Accreditation-A Guide to the Accrediting Bodies

Accreditation is increasingly sought after in the coaching industry – particularly from departments responsible for coaching procurement. With no formal regulation in the industry, there is a need for coaches to demonstrate credibility and provide reassurance. Accreditation provides this.

To become an accredited coach you will need to apply individually to your chosen professional body. 

Each have their own criteria, but all require the successful completion of approved, accredited training. Our Diploma programmes are accredited with organisations such as the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), the Association for Coaching (AC) and the International Coaching Federation (ICF). On graduating from one of our Diploma programmes (Practitioner Diploma, Advanced Practitioner Diploma and Systemic Team Coaching Diploma), further work is required to gain individual accreditation from, or to become a member of, these bodies. However, having graduated from an accredited programme the process is much simpler. We, the AoEC, also offer individual accreditation to our graduates.

AoEC Accreditation

As a graduate of one of our Diploma programmes, we will have got to know you as a coach, your growing edges and your professional goals. You will know how we work, our commitment to excellence and our desire to support our participants in their continued professional success. We want to continue to build on this partnership by offering free individual AoEC accreditation to you for one year, provided the following requirements are met:
♦ evidence of Professional Indemnity Insurance (not required for internal coaches)
♦ agreement to abide by the AoEC code of ethics

After one year all coaches have the opportunity to apply for AoEC re-accreditation for a small fee. This process involves re-assessment in which a number of criteria need to be fulfilled in addition to demonstrating continued professional development. After the first year you will then be re-assessed every three years if you choose this option.

International Coaching Federation, ICF (International accrediting body)

‘The leading global organisation dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards, providing independent certification, and building a worldwide network of credentialed coaches’.

The ICF has three levels of individual accreditation/credentialing:
♦ ACC (Associate Certified Coach)
♦ PCC (Professional Certified Coach)
♦ MCC (Master Certified Coach)

Our Diploma programmes are designed to fulfil the number of required accredited training hours (Accredited Coaching Specific Training Hours - ACSTH), which is one element of the application process for individual accreditation with the ICF.
♦ Practitioner Diploma – 60 Accredited Coach Specific Training Hours for ACC level (ACSTH path)
♦ Advanced Practitioner Diploma – 131 Accredited Coach Specific Training Hours (ACSTH) for PCC level - ICF Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) path
♦ Systemic Team Coaching Diploma – 121 Accredited Coach Specific Training Hours for PCC level (ACSTH path) 

European Mentoring and Coaching Council, EMCC (European accrediting body)

The European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) exists to promote good practice and the expectation of good practice in mentoring and coaching across Europe. It is a not-for-profit organisation.

The EMCC have four levels of individual accreditation:
♦ Foundation
♦ Practitioner
♦ Senior Practitioner
♦ Master Practitioner

Having graduated from one of our Diploma programmes, the training requirement will have been fulfilled:
♦ Practitioner Diploma – Practitioner level EIA (European Individual Accreditation)
♦ Advanced Diploma – Senior level EIA (European Individual Accreditation)

Association for Coaching (UK based accrediting body)

The Association for Coaching (AC) is a leading independent and not-for-profit professional body dedicated to promoting best practice and raising the awareness of standards of coaching worldwide.
Our Practitioner Diploma has Accredited Award in Coach Training status with the AC.

Association for Professional Executive Coaching and Supervision - APECS (UK accrediting body)

The Association for Professional Executive Coaching and Supervision is the professional body for executive coaching and for the supervision of coaches. It is a not-for-profit organisation, based in London.
Our training programmes and training hours will go towards accreditation with APECS if this is your chosen body. Their criteria can be found at Criteria Guidelines

Please note: this list is not an exhaustive list of coaching professional bodies. Please do look at individual organisation criteria and requirements.

Further details about how to apply and other key requirements can be found on their respective websites:
International Coaching Federation (ICF)
European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC)
Association for Coaching (AC)
Association for Professional Executive Coaching and Supervision (APECS)