ICF Credentials

ICF Credentials

ICF Credentials Certification


Attain your ICF Credential and take your coaching career to the next level. Learn more about the requirements for obtaining a credential and our ICF Paths.

What is ICF or the International Coaching Federation?

ICF or International Coaching Federation is the most recognized coaching organization in the world. The International Coaching Federation is a professional organization (not a regulatory agency) which supports coaches worldwide. The ICF is dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards and building a network of credentialed coaches.


What are the ICF Credentials?

After your 60 hour program at Life Purpose Institute, you will be a Certified Life Coach (C.L.C.) or Certified Spiritual Coach (C.S.C.). Obtaining an ICF credential requires a minimum of 60 hours of training as well as meeting other requirements that have been established by the ICF.

There are 3 credentials you can obtain through ICF:

  • Associate Certified Coach (A.C.C.)
  • Professional Certified Coach (P.C.C.)
  • Master Certified Coach (M.C.C.)

How can I obtain an ICF Credential through Life Purpose Institute?

There are 2 main paths to obtain your ICF Credentials. One path is to take the Level 1 Program which includes the 60 hour Spiritual or Life Coach Certification, Mentoring, Performance Evaluation and Level 1 Completion. The second path is to take the Level 2 Program which includes 170 hours of training consisting of 60 hour program, Advanced Practicum, Advanced Life Coaching Training, Mentoring, Performance Evaluation and Level Two Completion.

Both programs are designed for you to become a more masterful coach and help you more easily obtain your ICF credentials.

What does Life Purpose Institute offer?

Life Purpose Institute has 60-170 hour training programs that cover 80% of the core competencies and are live and interactive with an instructor.

The Life Purpose Institute offers 2 paths to obtain your ICF credentials:

  • Level 1: Take our 60 hour program, pay for 10 hours of mentoring and complete the ICF requirements on your own.
  • Level 2: Accumulate 170 hours of training and take the ICF exam.

Two Paths to obtain an ICF Credential that Life Purpose Institute offers:

Program Flow Chart


What does ICF Accredited mean?

If you are looking at becoming a Professional Coach you will probably come across the term ICF Accredited. As mentioned above, the International Coaching Federation sets the standards for coaching and coach training programs. An ICF Accredited School then has met the standards ICF has established.


Are all ICF Accredited Schools alike?

No, they’re not. Some will not prepare you to obtain your ICF Credentials and some will. To get a credential you must attend a program that is 60 hours long in which 80% of the hours are “Core Competencies”. Core Competencies are the skills ICF has determined to be essential skills to becoming a proficient coach.

Programs that offer Continuing Education or CE hours, programs that are less than 60 hours, or do not focus on the Core Competencies do not qualify you for an ICF credential.


How do I obtain an ICF Credential?

The first credential you can receive is an A.C.C. Credential which requires that you get a minimum of 60 hours of training  from an ICF Accredited School, get 100 hours of coaching experience, work with a mentor for 10 hours, take an exam and submit a recording.

The other two credentials, the P.C.C. and M.C.C., require more training and experience.

Why obtain your ICF Credentials?

By getting your ICF credentials you will gain greater mastery of your coaching skills. To obtain an ICF credential, you will need to get additional coaching experience, work with a mentor one-on-one and become knowledgeable and proficient in the ICF Core Competencies. Meeting these requirements will make you a more competent and confident coach.

At some point, you may be legally required to obtain an ICF Credential. At this time, there is no state or federal regulation of the coaching industry. It is however anticipated by many in the coaching profession that the profession will be regulated at some point in the future. As ICF is the most powerful coaching organization in the world, it is expected that ICF will be the regulating body.

An ICF credential is now a requirement for many jobs in human resources, health care, government, non-profit agencies and online platforms. There is already extensive media coverage of the Coaching profession and ICF credentials. These trends are anticipated to grow. As such we recommend that students prepare for and obtain an ICF credential.

Other reasons to obtain your ICF credentials include:

  • It adds to your set of credentials
  • This shows that you’re highly skilled and have certifications and credentials in the Coaching Field.
  • You get to add more letters after your name!

Given these benefits, it is best to go to an ICF accredited school and one that will prepare you for an ICF credential. This will help you not only become more skilled but prepare for your professional career for the years to come.


Clearing up the Confusion- Getting an ICF certification, ICF coaching certification or ICF Life Coaching Certification.

There is no such thing as getting an ICF certification, ICF coaching certification or ICF Life Coaching certification. You will have to obtain an ICF credential. Getting an ICF credential is the term ICF uses. Certifications are only awarded by schools providing Coach Training. No school leads you directly to an ICF credential. First you must complete at least a 60 hour program and obtain a certification and then you will have to meet other ICF requirements.


Obtaining a Credential in 2023.

As of January 1, 2023 you will need to Complete a Level One or Level Two Accreditation. Check the schools to see what level is being offered. A program for Level One must include:

For the A.C.C. Credential, you will need to complete a Level 1 program and other ICF requirements.

A Level 1 program must include:

  • A minimum of 60 hours of training 80% of which is ICF Core Competencies
  • 10 Mentor Sessions
  • Submitting a recording and transcript to your instructor (Performance Evaluation with new performance criteria)

The additional ICF requirements include:

  • Getting 100 hours of coaching experience, 75 hours are paid
  • Taking the updated ICF Knowledge Assessment (ICF provides this)

For the P.C.C. Credential, you will need to complete a Level 2 program and other ICF requirements.

A Level 2 program must include:

  • Minimum 125 hours of training 80% of which is Core Competencies
  • 10 hours of Mentoring
  • Submit a recording and transcript to your instructor (Performance Evaluation with new Criteria)

The additional ICF requirements include:

  • 500 experience hours (450 are paid)
  • Take the updated ICF Knowledge Assessment (ICF provides this)

The International Coaching Federation has recently transitioned to a new accreditation structure and criteria. If you have questions about this feel free to contact Life Purpose Institute.

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