ICF Coaching Certification Cost: What Can You Expect

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    Getting certified by the International Coach Federation (ICF) means that your coaching credentials meet the golden standard in the coaching profession. It’s an investment worth your time and money and something you can shoe each prospective client, but only if you get the suitable materials and find reputable coaches to work with. If you’re wondering about the ICF coaching certification cost, read on for more details!

    What Goes Into The ICF Coaching Certification Cost?

    With different price ranges out there, looking for a training program can get a little confusing. When it comes to pricing ICF courses, there are a few factors to keep in mind, from the material to the supplementary services. All of these different factors can affect the final ICF coaching certification cost.

    Quality of the Materials

    Getting the right material from day one helps you with more than just passing the ICF assessment exam after the training is over. It’ll actually make all the difference in integrating the coaching principles into your skill set.

    For instance, you’ll need to get familiar with the core competencies of ICF before you can wrap up your ACSTH Coach the Coach training.

    This kind of educational material will often look complicated on paper. However, a high-quality training agenda can help break it down into an actionable coaching framework you can build a career, making the ICF coaching certification cost well worth it.

    Reputation of the Coach

    While being a coach is all about using your own skill sets and perspective to help potential clients achieve your goals, it all starts with the right training and background.

    Ideally, you’ll want to learn from an ICF-Credentialed Coach who has been doing this for a while and understands all of the coaching competencies and coaching ethics. The more experienced a coach is, the easier it’ll be to apply the material to real-life situations that will come up with clients later in your career.

    So, it’s to be expected that reputable coach certification programs will command a higher price point than a nonaccredited coach.

    Location of the Training

    Usually, training programs with physical meetups can cost more to cover the extra expenses, but on the upside, they can feel more immersive and engaging.

    However, having the option to attend the sessions live anywhere in the world is always an added bonus. It opens up the door to a wider base who might not be able to travel for a training program or take multiple days off from work.

    The choice here is going to be more about your own schedule and availability than it is about the budget, though.

    Extra Support Offered

    Getting access to experienced educational consultants can make all the difference, especially for people who’re not yet sure which program is a good fit for their needs.

    Plus, one-on-one sessions can also add an extra boost of confidence in your readiness before taking on the ICF assessment exam. Similarly, training with hands-on exercises is way better than a lecture-style session.

    However, most of these extra supporting services aren’t always available with less-than-reputable training programs. That’s why you need to be selective about where you get your certification.

    How Much Does the ACC Training Cost?

    With NLP Top Coach, you can become an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the Fast Track Mentor Coaching Program for 50,000 THB.

    The training is a set of four virtual sessions with a total of 10 hours. The material covers the main skill sets needed to pass your assessment, rank in the top 3%, and get your first paid clients.

    Plus, you’ll also get to cover more details in your final one-on-one session as you begin your journey into the coaching industry.

    All in all, the ACC Mentor Coaching Program is a good fit for beginners in the coaching industry or coaches with experience looking to expand their client base.

    How Much Does the Coach the Coach Training Cost?

    NLP Top Coach offers the ICF-approved Coach the Coach training as a part of the Approved Coaching Specific Training Hours (ACSTH) program for 3897 USD.

    The four-day coach training program covers the ICF’s coaching competencies, the AGOWAL coaching framework, establishing trust with clients, and developing a sensory base description.

    This program might be a good option if you’re looking to become a professional coach, want to push your managerial career further, or are interested in personal development.

    You can either attend in person or book an online session to join the Coach-the-Coach training program virtually.

    How Much Do ICF Coaches Make Working With Coaching Clients?

    In most cases, the coach’s salary is based on a session-by-session model. That means the net income will vary drastically with how much they’re booked. Plus, the experience level and the niche will also make a difference in the rates.

    For instance, the ICF estimates an average global income of $47,100 annually from coaching sessions alone.

    That said, it’s not out of the question to make a six-figure income with your career as an ICF-approved coach, especially if you branch into supplementary services like counseling and consulting or another profitable coaching niche, have a proven coaching process, and work with the right clients.

