Certification Process

The Certification Process – The Path to IAC® Certification

There are 3 professional designations offered by the IAC®:

Masteries Practitioner:

The Masteries Practitioner designation is awarded to members who have demonstrated an understanding of the IAC Coaching Masteries® and have created an approved plan for their continuing professional development.

To become a Masteries Practitioner, you will take and pass Step 1 (the online test) of certification and submitted and completed the review process for your Masteries Professional Development Plan. You may complete these requirements in any order.

While you do not have to become a Masteries Practitioner before applying to become a Certified Coach, many coaches choose this option as a perfect first step toward certification. Learn more about the Masteries Practitioner designation.

Certified Masteries Coach & Master Masteries Coach (MMC)

Coaches who hold the IAC® Master Masteries Coach (MMC) designation and the Certified Masteries Coach designation are coaching at the most advanced level the coaching profession has to offer. Being awarded the MMC designation indicates the coach has a masterful understanding of and ability to apply the IAC Coaching Masteries® in a live coaching session. Being awarded the Certified Masteries Coach designation indicates the coach has a skilled understanding of and ability to apply the IAC Coaching Masteries® in a live coaching session. To ensure high quality coaching, the IAC® certifies coaches based upon

  1. their demonstrated knowledge and awareness of the Coaching Masteries®, legal, and ethical standards of coaching, through an online exam,
  2. their demonstrated ability to incorporate the IAC Coaching Masteries® into their work with clients through an evaluation of two recorded coaching sessions, and
  3. their demonstrated willingness to continue their learning and growth in coaching mastery through the annual submission of personalized Masteries Professional Development Plan.

These agreements are reviewed regularly to make sure that all IAC® Master Masteries Coaches and the Certified Masteries Coaches continue to embody and to evolve as the highest expression of professional coaching.

Certified Masteries Coach 

To become a Certified Masteries Coach, you will need to take and pass Step 1 (the online test) and submit 2 recorded coaching sessions for evaluation (working with a different client for each session). These recordings will be reviewed by professional Certifiers who evaluate the demonstration of the 9 Coaching Masteries™ and score each Mastery using a 5 point scale. To receive the Certified Masteries Coach designation you must receive a minimum score of 3 out of 5 for each of the Masteries in both coaching sessions.

If you are not already and IAC® Masteries Practitioner, or have not previously submitted your first Masteries Professional Development Plan, you will need to develop your first personalized Masteries Professional Development Plan within 12 months of becoming certified.

If you are a Certified Masteries Coach and would like to apply to become a Master Masteries Coach, please contact the Certification Coordinator for the specific details for your application.

Master Masteries Coach (MMC)

The Master Masteries Coach (MMC) designation is awarded to members who have demonstrated an understanding of the IAC Coaching Masteries® and demonstrated the masterful use of the Masteries in 2 recorded coaching sessions.

To become a Master Masteries Coach, you will need to take and pass Step 1 (the online test) and submit 2 recorded coaching sessions (a different client for each session) for evaluation. These recordings will be reviewed by professional Certifiers who evaluate the demonstration of the 9 Coaching Masteries™ and score them using a 5 point scale. To receive the MMC designation you must receive a minimum score of 80% for both recordings and a minimum score of 4 out of 5 for each of the Masteries in both coaching sessions. 

If you are not already and IAC® Masteries Practitioner, or have not previously submitted your first Masteries Professional Development Plan, you will need to develop your first personalized Masteries Professional Development Plan within 12 months of becoming certified.

The Step by Step Process to Becoming a Certified Masteries Coach or MMC:

  1. Learn and integrate the IAC Coaching Masteries™ into your life and practice.
  2. Be sure your membership is current.
  3. Try the Part One sample test (free)
  4. Pay $97 for the Step 1 (the online test).
  5. Take and pass the online test. Results are compiled upon completion.
  6. Review the requirements for Step 2 (recorded coaching sessions).
  7. Prepare for Step 2 by recording as many coaching sessions as necessary until you are demonstrating fully the nine Coaching Masteries™ per recording.
  8. Pay the $500.00 certification submission fee, and submit two recorded coaching sessions, with a different client for each session, for evaluation. (Please thoroughly review the guidelines)
    A score sheet with certifiers’ comments will be mailed with 6-8 weeks of submitting recordings. In some instances, applicants may be invited to an interview with the certifiers to address questions about specific Masteries. In these cases, the score sheet and certification decision will be provided following completion of this interview.
  9. If you are not already an IAC® Masteries Practitioner, or have not previously submitted your first IAC Masteries Professional Development Plan:
    12 months from your certification date, develop your first personalized Masteries Professional Development Plan. Pay the $150.00 fee, and submit your Masteries Professional Development Plan Proposal and schedule a review with a certifier
  10. Continue submitting annual personalized Masteries Professional Development Plan and maintain your annual membership to keep your MMC, Certified Masteries Coach, or Masteries Practitioner status current.

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