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Approved Coach Specific Training Hours (ACSTH)
Frequently Asked Questions

ACSTH Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions

ACSTH Application

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Frequently Asked questions

What is the benefit to a coach-training program to be ICF-credentialed?

Programs who fulfill all requirements and are approved will be:
Awarded the official "ICF Approved coach specific training hours (ACSTH)" designation
Listed and mentioned by the ICF as an approved coach training program in all appropriate venues, such as: the ICF web site, coach training program referral lists, materials shared with national media for coaching articles, etc.
Students of an ACSTH program will automatically have their training hours qualify for an ACC, PCC or MCC designation.

Based on the inquiries ICF is receiving from persons now researching coach-training programs, there is very high interest in which ones are credentialed by ICF. So, in addition to the items listed above, it is both credibility and a competitive advantage to be ICF credentialed.

What is the actual process for the application paperwork flow once the ACSTH application is submitted to the ICF office?

Once the school has submitted 4 sets (one original & three copies) of the application to ICF, receipt will be confirmed, then the goal is to respond to each program applicant within 90 to 120 days. The ICF office will use a "yes/no" evaluative system to validate that each application contains specifically requested contents and appropriate signatures. This is to simply ensure the various required components have been submitted and that the application is complete enough to then be turned over to the next level of reviewers. There will be a consistent group of trained reviewers who will work from the application's thirteen categories which will include specific check-points based on requests in the application guidelines they will search for within the contents. Their reports and recommendation for approval or denial, or need for more information will be submitted to the ICF office. If more information is needed, the ICF staff will contact the program. Otherwise, the recommendation is submitted to the ICF Executive Committee. If approved at that level - it will go to the full ICF Board for approval at the next scheduled Board Meeting (generally monthly). Following this, an ICF staff person will communicate status of credential back to the ACSTH applicant -- or denial and if there also is a recommendation for reapplication this will be communicated.

What's the criteria for ACSTH approval?

The ICF will use the specifications laid out in the ACSTH guidelines based on the documented support of the depth and breadth of the program as supplied by the program itself in it's application. We will also be looking for documentation of alignment with ICF's Definition of Coaching, Code of Ethics, Standards of Conduct, and that the program teaches the ICF Core Coaching Competencies to its students.

Once approved, are there any restrictions as to the use of a program's ACSTH credential?

Provided you market the coach specific coach training hours approved, there are no restrictions. For the training program who offers only one coach training, the program can indicate that it is an ICF approved program without further qualification. If additional programs or certification tracks are added, they are not approved and once in place, the program must then indicate on all materials, etc. the specific training that was originally approved.

For training agencies with multiple coach training programs, the ACSTH credential can only be applied to the program submitted and approved. It is not a blanket credential to be used to cover or imply that programs not included in the application are included. For this reason, the ACSTH designation cannot be used without this qualification to advertise or market a multiple program without specifically including or referencing the approved program.

Once ICF credentials a program as coach specific training hours -- how will this standing be renewed?

A renewal application will be filled out every three years and the ICF will audit the program at that time.

What will the program's responsibility be after they are ICF-credentialed to the ICF?

To continue to meet the guidelines, plus align with the ICF's Standards of Conduct -- and to furnish any other new or revised processes or documents they use as their checklist for updates to ICF about their programs and policies.

What assurance do programs' have that their proprietary program documentation and information will remain confidential when they submit this with the application process to ICF?

ICF fully realizes this is highly confidential information. Each reviewer has signed a confidentiality statement to this effect and has been instructed to return all application documentation to the ICF office along with their rating and review reports. ICF will destroy all copies, except the original. The permanent file will remain in a designated place ICF selects - and no one else will have access to this file. Information from that file will not be released to other inquirers.

How much documentation should I submit to describe my program and what should that documentation contain?

The documentation you submit must provide enough information to clearly demonstrate compliance with the ICF's credentialing requirements. However, it is extremely important that your application be thorough AND concise. Do not over document. Your description of each course should be no more than two pages in length and should be structured so that the reviewer can easily find your course overview and rationale, course objectives, teaching methodology, student work requirements and how the course teaches specific ICF Core Coaching Competencies. Sending excessive amounts of paper will slow down the review process. Ideally, your complete application should easily fit within a two-inch ring binder.

What will the ICF be looking for in relationship to the question on the application asking if the program is in compliance with laws in their country, state, or province?

The ICF is not in the business of enforcing laws - but we do want in the permanent file a record of the program's status of compliance with any laws relevant to it within it's city, county, state, province, and country. This can be in the form of a copy of a business license, compliance with state educational institution guidelines, etc. If there are caveat's the program wants ICF to know about -- these are important to document on your letterhead and submit with your application. Example: if a program does not comply with a handicapped construction requirement on their premises (for whatever reason) but the program consistently offers to meet at an accessible alter-location with any handicapped student -- then the program's documents this and this information will be included in their file.

What are the ICF requirements for the credentialing or certification status of the staff and trainers of an applying program?

The training director of the program and staff leaders need to the meet the criteria set out in the ACSTH guidelines. The program must maintain a method for continually evaluating the competency of its leaders.

How does a program prove compliance with intellectual copyright laws -- such as copyright and trademark laws in relationship to their training materials?

Complete the written statement at the end of the ACSTH application attesting to compliance with copyright laws of its home, country and the countries within which it operates for the source and ownership of materials and training content used in the training program. If the program is not uniquely developed by the applying agency, documentation validating authorization, i.e., licensing, etc. to use the materials/content must be included.

We are just starting a new training program; can we apply for the ICF credential?

Yes. New training programs (in existence less than two years or with no graduates) give the ICF permission to audit the program at any time. New programs will be audited more frequently than long standing programs.

Does the ICF audit a program prior to the program receiving a credential?

Yes. The ICF will audit a program prior to the program receiving a credential at the program's expense.

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© Copyright 2005 ICF | Legal and Privacy Information
About Coaching | About ICF | For Our Member Coaches | Become a Member | Press Room | Conference Information
Training Organizations | Coach Referral Service | ICF Credentialing | Virtual Community | ICF Home

International Coach Federation ®
2365 Harrodsburg Rd, Suite A325, Lexington, KY 40504
Phone: 888-423-3131, 859-219-3580 | Fax: 888-329-2423, 859-226-4411
Email: customerservice[at]coachfederation.org