The coaching profession remains unregulated. Training can range from a brief online course to years of rigorous study, mentoring, and assessed practice. That gap means a lot — for clients, for aspiring coaches, and for the profession as a whole.
When we were building the Certificate in Professional Coaching, we had to make a decision: which external standard would we align to, and why?
Why We Chose the ICF
We selected ICF accreditation based on several factors: its global reach, the clarity of its competency framework, its emphasis on ethics and mentoring, and its rigorous external review processes. Crucially, the ICF does not allow programmes to self-approve — the curriculum, mentoring, assessment design, and structure are all reviewed externally.
For us, accreditation had to mean something. It had to represent genuine quality validation, not just a badge you can purchase.
What ICF Accreditation Actually Is
The ICF establishes international standards for professional coaching. Accredited programmes undergo review of their curriculum, mentoring provision, assessment design, and programme structure — all aligned to recognised competencies and ethical guidelines.
North Point's Certificate in Professional Coaching is an ICF Level 1 accredited programme, which means graduates are eligible to apply directly for the ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential with 100 hours of coaching experience.
Why Accreditation Matters
Protection. Shared standards provide consistency across countries and contexts. They help clients and aspiring coaches make informed decisions in a market where the word "coach" can mean almost anything.
Confidence and credibility. Training aligned with recognised professional standards signals serious commitment — to your own development and to the clients you'll serve.
Deepened learning. Accreditation requirements include mentor coaching, observed and assessed practice, and competency-based feedback. These aren't bureaucratic hurdles — they're the things that actually make you a better coach.
Do You Need It?
Not everyone who benefits from coaching skills needs a formal credential. Leaders integrating coaching into their practice, consultants adding a coaching dimension to their work — accreditation may not be the primary goal. But for those building a professional coaching career, it matters enormously.
What It Means for Us
For North Point, accreditation represents an ongoing commitment: to curriculum alignment with ICF core competencies, to the ICF Code of Ethics, and to developing coaches who are confident, capable, and credible — not just certified.
It is a standard we chose, and one we're proud to maintain.