TOP 10 Best ICF Coaching Certification Programs (2024)

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In my 2024 updated ultimate guide you’ll find the pros & cons of the best ICF coaching certification programs (International Coaching Federation). 

TOP3 ICF Coaching Certification Programs

  1. Coach Training Alliance
  2. iNLP Center
  3. iPEC Coaching

I’ve done the research for you and summarized the most important facts for each program.

So you can make the right decision for such a significant investment, which can also be life-changing.

3 ICF Credential Levels

Before we jump into the TOP 10 program comparison, it is essential for you to know that there are 3 different ICF accreditation levels for coach programs. These 3 levels are in line with the 3 ICF credentials.

  • Level 1 (formerly ACSTH): Associate Certified Coach (ACC)
  • Level 2 (formerly ACTP): Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
  • Level 3 (new): Master Certified Coach (MCC)

These are the minimum required coach-specific training hours you have to attain in a coaching program:

  • Level 1: ACC  🕰️60 hours
  • Level 2: PCC  🕰️125 hours
  • Level 3: MCC 🕰️200 hours

Additionally, you have to prove the following coaching experience hours:

  • Level 1: ACC  🕰️100 hours (75 paid)
  • Level 2: PCC  🕰️500 hours (450 paid)
  • Level 3: MCC 🕰️2,500 hours (2,250 paid)

Most of the following life coach programs cover the Level 1 requirements with the option to level up later.

PRO-TIP
Make sure the program of your choice is already accredited by the new ICF Level 1/Level 2 standard! Old ACSTH-accredited programs may not include mentor coach hours and performance evaluation. (additional cost of $990 to $3,000 USD!)

TOP 10: Best ICF Coaching Certification Programs

Let’s go right into the different programs.

#1. Coaching Training Alliance

The Certified Coach Program

KEY FEATURES

  • Cost: $3,897
  • Program Length: ~6 months (22 weeks / 5 hours)
  • ICF Accredited Training Hours: 🕰️60 (Level 1)
  • Focus: Professional Coaching, Business, and Marketing

SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWING

  • LinkedIn: 2,800
  • Instagram: 400
  • Twitter: 1,600
  • YouTube: 800
  • Facebook: 11,000

Pros

  • The Coach Training Alliance offers step-by-step guidance to build your coaching business
  • highest reputation in the industry
  • access to over 10,000 peer coaches
  • highest ratings of the program & company

Cons

  • You need to claim your spot about a month or longer in advance.

More Details

  • class size: max. 12 participants
  • 60-90 minutes of weekly telesessions
  • 2-5 hours weekly self-study
  • 12 group mentoring sessions
  • 10 “Coach the Coach” sessions
  • Continuing Coach Education (CEE) hours: 50
  • Coach Training Accelerator (346-page textbook, >8 hours of audio files)
  • how to set up a business & market yourself
  • how to attract high-paying clients
  • private Facebook group for additional support
  • esteemed faculty of “real life” practicing coaches
  • virtual classroom and private forum access
  • 20+ years in operation with over 10,000 professional coaches from 45 countries certified
  • early adopter of ICF-aligned and credentialed training
  • A+ rating from the BBB (Better Business Bureau)
  • named one of the top 50 most admired companies by Silicon Review
  • 20+ years in operation with over 10,000 coaches from 45 countries certified
  • named one of the top 50 most admired companies by Silicon Review
  • 2020 Recipient of the Global Excellence Award – “Best Life Coach Training and Certification Provider – USA”

Payment Plans

  • 3, 7, and 9 months

Why We Choose It

  • best reputation
  • teaches coaching, marketing & building a business
  • highest network effects (globally recognized)
  • fair price vs. value

