If you are someone new to the life coaching world, you may feel overwhelmed by what the process entails and which option is best for what you want to do in life coaching. Navigating certifications, training, and any specialty coaching skills can leave people feeling confused, and we want to simplify it for you – life coaching is an incredible way to do what you love and make a living at it!

One thing every life coach should keep in mind is that although life coaching isn’t as regulated as other professions, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the most reputable and respected training organization for becoming a life coach worldwide. Without certifications and training, life coaches are left to their own devices and experience, going at it alone without the professional support and resources of an exceptional program. Certifications and credentialing are different: certification can be earned through training and application, while credentialing requires five core components, as addressed later in this article.

A Little About ICF

The ICF works to establish a standard for professional coaches. It also offers credentialing and accreditation, which go a long way toward building a client base. The resources and programs are diverse and designed to help coaches transform their clients’ lives by bringing out their full potential.

Life Purpose Institute is dedicated to offering ICF’s certification programs to equip and enable life coaches to advance their careers. The ICF certification programs are designed to empower growth and possibility in life coaching. Some of the certification programs offered include spiritual coaching, ICF credential programs (associate, professional, and master), health and wellness, relationship, executive, and leadership certifications.

Not Required but Valuable

Coaching certifications are not required to call oneself a life coach. Many who choose life coaching have a heart to help others and may not even realize that training and certifications are available to equip them to better serve their clients. Additionally, because life coaching is not as regulated as some careers. Holding an ICF certification through Life Purpose Institute unlocks opportunities and resources one would not otherwise have access to. A recognized certification can be the difference when building your client base, because it shows you have put in the work and invested in becoming a skilled life coach.

Not everyone seeking a life coach will care about credentialing or certifications. Some clients may want to hire you because you have been in their shoes or share similar backgrounds and experience. This approach may work initially, but the longer you are in life coaching and, if your business expands, you will want the resources and expertise of a certification program. At Life Purpose Institute, we focus on equipping and supporting our life coaches every step of the way, and ICF programs align with our values and business standards.

Using ICF programs sets the industry standard, which is why it is widely recognized and respected. When it comes to marketing oneself as a life coach, holding a certification from a reputable organization such as ICF opens doors to private and executive clients.

Ethical Standards and Practice

When you choose a career helping others overcome struggles and obstacles and become the best version of themselves, it is not to be taken lightly. Having a standard of ethical practices can be incredibly helpful for professional coaches. Those who practice life coaching without professional training will eventually face a situation with a client they are not equipped to handle. ICF certifications are issued through its credential programs and demonstrate continued excellence in ethical standards that should be used across the industry.

Taking a Step Further to Credentialing

Life coaches who want to become credentialled often stick with ICF programs because of their reputation and excellent training. There are five components to attaining an ICF credential: education, experience, mentor coaching, performance evaluation, and a final exam. The exam is based on the values and core code of ethics ICF represents, and that is because if you are in the field representing ICF, it is critical to uphold the high standard that currently exists. The reputations of life coaches and professionals in the field are built on exceptional programs like these. The team at Life Purpose Institute can guide coaches through the process, what it entails, and support them as they venture into credentialing.

Let Life Purpose Institute help you explore certification programs to target the clients you are most passionate about serving!