ICF Certification Process

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ICF Certification Process

Welcome! This program is designed to help you develop and demonstrate your coaching capacity as defined by the ICF Core Competencies. It is not the place to discuss topics such as getting clients, marketing, niche, etc. Those are discussed in the CoachPreneur Academy mentoring sessions. The ICF is very strict about these rules. Thank you for understanding.

ICF Certification Process Overview

During the next three* or more months, you will:

• Schedule and attend three 2.5-hour group mentor coaching sessions

• Schedule and participate in three private one-on-one mentor coaching sessions *The above ICF requirements must be completed over a minimum of three months. This means, if you start your Group Coaching session on January 1st_{, your last mentoring session (group or individual) must occur}

after April 1st_.

Upon successful completion of the above requirements, you’ll receive a special certificate from CTW that you’ll use to apply for your ICF credential.

In addition to the above requirements, you will accrue and document 100 to 500 Coaching Experience hours. Hour requirements vary depending on whether you apply for an ICF ACC or PCC credential prior to applying for your ICF final exam. Please see the last page of this document for full details. You can apply for your ACC first then your PCC later as you complete the additional coaching experience hours.

What to expect

ICF Group Mentor Coaching Sessions

You may schedule private mentor sessions any time after you attend the final coach training course for your program. If you are enrolled in the Associate program, this will be Module 3. If you are in the Professional program, this will be Module 6.

These interactive sessions deepen your knowledge and skills as related to the ICF Core

Competencies. You’ll coach live inside a group of 10 people or less and receive highly supportive feedback as you strengthen your coaching capacity.

ICF Individual Mentor Coaching Sessions

These sessions are like group mentoring but occur one-on-one. Prior to each session, you will supply your mentor coach with a 20- to 60-minute recorded coaching session and transcript at prior to scheduling your session with them. This provides ample time for your mentor to review your session. If you fail to do so, your mentor may choose to cancel your appointment. On the next page you’ll find the details for each of your private mentor coaching sessions

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Session 1:

First Coaching Session Review (60 minutes)

Prior to your first ICF mentor coaching session, you will:

• Complete the ICF Core Competencies Self-Assessment. This provides you with a baseline understanding of where you feel you are at in your ICF skill level. This is available for download inside the student center in the ICF Certification Process course.

•

Record and submit your first 20- to 60-minute coaching session in MP3 format and

obtain a transcript of the call. (Send to [email protected]) NOTE: I recommend using Rev (www.rev.com $1/min) or Alison Tedford

([email protected] .70/min). If you transcribe the call yourself, be sure to accurately capture the content. Do not skip words or truncate.

• Book a one-on-one appointment with your mentor using the form inside the ICF Certification Process course, accessible in the student center online. Failure to submit your coaching session may result in cancellation of your mentor appointment.

During your first mentor session, you will:

• Receive oral feedback on your recorded coaching session based on the ICF Core Competencies and PCC Markers.

• Collaborate with your mentor to select areas for future development to be demonstrated in your next coaching demo session.

Session 2:

Progressive Session Review (60 minutes)

•

Record and submit your second 20- to 60-minute coaching session in MP3 format and obtain a transcript of the call. (Send to [email protected])

NOTE: I recommend using Rev (www.rev.com $1/min) or Alison Tedford

•

Book a one-on-one appointment with your mentor using the form inside the ICF Certification Process course, accessible in the student center online. Failure to submit your coaching session may result in cancellation of your mentor appointment. • Plus: Please listen to your second coaching session. Be prepared to provide your own

observations related to your goals and overall performance using the Professional

Certified Coach (PCC) Markers as a reference.

During your second mentor session, you will:

• Receive oral feedback on your recorded coaching session based on the ICF Core Competencies and PCC Markers.

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Session 3:

Final Review and Oral Exam (90 minutes)

Prior to your final mentor session, you will:

•

Record and submit your third 20- to 60-minute coaching session in MP3 format and obtain a transcript of the call. (Send to [email protected])

NOTE: I recommend using Rev (www.rev.com $1/min) or Alison Tedford

•

Book a one-on-one appointment with your mentor using the form inside the ICF Certification Process course, accessible in the student center online. Failure to submit your coaching session may result in cancellation of your mentor appointment. • Plus: Please listen to your third coaching session. Be prepared to provide your own

observations related to your goals and overall performance using the Professional

Certified Coach (PCC) Markers as a reference.

