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Executive coaching has emerged as a cornerstone of professional growth. Great executive coaches help their clients develop key leadership skills such as communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
For this reason, you must pick the best coach you can and one of the main things to consider is the coach's certifications.
While not directly measuring coaching skills, executive coaching certification can help a coach establish credibility.
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) estimates that 84% of coaching clients consider certification to be essential as a quality assurance standard.
To emphasize this fact, we must first define what executive coaching certification is:
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Executive coaching certification is a program designed to educate you on coaching methodologies and help you build executive coaching experience.
Education and experience are necessary to become an accredited coach through organizations such as the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
Besides improving credibility in the eyes of clients, executive coaching certification programs also keep the coach up to date on the latest trends and techniques.
With this in mind, here are some executive coaching certification programs to consider:
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66.5 hours over 27 weeks. 2.5 hours of training instructions per week
This is an executive coaching certification program by renowned mentor coach Corry Robertson. This coaching certification program is designed to help coaches develop self-awareness and build rapport with others.
Over the designed course length of slightly over 66.5 hours, the participants also pick up additional coaching skills based on the 8 ICF core coaching competencies.
The core coaching competencies include:
The course is meant for beginner coaches, and the training hours can help participants earn their level 1 ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) certification.
Beginner coaches are individuals who are new to the coaching profession or are in the early stages of their coaching journey. They typically focus on building foundational skills, learning effective coaching techniques, and gaining practical experience.
These coaches may have completed initial training or are in the process of earning their first coaching credential, such as the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) from the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
Corry Robertson's certification program is offered exclusively in English. Training happens within small groups of 5 - 15 participants, but you also get to experience one-on-one training by expert coaches.
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3 - 4 months training for full ICF certification.
$10,780 upfront or $1,100 in 10 installments.
The Center for Executive Coaching (CEC) is a company that helps clients build the skills they need to open up a coaching practice.
Their executive certification program is designed to help train and certify professionals, coaches, leaders, executives, business owners, entrepreneurs, managers, and other up-and-coming talent.
This is important because coaching entrepreneurs are professionals who build and grow businesses focused on providing coaching services.
They combine coaching expertise with entrepreneurial skills to establish a thriving practice or coaching organization. These individuals are often self-driven, innovative, and passionate about empowering others while pursuing their own business goals.
CEC's comprehensive program is quite extensive, and participants can complete the full ICF mentor hours.
In addition, participants can attend a two—to three-day seminar, where they receive in-person training on ICF core competencies and network with other participants who are working on their coaching skills.
The Center for Executive Coaching takes pride in its methodologies, practical approach, and active participant community.
The company also offers post-certification programs that support former participants. These programs help established coaches polish their skills and operate above the expected level.
Besides this, the CEC has been operational for over 20 years and has great coaching resources.
This contrasts with other executive coaching certification programs, which have only existed for a few years.
Moreover, this professional coaching training program has great reviews, and former participants constantly express their satisfaction with it.
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The professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) program deepens a participant's coaching mastery.
It is recommended for coaches who have completed basic and intermediate coaching skills classes. Such coaches are professionals who have moved beyond the beginner stage and possess a solid foundation in coaching principles and practices.
These coaches typically have some experience working with clients. They are refining their skills, expanding their client base, and pursuing advanced credentials, such as the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) from the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
The program is rigorous, and participants can earn official professional certification from the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
The CPCC program is completed in weeks, and each session builds on the previous one. Participants hone their executive coaching skills under the supervision of experienced, professional, certified coaches.
The role of ICF-accredited mentor coaching goes beyond coach training. They also help participants develop a plan for their executive coaching business.
Participants in this coaching training program can set up their own coaching practice and skillfully coach anyone on any topic. They can also navigate conflict by designing responses to triggered states.
Above all, this program is noted for creating ICF-accredited coaches who understand their impact on others. Upon successful completion, the program builds fundamental coaching skills that can help deepen intimacy and trust.
These key emotional intelligence skills are key to a successful coaching journey. They help co-active training institute coaches frame powerful questions that evoke conversations that cultivate trust, self-discovery, insight, and bold action.
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320 hours of online training over 7 months.
$13,995
The Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) is a globally recognized organization offering comprehensive coach training programs.
Founded in 1999, iPEC is renowned for its commitment to developing professional coaches who create meaningful, lasting change for individuals, teams, and organizations.
The IPEC coach training program is built on years of research and a science-based approach. This immersive three-part experience helps aspiring executive coaching professionals master various coaching techniques.
The program blends interactive learning and learning resources developed by over 30 years of scientific research into coach training.
Participants earn their executive coaching certification through feedback, training, and encouragement from expert coaches and peers in the coaching certification program.
Tuition also includes access to a large resource library filled with content you can access as an ICF-accredited coach once you set up your coaching practice.
The resource library is stocked with specialized executive coaching tools, coaching practice templates, and other ready-made executive coaching materials you can use to thrive as an associate-certified coach.
This system is designed to help participants start their own coaching businesses without starting from scratch or reinventing the wheel.
An additional advantage of IPEC's executive coaching program is flexibility regarding live training.
Participants can have in-person vs virtual training, midweek vs weekend training, and flexible timing for self-study assignments.
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The Essential Impact Certified Leadership Coach (CLC) program is designed to help beginner coaches achieve ICF certification through learning that emphasizes foundational skills and builds them into advanced coaching strategies.
The program uses live and interactive virtual classes to deliver high-energy training and development for optimum coaching education.
The CLC coaching program helps participants become ICF-accredited by mastering the following skills:
The CLC executive coaching program takes a cohesive approach to coaching education and certification, and each course is a stepping stone to the next.
