How to Get a Life Coaching Certification
Life coaching certification is not necessary in some areas only to offer someone legal services.
On the other hand, getting a life coaching certification helps a lot in establishing trust with people. Not to mention, achieving a higher professional status and genuine reputation.
How to Get a Life Coaching Certification – 6 steps
Planning to consider life coaching certification in advancing your career? Read on these six crucial steps:
• Study the “11 Core Life Coaching Competencies” endorsed by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and Associate Certified Coach (ACC). The resources are divided into four categories: Effective Communication, Facilitating Results from Learning, Co-creating Relationship and Foundation Setting. All of these can also be found in various training courses for life coaching certification.
• You must have at least 100 hours (a minimum of 75) of experience in life coaching. Keep your “client log” by letting your clients sign consent for verification from the ICF. Once your clients were contacted by the ICF, the coaching topic of your choice will not be disclosed. Furthermore, do some research on the specific conditions and requirements to follow during your working hours for life coaching certification basis.
• Complete at least 60 hours of coach-specific training. However, to be considered “coach-specific”, the training must be in accordance with the Accredited Coach Training Program, an organization approved by the ICF. Take note that the training is not applicable to other skills that are meant for life coaching.
• Obtain two copies of reference letters. The latter will necessarily come from two credited ICF coaches you have worked with. The reference letters must be written within 10 months of your application process and must clearly state the coach’s support for life coaching certification.
• Submit your application (for life coaching certification) at the ICF website. The application can be fill out online. You can also download its .PDF file if you want to mail it. Follow the instructions provided by the application form carefully. Note: The application costs $225 for ICF members and $425 for non-members.
• Once your application is processed, you will be scheduled for an oral exam for life coaching certification. The exam is done via a phone call between you and an ICF representative. It basically comes as a role-playing scenario wherein you’ll act as the coach while the examiner (the ICF representative) is your client. The exam lasts from 30 – 40 minutes after which, the examiner will give his or her feedback. For written results, you’ll wait for two weeks before finally receiving your life coaching certification.
You can get your life coaching certification by enrolling at these schools:
• Coach Training Alliance is accredited by the ICF and offers a range of life coaching courses that are not limited to five months of completion. Enrollees can avail of the school’s home-study program for life coaching certification.
• Erickson International College offers online life coaching certification programs in over 28 countries including US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The school aims to address all aspects of training for future life coaches.

