Frequently asked questions

We recommend that you register as soon as you know you will be joining a cohort, rather than waiting for the cohort start date.

When you sign up for any certification course, excluding SPRC and SPRW, you instantly get access to the online modules to watch at your convenience.

When you pay for your course, please ensure that you select the cohort you plan to join. If you need to change your cohort start date, you can do so any time as long as you plan to finish with a later cohort, which may be ideal for those looking to complete the program over a slower period of time.

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Program lengths vary from 6 weeks to 11 weeks and may include an additional 3-day intensive live business bootcamp to help you get your coaching practice up and running.

The International Association of Career Coaches does not require that students complete a post-secondary degree before entering the program.

However, we strongly recommend that students taking the Senior Professional Career Coach (SPCC)® course have a post-secondary degree and several years of career experience. Participants in the Senior Professional Résumé Writing (SPRW)™ or Senior Professional Resilience Coach (SPRC)™ courses may also benefit from post-secondary education and/or prior work experience.

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No prior coaching experience is required. We welcome professionals from all backgrounds. Many aspiring career coaches begin their journey with us, and we believe that life experience is just as valuable as traditional work experience. Individuals who have navigated unique challenges, such as living with a hidden disability, often bring exceptional perspective, empathy, and insight that make them outstanding coaches.

If you do have experience as a coach, our advanced and specialist programs can help you deepen your skills and grow your practice. Most students benefit from having a few years of workplace or lived experience, and some programs include additional prerequisites. We’ll help you choose the right path based on your goals.

Many professionals choose multiple certifications to expand their skill set. We offer flexible pathways and complementary training options.Not sure what programs to bundle? Book a certification consultation call or explore your options through the Program Finder quiz.

If you are starting your coaching journey, we highly recommend starting with the Senior Professional Career Coach (SPCC)® course. SPCC is our foundational course designed to give you the essential tools to help a client or mentee find career direction, write their résumé, update their LinkedIn profile, ace their interviews, and negotiate like a pro. You’ll also learn how to launch a successful career coaching business full-time or part-time. But even seasoned career coaches enroll in SPCC to close any gaps in knowledge and discover innovative ways to grow their business.

If you’re looking to advance a specific skill set, the Senior Professional Resilience Coach (SPRC)™ and Senior Professional Résumé Writer (SPRW)™ might be a great fit.

Still not sure? Our Program Finder quiz can help you navigate your next steps.

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Our foundational program, SPCC, is ICF-accredited and is approved for ICF Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Regardless of ICF alignment, all programs follow industry-leading standards and evidence-based coaching methodology.

Yes—all of our programs are fully online and accessible from anywhere in the world. You’ll learn through a blend of on-demand lessons, live cohort calls, and hands-on practice. Everything is designed to fit into a busy professional schedule.