LEXINGTON, Ky., Oct. 18, 2011 — ICF Credentialed coaches have reached a record 8,000, marking an unprecedented commitment to coaching excellence and the coaching industry's highest standards.
A total of 8,027 professional coaches representing 80 countries now hold one of three credentials from the International Coach Federation (ICF), a nonprofit member organization recognized for setting the highest standards for the coaching profession and awarding the only globally recognized independent credential.
ICF Assistant Executive Director George Rogers reports that consumer interest in ICF credentials continues to grow, as evidenced by a 16 percent increase in credential applications over the previous year.
"We are really pleased to see the increasing demand for ICF Credentials and that coaches around the world are striving for the highest standards in professional coaching," said ICF President and Professional Certified Coach Ed Modell. "We are particularly gratified that so many coaches are responding to the growing client demand for ICF Credentialed coaches."
There are three levels of ICF Credentials: Associate Certified Coach (ACC); Professional Certified Coach (PCC); and Master Certified Coach (MCC). All ICF Credentialed coaches are required to have 60 to 200 hours or more of coach-specific training depending on credential level. Additionally, 40 hours of Continuing Coach Education are required every three years in order to retain an ICF Credential. More information on credential requirements can be found on the ICF website, http://Coachfederation.org.
All ICF Credentialed coaches are searchable through an online directory called the ICF Coach Referral Service (CRS), a free public resource that allows consumers to tailor their search for a qualified coach based on specific criteria, including professional experience of the coach, coaching specialties, desired coaching method, language preference, location, and more. The CRS is available at http://Coachfederation.org/CRS.
The International Coach Federation is the leading global organization for coaches, with over 17,000 members in more than 100 countries and over 8,000 credentialed coaches worldwide. ICF is dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high ethical standards, providing independent certification, and building a worldwide network of credentialed coaches. Coaching is a distinct service and differs greatly from therapy, consulting, mentoring, or training. ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.coachfederation.org.
ICF HEADQUARTERS CONTACTS:
Sam Elliott, +1.859.219.3550
Email
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