ICF Credentials and Certification

As part of the ICF ecosystem, ICF Credentials and Standards is dedicated to overseeing the credentialing of individual coach practitioners.

ICF credentials and certifications are globally esteemed designations that validate a coach's expertise, skills, and commitment to excellence. They have established the gold standard in coaching practice, fostering trust with clients worldwide.

Through a rigorous process that includes education, practical experience, and assessments, ICF credentials set apart coaches who meet high standards for competence and ethical practice. With options ranging from foundational to advanced levels, these credentials and certifications support coaches at every stage of their professional journey, helping them grow into more skilled and impactful practitioners.

Explore ICF Credentials and Certifications

Connect With a Community of Like-Minded Peers 

ICF credentialed coaches are a vibrant community of professionals committed to excellence in their craft and elevating the entire coaching profession. If you're seeking fresh perspectives, practical strategies, or collaborative support, our community is here to help you thrive.

  • Engage in ongoing learning opportunities: Join regular webinars and discussions led by industry experts in our Communities of Practice. 
  • Benefit from mentor coaching: Whether you're offering guidance as a mentor or refining your skills with the support of an experienced coach, mentor coaching helps you grow while building meaningful connections across our global network. 
  • Participate in coaching supervision: Join a collaborative learning practice designed to enhance your capacity, deepen your self-awareness, and amplify the value you provide to your clients.
Collaborate and Grow

ICF Credentials and Standards Board of Directors 

The ICF Credentials and Standards Global Board of Directors is a diverse, volunteer-led board responsible for shaping the organization’s credentialing and certification programs, as well as promoting ethical conduct and professional excellence in coaching worldwide.

The board provides strategic vision and direction, guiding ICF Credentials and Standards staff in executing these goals. Directors help set the organization’s priorities, engage in outreach, secure necessary resources, and plan for the future. Together, they work to elevate coaching standards, empowering ICF credential-holders to make a global impact.

Positions on the Board of Directors

The ICF Credentials and Standards Board includes credentialed coaches from every level — Associate Certified Coach (ACC), Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and Master Certified Coach (MCC) — as well as public members who champion the perspectives and needs of coaching consumers.

The Board includes the following officer positions:

  • Chair. 
  • Vice chair.
  • Secretary/treasurer.
  • Global board representative.

In addition, the ICF Global Board chair, the ICF CEO, and the vice president of ICF Credentials and Standards serve as non-voting, ex-officio members.

Meet the Board
Two people look up the credential nomination process on their tablet.

Nomination and Election Process 

Depending upon available positions, a public call for applications is announced annually for the ICF Credentials and Standards Board of Directors. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

After the application period closes, the ICF Credentials and Standards Nominating Committee reviews all submissions, and select candidates may be asked to participate in an interview. The nominating committee then recommends a slate of candidates, which is reviewed by the ICF Global Board of Directors and is ultimately approved by the current ICF Credentials and Standards Board of Directors.

Requirements

As a global board representing 56,000+ credential-holders in more than 150 countries and territories, our directors reflect the rich diversity of the coaching community. 

We seek candidates from varied backgrounds who are passionate about upholding the highest professional and ethical standards in coaching and certification, and who are committed to providing strategic leadership and service. Please review the following to find out more about what we’re looking for.

 

Eligibility Criteria

  • Directors may not represent or serve in any coaching education capacity, including as instructors, owners or staff of accredited or non-accredited coaching education programs or academic programs that provide coaching education.
  • Directors may not have a role in the development or delivery of coach-specific education designed to prepare a coach for certification during their board service and for a period of two years following their term.
  • Majority of board directors must be ICF credential-holders.
  • ICF credential-holders must be in good standing.
  • At least one member must be a public member who is not a coach practitioner and serves to represent the perspective of coaching clients.
  • Other members may include representation from those interested in coaching, such as employers/consumers of coaching (companies sponsoring coaching for clients and clients themselves), academic institutions (those not sponsoring coach-specific training), assessors, practitioners of psychology, researchers, certification experts, coach mentors and supervisors, regulators, etc.

 

Desired Competencies and Experience

  • Working knowledge of ICF Core Competencies.
  • Assessor/mentor experience.
  • Experience in coach development.
  • ISO/NCCA standards knowledge/experience.
  • Open minded to a variety of ideas and policy options.
  • Ability to focus on high-level policy and performance standards.
  • Familiarity with certification practices and/or psychometric measurement.
  • Business mindset and experience.
  • Strategic visioning and global direction setting.
  • Analytical and systems thinking.
  • Relationship building and self-management.
  • Leadership experience in complex organizations.
  • Global cultural awareness and experience.
  • ICF knowledge and interest.
  • Strong ethical governance.
  • Ability to identify and articulate opportunities. 
  • Collaborator and consensus builder.
  • Previous nonprofit board service.

 

Expectations

  • Attend at least two board meetings per year, either in person or virtual, plus occasional meetings and ad hoc working sessions. ICF Credentials and Standards offers each board director compensation for travel-related expenses for attending in-person meetings.
  • Serve up to a two-year term and not more than two consecutive terms.

Statement of Diversity and Inclusion 

At ICF Credentials and Standards, our mission is to elevate professional standards so that ICF credential-holders can empower the world through coaching. We believe we can only flourish when we embrace and celebrate what makes us authentically unique, both individually and collectively. That’s why diversity, equity and inclusion are at the core of who we are and how we serve our global community. 

As part of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) ecosystem, ICF Credentials and Standards places diversity, inclusion, belonging and justice at the forefront of every decision we make. From credentialing candidates to volunteers and professional staff, we encourage people from diverse backgrounds, institutions, perspectives and experiences to apply. ICF Credentials and Standards does not and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities.