ICF Portfolio Path
Embark on your journey to ICF Coach Credentialing
Back to Source offers the ICF Portfolio Path for Coach Certification in partnership with Coach Education Collaborators
ICF offers two pathways for coach training organizations to have their programs recognized for credentialing purposes: Accreditation Path (Level 1/2/3) and Approval Path (Portfolio Path)
The key difference lies not in the quality of training or course content but in the structure of the program. While Level 1/2/3 accreditation bundles additional requirements (like Mentor Coaching and Assessments) into a longer program, the Portfolio Path provides flexibility, allowing participants to meet these requirements separately.
portfolio path
ICF Credentials
Education
You must complete coach-specific education that aligns with the ICF’s definition of coaching, ICF Core Competencies, and the ICF Code of Ethics. This ensures that your training follows industry standards and best practices.
Experience
You need to accumulate coaching experience hours, which must begin after starting an accredited coaching education program. This hands-on practice ensures that you have practical coaching experience.
Expertise
Mentor coaching is required to help you strengthen your understanding and application of ICF Core Competencies. This is a critical aspect of the development process as it provides feedback and guidance to hone your coaching skills.
Evaluation
You will need to pass a performance evaluation that assesses your coaching against ICF standards. This can involve submitting recorded coaching sessions to demonstrate your proficiency.
Exam
You will also need to pass a written exam designed to assess your knowledge and ability to apply the ICF’s definition of coaching, Core Competencies, and Code of Ethics in various scenarios.
ACC - Associate Certified Coach
60 CCEUs
Education – 60 CCEUs
Experience – 100+ hours
Expertise – 10 hours of Mentoring
Evaluation – 1 Coaching Session assessed by an independent ICF Assessor
Exam – Coach Knowledge Assessment Test or ICF Credentialing Exam conducted independently by ICF
PCC - Professional Certified Coach
125 CCEUs
Education – 125 CCEUs
Experience – 500+ hours
Expertise – 10 hours of Mentoring
Evaluation – 1 Coaching Session assessed by an independent ICF Assessor
Exam – ICF Credentialing Exam conducted independently by ICF
NOTE
Education & Experience is cumulative. For example for a PCC Application, your Coach Education is calculated as 60 you would have received at ACC level + 65 additional CCEU’s for PCC. All Credentials are valid for 3 years after which they must be renewed by either earning additional 40 CCEUs or going through an ICF Approved 10 + hour Mentoring Program
ACC Portfolio Path
Life Coaching Essentials
Life Coaching Essentials (LCE), offered in collaboration with the Center for Transformational Coaching is a 20+ hour program that blends 16+ hours of self-paced learning with 8 hours of live sessions. You’ll build your coaching foundation through videos, readings, and exercises, then deepen your skills with three Group Training Calls and two 1-on-1 Coach Development Calls for personalized feedback and peer interaction.
Deep Coaching Intensive
The Deep Coaching Intensive (DCI) offered in collaboration with the Center for Transformational Coaching, is a 60+ hour immersive program focused on real-time learning with experienced coaches. It equips you with the frameworks, skills, and practices to become a certified Deep Transformational Coach and facilitate profound inner change first for yourself & then for your clients.
mentor coaching
The Mentoring program, Back to Source’s signature program, offers 10+ hours of tailored, synchronous learning to support your ICF credential journey. Combining group sessions with one-on-one mentoring, it provides targeted feedback and guidance from ICF certified coaches to refine your skills and align with ICF Core Competencies, preparing you for ICF certification.
PCC Portfolio Path
DCI
HPCC
Deep Coaching Intensive
The Deep Coaching Intensive (DCI) offered in collaboration with the Center for Transformational Coaching, is a 60+ hour immersive program focused on real-time learning with experienced coaches. It equips you with the frameworks, skills, and practices to become a certified Deep Transformational Coach and facilitate profound inner change first for yourself & then for your clients.
Human Potential Coach Certification
The Human Potential Coach Certification (HPCC), in collaboration with Being at Full Potential, combines 12 + hours of self-paced learning with 7 live sessions. This program equips you with proven tools, frameworks, and assessments to facilitate Being-level shifts and spark transformational conversations with individual and organizational clients.
mentor coaching
The Mentoring program, Back to Source’s signature program, offers 10+ hours of tailored, synchronous learning to support your ICF credential journey. Combining group sessions with one-on-one mentoring, it provides targeted feedback and guidance from ICF certified coaches to refine your skills and align with ICF Core Competencies, preparing you for ICF certification.