To a prospective life coach, it is important to know which ICF credential pathway works best for them; the ACTP, ACSTH or the ACC Portfolio path.

The Associate Certified Coach Program

Within the ICF Associate Certified Coach program, there are three application paths to choose from; the ACTP, ACSTH, and the ACC Portfolio path. What do all these acronyms stand for? ICF is the International Coach Federation known to be the leading global coaching organization that accredits programs that deliver coach-specific training. ACTP stands for Accredited Coach Training Program and ACSTH stands for Approved Coach Specific Training Hours. The difference between the two designations within the ICF is the ACTP is a coach training program that has more than 125 hours of training, and the other program is less than 125 hours.

Approved Coach Specific Training Hours: Program Accreditation

Unlike the ACTP which is a start to finish coach training program offering comprehensive instruction around the ICF Core competencies and ICF’s definition of coach, the ACSTH is typically intended for third-party training providers who are interested in considering their training program accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF). ACSTH approved programs are typically considered “al la carte” training programs, which may or may not offer start to finish coach training programs.

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Program Requirements

• The applicant must complete a necessary minimum of 30 hours of coach specific training in the program.
• The training classes must include some classes on ICF Core Competencies and the ICF Code of Ethics.
• There is an exam as a part of the portfolio application.
• Candidates on the ACC Portfolio Path must complete at least 60 hours of coach-specific training with extensive documentation. Part of their application includes 100 coaching experience hours, ten hours of work with a mentor coach, two letters of reference from qualified coaches and an oral exam.

How Does an ACSTH program Affect me as a Coach?

Does attending an ACSTH program matter to me? Yes, it does! Graduates from the program may apply for the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) Credential or the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) Credential using the ACSTH application path if they adequately meet the credentialing application requirements.

Choosing The Best Training School

To find out which organizations or schools offer an ICF certified or accredited program, the most suitable thing is to visit the ICF website. You can click the following link. https://apps.coachfederation.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=TPSS

The ACSTH pathway to obtaining an ICF credential is beneficial to prospective coaches looking to complete rigorous education from an ICF accredited program. The program will enable them to achieve certification easier and help take their coaching skills to the subsequent level.

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Peggy Adegoke
Life Coach
Writer, Coaches Training Blog community