Do you want to switch your career to leadership coaching but feel overwhelmed by where to begin, which certification to choose, or whether the field is even worth pursuing?
You’re not alone. There are many professionals like you who want to become an ICF certified coach but are lacking clarity about what the ICF certification really is, how the credentialing path works, the actual eligibility, and real training hours required. The internet is full of scattered, sometimes outdated information.
And that’s where this blog comes in. It provides a clear, professional, and insight-rich breakdown of how to become an ICF certified coach. So get ready to walk on the path to become a successful ICF certified coach.
If you are exploring coaching as a second career, becoming an ICF certified coach is one of the most credible and globally respected ways to enter the coaching industry with confidence.
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the world’s largest professional coaching body.
ICF certification offers:
In India, organizations increasingly prefer ICF-credentialed coaches for leadership development, performance coaching, career coaching, and L&D interventions.
ICF offers three credentialing levels:
Level 1: ACC – Associate Certified Coach. It is an entry level that is ideal for beginners. It includes minimum 60 training hours and 100 coaching hours
It is often chosen by professionals transitioning into coaching for the first time.
Level 2: PCC – Professional Certified Coach. It is an Intermediate Level for professional coaches who want to work with senior managers, CXOs, and leadership teams. It includes a minimum 125 training hours and 500 coaching hours. It is typically pursued after gaining some coaching experience
Level 3: MCC – Master Certified Coach. As the most advanced and top-level credential globally. It includes 200+ training hours and 2,500 coaching hours. It is pursued by leaders who have decades of experience in the coaching industry.
We have listed this step-by-step guide that simplifies everything for you.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
ICF does not require:
If you’re 18+ and motivated to build coaching skills, you are eligible. This makes ICF coaching one of the most accessible yet respected global professions.
Step 2: Choose the Right ICF-Accredited Coaching Program
This is the most important decision in your ICF journey.
Look for programs that are:
In India, many leadership and coaching training institutes like Indian Leadership Academy offer high-quality ICF-accredited courses. Choose programs with experienced PCC/MCC coaches and a well-structured curriculum.
Step 3: Complete the Required Training Hours
Training hours are based on the ICF level you are opting for. For ACC level, you need to complete a minimum 60 hours of training.
Step 4: Complete Your Coaching Practice Hours
Practical coaching is mandatory and essential to growth.
You can build these hours through practice clients, peer coaching, corporate coaching and volunteering assignments
These experiences help you discover your niche—leadership, career, life, wellness, or business coaching.
Step 5: Undergo Mentor Coaching (10 Hours Required)
Mentor coaching prepares you for the real world.
You will learn:
It is a mandatory requirement and helps refine your skills.
Step 6: Pass the ICF Credentialing Exam
The final step is the ICF Credentialing Exam (formerly CKA).
It tests:
With quality training and mentor coaching, most candidates pass comfortably.
Step 7: Submit Your Application to ICF
The ICF application requires:
You can apply through the ICF online portal.
When you become an ICF certified coach, your career opportunities open exponentially:
The coaching industry in India is expanding rapidly as organizations invest in capability-building and leadership development.
Switching to a coaching career is not just a professional shift; it’s a personal transformation.
Becoming an ICF certified coach gives you a globally recognized pathway, a strong ethical foundation, and a clear structure to build a thriving coaching practice.
Whether you want to work with senior leaders, guide teams, support professionals through transitions, or build your own independent coaching practice, an ICF credential becomes your strongest professional foundation. It signals that you are trained, ethical, and equipped to coach at an international standard.
