An ICF Master Coach Certification might be right for you if you are seeking to progress higher in your coaching career. I hope this article will be able to steer you in the appropriate direction as you pursue your goal towards obtaining a coaching certification.

Why the ICF?

Why should I consider their credentials?

For one, the ICF is well respected in the field of coaching, and it provides accountability to both clients and the profession as a whole. The International Coach Federation is the world’s largest professional coaching association and is considered to be the gold standard in coaching. The organization consistently maintains exceptional standards in the industry, and its coaches and organizations demonstrate expertise in all aspects of coaching.

The ICF offers the only globally recognized, independent credentialing program for coach practitioners. ICF Credentials are awarded to experienced coaches who have met rigorous education, experience requirements, and have demonstrated a thorough understanding of the coaching competencies that set the standard in the profession.

(NOTE: If you’ve been asking questions about ICF Certification lately, then you need to attend this webinar, called “ICF Credentialing & Coach Certification”. During the webinar, I’ll cover how you can gain an ICF Credential in a matter of months. Click HERE now to attend the webinar.)

The Master Coach Certification (MCC) Path

The ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC) credential represents the highest level of achievement in coaching and identifies an expert coach. To obtain this ICF credential does take hard work and commitment like any other thing in life you strive to achieve. You have to be willing to do the job regardless of whether you are pursuing the program via an online platform or in a traditional classroom setting.

Three credentials are offered by the ICF – Associate Certified Coach (ACC), Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and the Master Certified Coach (MCC). Most individuals start with the ACC credential as it takes some time to accumulate the number of coaching hours required for PCC and MCC levels.

To earn the ICF Master Coach Certification, the following requirements must be met:

1. Two hundred hours of coach-specific training.
2. Ten hours of Mentor Coaching over a minimum of three months. Your Mentor Coach must be an MCC in good standing. This cannot be the same Mentor Coaching that was applied toward a previous ICF Credential application.
3. A minimum of 2,500 hours (2,250 paid.) of coaching experience with at least 35 clients, following the start of your coach-specific training.
4. Performance evaluation (two audio recordings and written transcripts of coaching sessions).
5. Applicants much currently, hold (or previously held) a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) Credential.
6. Applicants must complete the Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA) unless previously passed when applying for ACC or PCC.

According to the ICF, the Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA) is a tool that can be used to measure coaches’ understanding of the knowledge and skills necessary in the practice of coaching. The CKA tests coaches’ on their knowledge of the body of knowledge that includes the ICF definition of coaching, Core Competencies, and Code of Ethics. It is a multiple-choice web-based exam.

Although coaching still remains an unregulated field, certification and training are not mandatory. However, If you are sincere about growing your coaching business, a Master Coach Certification Credential is the best way to set yourself apart in this competitive field.

Would you like an endless stream of new coaching clients? Simply click the image to the right and email and I’ll send you free videos with step-by-step blueprints for generating a massive income from high paying coaching clients.

Peggy Adegoke
Life Coach
Writer, Coaches Training Blog community