Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about IACC certifications and programs.
How do I obtain a master-level career coaching certification?
Coaches pursuing our Master Professional Career Coach certification must be a Senior Professional Career Coach for at least 12 months and complete 1,700 coaching hours across multiple categories to demonstrate mastery and commitment. Ask us for a copy of the application to see details about all the requirements.
How often can I reach out to Cara, the IACC executive team, and other coaches if I have questions or need some advice?
As a part of the Path, you’ll have two opportunities each week to join Cara and other Path members on an interactive live call where you can talk through challenges, ask questions, and get to know fellow members. Each year, we offer a mentorship program to pair newer certified career coaches with more experienced coaches. Your Path membership also includes access to an exclusive private space where you can ask anyone questions at any time – day or night. Cara and the IACC executive team respond within 24 hours but typically you can expect to hear from us much sooner.
Can I skip SPCC and take MPCC only?
Not at this time. Completion of the Senior Professional Career Coach (SPCC)® certification is a prerequisite for the attainment of the Master Professional Career Coach (MPCC)® designation.
The MPCC designation is the IACC’s highest designation of excellence in both contributions to the profession, the IACC community and their ethical conduct as a career coach.
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What is the minimum requirement to take each of our courses?
Participants may only apply for their Master Professional Career Coach (MPCC)® certification after completing the SPCC certification and fulfilling the MPCC experience requirements.
When does the next SPRW cohort start and end?
The next SPRW cohort officially begins on April 6th, 2026 and ends June 12th, 2026.
If you are interested in getting your SPRW, we highly recommend joining the upcoming cohort - even if you are busy, have vacations planned etc - the IACC team will work with you to ensure you are able to get the most out of the program while still maintaining your schedule.
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How large are the SPRW cohorts?
The Senior Professional Résumé Writer (SPRW)™ cohorts typically have 6-10 participants, so we can ensure each student gets the individual support they need to succeed as a coach upon graduation.
Note that at some times of the year, the course size may exceed or be less than the average. We have successfully taught cohorts as large as 50 participants and will assign additional trainers to support a large cohort and ensure that you are well supported in your learning.
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Do I get to meet and interact with other participants?
Yes! All programs require that students participate in weekly live cohort calls and are active members of the community discussions on the IACC’s online forum.
If you want to continue connecting with your instructors and the IACC community of coaches, we welcome you to join our community for graduates and continue your learning and progress alongside a community of your peers.
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How much of the courses are theory vs hands-on learning?
The International Association of Career Coaches (IACC)® prides itself on offering the most practical certification training on the market.
In our Senior Professional Career Coach (SPCC)® and Senior Professional Résumé Writer (SPRW)™ certifications, we’re focused on helping you build the essential skills to excel in each respective discipline.
While you will learn some theory to understand the “why” behind each skill, our teaching methods are practical, with live feedback and support available from your instructor to help fine-tune your skills.
In both certification courses, you can expect to get:
- Scripts
- Templates
- Sample Client Worksheets
- Realtime feedback and practical client experience
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Still have questions?
Let’s talk about your goals and the right fit for you.