FAQs

What happens if I do not get certified upon my application to the ICF?

You are able to attend our ACP classes, for no extra cost, until you achieve certification.

Are credits that have been gained from previous coach training schools considered towards the Integral credentialing programs, or do I have to complete the full hour requirements with Integral?

Yes, you can bring hours already completed at other ACSTH / ACPT coach training programs and complete the hours you need with us.

Is there value added in repeating classes?

In Ontology we have a distinction between repetition and recurrence. Repetition is repeating something due to obligation. Recurrence is repeating something for a practice, for the sake of becoming masterful at it. So we do recommend continuing accessing the classes available even if it means repeating some classes. It allows you to come back, with yourself in a different place, attending the class from a different perspective. Attendance to a repeated class, can not be logged for the credit hours.

Do all the practice coaching hours need to be recorded with my clients?

Yes - you will need to hold a record of all paid and pro bono coaching hours you have completed since the first day of your coach specific training.

• For ACC you will need to hold a record of 100 coaching hours

• For PCC you will need to hold a record of 500 coaching hours

• For MCC you will need to hold a record of 2500 coaching hours

What is the difference between ACC/PCC/MCC in value add?

Firstly, in terms of the coaching standards, by being a credentialed coach you are showing that you are the best that you can be. There are active working coaches, who are not ICF certified, but our belief is that in the eyes of the client, they can have more confidence and trust in a certified and credentialed coach. 

ACC (Associated Certified Coach) is considered the lowest level of credential.  Many consultancies will not hire you with just an ACC.  You need only 100 hours of coaching to apply for ACC

PCC (Professional Certified Coach) requires 500 hours of coaching and by this time you will be a seasoned coach, with many different coaching experiences, able to handle many different types of clients and interventions, from group and team coaching to more senior-level executive coaching.

MCC (Master Certified Coach) is the gold standard of coaching. MCCs have learned many different forms of coaching and are at ease when coaching, producing breakthroughs with the toughest coaching situations.  As of July 2020, there were only 1,235 MCC coaches in the world.

At Integral, our “mother ship” consultancy www.integralcoaches.com we only hire MCC and PCC coaches for our global clients.

Can I purchase and attend just specific parts of the program - for example, if I have completed all of the 125 hours elsewhere but still need to complete my 10 hours of mentor coaching?

Yes, we offer fully customizable quotations for our program. Please just get in touch and tell us your needs.

If I view a recording of a class that I am unable to attend live, can I still record the credits towards my certification?

Yes - up to 50% of your course hours may be completed asynchronously.

Do I have to complete the program on offer within a specific timeframe?

No - our programs are flexible and tailored to fit in and around your personal circumstances. We will guide you through the process at your desired pace.

Do I have an ICF member number by joining the ACP?

You have to become a member of the ICF in order to receive your membership number - this is not something that comes as part of our programs.

Who observes the Observed Coaching Sessions?

Once you have completed the 1:1 individual personal coaching sessions, we will then allocate you an Observed Coaching coach. It will then be up to you to find your two coaching clients and record the sessions, which you will then complete the reflection paper for before sending the recording and your reflection paper to your OC coach. Your personal 1:1 individual coach will not be the same as your Observed Coach - it is our preference that you receive contact with a different Ontological coach to provide you with a more well rounded educational experience.

How much do I need to be paid for the ‘Paid’ Practice Coaching Hours?

There is no minimum / maximum for the amount you should charge for your coaching. The reason that the ICF requests a certain proportion of your coaching practice to be paid is because there is a learning curve in asking for payment and how much.

Is there an expiration date on coach training completed towards certification?

No, there is no expiration date on coach specific training.

What is the difference between Observed Coaching and Mentor Coaching?

Group Mentor Coaching - is when you come to a class with a real life coaching client issues that we discuss (anonymously) 

Observed Coaching is completed 1:1 between yourself and your Observed Coach. Think of this as a post-mortem. These sessions are much more detailed. First you will review and reflect upon the client coaching session you recorded - evaluating your ability in line with the ICF core competencies.

You will then work closely with your OC coach to view the recording of your coaching client session together. Together you will get into the finer details of your coaching inline with the ICF core competencies and the Ontological competencies. How you valued yourself and where your OC coach values you in comparison..

Who should I coach for the Observed Coaching sessions?

You should not coach friends, another coach, or family members. You should find clients that represent your target client market audience.

Can I go straight for PCC, or is there a requirement to achieve ACC first?

You are not obliged to achieve your ACC credential before moving on to gain your PCC, providing that the coach specific training you take meets the requirements for gaining your PCC credential.