    What Benefits Does Getting ICF Certified Provide?

    With so many novelty certificates and badges out there, finding a credentialing process worth the money that can help you truly unlock your professional potential can be challenging.

    If you’re not sure if getting an ICF credential is the right move for you, take a closer look at the top four benefits:

    Better Market Yourself to Clients

    According to the ICF’s 2022 Global Consumer Awareness Study, 85 percent of clients looking for coaching services will prefer working with successful coaches who are certified. It’s also worth noting that this number has increased over the past years.

    This is a strong indicator that more and more people now appreciate the value of ICF credentials and understand the benefits of being trained by an experienced individual and having the coaching experience hours required from the ICF.

    Plus, it’s much easier to land your first client if you know your clients and their needs. This way, you can position yourself and your coaching skills as a solution to their problems. All of that is part of what makes a good coach and can lead to a successful coaching practice.

    Recognition of an International Program

    Whether you get the ACSTH Coach the Coach or the ACC Fast Track Mentor Coaching program, you’ll be on track to be a recognized professional by the ICF, one of the largest entities in the field.

    One of the benefits here is that you’ll be listed on the Credentialed Coach Finder (CCF) service, which can boost your visibility to a broader base of clients and colleagues.

    On the other hand, you’ll also be able to share your digital badge on multiple social media platforms. This way, you’ll take the ICF recognition with you wherever you go.

    ICF Membership and Continued Support

    Aside from the reputation boost you get from being a certified coach, you’ll have the ICF’s services and endeavors to help you along your career.

    Keep in mind that the ICF has over 50,000 active members and is still growing. Having this weight to back you up professionally is worthwhile, especially as you take your first steps.

    Here are a few ways that the ICF can support certified coaches:

    • Spreads awareness to the public on the importance of life coaching;
    • Holds the Code of ethics that helps maintain the integrity of the coaching business;
    • Provides virtual resources through the ICF learning portal;
    • Releases reports on the field’s progress, rising trends, and predictions; and
    • Celebrates excellence with the Prism Award Program.

    Higher Earning Potential

    Just like how an approved training program will cost you more, getting an ICF credential is one way to increase your coaching rates and fees. In a sense, the recognition boost will translate to a higher demand on the market.

    On the one hand, landing bigger clients looking for certified coaches is a quick way to expand your earning potential.

    However, if independent coaching doesn’t suit you, you can always employ the skill set under your belt for managerial positions with larger paydays.

    Why Is Working With a Reputable Coach Important?

    Although most training programs are relatively short, having a reputable coach with a commitment to integrity and dedication to clients can make all the difference.

    Remember that coaching isn’t synonymous with lecturing. Instead, it’s all about using tested skills and principles to help others make the most out of the available opportunities.

    That’s why seeing a skilled trainer in action during your own certification course will help you replicate the right attitude later on with your clients.

    Moreover, working with reputable coaches can boost the trust level throughout the training program. You won’t have to wonder what kind of sources they’re getting their materials from or their coaching proficiency.

    Get ICF Certified Today

    In NLP Top Coach’s courses, you’ll be working with Sebastien Leblond and Jean-François Cousin, with more than 20 years of experience between them.

    Sebastien is a master American Board of NLP (ABNLP) trainer, while Jean-François will bring in tangible experience as the Former Chairman of the ICF Global Board.

    Both the ACC Mentor Coaching Program and the Coach the Coach are ICF-approved courses that can get you started on your journey.

    Book your training today and take the first step towards becoming a six-figure life coach!

    Picture of Sebastien Leblond

    Sebastien Leblond

    Sebastien Leblond is the Founder of NLP Top Coach, a leading NLP Coaching and Leadership Development Company. He is among an exclusive group of American Board of NLP Certified NLP Master Trainers in the world. More than 40,000 individuals across 30+ countries have been trained and certified by Sebastien to become world-class coaches and trainers. Sebastien is originally from Québec, Canada, and now lives in Bangkok, Thailand with his wife and children.

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