Upbuild Coaching Training FAQ
(including everything that you might want to know about ICF certification)
Will becoming an Upbuild Certified Coach help me to get certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF)?
Yes. We have intentionally designed the Upbuild program to align with the ICF Core Competencies and Ethics. Many of our students want to become ICF credentialed, and the Upbuild training prepares them to earn the ACC credential using the Portfolio Path method of application.
What are the requirements for the ICF ACC Certification, and which of those will I complete in the Upbuild program?
Requirements for ICF ACC certification:
60+ hours of coaching education. You will get all 60 hours in the Upbuild program.
100+ hours of coaching experience. You will get some/many of these hours during the Upbuild program. The amount will depend on how much peer/practice coaching you decide to do outside of the class time.
10 hours of Mentor Coaching with an eligible mentor coach. You will get 4 of these hours in the Upbuild program, and we will offer opportunities for you to get the rest of the hours with an Upbuild coach after the program is over.
Successful completion of a performance evaluation and the ICF Credentialing Exam, both of which you can do after the Upbuild program is over.
**As part of the program, you will receive a tracking sheet/file that makes it easy to log all of your training, coaching and mentoring hours.
Does the program offer any tips on how to achieve those additional credential requirements?
Yes. The Upbuild Coaching Training graduates who have received their ICF ACC credentials wrote up a document to make it easier for others. They are also willing to chat with anyone in the program to share their experience and answer questions.
Do you need an ICF credential to become a coach?
No. There's no credentialing requirement in coaching. Many of the Upbuild facilitators were coaches for a number of years before they applied for their ICF certifications. If you plan to work in medical or educational fields, some organizations may prefer working with coaches who are ICF Credentialed, but in a combined 50+ years of coaching ourselves, we’ve rarely been asked about our ICF credentials. With that being said, we've designed Upbuild Coaching Training in complete alignment with ICF requirements and fully support that path for those who are interested in pursuing it.
How can the program help me find an existing team to join as a coach in the future?
The community is extremely active and strong, both the community of Upbuild Coaching Training graduates along with the cohort you’d be joining. You'll find all kinds of opportunities to partner with folks with whom you want to work and share a vision. The Upbuild team can help facilitate that as well as we get to know what you're looking for and who might be a good fit to connect you with.
Would you be able to connect me with one of the graduates of Upbuild Coaching Training?
Yes. Just email us to let us know that you’d like to be connected with someone.