Freqently Asked Questions
Common Questions From Coaches Like You!
Table of Contents: Jump To A Specific Coaching Resource
Coach Academy Programs
Intensive Program Questions
ICF Specific Questions
Online Coach Training Questions
Questions About Coach Academy Programs
What’s the difference between a Level 1 and Level 2 program at Coach Academy?
At Coach Academy, both our Level 1 and Level 2 programs are fully accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and meet the training standards required for ICF certification.
- Level 1 programs meet all the training requirements for the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential. This includes a minimum of 60 hours of coach-specific training, and mentor coaching.
- Level 2 programs meet the training requirements for the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential, including at least 125 hours of coach-specific training and mentor coaching. A Level 2 program also allows you to pursue the ACC credential.
Will I be given a coaching script or a step-by-step formula to follow with clients?
At Coach Academy, we don’t believe in cookie-cutter coaching. Instead of handing you a script, we provide you with a powerful, proven coaching framework grounded in the ICF Core Competencies.
You’ll learn to:
- Think and respond like a coach.
- Adapt your approach to meet each client exactly where they are.
- Build the skills and confidence to coach anyone, anywhere, on anything.
I haven’t been in school for a long time. I’m concerned I won’t be able to adjust to a classroom setting and get the most out of a coaching program like this.
Coach Academy’s Coach Certification Programs are designed with Adult Learning Principles in mind. This means they are carefully crafted using guidelines of how adults learn best, emphasizing self-direction, experience, and relevance to their lives.
Facilitation of our programs is dynamic which effectively engage adult learners, leading to better outcomes and knowledge application.
Adults who have not been in a structured learning program for a long time often have a wealth of prior knowledge and experiences that can be leveraged to facilitate learning. You will be encouraged to take ownership of your learning process and setting your own goals which will help ensure you get the most out of your coaching program and graduate grounded and poised for success.
Does my Coach Academy coaching program offer a business or marketing component to help me establish a coaching business?
While there may be lively discussion about this topic among students in any one of our programs and global village, the Executive Coach Certification Program is the one that specifically offers you the opportunity to create and present your real world service offer. You will be asked to create a marketing brochure for a coaching offer that you can use to promote your coaching business, attract clientele and potentially open a new revenue stream. You will have the opportunity to share your service offer with your cohorts as well as see their service offers.
Coach Academy also offers a 16 week Business Start Up Workshop to new students and graduates that teaches everything you need to know about building a business from scratch. In addition to providing essential business-specific coaching and group accountability, this program qualifies for 30 ICF CCE credits.
When can I say that I’m a certified coach?
You can state that you are a certified coach upon graduation from your Coach Academy Coach Certification Program. You will have all the training you need to ethically and effectively coach anyone when you graduate.
Because coaching is not regulated, you are not required to get training or credentials. That being said, more and more corporations, government agencies and even coach directories are requiring you to be ICF certified.
If you are serious about developing your coaching business, an ICF Credential is the best way to set yourself apart by demonstrating your knowledge, skill, and commitment to high ethical and professional standards. Our programs are designed to empower you to become a unique, impactful coach as well as give you the training, coach education and mentorship hours you need to pursue your ICF credential.
How do I know if enrolling in coach training is the right decision for me right now?
It’s completely normal to feel unsure. Most of our students had that same question before they enrolled.
Here’s what we encourage you to reflect on:
- Timing: Is something in you saying “It’s time for more”—even if you’re not sure what more looks like yet?
- Calling: Do people often come to you for guidance, or have you felt a quiet (or loud) nudge toward something more purposeful?
- Commitment: Are you ready to invest in your growth and start creating a life or career that aligns with your values?
The truth is, there’s rarely a “perfect” time to begin something life-changing. There will always be reasons to wait—busy seasons, other responsibilities, uncertainty. But if you keep waiting for the perfect moment, you may never start. What we’ve seen time and time again is this: the moment you say yes to yourself, things begin to align. And the support, clarity, and momentum you need shows up along the way.
No one ever regrets learning how to coach. The skills you gain—presence, emotional intelligence, deep listening—will serve you everywhere: in leadership, relationships, entrepreneurship, or your own personal journey.
I’ve been coaching people for years, why do I need a certification?
Your experience is a powerful foundation—and certification enhances it by grounding your work in globally recognized competencies, ethical guidelines, and a professional coaching framework.
It gives you a clear structure, shared language, and tools to support your clients more effectively and confidently. Certification also helps others—whether individuals or organizations—recognize your training, credibility, and commitment to professional standards. Many experienced coaches find that it not only sharpens their skills but also expands their opportunities.
