How to Get ICF Accreditation: A Complete Guide to getting ICF Certified

Life Changes provides the streamlined pathway to ICF accreditation.

In this article:

What are the specific requirements to apply for an ICF ACC credential?
What is the value of an ICF Accreditation and is it worth it?
Do I need an ICF Accreditation?
What is the difference between ICF Accredited and ICF credentialing?
What is the difference between ACC, PCC and MCC?
How long does it take to get ICF certified?
Can I coach clients while I'm still training?
How much does ICF certification cost?

At Life Changes - The Academy, we help new and experienced coaches get their ACC and PCC credential with the ICF.

If you have coach training and you are interested in applying for ICF accreditation you can contact us on www.ninamadden.com/learn for our bespoke service.

What are the specific requirements to apply for an ICF ACC credential?

To apply for an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential, you must meet specific training and experience requirements.

At Life Changes - The Academy, we provide a supported pathway through each stage.

Step One: Training and Mentoring

You must complete an ICF-accredited training of at least 60 hours, such as a Level 1 (ACC pathway) programme.

ICF accreditation is a structured process for training providers and can take around 18 months. This is different from non-accredited training.

The training includes:

• 50% live learning with faculty
• 50% independent study and practice

Life Changes - The Academy provides 76 hours of accredited training using this structure.

ICF Coach Mentoring

You must complete 10 mentoring sessions with an ICF-approved mentor coach:

These sessions are designed to develop your ICF core competencies through practice.

At Life Changes - The Academy, mentoring is included in the programme fee. There are no additional costs.

Assessment

You must complete all assessment elements, including live coaching practice and a recorded coaching review.

On completion, you receive a certificate confirming your training hours and ICF accreditation.

Note on non-accredited training

If your training is not ICF-accredited, you can still apply via the portfolio path. This requires documentation, proof of hours, syllabus, materials, and a coaching video demonstrating ICF standards.

Choosing an accredited pathway removes this additional process.

Step Two: Coaching Hours

You must complete 100 coaching hours, of which 75 must be paid.

These hours must not include coaching other coaches or coach trainees.

At Life Changes - The Academy, 15 hours of practice are included and can be counted towards your total.

You can begin logging coaching hours from the first day of accredited training. Previous coaching hours do not count.

Step Three: Application with the ICF

Once requirements are complete, you apply via the ICF website.

You will:

• select your accredited training
• confirm mentoring completion
• declare your 100 coaching hours

Step Four: CKA Exam

The exam is:

• 60 questions
• 90 minutes
• multiple choice
• delivered via Pearson VUE (online or in person)

It tests understanding of ICF core competencies in practice.

Training, coaching practice, and mentoring are designed to prepare you for this exam.

ICF review time is typically around 14 weeks.

What is the value of an ICF Accreditation and is it worth it?

There are around 5 million coaches on LinkedIn, but only a small percentage hold an ICF credential.

This places credentialed coaches in a smaller, recognised group within the profession.

For many coaches, it is a valuable professional milestone.

At Life Changes - The Academy, we provide a structured pathway to ACC credentialing.

Do I need an ICF Accreditation?

In many professional contexts, particularly corporate and executive coaching, ICF accreditation is expected.

Organisations recognise what it represents, and it is often required in hiring decisions.

There are an estimated 80,000–100,000 coaches in the UK, but only around 2,900 hold an ICF credential.

Some coaches work without it, but it is widely used as a marker of professional training.

What is the difference between ICF Accredited and ICF credentialing?

The training provider is accredited. The individual coach is credentialed.

You receive an ACC credential by completing a Level 1 accredited programme.

What is the difference between ACC, PCC and MCC?

ACC: 60 hours training, 100 coaching hours
PCC: 125 hours training, 500 coaching hours
MCC: 200 hours training, 2,500 coaching hours

How long does it take to get ICF certified?

At Life Changes - The Academy, most students complete certification in 4–6 months.

This includes training, mentoring, assignments, and assessment.

Coaching hours depend on individual pace.

Can I coach clients while I'm still training?

Yes. You can coach from the first day of training, and these hours count towards your 100 hours.

How much does ICF certification cost?

Costs vary depending on how training is structured.

Some programmes separate training hours, mentoring, assessments, exams, applications, and renewals.

This can range from £3,000 to £10,000 or more.

If this has resonated with you, you can learn more or begin your training here:
www.ninamadden.com/learn

About the author: Nina Madden is an EMDR Therapist, (ICF PCC) Life Coach, NLP Master, and Accredited (ABNLP/INLPTA) Trainer of NLP, Coaching and Hypnosis. She has twenty years in private practice, London and globally.

he has twenty years in private practice, London and globally.

Nina Madden has delivered accredited NLP and Life Coach training since 2012.