More Information
Coach Training Alliance Review – Ultimate Guide

#2. iNLP Center

Life Coach Certification Track

KEY FEATURES

  • Cost: $3,400
  • Program Length: 4-6 months
    (160 hours=6-7hours/week)
  • ICF Accredited Training Hours: 🕰️60 (Level 1)
  • Focus: Certified Life Coach, Subconscious Pattern, NLP Master, Hypnosis Practitioner (Level 1) (Master Coach=Level 2)

SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWING

  • LinkedIn: 700
  • Instagram: 100
  • Twitter: 4,700
  • YouTube: 1,500
  • Facebook: 24,000

Pros

  • excellent student testimonials (4.9 Stars from 482 Reviews)
  • leverages powerful subconscious techniques (NLP & Hypnosis)
  • very good reputation
  • self-paced online study

Cons

  • no weekly webinars available.
  • no one-on-one support after graduation.

More Details

  • Continuing Coach Education (CCE) Hours: 60.
    More CCE hours than other programs.
  • 25+ group coaching sessions per week
  • Free marketing course once you’re qualified
  • private Facebook group for additional support
  • 100% Online Training
  • Completely Self-Paced Program
  • 30+ Live Classes Available per Week
  • Niche & Marketing Training
  • 7-Day Money Back Guarantee
  • 3+ Professional Coach Certifications included:
    • Certified Life Coach
    • NLP Master
    • NLP Practitioner
    • + Hypnosis Practitioner Training (only with one-time payment)
  • Lifetime Access to Live Sessions and Materials
  • 24/7 Ongoing Support
  • ICF Credentialing Help

Payment Plans

  • 8 x $440 = $3,568

Why We Choose It

  • best student satisfaction
  • high-quality curriculum
  • self-paced online study
  • fair price vs. value

More Information
iNLP Center Training Review – Ultimate Guide

#3. iPEC Coaching

Certified Professional Coach

KEY FEATURES

  • Cost: $13,395
  • Program Length: 320+ hours
    Phase 1: 7-8 months, Phase 2: 3-4 months
  • ICF Accredited Training Hours: 🕰️200 (Level3, MCC)
  • Focus: Certified Professional Coach (CPC), Energy Leadership™ Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP), COR.E Dynamics™ Specialist

SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWING

  • LinkedIn: 21,400
  • Instagram: 7,500
  • Twitter: 9,900
  • YouTube: 2,700
  • Facebook: 41,000

Pros

  • professional/advanced coaching curriculum
  • in-person/virtual live training modules
  • powerful mobile app to assess coaching success
  • advanced teachers

Cons

  • it’s not a self-paced program

More Details

  • IPEC stands for Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching
  • 90 hours of live learning modules split over 7-8 months
  • weekly coaching webinars
  • free marketing course once you’re qualified
  • private Facebook group for additional support
  • ‘Business Toolbox’ resource will help you learn all the necessary aspects of launching a life coaching business
  • ‘Success Coach’ program focuses on helping you to launch a successful life coach business after graduating
  • trains you to facilitate conscious energy shifts and sustainable change
  • arms you with skills to connect clients to their inner purpose and passion so they can achieve their outer goals and desired actions
  • iPEC’s research-backed Energy Leadership™ Index assessment (ELI)
  • externally validated, statistically reliable tool that will win over even the most skeptical
  • 3 Professional Coach Certifications included:
    • Certified Professional Coach (CPC)
    • Energy Leadership™ Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP)
    • COR.E Dynamics™ Specialist

Payment Plans

  • 3 x $4.532 = $13,595
  • $2,495 + 12x $946 = $13,847
  • 120x $169 = $20.280 (10-year payment plan)

Why We Choose It

  • most comprehensive program
  • one of the oldest ICF-accredited institutes
  • empirical methods
  • strongest social following

More Information: iPEC Coaching Reviews & Ultimate Guide

#4. Coach U

Core Essentials Program

KEY FEATURES

  • Cost: $6,095 (Early Bird $5,695)
  • Program Length: 78 hours over 8 months (self-paced),
    Fast-track over 6 months
  • ICF Accredited Training Hours: 🕰️60 (Level 1)
  • Focus: Core Essentials

SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWING

  • LinkedIn: 6,900
  • Instagram: 120
  • Twitter: 0
  • YouTube: 100
  • Facebook: 1,000

Pros

  • courses are delivered virtually via Zoom with live instructors and fellow students
  • two 3-day workshops with follow-up required monthly courses
  • learn how to set up your own business and market yourself to new clients

Cons

  • Less Continuing Coach Education hours than other programs
  • no private group for additional support

More Details

  • subsequent required courses are 4 or 8 weeks long
  • meeting for an hour each week
  • generally involve fieldwork in between classes
  • minimum of 20 hours of coaching experience during the program
  • Core Essentials Fast Track (CEFT) includes 6-day intensive plus pre- and post-event courses totaling 78 hours to be completed within 6 months after intensive
  • you’ll get all the training material online; over 1000 pages of coaching tools, skills, and resources
  • Phase 2 available: Professional Essentials Program to complete ICF Level2 PCC

Payment Plans

  • available upon request

Why We Choose It

  • learn at your own pace
  • interesting fast track option

Life Coach
source: pixabay.com (Nietjuh)

#5. Life Purpose Institute

Life Coach Certification-Core Program

KEY FEATURES

  • Cost: $2,500
  • Program Length: 5day intensive, 3 months, or 6 months
  • ICF Accredited Training Hours: 🕰️60 (Level 1)
  • Focus: Core Program

SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWING

  • LinkedIn:1,000
  • Instagram: 1,700
  • Twitter: 1,000
  • YouTube: 100
  • Facebook: 4,900

Pros

  • 3 different program length options
    5day intensive,
    3 months, or
    6 months
  • online or in person
  • max. 12 students (online), 14 students (in-person)
  • virtually via Zoom with live instructors
  • ‘Business of Coaching’ is part of the training
  • ‘Marketing Your Coaching’ is part of your formal training

Cons

  • No Continuing Coach Education (CEE) hours included (separate package $1.800)
  • separate packages for Advanced ($2.500) & Mentoring ($2.500)

More Details

  • the 5day intensive program is followed by 4 weeks of 2h follow-up sessions (6 weeks total)
  • 3 months option runs 2 nights per week 2h each
  • 6 months option runs 1 night per week 2h each
  • over 100 proven coaching techniques that get results
  • Relationship, Health, Life Transition, Career, Purpose, and Life Balance Coaching
  • Advanced Program available $2.500
  • Mentoring & Performance Evaluation Package available $1.500 or $2.500
  • Advanced Practicum Package available $1.800
  • for ICF Level 2 accreditation it is required to book these 4 packages (total of $8.300 or $9.300):
    • Core Life Coach Program $2.500
    • Advanced Life Coach Program $2.500
    • Advanced Practicum $1.800
    • Mentoring & Performance Evaluation
      $1.500 (Lev2) or $2.500 (Lev1)

Payment Plans

  • available upon request

Why We Choose It

  • affordable price
  • interesting 5day (6weeks) fast option

#6. Erickson International

The Art & Science Of Coaching

KEY FEATURES

  • Cost: $5,285 (Certificate), $4,512 (Accreditation), $8,496 (Diploma)
  • Program Length: 4 or 8 Months
  • ICF Accredited Training Hours: 🕰️60 (Level 1)
  • Focus: Solution-Focused Essentials Course

SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWING

  • LinkedIn: 20,600
  • Instagram: 6,800
  • Twitter: 5,900
  • YouTube: 10,300
  • Facebook: 22,000

Pros

  • professional facilitators
  • in-person and online program
  • highly effective, solution-oriented coaching approach
  • high industry reputation

