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ICF coaching for practitioners: training, videos and associations

Professional coaching, as the International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines it, is a partnership with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. It is a profession distinct from psychotherapy: the ICF Core Competencies ask coaches to keep that line.

The method in short

Body
ICF, founded 1995, present in more than 140 countries
Core Competencies
Eight, originally from 1998, updated in July 2025
Credentials
ACC (60 hours of coach education, 100 hours of coaching), PCC (125 and 500), MCC (200 and 2,500)
Boundary
Competency 1.06: keep the distinctions between coaching, consulting, psychotherapy and other support professions

Primary sources: ICF Brasil: about the ICF (in Portuguese), ICF Brasil: ICF Core Competencies (in Portuguese), ICF Brasil: earn or renew an ICF credential (in Portuguese)

We give you information and answer for how we select it. Check terms, prices and dates with the organiser.

ICF coaching training

We do not run courses. Each programme has a link to the organiser and a check date.

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Continuing Education

UW Certified Professional Coach Program

A live online cohort programme of about ten months that the university describes as an ICF Level 2 accredited coach training, with at least 125 contact learning hours. Mentoring and a performance evaluation are part of it. The page describes the 2026-27 cohort, whose application window has already closed; ask the organiser about the next one.

Format
Online, live cohort
Language
English
For
A bachelor’s degree is preferred but no specific degree is required; the application asks for a CV and one letter of recommendation
Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

NYU School of Professional Studies

Certificate in Professional Coaching

Three online courses of 50 ICF coach education contact hours each, built on the ICF core competency model. An optional mentor coaching course with a performance evaluation lets graduates use the programme on the ICF Level 2 path; without it the certificate counts for the Level 1 path.

Format
Online
Language
English
For
Professionals who want to learn or improve coaching skills; see the organiser for admission rules
Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

Rutgers University with Heidrick & Struggles

Leadership Coaching for Organizational Performance (LCOP)

A 132-hour programme over 12 meeting days with six practice coaching sessions, in hybrid and virtual versions. The page says Heidrick & Struggles holds the ICF Level 2 accreditation and Rutgers is the partner.

Format
Hybrid or virtual
Language
English
For
See the organiser
Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

Henley Business School, UK

Professional Certificate in Advanced Coaching Practice

A six-month part-time programme for coaches who already completed initial coach training, built around the ICF PCC markers. The school says it is accredited at ICF Level 2 and adds 75 coach-specific hours to earlier Level 1 hours.

Format
In person, with virtual learning
Language
English
For
Internal or external coaches or mentors with at least 100 hours of coaching or mentoring practice and at least 60 hours of coach-specific training
Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

How to choose a programme

  • Recognition. A professional association registry or an accredited provider list.
  • Practice. Hours under supervision and live discussion of your own cases.
  • Teachers. Experience in this particular method.
  • Outcome. A certificate, a path to certification or only knowledge.
  • Entry. Whether you need a base qualification and proof of practice.

ICF coaching videos

All videos on methods

ICF Code of Ethics Part 1, 2 & 3 (2025 Update)

Channel: International Coaching Federation · Checked: November 1, 2026

First video of a series on the 2025 update of the ICF Code of Ethics, with a member of the code review team: purpose, core values and ethical principles, and commitments for everyone in the ICF family of organisations.

Chapters, 8
  • 0:00Introduction
  • 0:31Meet the Code Review Team
  • 2:05Part 1: Purpose
  • 4:19Part 2: ICF Core Values and Ethical Principles
  • 6:12Part 3: Commitments for All Within the ICF Ecosystem
  • 8:45Code Applicability
  • 10:27Ethics and Doing Good
  • 11:33Closing Remarks
Open on YouTube ↗

ICF Code of Ethics Part 4, Section 1: Agreements for Client and/or Sponsor Engagement (2025 Update)

Channel: International Coaching Federation · Checked: November 1, 2026

A short talk with a code review team member on section 1 of the updated code: the merged section 1.1 on agreements with clients and sponsors and the changes to termination rights in 1.2.

Chapters, 5
  • 0:00Introduction
  • 0:28Meet Kate Miller
  • 0:48Section 1.1
  • 1:58Section 1.2
  • 2:21Conclusion
Open on YouTube ↗

ICF Code of Ethics Part 4, Section 2: Confidentiality and Legal Compliance (2025 Update.)

Channel: International Coaching Federation · Checked: November 1, 2026

A conversation with a code review team member on section 2 of the updated code: client confidentiality, record keeping, technology compliance and respect for intellectual property.

Chapters, 10
  • 0:00Introduction
  • 0:43Section 2.1
  • 1:34Section 2.2
  • 2:24Section 2.3
  • 3:42Section 2.4
  • 5:48Section 2.5
  • 7:35Section 2.6
  • 8:14Section 2.7
  • 9:13Section 2.8
  • 10:24Closing
Open on YouTube ↗

ICF coaching associations and institutes

Practitioner registries, training standards, conferences. The links go to official sites; the descriptions are ours.

International

ICF (International Coaching Federation)

The largest professional body of coaches, founded in 1995. It sets the core competencies and code of ethics and awards independent credentials; this ICF site lists webinars, chapter events and podcasts.

Official siteChecked: November 1, 2026

International

EMCC Global

An international body for coaching, mentoring and supervision. Its site covers accreditation for individual practitioners, training providers and programmes, with a search for accredited coaches, supervisors and providers, and it maintains the Global Code of Ethics for coaching, mentoring and supervision.

Official siteChecked: November 1, 2026

ICF coaching questions

How do I choose a coach training?

The ICF directory of accredited education lists Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 programmes; a university page describes Level 2 as at least 125 contact learning hours. The ICF credentials ask for 60 hours of coach education for ACC, 125 for PCC and 200 for MCC, plus mentor coaching and a performance evaluation, so check that the programme includes them. Entry requirements depend on the provider and the country, so read them on the programme page.

How is coaching different from psychotherapy?

The ICF Core Competencies ask a coach to keep the distinctions between coaching, consulting, psychotherapy and other support professions, to refer clients to other professionals as needed, and to explain clearly to clients what coaching is and is not (competencies 1.06, 1.07 and 3.01).

Which credentials does the ICF offer?

Three: ACC (60 hours of coach education and 100 hours of coaching experience), PCC (125 and 500) and MCC (200 and 2,500, with a current or past PCC). Each needs coach education, experience hours, mentor coaching, a performance evaluation and a written exam.

Where can I check that a programme is ICF-accredited?

The ICF runs a free searchable directory of accredited coach education, the Education Search Service. It lists Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 programmes and continuing coach education. Check a school there, not only on its own site.

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