Provider Accreditation FAQs

We are not able to compare our accreditation to ICF, however the coaching industry is evolving, with many employers and clients are now seeking accredited coaches and service providers before investing. Being accredited means certain standards have been met and AC accreditation schemes have rigorous standards within them that are recognized both nationally and internationally. I don’t think there are any disadvantages to being accredited, however you will need to have time set aside to complete the application forms, continue to meet the requirements and you will need to take into consideration the renewal process and cost, which is currently every 3 years for the AC.

We cannot comment on the ICF standardisation, however for AC course accreditation, all accredited courses need to demonstrate that they abide the global code of ethics and demonstrate how their course meets the AC Coaching Competency Framework

We offer 3-year AC course accreditation or Recognition of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Hours Scheme which are valid for a year. If your course is split in to modules you may with to gain accreditation for the full course and pay for some of the modules to be recognised via the CPD, but you do not need to have accreditation to apply for the CPD scheme

There is no one year accreditation and I think you may be talking about CPD hours scheme. Here is the link for the CPD scheme Here is the link for Accreditation

It depends on whether you have already designed and written your course and how much detail you have, for example we will need lesson plans as part of the accreditation application form. Some providers have these already and some don’t. If you have everything in place when you complete the application form, then I would say this would take 4/5 hours. The CPD application requires less information as this is a recognition scheme not accreditation and again depending on if you have the information already this takes about an hour.

One thing to consider is what your learners are most likely to do after the course. For example, are they likely to want to become members of a coaching body or gain individual accreditation. This might make a difference on whether they take and ICF accredited course or an AC accredited course.

Coach Accreditation is a demonstration of an individual’s ability to offer professional, consistent and authentic coaching aligned to the AC Coaching Competencies and Global Code of Ethics, to an individual or a group.

Unlike a qualification, accreditation is both evidence and practice based benchmarked against the highest professional standards, so has to be renewed every three years to ensure that the coach is still able to demonstrate coaching competency at the level for which they are accredited.

A qualification on the other hand is valid for life, and shows that a coach has knowledge, understanding and some experience of coaching, but does not necessarily show that a coach is competent.

Accreditation shows participants and clients that a course has been assessed as meeting professional coaching standards, supports the development of AC Coaching Competencies and is aligned to the coaching Global Code of Ethics. These standards are recognized internationally and demonstrate that the course is consistent and authentic, so giving assurance that it offers a quality learning experience.

A coaching approach is often referenced in leadership development. It enables leaders and managers to get the best out of individuals, groups and teams, by using transferable coaching skills, such as active listening, questioning, giving feedback and being present, in conversations to encourage, support and challenge, in situations where coaching is not explicit. This might be to: • Encourage learning and development • Grow self-awareness and personal responsibility • Help to unblock factors leading to under performance • Focus on the present and the future, rather than the past.

Sometimes coaching approaches and coaching styles are used interchangeably. However, coaching style is closely linked to a coach’s personality and preferences and combines social approaches and behavioral frameworks. There are many coaching styles, but some examples are: • Positive psychology coaching • Humanistic coaching • Strength based coaching • Solution focused coaching • Transformational coaching • Holistic coaching • Cognitive coaching • Systemic coaching • Narrative coaching • Somatic coaching

A coaching model is a process used when coaching clients. Its purpose is to provide a framework to improve an individual’s life in some way, such as helping them develop inner confidence or to pursue their career interests. Examples include (but are not limited to): • GROW • OSCAR • STEPPA • CLEAR • NLP Providers may also develop their own model to support their specific client needs.

A coaching tool is a method or technique used by coaches to help their clients achieve their goals. The goals are often defined through the application of a model. Examples include (but are not limited to): • 3C's Method - a framework that helps clients explore their Challenges, Choices, and Consequences. • SMART(I) - enables clients to clearly define their coaching objectives and goals • Reflective Journal - helps clients record their insights, learning, and actions after each coaching session.

The definition what someone should be able to know, understand or do having participated in learning.

Defines what a learner needs to demonstrate or provide evidence to show that the learning outcome has been achieved.

Refer to the ACA CTA overview

We offer a package where the provider pays for the highest Coach Training Accreditation Level and then if they include other levels within this then we have a reduced price of £200 for AACT, £250 for ACCT and £300 for ADCT.

AC Coach Training Accreditation signals to students that a training course meets the AC standard for comprehensive coach training.

Attending an AC Accredited course would not mean that you would automatically become an AC Accredited coach. In order to become AC Accredited as an individual, you would need to apply for Accreditation with us and meet the criteria.

The AC Coach Accreditation is designed for individual coaches to demonstrate that they are committed to best practice and continuous improvement in their coaching.