Individual coaching engagements offer the same structure. In each session, you practice coaching fundamentals, observe coaching theory in action, and get evaluated by a professional coach with ICF accreditation.
This approach lets you learn about the coaching profession, integrate theory, implement skills, and experience immediate feedback.
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20-week program with classes of approximately 8 hours per day.
$8755
The Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership (IECL) is a leading provider of coaching and leadership development programs. It specializes in training professionals to drive organizational growth and individual performance.
IECL has a strong reputation for excellence in executive coaching and fostering leadership skills.IECL's coach training program is consistent with that of other players in the coaching industry.
Their stated goal is to create and support confident, competent, and ethical practicing coaches.
The Institute of Executive Coaching is a massive organization with trainers in dozens of countries. With such a reputation and a wealth of coaching experience, it should come as no surprise that they offer a variety of courses and programs throughout the year.
The most basic training packages are condensed into a 3-day workshop, but participants can choose a longer course for optimum learning retention.
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The CELDC's coaching style is intentionally structured to extend over several months.
They believe that new skills cannot be mastered in a few training hours. The organization believes that the brain needs positivity and routinization to learn effectively.
Consequently, they try to make learning enjoyable and create psychologically safe learning environments.
They also extend their training hours to help participants build "muscle memory" that lasts.
To achieve this level of continuing education, the organization extensively uses technology.
For the most effective coaching, participants attend sessions via Zoom and also get access to a learning platform that has modules, forums, class recordings, and key executive coaching resources.
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60 hours at approximately 5 hours a week.
$4700
The Goal Imagery Institute is a coaching and training organization that focuses on helping individuals and teams achieve their goals through a unique approach called Goal Imagery.
This executive certification program is run by Marianna Lead, a master-certified coach and from New York University Adjunct Professor of Coaching.
The course only accepts ten students per 2.5-hour class focused on the practical applications of ICF's core competencies.
The executive coaching training is comprehensive and covers various coaching niches and approaches.
The Goal Imagery Institute's approach to executive coaching focuses on positive psychology, strength-based coaching, emotional intelligence, brain-based coaching, and the use of metaphors.
For the level 1 course, participants get 60 hours of executive coaching training, 5 observed sessions, and 10 mentoring sessions.
The level 2 course is more involved, and participants must complete 125 coach training hours, 6 observed sessions, and 10 mentoring sessions.
For level 3, the course participants complete 75 coach training hours, 6 observed sessions, and 10 mentoring sessions.
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The CaPP Institute's coaching education program is designed to equip participants with the tools and knowledge to run a coaching practice effectively.
The program lasts 6 months and is delivered via virtual classes, which are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays for one hour each.
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The Center for Executive Coaching offers a certification program that makes getting ICF accreditation easy. It boasts that its program is the most efficient, flexible, and straightforward.
With CEC, you can complete Level 1 and Level 2 ICF training requirements for one price.
In addition to this, they offer flexible class schedules, and you can begin training at any time.
Training helps participants gain a deep understanding of ICF core competencies and get ready for the ICF exam.
This step also helps new coaches gain hands-on experience and learn how to employ proven executive coaching methodologies.
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Now that we've listed our picks for the top executive coaching certification programs, it is important to also consider the types of ICF accreditation a coach can achieve.
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) offers a range of accreditations for coaches depending on their skill level and experience.
Here's a breakdown of the different types of ICF accreditation:
The Associate Certified Coach (ACC) certification is meant for new entrants to the executive coaching scene.
This entry-level credential is offered by the ICF and it demonstrates foundational coaching knowledge, skills, and commitment to the organization's professional standards.
Here are some key aspects of obtaining and maintaining the ACC credential:
The Professional Certified Coach (PCC) is the ICF's mid-tier credential.
Coaches who hold this certification are more experienced and possess greater expertise than ACC credential holders.
Here is what it takes to earn and maintain a PCC certification:
This is the highest credential offered by the International Coaching Federation. Earning the MCC credential signifies mastery in coaching, and it positions you among the elite in the executive coaching profession.
To earn your position as a Master Certified Coach, you must do the following:
A brief point to note is that there are two paths to getting an ICF MCC certification: the level 3 path and the portfolio path.
The level 3 path is meant for graduates of ICF-accredited Level 3 programs, which prepare coaches specifically for MCC-level performance. This approach is streamlined and yields quicker MCC accreditation.
The portfolio path is for coaches with training from non-ICF-accredited or mixed sources. It takes longer because it requires detailed training, experience, and mentoring documentation.
The MCC credential is valid for 3 years. To renew the credential, coaches must complete 40 hours of Continuing Coach Education (CCE), take classes in at least 3 hours in ethics, complete additional training relevant to the ICF Core Competencies, and pay the renewal fee.
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Unlock Your Coaching Potential with ICF Certification!
Are you ready to elevate your coaching career and stand out in a competitive marketplace? Gaining an International Coaching Federation (ICF) certification is more than just a credential—it’s a commitment to excellence, credibility, and professionalism in the coaching industry.
At Highrise, we specialize in guiding aspiring and experienced coaches through every step of the ICF certification process, helping you confidently achieve your career goals.
Don’t let uncertainty or confusion hold you back from achieving your dreams. With Highrise, you’ll gain the tools, knowledge, and confidence to become an ICF-certified coach and advance your career.
Join the globally recognized coaches who make a difference in lives and organizations worldwide. Enroll in one of our programs or schedule a free consultation today.
Your journey to coaching mastery begins now. Contact us, and let’s make it happen together!
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