Embarking on the journey to become a life coach is both exciting and life-changing. This transformative profession allows you to impact lives, guiding individuals to reach their fullest potential. If you’ve ever pondered, “How do I become a life coach?”, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into the detailed steps to become a credentialed life coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
Understand the Role of a Life Coach
A life coach partners with clients in a thought-provoking process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. As a life coach, you’ll help individuals set clear goals, break down barriers, and instigate change. I can remember sitting in the pediatric practice that I managed thinking about how I’d already done all of the things that I ought to do, yet I still felt like I was missing something. I hired my first life coach, spent $5,000 on myself for the first time in my life and I can say with confidence that those three months changed my life. Accountability was the biggest element of hiring my own life coach and I felt like I had someone to sit with me as I guided my life in a new and positive direction.
Self-Assess Your Aptitude and Skills
Life coaching requires a natural inclination to listen, empathize, motivate, and communicate. Evaluate your strengths and areas of growth to determine if this profession aligns with your core skills. If you’ve ever been the go-to person that people turn to for advice, chances are that you already have natural skills that will make life-coaching training much easier for you. If not, life-coaching training will shape you into someone who can sit patiently with someone while holding transformative space for them.
Research the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Standards
The ICF sets the gold standard in coaching. Familiarize yourself with their code of ethics, core competencies, and credentialing pathways to ensure you meet the industry’s highest standards. During your training as a coach, you will sit with these ICF elements for many weeks. It will become easy to naturally implement them into your coaching routine.
Enroll in an ICF-Accredited Training Program
Not all coaching programs are created equal. To be ICF-certified, you’ll need to attend an ICF-accredited coach training program. These programs adhere to the stringent quality standards set by the ICF. It is critical to make sure that you choose an ICF training program that has ICF accreditation.
Complete the Required Coaching Hours
Depending on the ICF credential level you’re aiming for (ACC, PCC, or MCC), you’ll need to complete a set number of coaching hours. This hands-on experience is vital to hone your skills. During your training program, you will be required to go through life coaching mentor hours as a coach in training. This is great because it clears up any questions that you have about coaching as well as sharpen the skills that you are developing.
Pass the Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA)
After completing your training, you’ll need to pass the CKA—a comprehensive exam that evaluates your coaching knowledge and understanding of ICF’s standards. There are many practice tests on the ICF website and your coaching training program will prepare you to feel confident to pass this test.
Obtain Your ICF Credential
Once you’ve met all the requirements, you can apply for your ICF credential. With it, you’ll be recognized as a coach who stands for excellence, professionalism, and ethical standards. The great thing about becoming an ICF member is that you also become a part of the ICF community. This support helps you with online listings, additional training and direction for renewal.
Commit to Continuous Learning
The journey doesn’t end with certification. To renew your ICF credential, you’ll need to engage in Continuing Coach Education (CCE). It ensures you’re updated with the latest in coaching methodologies and best practices. The ICF website provides a LOT of CCE hours and there are affiliate programs that also offer hours.
Build Your Practice
With your ICF credential in hand, you’re ready to establish your coaching practice. Whether you want to join an existing practice, work in an organization, or start your own business, your ICF credential will open doors. One thing that I have been fortunate to have is the ambition that my own coach has helped me to gain with my own coaching practice. With my practice, I’ve been able to serve a very large community, travel, host a podcast, have published books and run a Facebook group.
The Starting Point to Becoming a Life Coach
The journey to becoming an ICF Credentialed Life Coach is one of commitment, learning, and profound growth. It equips you with the skills, knowledge, and recognition to positively impact lives and foster transformative change. Ready to embark on this enriching journey? Join the ranks of exceptional coaches with Radiant Academy. Radiant’s top-notch training program is ICF-accredited and led by seasoned coaches who are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of life coaching professionals. Dive deep into comprehensive modules, get hands-on experience, and emerge as a confident, ICF-credentialed life coach. Begin your radiant journey today! Become a student of Radiant Academy. When you have your intake call, be sure to let Dez know that you are a personal referral from me and mention the life coach referral discount code: Coach Ashlie Walton.