Do I have to pick a niche before I join a coach certification program?
No, you do not have to pick a niche before starting a coach certification program.
All great coaches start with building strong fundamentals listen deeply, staying curious and not giving advice.
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is niche-blind. That means they don’t teach or test you on what kind of coach you want to be. What matters to the ICF is that you meet the Core Competencies and can coach anyone in a clear, respectful and accountable way.
It's natural for coaches to gravitate to issues that resonate with them and who they want to serve through coaching, You can layer or fold in other niche-specific training or tools into your practice but the first step to becoming a great coach is to learn how to hold powerful, ethical coaching conversations.
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Questions About Intensive Coach Training
What are Coaching Intensives/Micro-Programs and how do they work?
Coaching Intensives are 8-week specialized training programs—such as Grief, Compassion, and Motivation—designed to help you deepen your coaching skills, enhance your confidence, and expand your capacity to support clients through complex experiences.
All Intensives offer ICF Continuing Coach Education (CCE) hours and include a Coach Academy Certificate upon completion.
Some Intensives are available as standalone programs, while others can be added to a Foundational Certification Program.
What kind of support will I receive throughout the program? You’ll receive:
Throughout the program, you’ll be supported by ICF-credentialed instructors offering real-time guidance during live sessions, regular group coaching to address challenges as they arise, and constructive feedback on your coaching style from both faculty and peers.
You’ll also be part of a like-minded learning community, creating opportunities for collaboration, insight-sharing, and mutual growth as you apply and refine your coaching skills.
What will I gain from the Training in Compassion Program?
This program provides coaches with practical, science-backed strategies to help clients develop self-compassion, reduce self-criticism, and build emotional resilience—skills essential for supporting individuals in emotionally intense or high-stress situations.
Designed for experienced coaches, especially those working in wellness, leadership, or relationship contexts, the course enhances your emotional intelligence toolkit while awarding 24 ICF CCE credits upon completion, making it a valuable step for personal growth and professional credentialing.
What will I learn in the Team & Group Coaching Certificate Program?
This program prepares experienced coaches to lead impactful group and team coaching by building advanced skills in facilitation, systems thinking, team dynamics, and conflict navigation. Ideal for those looking to expand into organizational or leadership coaching, it provides 24 ICF Continuing Coach Education (CCE) credits. Participants leave with practical tools, real-world practice, and credential-aligned experience to confidently coach in team-based environments.
How will the Business Start-Up Workshops help me build my coaching practice?
This program guides you through creating your unique coaching offer, pricing confidently, attracting ideal clients, and launching your business with effective sales and marketing strategies.
Perfect for coaches ready to turn their skills into a sustainable practice, no prior business experience needed. You’ll gain a tailored business plan, practical marketing confidence, and useful templates for contracts, onboarding, and pricing.
Who is the Grief Coach Training designed for and what will I learn?
Designed for life coaches, welness coaches and anyone supporting clients through grief or loss, this 8-week live-online course delivers coaching tools grounded in grief psychology, resilience, and trauma-informed care.
With pre-recorded lessons, peer coaching, and client-ready resources, you’ll be equipped to compassionately guide individuals through personal and collective grief. Completion also awards 24 ICF Continuing Coach Education credits to support your credentialing journey.
How does Demystifying Goals Coach Training help me support clients better?
Designed for life coaches, welness coaches and anyone supporting clients through grief or loss, this 8-week live-online course delivers coaching tools grounded in grief psychology, resilience, and trauma-informed care.
With pre-recorded lessons, peer coaching, and client-ready resources, you’ll be equipped to compassionately guide individuals through personal and collective grief. Completion also awards 24 ICF Continuing Coach Education credits to support your credentialing journey.
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Questions About ICF Certification
Can I apply for my ICF ACC credential if only some of my past coach education hours are from an ICF-approved school?
Yes. If you have at least 60 hours of coach-specific education or Continuing Coach Education (CCE) hours—including non-accredited programs—there are two paths forward:
1. Apply for the Level 1 Credential through the ICF’s Portfolio Path.
According to the ICF, this process takes around 14 weeks and requires you to submit documentation verifying that your education aligns with the International Coaching Federation’s core competencies. This includes program certificates, a coaching log showing 100+ coaching hours (with at least 75 paid), and proof of at least 10 hours of mentor coaching.
2. Fast-track your ICF Credentialing through Coach Academy’s Equivalency Application.
This credential validation process offers dedicated coaches a streamlined path to align their training and experience with ICF standards. Upon meeting the equivalency requirements, you will receive a Certificate of Completion for Level 1 ICF Credential. From there, you’ll proceed to the ICF website to complete your official application.
