We know this can get confusing. Since we abide by ICF's standards, ethics and credentialing process, read through this article which clarifies the difference between the three and answers other common questions about coach credentialing.

No, you don't. However, because the Life Coaching Basics (LCB) component teaches the fundamentals of coaching, we recommend that you have made some headway into the course before the Deep Coaching Intensive component begins.

Particularly if you are brand new to coaching, we recommend you register early and begin your LCB studies as soon as possible. That way you'll have a solid understanding of coaching when you start the DCI.

If you register close to the start of the DCI, and you don't have time to cover much of the LCB in advance, that is perfectly okay. It's not a requirement, only a recommendation. Both the LCB and DCI learning leaders have your back, and you will never be left without the support you need.

We even have students who choose to begin the LCB component after the the DCI ends. While this is not our recommended path, it is still an option that you can consider, and we support you fully either way.

As soon as you've made your first tuition payment, you can begin Life Coaching Basics.

ICF limits the amount of self-study hours that an approved coach training program can offer to 20% of the total hours. 80% of the training hours must be 'synchronous', meaning, live with a coach trainer (as a class/group or 1:1).

The Life Coaching Basic components meets that criteria by blending self-study with Support Integration Calls (SICs). These are a blend of group classes and 1:1 calls with a coach trainer.

SICs provide a valuable means to deepen your understanding of the information taught in Life Coaching Basics.

They can be used in any way that supports your learning, including for questions, curriculum discussions, or an opportunity to practice and get feedback on your coaching.

Two of the calls are group calls, and the times are set. The remaining calls you schedule with your coach trainer at times that fit your mutual schedules.

One of ICF's ACC credential application requirements is 10 hours of Mentor Coaching over a minimum of three months.

We offer this as a stand-alone service with a professional mentor coach.

These mentor coaching hours would be used after you have completed both components of the Portfolio program: Life Coaching Basics and the Deep Coaching Intensive.

The purpose of mentor coaching is to further develop your coaching skills and knowledge in preparation for your ICF assessed session recording and coach knowledge exam, two other ACC application requirements.

When you are ready to being mentor coaching, contact us for details on our mentor coaching program and approach.

Not exactly "any time." We advise that you purchase mentor coaching only after you have completed both Life Coaching Basics and the Deep Coaching Intensive.

In addition, before you begin mentor coaching, you will need at least 30 hours of client coaching experience. Some of this you will get during LCB and the DCI, and the rest you will accrue outside the course.

Once you have all of this completed, and you are certain that you will apply for your ICF ACC credential, then it's time to begin mentor coaching.

Contact us for details on our mentor coaching program, pricing and approach.

When applying for your coaching credential via ICF's Portfolio Path (click here to learn more), coach training hours are measured in units called "Continuing Coach Education Units" or CCEUs.

1 CCEU = 1 training hour

CCEUs are also broken down into two types: Core Competencies (learning that focuses on ICF's coaching competency framework) and Resource Development (learning that develops you as a coach beyond the framework).

Our DCI Portfolio program meets all of ICF's CCEU requirements for the ACC application in one comprehensive training: a minimum of 60 coach specific training hours (or 60 CCEUs).

Life Coaching Basics offers 20+ training hours (= 20 CCE units).

Deep Coaching Intensive offers 40+ training hours (= 40 CCE units).

Once you have completed the program successfully, we provide you with the documentation to verify this; documentation that you submit to ICF with your application.