ICF Update

By Sally Vanson | 1st February 2012

In line with ICF’s new worldwide membership eligibility requirements (MER)*, there will be three ICF membership categories beginning April 1, 2012: ICF Provisional Member, ICF Coach Member, and ICF Credentialed Member.

ICF Provisional Member: If you have less than 60 hours of coach specific training (or your training hours do not meet the requirements*), you will assume the ICF Provisional Member status on April 1, 2012 for a maximum of one year (until April 1, 2013) or until MER is fulfilled (if completed before April 1, 2013). Coach specific training hours accumulated so far as well as those collected between now and the official policy launch on April 1, 2013 will be applicable.
ICF Coach Member: If you have at least 60 hours of coach specific training (and it meets the requirements*) and do not hold an ICF Credential, you will be considered to have fulfilled MER and will retain ICF Coach Member status on April 1, 2012.
ICF Credentialed Member: If you hold a valid ICF Credential (ACC, PCC, or MCC), you will automatically fulfill MER. You will retain ICF Credentialed Member status on April 1, 2012.

There is no need to submit documentation or verification of completion of your coach specific training—as a member of the ICF, you are bound by the ICF Code of Ethics (prohibits misrepresentation of coaching qualifications). ICF will retain the right to verify a member’s coach training hours or proof of accreditation from a coach training program or school at any time.

Also beginning April 1, 2012, all new ICF members will fall into the following membership categories:

  • Individuals who join as a new member and hold a current ICF Credential (ACC, PCC, MCC) will be considered to have fulfilled the membership eligibility requirements and will become a Credentialed Member.
  • Individuals who join as a new member and have completed at least 60 hours of coach-specific training* will be considered to have fulfilled the minimum membership eligibility requirements and will become an ICF Coach Member.
  • Individuals who join as a new member and have fewer than 60 hours of coach-specific training and are currently enrolled in at least a minimum of a 60 hour ICF-approved Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) or Approved Coach Specific Training Hours (ACSTH) training program of at least 60 hours duration are eligible to join as ICF Coach Members. The enrollment will be verified by ICF.

    • *MER states that, in order to continue as an ICF member, you must complete 60 hours of coach specific training by April 1, 2013. The ICF is not requiring you to pursue or have an ICF Credential to remain an ICF member.

    Definition of Training that is accepted as coach specific training:
    (These are aligned with the requirements for the ACC Portfolio Application credential path.)

  • Training from an Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) or a program that has received the ICF Approved Coach Specific Training Hours (ACSTH) designation.
  • Training from a Continuing Coach Education (CCE) Provider, subject to these limitations:
    – All hours approved in Core Competencies will be accepted.
    – A maximum of 12 hours outside of the Core Competencies will be accepted.
  • Training that is specifically marketed as teaching coaching skills, that teaches coaching skills or teaches how to apply technical skills in a coach-like manner and teaches coaching skills in accordance with the ICF Core Competencies.


    • Requirement for 60 hours:
    At least 48 of the hours must be:

  • Direct interaction with a trainer (voice-to-voice or in-person training; not cyber courses, mail-in courses, or self-study).
  • From a program other than ICF conference, SIG, Virtual Education, or chapter events.
  • Teaching the ICF Core Competencies (all Core Competencies must be covered).

    • The remaining hours may be self-study, from an ICF event, teaching coaching-related topics, or a combination. However, all hours must be part of a program with the purpose of training coaches.
    [Note: The ICF is in the process of developing guidelines to acknowledge that ICF membership requirements may be met by a competence equivalency of coaching credentials awarded by other coaching organizations.]

    *Info from ICF membership categories update

    With the April 2013 deadline looming there couldn’t be a better time to get your hours…..so call Ailsa today to see what we can do for you! 01225 867 285

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