I’ve been coaching on my own for years—can those hours count toward my required ICF coaching hours?
At Coach Academy, your official coaching hours begin once your program starts and you're invited to begin coaching. We'll guide you through what counts as a coach-specific conversation and how to accurately track your hours.
If you're pursuing ICF certification, coaching hours you've completed independently—alongside the hours logged in our Certification Program—can count toward your credential, as long as they were completed after you began coach-specific training. Each session must follow ICF’s definition of coaching and be part of a formal agreement with the client.
Do I need to complete a Canada Coach Academy certification to apply for an ICF credential?
While many clients choose our certification programs because they are ICF-accredited, you can pursue ICF credentials through any accredited training provider. Our programs are designed to prepare you thoroughly for credentialing exams and practical coaching hours, giving you a solid foundation to succeed in the credentialing process.
How much coaching experience do I need before applying for an ICF credential?
It depends on the credential level: ACC requires 100 hours of client coaching, PCC requires 500, and MCC requires 2,500 hours. These hours must be logged and verified. Our programs support you in gaining coaching practice hours through peer coaching and client work to meet these requirements.
How does Coach Academy support coaches in meeting mentoring requirements for ICF credentials?
ICF credentials require a set number of mentor coaching hours. Our programs include live group coaching, peer coaching, and one-on-one mentorship opportunities designed to help you meet this requirement with qualified ICF mentors, ensuring you gain constructive feedback on your coaching skills.
What documentation do I need to keep to submit an ICF credential application?
You’ll need records of your coach-specific training hours, coaching practice hours (logged with client consent), mentor coaching hours, and completed assessments. At Canada Coach Academy, we provide guidance on how to track and submit this documentation properly to meet ICF standards.
How often do I need to renew my ICF credential, and what are the requirements?
ICF credentials must be renewed every three years. Renewal requires completion of 40 Continuing Coach Education (CCE) units, adherence to the ICF Code of Ethics, and submission of a renewal application. Our micro-training and continuing education courses are designed to help you fulfill these requirements efficiently.
How does an ICF credential compare to other coaching certifications in terms of credibility?
The ICF credential is recognized globally as the premier coaching certification because it demands rigorous training, verified coaching experience, and adherence to a strict ethical code. Unlike many other certifications, ICF credentials ensure coaches possess validated core competencies proven to deliver effective client outcomes.
This level of standardization and quality assurance sets ICF-certified coaches apart in the marketplace, enhancing a coaches professional credibility and opening doors to high-level coaching opportunities worldwide.
Thrive With ICF Certification
Build lasting credibility and open new coaching opportunities.
Questions About Online Coach Training
How does Canada Coach Academy ensure the quality of online learning?
Our programs combine live virtual classes with pre-recorded materials, practical assignments, and group coaching labs to create an immersive learning experience. Our expert instructors facilitate dynamic discussions and hands-on practice, fostering strong connection and accountability despite the virtual setting. Technology platforms are optimized for seamless interaction and resource access.
Can I fast-track through the online coach certification program or take it part-time?
We often hear this question from motivated learners eager to dive in—and we completely understand the desire to move quickly.
While we don’t offer part-time or fast-track options, our programs are intentionally designed to unfold at a pace that allows for meaningful reflection, integration, and real-world practice. Coaching is a skill that deepens over time, and this structure ensures you graduate with the confidence, competence, and ethical foundation to support others effectively.
Many of our students successfully balance the program alongside full-time work and full lives, supported by our flexible, live-online format and engaging learning environment.
Will I get enough practice coaching clients in an online coach training format?
Absolutely. Our live Zoom sessions include peer coaching labs and supervised practice opportunities, ensuring you develop confidence and skill through real coaching interactions. Additionally, online forums and breakout rooms promote collaborative learning and ongoing skill refinement.
Can I build meaningful connections and community through online training?
Yes. Our programs intentionally build community through interactive group sessions, discussion boards, and networking opportunities. Many students report that the diversity of virtual cohorts enriches their learning, exposing them to different perspectives and global coaching styles.
What technology do I need to participate in Coach Academy’s online coach training programs?
A reliable internet connection, a computer or tablet with a webcam and microphone, and Zoom software are all you need. Our team provides technical support and orientation to ensure you’re comfortable with the platform before your first class.
Does online training impact my eligibility for ICF credentials?
No. Canada Coach Academy’s online programs are fully ICF-accredited or approved for Continuing Coach Education (CCE) credits, making them equally valid for ICF credentialing purposes as in-person programs.
Train Online. Coach Anywhere.
Live virtual classes let you learn from anywhere, without losing connection or quality.