The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is a

non-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

dedicated to professional

coaching Coaching is a form of development in which an experienced person, called a ''coach'', supports a learner or client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance. The learner is sometimes called a ''coa ...

. ICF has been called "the main accrediting and credentialing body for both training programs and coaches". ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.

Overview

ICF serves more than 50,000 members in more than 150 countries and territories around the world as of January 2022, with 143 chapters serving local members in more than 80 countries and territories. As of March 2021, there were over 33,000 certified coaches who hold one of three ICF credentials: 18,628 Associate Certified Coaches (ACC); 13,332 Professional Certified Coaches (PCC); and 1,327 Master Certified Coaches (MCC). ICF's services include establishing a professional code of ethics and standards, providing continuous education and networking opportunities in local chapters, hosting conferences and Communities of Practice, providing accreditation for coach-specific training programs, and administering an internationally recognized credentialing program.

History

Founded in 1995, ICF campaigns worldwide for professional standards within the coaching profession, and provides independent certification for professional coaches (through three ICF credentials) and coach training programs (through ICF Training Program Accreditation). In 2011, the ICF and the

European Mentoring and Coaching Council The European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) provides coaching and mentoring professional accreditation, as well as support and guidance to the coaching and mentoring profession and for its members. It is one of a small number of such ...

(EMCC) led in the lodging with the

European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational political and economic union of member states that are located primarily in Europe. The union has a total area of and an estimated total population of about 447million. The EU has often been des ...

a charter which lays out how the

and

mentoring Mentorship is the influence, guidance, or direction given by a mentor. A mentor is someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person. In an organizational setting, a mentor influences the personal and p ...

profession across

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...

can remain a self-regulated profession.

Credentialing

ICF offers three credentials: Associate, Professional and Master Certified Coach.

Associate Certified Coach (ACC)

* Requires 60+ hours of training, and 100+ hours of coaching experience * Performance evaluation (audio recording and written transcript of a coaching session) * Completion of the Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA)*

Professional Certified Coach (PCC)

* Requires 125+ hours of training, and 500+ hours of coaching experience * Performance evaluation (two audio recordings and written transcripts of coaching sessions) * Completion of the Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA)*

Master Certified Coach (MCC)

* Requires 250+ hours of training, and 2,500+ hours of coaching experience * Performance evaluation (two audio recordings and written transcripts of coaching sessions) * Currently holds (or previously held) a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) Credential * Completion of the Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA)* *The Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA) will be replaced by the ICF Credentialing Exam in the second quarter of 2022.

References

{{Reflist Professional associations based in the United States Organizations established in 1995 1995 establishments in the United States International nongovernmental organizations