Cons

  • does not include training on how to launch and market your business

More Details

  • Certificate program ($5.285) contains no mentorship (doesn’t allow for ICF registration)
    • Solution-Focused Essentials (Parts 1 and 2)
      +
    • Solution-Focused Advanced Applications (Parts 1 and 2)
  • Accreditation program ($4.512) allows for ICF ACC registration (Level 1)
    • Solution – Focused Essentials (Parts 1 and 2)
      +
    • Essentials Mentoring Component
  • Diploma program ($8.496) allows for ICF PCC registration (Level 2)
    • Solution – Focused Essentials (Parts 1 and 2)
      +
    • Solution – Focused Advanced Applications (Parts 1 and 2)
      +
    • Advanced Mentoring Component
      +
    • An Oral Assessment
  • Solution-Focused Essentials Course contains:
    • 16 live sessions (3 hours 15 min per session)
    • 13 facilitator-led live webinars
    • 2 facilitator-led live coaching labs
    • 1 facilitator-led live review
    • 16 hours independent study
  • Menthor Bundle contains:
    • 3 individual mentor sessions
    • 3 group mentor sessions
  • Erickson’s Coaching Methodology:
    • solution focused
    • systematic process
    • client-centered
    • action-oriented
  • Curriculum:
    • Neuroscience Of Life Patterns
    • Building Resourcefulness
    • Envisioning A Different Future
    • Planning And Implementation

Payment Plans

  • available upon request

Why We Choose It

  • high client satisfaction
  • well-known in the industry
  • highly effective approach
  • strong social following

best icf coaching certification programs
source: pixabay.com (StartupStockPhotos)

#7. The Institute For Life Coach Training

ICF’s Associate Certified Coach (ACC)

KEY FEATURES

  • Cost: $4,330
  • Program Length: 6 to 8 Months
  • ICF Accredited Training Hours: 🕰️60 (Level 1)
  • Focus: Life Coaching Foundation

SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWING

  • LinkedIn: 3,600
  • Instagram: 0
  • Twitter: 0
  • YouTube: 0
  • Facebook: 2,600

Pros

  • clear course structure
  • fair price
  • modular course system

Cons

  • no payment plans available
  • weak social metrics

More Details

  • Foundations Course (40h)
  • + Electives for ACC (20h)
  • + Mentor Coaching (10h)
  • twice-weekly teleclasses or video conferences
  • once-a-week peer group coaching
  • post-class assignments or fieldwork
  • 4 to 5 hours time commitment per week
  • Module 1: You as Coach (22h)
    • coaching skills like creating rapport, reframing, open questions, and active listening
  • Module 2: Business of Coaching (3h)
    • identifying your business and “ideal client”, coaching niche, marketing plan
  • Module 3: From the Inside Out (15h)
    • needs, values, beliefs; Life purpose; Life design; Integrity, standards, choices and boundaries; reserve and abundance; and self-care for coaches
  • since 1998 designed by Dr. Patrick Williams, MCC, as a resource and training center for psychologists, counselors, and social workers

Payment Plans

  • not available

Why We Choose It

  • transparent course structure
  • ICF accreditedstrong social following

#8. Certified Life Coach Institute

Coaching 101 & Coaching 102

KEY FEATURES

  • Cost: $1,995
  • Program Length: 2x 3-Day immersive
  • ICF Accredited Training Hours: 🕰️65.8 (Level 1)
  • Focus: Life Coaching Foundation

SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWING

  • LinkedIn: 600
  • Instagram: 1,200
  • Twitter: 0
  • YouTube: 600
  • Facebook: 15,000

Pros

  • clear course structure
  • fair price
  • modular course system

Cons

  • no mentorship included (10h $1,595 extra)
  • no mention of Continuing Coach Hours being included in the course

