As a coach, the best way to ensure that you meet the International Coach Federation (ICF) Credential requirements is by completing ICF accredited life coach courses. Let us look at what I consider the four best online life coaching programs in the market today. 

The Term “Accreditation”- What Does it Mean in Coaching? 

In coaching, accreditation means the coach has proven their knowledge, ability and dedication to professional and high ethical standards. To achieve accreditation signifies a coach’s commitment to integrity, knowledge, and practice of coaching skills and a dedication to clients. Credentials are awarded to professional coaches who have met stringent education and experience requirements and have demonstrated a thorough understanding and practice of the coaching competencies that set the standard in the industry.  

There are several ICF accredited life coach courses you can choose from; however, the ones that keep popping up on the list of people, especially seasoned coaching professionals, are the four mentioned below. To determine the best ICF coaching program for you, you will most likely need to consider things like program length, cost, flexibility, and the number of coaching hours offered. 

1. Coaching Training Alliance – offers specialized coach training programs in addition to business and marketing skills refinement. Classes are limited to a maximum of twelve participants. The classes are condensed to six months in length. Spots tend to fill around 3-4 weeks in advance. Courses meet virtually sixty to ninety minutes per week and via self-study one to two hours weekly. The organization is headquartered in  Ft. Collins, Colorado. 

2. CoachU – is the leading global provider of coach training programs and executive coaching services. It offers a wide range of flexible programs. Their training programs are self-paced, and it includes a six-day accelerated course provided in a face-to-face learning environment. They offer up to twenty hours in CCE hours which is much less than other programs. CoachU teaches students how to set up their own business and market themselves to prospective clients. Upon graduation from the program, participants may apply for their ACC (Associated Certified Credential) with the International Coach Federation under the ICF’s ASCTH pathway. Their headquarters is in Oregon City, Oregon. 

3. iPEC – which stands for the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching, offers weekly coaching seminars and ninety hours of live learning modules, broken down over seven to eight months. They provide approximately twenty-five group coaching sessions per week which are offered 100% online over a period of three days. They offer 64 CCE hours. iPEC offers several payment plan options to make your tuition manageable. The company is located in Shrewsbury, New Jersey. 

4. Erickson International – offers two coaching programs suitable for life coaches seeking ICF accreditation.  Their programs are offered on-site and online to individuals all over the world. In-person training is available in nine locations across the UK, Canada, and the United States. Erickson also provides ten CCE hours and up to 154 hours of life coach training, depending on a person’s certification choice. The organization is based in Vancouver, British Columbia.

I hope that you will strongly consider the accredited life coach courses listed above and eventually select the ideal one for you.  

Margaret K. Olubiyi
Life Coach
Writer, Coaches Training Blog community