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Coaching qualifications and coach certification

“Double crown” coaching awards

Coaching for Performance is a unique “double crown” coach certification pathway with Performance Consultants, the pioneers of the global coaching industry, and the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the largest global accreditation body.

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. After achieving the Coaching for Performance | Foundation (Bronze) award on the leader or coach path, you can continue your coaching education journey along our Coach Certification Pathway to two coaching credentials:

  • Performance Coach – Silver
  • Performance Coach Gold

Then, depending on your level, you can also apply for a coaching credential with the ICF:

  • Associate Certified Coach (ACC)
  • Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
  • Master Certified Coach (MCC)

The program is also aligned with the Association for Coaching (AC) and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) if you wish to apply for their coach accreditation. Please note that each coaching body has its own requirements.

Become an ICF-certified coach

Coach-specific training for ICF credentials (ACC, PCC, MCC)

Whether you are about to start your coach certification journey or you are an experienced coach seeking an advanced coaching credential, all coaching education completed on Coaching for Performance: Coach Certification Pathway is ICF aligned. Participants receive a Certification Tracker containing certification guidelines, logs and simplified individual electronic progress tracking for the ICF credential requirements.

“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
executive coaching accreditation executive-coaching certification
transformational leadership development program

Register for our free Coaching for Performance webinar to find out more about our coaching certification pathways

Level 1 ICF-accredited coaching education

ICF Level 1-accredited program:
ACC credential via ICF Level 1 Path

Coaching for Performance: Coach Certification Pathway is a full coach training program accredited by the ICF (Level 1 Accreditation). After completing the approved program (also available via distance learning), you will have completed at least 60 Coaching Education hours. On completing all of the ICF credential requirements (see table below for full details) you can apply for the ACC credential via the Level 1 Path.

ICF-aligned programs:
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 our Foundation, Intermediate or Advanced modules from our Bronze or Silver Plans 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.

Associate Certified Coach (ACC) requirements

Application pathwayACC Level 1 Path
Training typeLevel 1 ACC Accredited Education
Program options
Coaching for Performance: Coach Certification Pathway
– Silver Plan
– Gold Plan

Coaching education60+ hours
Coaching experience100+ hours
(75 paid hours; 8 or more clients)
After the start of your coach-specific training. At least 25 hours within the 18 months prior to ACC application
Mentor coaching10 hours with a qualified Mentor Coach
Completed in the program
Performance evaluation1 recorded coaching session assessed by Performance
Consultants against ACC Minimum Skill Requirements
Completed in the program
Credential examCompleted when you apply to the ICF
Fee for ICF Members / Non-members$175 USD / $325 USD
Paid to ICF
Estimated timeline for review4 weeks
Credential renewal30 hours of Continuing Coach Education (CCE); 10 hours of Mentor Coaching
Every 3 years

Professional Certified Coach (PCC) requirements

Application pathwayPCC Portfolio Path
Training typeCombined: Level 1 + ICF Aligned
Program optionsCoaching for Performance: Coach Certification Pathway
– Gold Plan
Coaching education125+ hours
Coaching experience500+ hours
(450 paid hours; 25 or more clients)
After the start of your coach-specific training. At least 50 hours within the 18 months prior to PCC application
Mentor coaching10 hours with a qualified Mentor Coach
Completed in the program
Performance evaluation2 recorded coaching sessions assessed by
ICF against PCC Minimum Skill Requirements
Completed when you apply to the ICF
Credential examCompleted when you apply to the ICF
Fee for ICF Members / Non-members$750 USD / $900 USD
(paid to ICF)
Estimated timeline for review18 weeks
Credential renewal3 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 programs 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). Our Silver and Gold coach certification plans include our 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 programs, unique in that it is specifically designed for:

meeting your needs

How can you develop a group of internal coaches in your organization?

Select one of the options shown. Or please get in touch to discuss the coaching qualifications and certification requirements within your organization.

Let us know how we can support the specific needs of your learning and development leaders and coaches. You can choose our off-the-shelf Performance Coach Certification or ask us to create a tailored certification pathway that meets your precise requirements.

  • 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 program
  • Team Development – unlock the next level of potential in your team with team coaching