A Guide for Coaches Who Want a Level 1 Pathway
This guide is for Coach Graduates who have completed Level 1 or Level 2 Coach Training and want to apply for an ACC Credential with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) via the ICF Level 1 pathway.
What is the ICF Level 1 Pathway?
The Level 1 path is for coaches who have completed an ICF-accredited Level 1 or Level 2 coach training program. It streamlines the application process by validating your Coaching training hours and includes your performance evaluation as part of the program.
3 Key Requirements for an ICF ACC Credential (via ICF Level 1)
Requirement 1: Coach Certification
Coaches must have fully completed, and graduated from, an ICF Level 1 or ICF Level 2 Coach Education program. Your Level 1 Coach Certification, achieved with International Coach Academy, will evidence the following ICF requirements
- Coach Specific Training (minimum 60 hours)
- Mentoring (minimum 10 hours)
- Observed Coaching
- Performance Evaluation
Requirement 2: Coaching Experience Hours
Before a coach can apply for an ICF ACC Credential they must have achieved at least 100 hours of coaching experience. This must meet the following criteria
– 100+ hours of coaching experience after the start of your coach-specific training.
– At least 8 clients
– Minimum 75 hours paid (can be partial payment)
** To note: ICA’s Peer Coaching can count as pro bono (free) or reciprocal and barter hours (paid)
3: ICF ACC Exam
Coaches must achieve a passing score for the ICF Coaching Exam. This is issued by the ICF after criteria 1 and 2 (above) are met.
ICF Level 1 Frequently Asked Questions
Does my Coach Education include the required 10 hours of Mentoring?
Yes. The mentoring completed in you Level 1 or 2 Coach Training fully meets the ICF’s Mentoring requirement for a Level 1 or Level 2 Credential.
All Level 1 (ACC) and Level 2 (PCC) coach education includes at least 10 hours of ICF Accredited Mentor Coaching. This will include at least 3 hours One on One Coaching and 7 hours Group Coaching. This has been accredited by the ICF as an inclusion in your Coach Education so does not need to be evidenced separately.
Providing your Level 1 or Level 2 Coach Certification provides the required evidence for Mentoring.
Can my ICA Peer Coaching Hours apply to the ICF’s required Coach Experience Hours?
ICA’s peer coaching is aligned with the experience hours required for an ACC or PCC Credential. This is because it happens outside the classroom and requires students to be a client for as many hours as they are coach. It is pro bono coaching in that money is not exchanged for services. However, it can count towards barter or reciprocal coaching.
- Pro Bono Coaching (unpaid hours)
Your ICA Peer Coaching is Pro Bono coaching because money or fees are not exchanged for services.
- Barter Coaching / Reciprocal Coaching (paid hours)
With Barter and Reciprocal Coaching there is an exchange in services. The “exchange” is the donation of being a client for an hour for the opportunity to coach for an hour. You count client hours, and coaching hours. And they must balance each other for it to be counted as reciprocal. This does not have to be with the same client or coach.
For example:
You are the client for 10 hours and the coach for 10 hours with the same person. This counts for 10 paid hours as per
the ICF Guidelines for Reciprocal Peer Coaching.
If you are the client for 8 hours and the coach for 10 hours, then this counts as 8 paid hours and 2 pro bono hours.
For further clarification refer to the International Coach Federation Guidelines for ACC or PCC ICF experience requirements.
Item #3
Yes. The mentoring completed in your Level 1 or 2 Coach Training fully meets the ICF’s Mentoring requirement for a Level 1 or Level 2 Credential.
All Level 1 (ACC) and Level 2 (PCC) coach education includes at least 10 hours of ICF Accredited Mentor Coaching. This will include at least 3 hours One on One Coaching and 7 hours Group Coaching. This has been accredited by the ICF as an inclusion in your Coach Education so does not need to be evidenced separately.
Providing your Level 1 or Level 2 Coach Certification provides the required evidence for Mentoring.
ICA’s peer coaching is aligned with the experience hours required for an ACC or PCC Credential. This is because it happens outside the classroom and requires students to be a client for as many hours as they are coach. It is pro bono coaching in that money is not exchanged for services. However, it can count towards barter or reciprocal coaching.
- Pro Bono Coaching (unpaid hours)
Your ICA Peer Coaching is Pro Bono coaching because money or fees are not exchanged for services.
- Barter Coaching / Reciprocal Coaching (paid hours)
With Barter and Reciprocal Coaching there is an exchange in services. The “exchange” is the donation of being a client for an hour for the opportunity to coach for an hour. You count client hours, and coaching hours. And they must balance each other for it to be counted as reciprocal. This does not have to be with the same client or coach.
For example:
You are the client for 10 hours and the coach for 10 hours with the same person. This counts for 10 paid hours as per
the ICF Guidelines for Reciprocal Peer Coaching.
If you are the client for 8 hours and the coach for 10 hours, then this counts as 8 paid hours and 2 pro bono hours.
For further clarification, refer to the International Coach Federation Guidelines for ACC or PCC ICF experience requirements.
