International Coach Federation Global

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The International Coach Federation (ICF) is the leading global organization for professionally trained coaches. ICF is dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high ethical standards, providing independent certification and building a worldwide network of credentialed coaches. The late Thomas Leonard, a professional coach, founded the ICF in 1995 to create a professional coaching community. ICF’s membership was initially North American, but today includes coaches from around the globe.

Core Purpose | ICF exists to lead the global advancement of the coaching profession.

Vision | We want to see humanity flourish through coaching.

Core Values | We are committed to reliability, openness, acceptance and congruence and consider all parts of the ICF Community mutually accountable to uphold the following values:

Integrity

We uphold the highest standards both for the coaching profession and our organization.

Excellence

We set and demonstrate standards of excellence for professional coaching quality, qualification and competence.

Collaboration

We value the social connection and community building that occurs through collaborative partnership and co-created achievement.

Respect

We are inclusive and value the diversity and richness of our global stakeholders. We put people first, without compromising standards, policies and quality.

ICF Members specialize in a variety of coaching areas, including Executive Coaching, Personal Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Relationship Coaching, Career Coaching and other skilled coaching fields. There are more than 20,000 ICF Members in more than 120 countries. Many of these coaches choose to affiliate with an ICF Chapter in their area.

ICF Global’s Board of Directors oversees the strategic direction of its affairs, funds and property; determines policy; and interprets the organization’s bylaws. The Board supervises the direction and control of ICF and its committees and publications, and may adopt rules and regulations for conducting its business as deemed advisable.

Accreditation and Credentialing

Professional coaching is flourishing all over the globe, and in turn, so is the field of coach training. To ensure quality training, the International Coach Federation accredits coach-training programs that meet its high standards.

ICF’s accreditation system for coach-training programs defines curriculum standards to ensure consistency in the programs themselves and consistency among coaching professionals. Coaches worldwide recognize ICF as an industry leader and turn to us for information about training and continuing education.

For individual coaches, ICF offers the only globally recognized, independent credentialing program. More than 14,000 coaches around the world hold one of three ICF Credentials: the Associate Certified Coach (ACC), Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and Master Certified Coach (MCC).

ICF Credentials are awarded to professional coaches who have met stringent education and experience requirements and have demonstrated a thorough understanding of the coaching competencies that set the standard in the profession. Achieving credentials through ICF signifies a coach’s commitment to integrity, understanding of coaching skills and dedication to clients.

ICF Credentialing Process from ICF Credentials and Standards on Vimeo.

Staff Offices

ICF Global Headquarters is located in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. Around the globe, a network of ICF Regional Service Centres (RSCs) provides assistance in multiple languages to coaches, ICF Chapter Leaders and members of the media. ICF currently maintains RSCs in Lexington, Brussels, Miami (serving Latin America and the Caribbean), Kuala Lumpur, Moscow and Sydney.

Enhancing Global Awareness

The International Coach Federation is committed to enhancing global awareness of professional coaching and of ICF. By educating consumers about what coaching is and what sets ICF coaches apart, we support members' efforts to market their practices and gain new clients. ICF educates individuals and organizations about the value of professional coaching through a variety of mediums. In addition to equipping member with outstanding collateral and promotional material, we leverage the power of print, digital and broadcast media to advance awareness of professional coaching.

To learn more about the International Coach Federation visit:

http://www.coachfederation.org/