There are two accreditation schemes available: the Executive Coach Scheme for coaches working primarily in an organizational context and the Coach Scheme for all other coaches. Both schemes offer a progression through four levels of accreditation and are equal in standard. You apply for the level that best matches your current level of experience and capability. Further details together with the application documents can be found here: AC Coach Accreditation

Please contact the Individual Membership and Accreditation Team on individual@associationforcoaching.com for assistance with any questions that cannot be answered by reading the Applicant Guide.

As it's not that long ago they can choose to take the easy road of renewing. Their certificate would then only be valid until February in 3 years. If they choose the re-apply they would need all the paperwork and the full price of accreditation, the certificate would be from whenever the process is finished plus 3 years

See Accelerated route benefits one pager

I can only provide information on the AC renewal costs which are currently; Accredited Award in Coach Training (AACT) Member £855 Non-Member £1,080 Accredited Certificate in Coach Training (ACCT) Member £1,125 Non-Member £1,395 Accredited Diploma in Coach Training (ADCT) Member £1,350 Non-member £1,620 Accredited Advanced Diploma in Coach Training (AADCT) Member £1,620 Non-Member £1,935

Yes as long as the course content wasn't changed and can we record that somewhere in an audit trail in case we ever have to find new/old name. Add to 'Comments/Notes' column in tracker

We should email the primary contact to say something along the the lines of We realise you are trying to renew your accreditation but may have forgotten your log in details and send them their user name and do a password reset and give them a temporary password' (I can show you how to do this) and we can send the word forms over to the person asking for them in the interim whist they are thinking about who should be the primary contact. Once they confirm the change of primary contact details we can then update our records

Refer to the CTA overview

To continue to drive the highest standards in coaching the Association for Coaching offers accreditation of Coach Training Programmes. This offers reassurance to buyers of coach training that a training programme meets the AC standard for comprehensive coach training, encompassing the application of the AC Coaching Competency Framework, adherence to the AC Global Code of Ethics for Coaches, Mentors & Supervisors, and incorporates a blended learning approach which includes a balance of verified practical experience supported by theoretical content. The AC offers four different levels of coach training accreditation to reflect the development of a coach from novice to mastery.

The AC offers four different levels of coach training accreditation to reflect the development of a coach from novice to mastery.

Accredited Award in Coach Training (AACT) Accredited Certificate in Coach Training (ACCT) Accredited Diploma in Coach Training (ADCT) Accredited Advanced Diploma in Coach Training (AADCT)

For your course, whilst you need to ensure that your participants receive supervision, this does not need to be by a qualified supervisor. As part of your application, you will need to say who is completing the supervising e.g. course instructors and whether it is 1:1 or group supervision. However, if your participants were going on to gain individual accreditation after your course then they would need to complete a supervisor reference and for that here are the requirements of a supervisor; Please confirm by inserting a tick [√] in the relevant boxes below that you are a member of an appropriate professional body such as: AC AOCS APECS BABCP BACP BPS BCP CIPD EIC EMCC IAC ICF SGCP UKCP WABC Other (please specify) Please confirm that you have (delete as applicable): undergone some Coach training YES/NO managed the boundaries of your Coach Supervisor/Supervisee relationship in respect of any dual relationship you may have e.g. as Colleague, Business Partner or Manager YES/NO In addition, please tick the relevant boxes below to indicate that you fulfil at least two of the following five criteria or can offer details of equivalence (for example showing evidence of several years of professional standing as a Coach or Supervisor): Has at least three years’ experience as a Coach Has at least two years’ experience as a Coach Supervisor Has had training as a Coach Supervisor Is a Business/Leadership Advisor who is a Member of a relevant Professional Body Has accreditation from a professional body as at least one of the following: a Coach/Executive Coach a Supervisor a Psychologist a Counsellor/Psychotherapist I have attached the full document too for reference.

The aim of AC Recognized Course Leader as Coach is to award recognition of trainings specifically aimed at equipping organizational leaders, managers and supervisors with the tools to adopt a coaching approach in their work.

In offering a Recognized Course status for Leader as Coach programmes the AC aims to help organizations create awareness of the value of developing a coaching culture and enabling their leaders and managers to develop skills in coaching practice.

Coaching skills form a valuable part of a leader’s repertoire of management tools and techniques, aiding self-management, staff empowerment and development and effective working with diverse teams and individuals. A coaching approach can enhance performance, improve working relationships and develop communication skills for the benefit of the whole organization.

By defining and recognizing the core requirements of such training programmes the AC aims to support individuals and organizations to deliver or sponsor training that meets good standards. This includes indicating best practice in relation to core coaching competencies, simple coaching models and skills, ethical coaching practice and integrating coaching within existing management tools and approaches.