Coaching Credentials, Clearly Explained
Understanding Life Coach Accreditation and Certification
One of the questions I am often asked is about coaching accreditation.
Is a particular school, academy, institution or training program accredited? Who does the accrediting? And what does accreditation really mean when you are choosing a professional coach training program?
I have had many people tell me, “The more I read about coaching accreditation, the more confused I become.”
I understand why.
There is a great deal of information online about accreditation, certification and professional coaching credentials, and these terms are sometimes used interchangeably when they really mean very different things.
So, I would like to give you my “two cents” and, more importantly, help you understand what you should look for when choosing your professional coach training.
First, Understand the Difference Between Training, Certification and Accreditation
Unlike professions such as medicine, law or psychology, life coaching is generally not a government licensed profession. You do not need a college degree or years of experience in a helping profession to begin training to become a professional coach.
That accessibility is one of the things I have always loved about coaching.
Many of the students who come to FIA have actually been coaching people informally for years, sometimes for decades. They are the “go-to” person for their family, friends and colleagues.
They listen. They encourage. They ask questions. They help people work through challenges and discover possibilities they may not have recognized on their own.
What they often lack is a professional coaching methodology, proven tools and techniques, and the confidence that comes from knowing how to conduct an effective professional coaching session.
That is what professional coach training should provide.
What About ICF Accreditation?
The International Coaching Federation, commonly known as ICF, is a professional membership organization for coaches that establishes standards, competencies and credentialing requirements within the coaching profession.
ICF also recognizes qualifying coach education and continuing education programs.
It is important, however, to understand the distinction between completing an FIA certification program and earning an individual ICF credential.
Fowler International Academy awards its own professional coaching credentials, including our Certified Professional Coach (CPC) credential. An ICF credential is a separate credential awarded by ICF to coaches who satisfy ICF's applicable education, experience, mentoring, assessment and other requirements.
FIA also offers eligible live professional coach training through FIA Certified Master Trainers that provides International Coaching Federation Continuing Coach Education (CCE) hours. Students who complete eligible FIA live training may receive 20 ICF Continuing Coach Education (CCE) hours.
FIA Certification and ICF Credentials Are Different
FIA Certification: Earned by successfully completing an FIA professional coach training and certification program.
ICF Credential: Awarded separately by the International Coaching Federation to coaches who meet ICF's credentialing requirements.
ICF CCE Hours: Eligible FIA live training may provide Continuing Coach Education hours recognized by ICF.
More Than 10,000 Coaches Trained Worldwide
My team and I have been teaching and coaching others for more than four decades.
In 2008, I founded Fowler International Academy of Professional Coaching to make practical, professional coach training available to motivated people around the world.
Since then, FIA has trained more than 10,000 coaches in over 90 countries.
Our Certified Professional Coach program teaches the Fowler Method™, the coaching methodology I have developed and refined through decades of coaching, education, leadership and entrepreneurship.
Why I Believe Great Training Does Not Have to Take Years
My belief in practical, results-focused education goes all the way back to Sylvan Learning Centers.
When I opened my first Sylvan Learning Center in 1979, I developed a teaching system designed to help struggling students improve their basic academic skills and catch up with their classmates.
The principle behind what we were doing was really quite simple: develop an effective system, teach people how to use it and focus on measurable results.
I have carried that same philosophy into professional coach training.
In fact, I have often said that teaching motivated adults how to become great coaches is much easier than figuring out how to help a fifth grader who has fallen two years behind in reading!
Become a Certified Professional Coach in Approximately 20 Hours
You do not need to spend years studying coaching before you can begin helping people.
FIA's Certified Professional Coach training can be completed in approximately 20 hours because we teach you a practical, structured coaching methodology rather than leaving you to figure everything out for yourself.
You will learn the Fowler Method™ and gain the knowledge, tools and techniques you need to conduct professional coaching sessions with confidence.
By the time you complete your training, my goal is that you don't simply have a certificate hanging on your wall.
I want you to have the knowledge, practical coaching skills and confidence to look at your first client and know:
“I am completely prepared to provide this person with an outstanding professional coaching experience.”
That, to me, is what great professional coach training should accomplish.
Berry Fowler
Founder
Fowler International Academy of Professional Coaching