Big Changes Coming to the Credentialing Process

You may have heard the buzz that is happening at the ICF (International Coaching Federation) right now… all these changes but what is in a change? Let us enlighten you as we assure you, the ICF has just made it easier for Coaching Out Of the Box to remain your single place to obtain the coach training, mentoring, and professional assessment you need to comfortably apply for your ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential.

The ICF is the Gold Standard for professional coaches around the world, since its inception in 1995 the ICF has been a vital element in the industry providing accreditation to coaches. This accreditation begins with the coach training and as providers of coaching education, it has been our role to ensure that our training meets the ICF’s high standards.

Due to the recent explosion of the coaching industry, in 2020, the ICF Coach Training Board of Directors approved the creation of a global task force to evaluate and improve the current ICF education accreditation process.

“We are innovating our current global accreditation model to set the highest standards for coach-specific education in the world. Our new structure will enable coaches to find a clearer path to quality education that prepares them for the nuance, complexity, and sophistication of today’s coaching consumer.”  — Luke Davis, vice president of ICF Coaching Education

This change is happening, and it is happening fast! Within the next 18 months, ICF accredited organizations and institutions, and those interested in pursuing ICF organizational accreditation will partake in a series of both structural and standards updates. Through the collaboration of stakeholders and staff, the ICF will strengthen the coaching profession through the use of validated coaching competencies, a common code of ethics, and fair, reasonable assessments.

And here is where some of the big changes are happening:

  • The ICF is changing its name from ICF Coach Training to ICF Coaching Education.
  • The accreditation structure is being updated.
  • The updated accreditation structure will replace both ACTP and ACSTH with levels tied to the ICF credentialing pathways.

Level 1 Accreditation (formerly ACSTH) is for organizations that offer at least 60 contact learning hours, and it is designated as a pathway to the ACC credential.

Level 2 Accreditation (formerly ACTP) is for organizations that offer at least 125 contact learning hours, and it is designated as a pathway to the PCC credential.

Level 3 Accreditation, a brand-new offering, is for organizations that offer at least 75 advanced contact learning hours, and it is designated as a pathway to the MCC credential.

Continuing Coach Education (CCE) will remain and is intended to serve as continuing education and professional development for the renewal of a credential – not as initial coach training or education.

And another big change is a new way of accrediting, that now accredits the entire organization rather than only a specific curriculum or program. Accrediting whole organizations is a leading global practice. This sends a strong message of credibility and congruence about organizations, and our profession, that enables all of us to live the gold standard for which we are all proud.

What does this mean to you?

We remain your place to receive coach-specific training, mentoring, and professional assessment you need to comfortably apply for your ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential.

This means we will still bring you our pragmatic and transformational programs with great facilitators along with many bonuses along the way. We look forward to supporting you on your coach education journey.

“If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.” — Fred DeVito

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