requirements for ‘coach-specific training’. If you combine Coaching for Performance, Level 1 or Coaching for Performance, Level 2 with any other coach-specific training to complete the minimum 60 hours required, you can apply for the ACC credential via the Portfolio Path providing you meet all the ICF credential requirements.
ICF credential requirements and application pathways
ICF credential applications are purchased directly from and reviewed by the ICF. For the specific requirements and application pathways for each level of credential, please refer to the tables below. Please note that, in addition to the core training, mentoring and coaching experience requirements, all ICF credential applicants are required to complete a Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA) consisting of multiple-choice questions. Applicants via the ACSTH Path and Portfolio Path are required to pass a Performance Evaluation (see details below).
Associate Certified Coach (ACC) requirements
| Application pathway | ACC ACSTH Path | ACC Portfolio Path |
|---|---|---|
| Training type | ACSTH Approved ICF approved coach-specific training hours | ICF Aligned Coach-specific training aligned with the ICF Core Competencies and ICF Code of Ethics |
| Programme options | Coaching for Performance: Silver Performance Coach Certification (Intensive or Phased) | A combination of two or more of the following: Coaching for Performance, Level 1 Coaching for Performance, Level 2 Any other coach-specific training programme |
| Coach-specific training | 60 hours | 60 hours |
| Mentor coaching | 10 hours with a qualified Mentor Coach | 10 hours with a qualified Mentor Coach |
| Client coaching experience | 100 hours* (75 paid hours; 8 clients) After the start of your coach-specific training. At least 25 hours within the 18 months prior to ACC application | 100 hours* (75 paid hours; 8 clients) After the start of your coach-specific training. At least 25 hours within the 18 months prior to ACC application |
| Performance evaluation | 1 recorded coaching session and transcript to be submitted with application (ICF assessment based on ACC Minimum Skill Requirements) | 1 recorded coaching session and transcript to be submitted with application (ICF assessment based on ACC Minimum Skill Requirements) |
| Coach knowledge assessment | Multiple-choice written questions | Multiple-choice written questions |
| Fee for ICF Members / Non-members | $300 USD / $500 USD (paid to ICF) | $400 USD / $600 USD (paid to ICF) |
| Estimated timeline for review | 4 weeks | 14 weeks |
| Credential renewal after 31 December 2018 | 3 years; 30 hours of Continuing Coach Education (CCE); 10 hours of Mentor Coaching | 3 years; 30 hours of Continuing Coach Education (CCE); 10 hours of Mentor Coaching |
If you complete our Coaching for Performance: Coach Certification Pathway, you will be eligible to apply to the ICF for ACC certification via the ACSTH Path. By way of examination, ACSTH and Portfolio applicants are required to complete a multiple-choice test online and submit an audio recording of one of their coaching sessions for a Performance Evaluation by ICF Assessors.
Professional Certified Coach (PCC) requirements
| Application pathway | PCC Portfolio Path |
|---|---|
| Training type | ACSTH Approved and/or ICF Aligned |
| Programme options | A combination of two or more of the following: Coaching for Performance: Gold Performance Coach Certification (Intensive or Phased) or Coaching for Performance, Level 1 Coaching for Performance, Level 2 Coaching for Performance, Level 3 Any other coach-specific training programme |
| Coach-specific training | 125 hours |
| Mentor coaching | 10 hours with a qualified Mentor Coach |
| Client coaching experience | 500 hours* (450 paid hours; 25 clients) After the start of your coach-specific training. At least 50 hours within the 18 months prior to PCC application |
| Performance evaluation | 2 recorded coaching sessions and transcripts to be submitted with application (ICF assessment based on PCC Minimum Skill Requirements) |
| Coach knowledge assessment | Multiple-choice written questions (not required if previously passed when applying for ACC) |
| Fee for ICF Members / Non-members | $675 USD / $875 USD (paid to ICF) |
| Estimated timeline for review | 18 weeks |
| Credential renewal | 3 years; 40 hours of Continuing Coach Education (CCE) |
If you complete Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 of our public programme Coaching for Performance (including the ACSTH approved programme Coaching for Performance: Coach Certification Pathway which combines Level 1 and Level 2), you will have completed 125 hours of coach-specific training (100 hours of student contact and at least 25 hours of self-study) and can apply for the PCC credential via the Portfolio Path providing you meet all the PCC requirements.
Master Certified Coach (MCC) requirements
There is only one application type for MCC.
| Training type | ACSTH Approved and/or ICF Aligned |
| Programme options | A combination of two or more of the following: Coaching for Performance: Gold Performance Coach Certification (Intensive or Phased) or Coaching for Performance, Level 1 Coaching for Performance, Level 2 Coaching for Performance, Level 3 Any other coach-specific training programme |
| Coach-specific training | 200 hours |
| Mentor coaching | 10 hours with a qualified Mentor Coach |
| Client coaching experience | 2500 hours (2250 paid hours; 35 clients) |
| Performance evaluation | 2 recorded coaching sessions and transcripts to be submitted with application (ICF assessment based on MCC Minimum Skill Requirements) |
| Coach knowledge assessment | Multiple-choice written questions (not required if previously passed when applying for ACC or PCC) |
| Fee for ICF Members / Non-members | $575 USD / $775 USD (paid to ICF) |
| Estimated timeline for review | 18 weeks |
| Credential renewal | 3 years; 40 hours of Continuing Coach Education (CCE) |
European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) and Association for Coaching (AC)
For details on how our coaching training programmes align with accreditation options offered by alternate organizations like the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) or the Association for Coaching please email [email protected].
World-class coach training, mentoring and support
In addition to the world-class coach training you will receive in order to gain your organization and business coach certification, your training is aided by paired practice Coaching Assignments, Supervision Calls and Coaching Skills Reference Materials.
ICF certification requires 10 hours of mentor coaching with an ICF accredited coach (at least 3 hours must be 1:1). We offer a Mentor Coaching Package in which you will hone your coaching skills with a professional coach in preparation for the ICF credential application process.
Built on the work of industry pioneers who first took coaching into the workplace over 30 years ago, Coaching for Performance is the gold standard in coaching training programmes, unique in that it is specifically designed for:
- leaders and managers coaching in organizations; and
- individuals seeking professional business coach certification
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- Attend a Coaching Course – experience the benefits of coaching first hand. See our Global Training Calendar to find the right course for you
- Transformational Leader Pathway – learn how to be a leader–coach with a coaching leadership style that creates a culture of high performance for you, your team and entire organization
- Performance Coach Certification – become a coach or take your coaching skills to the next level so that you can practise transformational leadership coaching
- Individual Coaching (1:1) – take your leadership to the next level with a tailored, fast-track professional development coaching programme
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