More Details

  • Coaching 101 Course (3 Days x 8 hours)
    • Cooperative Communication
    • Cognitive Coaching & Communication
    • Powerful Questioning
    • Managing Your Fixer
    • Blocks, Boundaries, Mistakes
  • Coaching 102 Course (3 Day x 8 hours)
    • Body Position
    • Adaptive Intelligence
    • Neuroscience for Coaches
    • Amygdala, Oxytocin
    • Psyche & Shadow Work
    • Colorful Thinking Skills
  • Certified Life Coach Digital Manual 
  • Life Coach’s Toolbox & Contracts
  • Immersive Online Training Programs
  • Experienced Educators Who Care
  • Peer-to-Peer Coaching Practice Sessions
  • Supportive Coach Community & Home Base
  • Step-By-Step Marketing,  Business Plan, & Training
  • Access to exclusive Slack channels to further network and collaborate with coaches

Payment Plans

  • Financing is available with a non-refundable $495.00 deposit (6% Interest)

Why We Choose It

  • fast track (2x 3 Days)
  • ICF accredited training programs
  • fair price

#9. Thriving Coach Academy

Coaching 101

KEY FEATURES

  • Cost: $13,000
  • Program Length: 6 Months (130 hours)
  • ICF Accredited Training Hours: 🕰️60 (Level 1)
  • Focus: Life Coaching 101

SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWING

  • LinkedIn: 100
  • Instagram: 600
  • Twitter: 0
  • YouTube: 3,300
  • Facebook: 200

Pros

  • guarantee you will earn back your tuition within the first year
  • comprehensive business support and lifetime access to business development coaching and mentorship
  • max 10 students per class
  • one-on-one mentorship included
  • in-depth tech support for setting up your website, social media platforms, and marketing channels

Cons

  • no in-person training option (all virtual)
  • weak social following

More Details

  • 5 hours per week (flexible schedule)
  • Step 1: Core Training
  • Step 2: Live Training Sessions
  • Step 3: One-on-one Mentorship
  • Step 4: Specialized Coach Training
  • Step 5: Certification & Awards
  • Bonus: Client Magnet Masterclass
  • Bonus 2: Group Coaching Training
  • Bonus 3: 2 Years of Tech Support
  • Post-certification support: Students and graduates can repeat modules and weekly training calls as often as they would like
  • Founded by Franc Macri around 2015

Payment Plans

  • payment options $400 per month with no payment required the first 30 days

Why We Choose It

  • unique features (tech support)
  • lifetime access business coaching
  • payment plan

#10. Health Coach Institute

Health & Life Coach Training

KEY FEATURES

  • Cost: $5,450
  • Program Length: 6 Months
  • ICF Accredited Training Hours: 🕰️60 (Level 1)
  • Focus: Health & Life Coaching

SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWING

  • LinkedIn: 9,100
  • Instagram: 42,000
  • Twitter: 1,800
  • YouTube: 10,000
  • Facebook: 100,000

Pros

  • dual health & life coaching certificate
  • flexible 100% online training
  • vibrant & global community 20,000+
  • positive reviews
  • strong socials

Cons

  • no in-person training option (all virtual)

More Details

  • With this course material, you’ll learn to help others thrive on a holistic level across 5 key areas of life (health, money, love/relationships, career, and “that which is greater”)
  • curriculum based on behavioral psychology, neuroscience, intuitive listening, habit change, and healthy lifestyle design
  • The art and science of coaching and how to run a business
  • Holistic Nutrition For Coaches
  • Habit Change Coaching Method
  • Personal Growth (Life Coach Certificate)
  • Proven Marketing & Simple Business Systems
  • Founded by Stacey Morgenstern & Carey Peters

Payment Plans

  • $850 x 7 Months (=$5,950)

Why We Choose It

  • unique focus on health coaching
  • strong social following
  • positive client reviews
  • payment plan

#11-25 More Programs

Still not sure what ICF-accredited coaching program is best for you? Here comes an extension of the best ICF coaching certification programs, that didn’t make it to the TOP10 List:

11. Inspired Spirit Coaching Academy
12. The Coach Training Academy
13. Newfield Network
14. George Manson University: Leadership Coaching
15. Center for Coach Certification
16. Coaching and Positive Psychology Institute (CAPP)
17. Center for Executive Coaching
18. Coaching Out Of The Box
19. Goal Imagery Institute
20. Academy of Creative Coaching
21. Coach Training EDU
22. Academic Life Coaching
23. Coach Transformation Academy
24. The Life Coach School
25. Rice University – DOERR Inst. New Leaders

What To Look For In An ICF coaching certification program? – Methodology

We looked at the following factors to rate each life coach certification program.

