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ICF Accredited Coach Training For People          New To Coaching

If you're new to coaching, ICF-accredited courses are the gold standard place to start. The International Coaching Federation is the world's most recognised coaching body and its accredited programs are built around eight Core ICF Competencies — evidence-based skills like active listening, powerful questioning, and facilitating client growth — refined over decades of research into what actually creates client transformation.

Unlike generic online courses, our ICF accredited programs require you to practice real coaching, receive feedback from experienced mentor coaches, and demonstrate your skills in observed sessions before you're certified. This means you don't just learn the theory of coaching but you'll actually practice it regularly with your peers on the course. You receive honest feedback against competency markers from experienced mentor coaches that help grow your confidence session by session. Training is structured around proven frameworks, including our very own trademarked  Optimus Holistic Coaching Framework™, and SELFLESS Model. An ICF credential also signals credibility to clients and employers worldwide, giving you both the competence to transform lives and the recognition to build a thriving practice.

What are the differences between the ICF credentials ACC and PCC?

  ACC (Associate Certified Coach) Level 1  PCC (Professional Certified Coach ) Level 2
What is it ICF's entry credential — Core Competencies applied reliably Same competencies with greater depth, consistency, and maturity
Length of Course 4 months 8 Months
Training Hours 73 hours  175 hours 
LIVE Training  42 hours 112 hours
1:1 Mentoring 5 hours 5 hours
Group Mentoring 5 hours
Self Study Hours 20 40

 

The difference between ACC and PCC isn't just about hours and requirements — it's about the depth and maturity of your coaching. The competencies are identical on paper; what changes is how consistently and skilfully they're demonstrated. In the coaching agreement, ACC coaches typically clarify the client's topic and session outcome, while PCC coaches co-create a contract with success measures and revisit it as the session evolves. ACC sessions can carry a "performance layer" of applied models and structure; PCC sessions sound steadier and more fluid, responding to what emerges. ACC listening accurately tracks facts, goals, and options; PCC listening is layered, attuned to emotion, assumptions, energy, and what's left unsaid. ACC questioning drives clarity and next steps; PCC inquiry stretches thinking around values, identity, and perspective for more durable insight. That's why the extra hours exist — not as a hurdle, but as space to develop depth through deliberate practice.

Triple Accredited

Associate Diploma 

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Our Associate diploma is accredited accredited by 3 leading coaching global organisations.  Firstly, the International Coaching Federation ( ICF), the leading global organisation for coaches and coaching, Secondly, the European Mentoring and Coaching Council ( EMCC). Thirdly, the Association of Coaching (AC).

 

Triple Accredited

Professional Diploma

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Our Professional diploma is accredited accredited by 3 leading coaching global organisations.  Firstly, the International Coaching Federation ( ICF), the leading global organisation for coaches and coaching, Secondly, the European Mentoring and Coaching Council ( EMCC). Thirdly, the Association of Coaching (AC)

 

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  • Benefit 1

    You will better understand what it is like to study on either of our Accredited Diplomas with Video testimonials included

     

  • Benefit 2

    A detailed breakdown of the different modules taught in both our ICF Accredited Diplomas.

  • Benefit 3

    Find out course dates and meet members of the Optimus team

     


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