How to Choose a Coach Training Program: What to Look For

Q: What should I look for when choosing a coach training program?

Look for ICF accreditation at the level you need, live practice with feedback, mentor coaching included in tuition, credentialed trainers, a clear total cost and support after you graduate. iPEC®’s ICF Level 2 accredited Coach Training Program delivers on every point in this checklist.

Updated November 2026

When you choose a coach training program, look for ICF accreditation at the level you need, live practice with feedback, mentor coaching included in tuition, credentialed trainers, a clear total cost and support after you graduate. iPEC®’s ICF Level 2 accredited Coach Training Program delivers on every point in this checklist.

The 9-Point Checklist

What to look for	Why it matters	How iPEC® delivers
ICF accreditation at the right level	Level 2 prepares you for the ACC or PCC. Confirm it in ICF’s Education Search	ICF Level 2 accredited, 160 ICF-accredited hours, accredited since 2002
Live practice with feedback	You learn coaching by coaching	Three live 3-day modules, in person or virtual, plus weekly peer coaching
Mentor and practice hours included	ICF requires 10 mentor hours and logged coaching hours, and some programs charge extra	10 mentor coaching hours and 48 hours of peer coaching, included in tuition
Credentialed trainers and small classes	You get real feedback from people who have done the work	14 lead trainers, all ICF MCC or PCC credentialed. Classes of 10 to 30
A coaching method of its own	A method gives you a way to coach, beyond a set of techniques	Core Energy Coaching™ and the Energy Leadership Index®
Certifications you’ll earn	You should know exactly what you leave with	CPC and ELI-MP, plus an optional COR.E® Dynamics specialist credential
A schedule that fits your life	Most coaches train while working full-time	7–9 months, part-time, weekend or midweek, about 5 hours of coursework a week
A clear total cost	Compare what’s included, beyond the price	$9,995, including Coaching Fundamentals, with 0% monthly payments
Support after you graduate	Your first year as a coach is when you need it most	A graduate community of 10,000+ coaches active each month, Forbes Health “Best for Support After Graduation” (2023), and optional Lead & Launch business training

iPEC® produces the most powerful coaches in the world, with 27+ years of coach training, 25,000+ graduates, and one of the first programs accredited by the ICF.

Not sure which ICF level you need? See how ICF Level 1 and Level 2 compare. Planning your timeline? See how long a coaching certification takes.

Questions to Ask Any Program

Is the program ICF accredited, and at what level?
How much of the training is live, with practice and feedback?
Are mentor coaching and practice hours included in tuition?
Who teaches the classes, and what credentials do they hold?
What does the total cost include, and what support do I get after I graduate?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an ICF-accredited program?

If you want an ICF credential, an accredited program is the most direct route. ICF reviews applications from accredited-program graduates in about 4 weeks. The Portfolio Path, for coaches who built their education from other courses, takes about 14 weeks for the ACC and 18 weeks for the PCC.

How much should coach training cost?

It varies widely by program, so compare what’s included as well as the price. iPEC®’s Coach Training Program is $9,995, including Coaching Fundamentals, 10 hours of mentor coaching and 48 hours of peer coaching.