  • ICF accreditation
    What kind of ICF accreditation (Level 1/2/ACTP/ACSTH) has the program and what is covered by it?
    • 🕰️Training Hours?
    • 🕰️Practice Hours?
    • 🕰️Mentorship hours?
  • Program length
  • Comprehensiveness
  • Client coaching hours (CCE)
  • Business training
  • Price
  • Social Media Metrics

Related: ICF Coaching Certification: A Complete Guide

Life Coach Certifications
source: pixabay.com (lukasbieri)

What is the best coaching certification? – International Coach Federation (ICF) is the standard

There are tons of life coaching organizations out there with their own certifications, but the International Coach Federation (ICF) is recognized as the best by most individuals in the life coaching industry.

It’s widely accepted that all ICF-accredited life coach training programs offer a high level of quality. 

All ICF coach training programs will help aspiring life coaches to:

  • develop a professional level of communication,
  • active listening,
  • trust-building, and
  • knowledge of human behavior.  

More advantages of an ICF-accredited coach training program include:

  • hours of live coaching experience
  • supervision by a mentor coach
  • guidance on how to launch your business
  • potential clients looking for ICF coaches
  • ICF coach directory great source of clients
Best Life Coach Certifications
source: pixabay.com (StockSnap)

Other training programs may not guarantee these perks.

There are rival bodies, but an ICF certification program is widely regarded as the superior option for an aspiring coach.

Related: ICF Coaching Certification: A Complete Guide

How do I become an ICF life coach?

After you received your life coach program certificate you have to file separately for ICF credentials.

How Do I Get ICF Certified

In order to apply for the first ICF credential (ACC=Associate Certified Coach) you have to pass the following requirements:

  • 🕰️60 coach-specific training hours
  • 🕰️100 coaching experience hours (75 paid)
  • 🕰️10 mentor coaching hours
  • ✍️performance evaluation (1 recorded session)
  • ✍️final credential exam (3 hours, online)

After you accomplished all the above steps it will take around 4 to 8 weeks until you will receive your ICF credential.

What Are the Qualifications You Need to Become a Life Coach?

Anybody can attend a life coaching program, in most cases, there are no formal requirements.

However, if you want to be a successful life coach, the following life coaching skills are helpful:

  • Empathy & Compassion
  • Strong Communication Skills
  • Active Listening Skills
  • Experience (Life & Work)
  • Strong Interpersonal Skills
  • Ability to Motivate & Inspire

How Long Does It Take To Become ICF Certified?

On average it takes 6-12 months to get certified including the following steps:

  • average of 6-8 months for the coaching program
  • additional practice/mentorship hours (min. 3 months)
  • applying for ICF Credentials

How much does it cost to get ICF certification?

Serious ICF-approved life coaching programs reach from $1,995 to $18,293.

Different ICF Credential Pathways

Over the years the ICF changed the naming of its credential pathways. This can be confusing, as often the old naming is still used.

The LEVEL 1 (ACC) pathway is formerly known as
ACSTH=Accredited Coach Specific Training Hours.

LEVEL 2 (PCC) pathway is formerly known as
ACTP=Accredited Coach Training Programs.

And the LEVEL 3 (MCC) pathway is new to accomplish the requirements of the Master Certified Coach (MCC) credential. In order to get the MCC you have to complete a Level 2 program first.

