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What Is the ICF? The International Coaching Federation Explained
The International Coaching Federation explained: what ICF does, the difference between accredited training and an ICF credential, and the ACC, PCC and MCC credentials.
If you’ve looked into coach training, you’ve almost certainly seen the letters ICF. So what is the ICF, and why do so many coaches and organisations care about it?
What is the ICF?
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the world’s largest organisation for professionally trained coaches. It is a non-profit body that sets standards for the coaching profession, including a definition of coaching, the ICF Core Competencies, and the ICF Code of Ethics that credentialed coaches commit to.
What does ICF do?
- Sets standards for what good coaching looks like, through the Core Competencies and, for experienced coaches, the PCC Markers.
- Accredits training programmes that meet its requirements, at Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.
- Awards credentials to individual coaches who meet its education, experience and assessment requirements.
- Supports members through local chapters, events and continuing education.
ICF accreditation vs ICF credential
These two terms are easy to confuse:
- Accreditation applies to a training programme. An ICF-accredited programme has been reviewed by ICF and provides coach education that counts towards a credential.
- A credential applies to you, the coach. ICF awards it once you’ve completed accredited education, logged coaching experience, passed a performance evaluation and the ICF Credentialing Exam.
In other words, a training provider can’t make you “ICF certified”. It gives you the accredited education; ICF awards the credential.
The three ICF credentials
| Credential | Coach education | Coaching experience |
|---|---|---|
| ACC: Associate Certified Coach | 60+ hours | 100+ hours |
| PCC: Professional Certified Coach | 125+ hours | 500+ hours |
| MCC: Master Certified Coach | 200+ hours | 2,500+ hours |
Each credential also asks for Mentor Coaching and a performance evaluation. Requirements are set by ICF and can change, so check the current details at coachingfederation.org. Our guide to ACC vs PCC compares the first two in more detail.
Why does an ICF credential matter?
Coaching isn’t regulated by law in most countries, so anyone can call themselves a coach. An ICF credential gives clients and employers an independent signal that you’ve been trained, coached real clients, been assessed and committed to a code of ethics. Many organisations look for ICF-credentialed coaches when they hire external coaches or build internal coaching programmes.
Do you need an ICF credential to coach?
No. You can coach without one, and specialist certifications in areas such as emotional intelligence or NLP are valuable in their own right. But if you want to coach professionally, especially with organisations, an ICF credential makes you easier to trust and easier to hire.
Start your ICF journey with RISENLEAD
Our Associate Coaching Practitioner is ICF Level 1 accredited and leads towards the ACC. Our Professional Coaching Practitioner is ICF Level 2 accredited and leads towards the PCC. Both run live online, with practice coaching, feedback and step-by-step guidance on your ICF application. Compare our ICF programmes.
Frequently asked questions
What does ICF stand for?
ICF stands for the International Coaching Federation, the world’s largest organisation for professionally trained coaches.
Is ICF accreditation the same as an ICF credential?
No. Accreditation applies to a training programme; a credential (ACC, PCC or MCC) is awarded by ICF to an individual coach who meets its requirements.
Which ICF credential should I start with?
Most new coaches start with the ACC, which needs ICF Level 1 coach education and at least 100 hours of coaching experience.
Aswin Sarang
Leadership trainer and certified life coach, known for a structured, results-oriented approach to personal transformation and executive development.
