Coaching: What Those Letters Mean
Ever wonder what the letters behind a coach’s name signify? You’re not alone.
When it comes to certifications, most are tied to the school the coach attended. For example, I hold certifications such as CUCG and CECG from Coach University, which indicate that I completed a certain number of hours and met the school’s specific criteria for their initial and advanced programs. CoachU programs exceed 150 hours. However, these designations don’t necessarily reflect an evaluation of my coaching skills.
Some schools offer certifications after a weekend workshop or a six-month program and may not be accredited. These certifications are created by the institutions themselves, which have a vested interest in graduating students. They don't measure the actual quality of a coach; instead, they serve as internal benchmarks for individual programs, often relying on a pass/fail system based on attendance and participation.
If you see letters like ACC, PCC, or MCC, these credentials come from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), an independent organization that sets industry standards. The ICF is not a coaching school - it assesses coaches based on their skill sets, requires accredited training hours, paid coaching experience, and successful completion of knowledge-based exams. Their standards are aligned with those of the American Psychiatric Association. The standards are science-based.
The ICF is recognized globally as the gold standard for coaching excellence. Their rigorous criteria ensure that coaches are evaluated based on expertise and professionalism. Earning an MCC, for instance, typically takes a coach five to seven years. While anyone can become a member of the ICF by paying a fee, earning a certification from them is an entirely different achievement - it means the coach has completed extensive training and had their work independently verified and evaluated.
When choosing a coach, opt for a professional. Choose an ICF-certified coach.