ICF Frequently Asked Questions

If you have questions about ICF, certification, credentials, or what all of this means for your coaching career, you’re in the right place. This page will help you understand how Thriving Coach Academy supports students who want top-quality coach training, ICF-aligned education, and a clear path toward ACC or PCC if they choose to pursue it.

What is the ICF?

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the leading global organization that sets standards for the coaching industry.

The ICF helps ensure coaching programs meet high standards in areas such as:

Coaching ethics
Professional coaching competencies
Quality of training
Mentor coaching standards

Rather than training coaches themselves, the ICF reviews and accredits coach training programs around the world.

Does the ICF provide coach training?

No. The ICF does not provide coach training programs directly. Instead, they evaluate and accredit coach training schools that meet their professional standards.

Students complete training through accredited schools like Thriving Coach Academy and then apply to the ICF for a professional credential.

What ICF accreditation does Thriving Coach Academy have?

Thriving Coach Academy holds ICF Level 1 and Level 2 accreditation. This means our program prepares students to pursue the two main ICF credentials:

ACC — Associate Certified Coach
PCC — Professional Certified Coach

These accreditations confirm that our curriculum, training hours, and mentor coaching meet the ICF’s global coaching standards.

How many ICF coaching education hours will I receive?

Upon completing the Thriving Coach Academy coach training program, you will receive:

175 coaching education hours
10 mentor coaching hours

These hours satisfy the formal training requirements needed to pursue either the ACC or PCC credential through the ICF.

In addition to the live training, your Student Portal includes hundreds of hours of additional recorded material, and you receive lifetime access to the program so you can revisit any training as often as you like.

What is the difference between a certificate and a credential?

This is an important distinction.

Your Certificate

Issued by Thriving Coach Academy
Includes our logo and the ICF accreditation designation
Confirms you successfully completed an ICF-accredited coach training program

Your Credential

Issued by the ICF
Granted only after you complete all their credential requirements, including training, coaching hours, and exam

In simple terms: The school gives the certificate. The ICF gives the credential.

Does the program help me complete the coaching hours required for ACC/PCC?

Yes. Thriving Coach Academy provides multiple opportunities to complete the required coaching hours.

Inside the Student Portal, you will find detailed guidance in the ICF Success Blueprint course, which explain exactly how to log coaching hours and complete the ICF experience requirements.

How do students complete their coaching hours?

The ICF counts exchanged coaching sessions as paid hours for ICF purposes, even when money is not exchanged.

This means:

Practice sessions with other students in our community count
Coaching sessions with paying clients count

Our community provides many opportunities to exchange coaching sessions, helping students build coaching hours quickly.

In addition, over 50% of our students enroll their first paying client within the first few months of the program, which also helps them build coaching experience hours.

How soon could someone realistically earn the ACC/PCC credential?

For most students, the soonest realistic timeline is about 6–12 months.

This assumes you:

Complete the Thriving Coach Academy certification
Complete your coaching hours (100 for ACC and 500 for PCC)
Pass the ICF credentialing exam

Do you have to earn ACC before pursuing PCC?

No. You do not have to earn ACC before PCC.

Some coaches choose to apply directly for the PCC credential if they have completed the required training hours and coaching experience.

Our program prepares students for both ACC and PCC pathways.

Do you need an ICF credential in order to work as a coach?

No. You do not need an ICF credential in order to work as a coach.

For many coaches, earning an ICF credential is simply a personal or professional milestone they choose to pursue after completing their certification.

Does having an ICF credential guarantee a successful coaching business?

No. ICF credentials are focused primarily on coaching skill and professional standards, not on business building. Different ICF-accredited programs offer different levels of business training and mentorship.

One of the top reasons students choose Thriving Coach Academy is because of our comprehensive business mentorship.

Inside the program, students receive:

The Client Magnet Masterclass, which teaches step by step how to launch a coaching business
Lifetime mentorship and support
Technology and marketing guidance
Training in the Premium Coaching Model, designed to help coaches attract high-ticket clients and build six-figure and multi-six-figure businesses

How do you get an ICF credential?

The process is simple:

Step 1: Complete Your Coach Training
Graduate from an ICF-accredited program like Thriving Coach Academy.

Step 2: Complete Coaching Experience Hours
Log your coaching sessions through the ICF website.

Step 3: Pass the ICF Exam
The ICF requires a multiple-choice exam covering coaching competencies and ethics.

Thriving Coach Academy provides comprehensive exam preparation to help students feel confident and prepared for the exam.

What percentage of Thriving Coach Academy students pass the ICF exam?

Among students who choose to take the ICF credentialing exam, our pass rate is currently 100%.

This is because we provide comprehensive exam preparation inside the program, ensuring students fully understand the ICF coaching competencies before taking the exam.

Our goal is to make sure students feel fully prepared and confident when pursuing their credential.