June 3, 2026
Your Coaching Journey: Practice Requirements and Getting Your ICF Credential
Last updeted on:
Your Coaching Journey: Practice Requirements and Getting Your ICF Credential
Coaching Practice Requirements
1. Attend and participate consistently in live sessions
You are required to attend at least 80% of the training sessions to complete the program successfully. Consistent presence supports skill development and ensures you receive the full benefit of supervised practice.
2. Engage in structured peer group practice
You are expected to participate in the required number of peer group hours depending on your program track. Peer coaching provides repeated live practice and allows you to experience coaching from multiple roles within a protected learning environment.
3. Complete guided self-study in the learning portal
You are required to engage with the online learning material for the specified number of hours through the SolutionsAcademy platform. This material deepens theoretical understanding and supports reflection between live sessions.
4. Record real coaching sessions for developmental review
You will record three coaching sessions lasting between 20 and 60 minutes in audio format. Recording allows you to listen to your own practice with greater objectivity and prepare thoughtfully for mentor feedback.
5. Prepare reflection before mentor coaching sessions
You receive a structured reflection sheet before your mentoring appointment and are expected to complete it in advance. This preparation sharpens your awareness and makes the mentoring conversation focused and productive.
6. Participate in individual mentor coaching sessions
You complete three sessions with approved mentors. These sessions provide detailed feedback on your recorded coaching and support steady competence development. One of these recordings needs to be at the level of the credential you are aspiring to.
7. Allow sufficient time between mentoring sessions
Take time to learn and practice what you have discovered between mentoring sessions. Record one audio, submit for mentoring, learn from the feedback, then apply what you have learned in the next recording.
How to Obtain ACC and PCC After the Program
1. Complete your training requirements successfully
You must meet attendance, peer group, self-study, and mentor coaching requirements according to your selected track. Completion qualifies you for the appropriate certification pathway.
2. Accumulate documented client coaching hours
For ACC, you need 100 hours of client coaching experience. For PCC, you require 500 hours of documented client coaching experience. These hours must be recorded accurately in a coaching log or confirmed through reference letters.
3. Ensure written client consent for documentation
Clients whose details appear in your coaching log must provide written consent in accordance with data protection regulations. Proper documentation protects both you and your clients.
4. Apply on the ICF website
Use the appropriate track—Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, or Team Coaching—to apply on the ICF website. Concrete guidance on how to do this is available from the SolutionsAcademy team.
5. Complete the required credentialing exam with ICF
Once your ICF application materials are approved, you will be invited to complete the professional knowledge examination. Preparation materials are available within the program resources.
6. Maintain accurate records for future renewal
You are responsible for maintaining documentation of your training and coaching experience for future credential renewals. Organized record keeping simplifies long-term professional development.
Ready to start your coaching journey? Explore the SolutionsAcademy coaching programs and find the right track for your goals.
Exploring coaching further
This page is part of the SolutionsAcademy Info Hub. It is designed to support informed decisions, not quick ones.
If you are curious to go deeper, you may find these next steps useful:
- Get the full picture of coaching as a concept → What Is Coaching?
- See what a coaching credential is actually worth → What Can You Do With a Coaching Certification?
- Understand the full cost picture before you commit → The Cost of Coaching Certification
- Experience coaching questions in practice → Join our next free meetup
Kirsten Dierolf
FAQ
How many coaching hours do I need for ACC and PCC?
- For the ACC credential, you need 100 hours of documented client coaching experience. For PCC, you need 500 hours. These hours must be recorded accurately in a coaching log or confirmed through reference letters.
Do I need client consent to log coaching hours?
- Yes. Clients whose details appear in your coaching log must provide written consent in accordance with data protection regulations. This protects both you and your clients.
What happens if I miss the 80% attendance requirement?
- Attendance of at least 80% of training sessions is required to complete the program successfully. Consistent presence supports skill development and ensures you receive the full benefit of supervised practice.
How do I apply for my ICF credential after finishing the program?
- Once you have completed your training requirements and accumulated your documented coaching hours, you apply on the ICF website using the appropriate track, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, or Team Coaching. Concrete guidance is available from the SolutionsAcademy team.