During your final mentor session, you will:

• Receive oral feedback on your recorded coaching session based on the ICF Core Competencies and PCC markers.

• Take the oral exam.

• Discuss test prep for the ICF final exam.

Recorded Coaching Sessions

Start recording your coaching sessions.

Your recordings should begin with a clear session focus and end by inviting the client to create actions and accountability. They should also show breadth and depth in your capacity to evoke change in others.

If you have a gut sense that a coaching session isn’t ICF quality, please find another recording for us to focus on. If you have a session you feel would be valuable, bring that session in addition to the one you want to submit for certification purposes.

As this is an ICF mentor coaching process, submit your best sessions – those aligned with the ICF Core Competencies and the PCC Markers.

ICF Final Exam

The final step is a multiple-choice exam administered online by the ICF.

Cancellations

If you cannot make a private mentor coaching session, please give your mentor as much notice as possible. Sessions missed without advance notice of at least 72 hours will be counted as no-shows.

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To make up for a no-show, you must complete three private sessions and pay an additional fee of $175 to cover your mentor’s time for both the private and group session.

IMPORTANT:

A lot of people ask, “how do I get an ICF-worthy coaching session sample?” Ideally, you coach someone you haven’t worked with before for your coaching session evaluations. This provides a more accurate sample of your coaching.

You can always sign up as a senior coach where you’ll find a willing coachee who won’t self-coach. The key is that you actively participate in the conversation. Common mistakes I’ve seen include:

• You mostly listen in the conversation and reflections. Don’t forget to ask questions too!

• You stay at the surface level and don’t inquire about who the client is as it relates to their situation and desired outcome. Ask questions that help the client to dive into their beliefs, values, needs, identity, etc.

• You forget to help the client to create action steps, accountability, and/or planning. Yes, awareness is key! That being said, coaching ICF style is an action-sport!

• You lead the conversation. Let the client choose the focus and direction throughout the session.

• You’re worried about checking all the ICF boxes and fail to be present and generate flow within the conversation. Instead, stay in the moment and remain focused on your client’s stated agenda. The goal isn’t to check ALL of the boxes…

Resources for Your ICF Final Exam

• ICF Competency Levels

• ICF Code of Ethics • ICF Ethics FAQ

• ICF Core Competencies

• Ethical Conduct Review (ECR) Process

Additional FAQ

• Everything you need to know about the ICF’s Coach Knowledge Assessment

• How do I record my client coaching hours? • How do I renew my credential?

• What technology should I use to record calls? Most people use their phone or a digital recorder. You can also use a service like www.freeconferencecall.com or www.zoom.us. • How do I transcribe my calls? Use a service such as http://www.rev.com.

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Credential Requirements

Associate Certified Coach (ACC) Professional Certified Coach (PCC) Master Certified Coach (MCC) For the practiced

coach

For the proven coach

For the expert coach Coach-specific

training

60+ hours 125+ hours 200+ hours

Client coach experience

100+

hours (75 paid) of

coaching experience

with at least 8 clients

500+ hours (450 paid) of coaching experience with at

least 25 clients

2,500+

hours (2,250 paid)

of coaching

experience with at

least 35 clients ICF mentor

coaching

10+

(3 individual sessions and 7 hours group

mentor coaching)

10+ (3 individual sessions and 7 hours group mentor

coaching)

10+ (3 individual sessions and 7 hours group mentor

coaching) ICF mentor

coach status

ACC/PCC/MCC PCC/MCC MCC

Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA) required

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Revised section from previous draft…

IMPORTANT:

A lot of people ask, “how do I get an ICF-worthy coaching session sample?” Ideally, you coach someone you haven’t worked with before for your coaching session evaluations. This provides a more accurate sample of your coaching.

You can always sign up as a senior coach where you’ll find a willing coachee who won’t self-coach. The key is that you actively participate in the conversation. Common mistakes I’ve seen include:

• Coach mostly listens in the conversation and reflects, as opposed to demonstrating their ability to ask powerful questions and provide observations too!

• Coach stays at the surface level rather than asking questions that help the client dive into their beliefs, values, needs, identity, etc.

• Coach forgets to ask for action steps, accountability, and/or help with planning. Yes, awareness is key! Coaching ICF style is an action-sport!

• Coach directs the conversation rather than allowing the client to take the lead.

• Coach worries about checking all the ICF boxes and fails to be present and generate flow within the conversation, as opposed to remaining present in the moment and focused on the client’s agenda.