Portfolio Pathway:
If you attended a non-ICF-accredited educational program, you can attend the portfolio pathway.
However, you must submit the program curriculum with robust documentation to ensure your education meets ICF standards. Also, you have to do the mentor coach hours and performance evaluation separately.

How Many Hours Does It Take To Get ICF Certified?

It takes a minimum of 170 hours to get ICF certified including: 60 training hours + 10 mentor hours + 100 coaching experience hours.

Can I Get My ICF Life Coach Certification Online?

Many coaches prefer to have their life coaching certification programs delivered online, and this form of long-distance learning is possible for the majority of the programs available. Online coaching education is the most common choice these days. Some life coach certifications offer one-to-one sessions or in-person classes if you prefer.

Remember though you’ll still need to complete a designated number of coaching hours before you receive your online life coach certification. You won’t get certification without completing them.

How long is ICF valid for?

International Coaching Federation Credentials have to be renewed every 3 Years. As an ICF certified life coach you have to prove 40 hours of ongoing training (24 hours of ICF Core Competencies and Ethics, 16 hours can be a mix). This rule applies to an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) as well as to an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and Master Certified Coach (MCC).

Is An ICF coaching certification worth it?

YES, most ICF coaching certification courses are worth the program cost. However, it makes sense to compare the different training programs and life coach certification programs carefully, as the value for money differs in a wide range.

ICF credentials are recognized as the gold standard of the life coaching industry. If you are serious about building a coaching practice it is almost a must for building a career in life coaching today. This is especially true if you intend to work with companies. Then you could look also for special executive coaching programs tailored to executive coaches.

As well as giving you proof that you’re capable of delivering quality coaching, these programs will also teach you the business side of running a successful. If you want to learn business skills as well as essential coaching skills an ICF certification program is absolutely worth it.

What can you do with an ICF life coach certification?

Technically, anyone can set up a website and start a coaching profession and charge people for life coaching. 

Your life coaching certification is proof of professional excellence in coaching. It’ll show your potential customers that you’re a fully-qualified professional coach. It will help customers feel comfortable that they’ll get a high-quality coaching experience, whether they’re searching for business coaching, health, and wellness coaching, or a general life coaching course for personal development.

When starting a life coaching business, you’ll have hundreds or thousands of competitors who have a life coaching certification, so it will be difficult to attract high-paying customers without one.

As such, an ICF coaching certification program is your key to launching a successful life coaching business.

When you complete your life coach certification program, you’ll be given a hard copy of your certificate, plus a digital one to showcase on your website.   

Do You Need a Certification to Work as a Life Coach?

No. There is no formal requirement to complete an ICF coaching certification program if you want to work as a life coach. However, it helps to attract clients if you can prove a solid foundation of education.

Are Life Coaches in High Demand?

There are a lot of certified life coaches out there already. But very qualified coaches are still in high demand. It’s key to find a coaching specialty in which you have experience. Accredited coaching programs can help you become a successful coach. A unique coaching style and great coaching presence are also signs of in high demand coaches.

Do Life Coaches Make Money?

The average life coach salary is $47,100 globally and $62,500 in North America. Most coaches who graduated from professional life coaching programs and specialize in a specific niche tend to earn higher salaries.

Conclusion

If you’re an aspiring life coach and serious about launching a life coaching business, I couldn’t recommend a professional certification enough, especially if it’s accredited by the ICF. It should set you up to be a successful life coach.

Hopefully, this list of the best ICF coaching certification programs will help you select the chaff from the wheat of coaching certifications.

I hope you have a solid idea by now about what life coach certification program will work for you. 

Send this article to any interested and experienced coaches who you think may benefit from reading it.

Good luck choosing the right life coach certification program and starting your coaching career! 

About The Author

Bijan Kholghi is a certified life coach with the Milton Erickson Institute Heidelberg (Germany). He helps clients and couples reach breakthroughs in their lives by changing subconscious patterns. His solution-oriented approach is based on Systemic- and Hypnotherapy.

Bijan