What’s the fastest path to coach certification?
by Natalie Tucker Miller, IAC-CC
Oooh, that’s a tricky one. If you’re asking about IAC certification specifically, your best bet is to download and read Sharing the Certification Journey, which was written by IAC-certified coaches and is free to members. You’ll hear from six coaches who share their unique paths in terms of time, resources, personal desire and commitment.
Fast, although a relative term, isn’t one of the adjectives that emerges from reading this book. Nor is it how I would describe my personal certification journey.
If you're looking for fast, the new IAC-Practitioner designation might be something of interest, as it is possible to earn this designation in a year’s time while working toward IAC certification. To earn this designation you would complete a Learning Agreement Proposal, with the evidence of achievement due one year from the date of submission. You would also need to pass a written exam, taken online.
It's possible, also, that you could complete the demonstration portion of the exam and earn the IAC-CC designation within the first year of submitting your Learning Agreement proposal. I offer this with the caveat that you’ll want to be sure you fully understand what it takes to pass. At the very least, review the information found at http://certifiedcoach.org/certify/perperation.html and review the previous "Ask the Certifiers" columns for in-depth information on what IAC coaching mastery entails.
The key word in all this is "mastery," which is synonymous with IAC certification. It's more than fulfilling a course requirement, or logging client hours, or reading the IAC Masteries e-book, or passing the online exam. When you earn this designation, you know you have achieved a level of artistry that coaching mastery requires.
This is great news as I know you aspire to be the best you can be! And with the added component of the Annual Learning Agreements, you can continue to be inspired to evolve as the art and profession of coaching evolve.
Recently, I met up with Ruth Ann Harnisch, former IAC board member and officer, major contributor to the IAC and newest fan of the IAC Learning Agreements. We reminisced about our experiences of earning the IAC-CC designation, as well as digging more deeply into the how's and why's of the Learning Agreements. "I came to this conversation already feeling that the IAC was enlightened," she told me, "and after having talked about the specifics, feel it is even further evolved than I had thought!"
IAC members, click here for more insights from that conversation.
To join the IAC, click here.
Do you have a question that you’d like to ask the certifiers? Submit your questions here: http://certifiedcoachblog.typepad.com/blog/ask-the-certifiers.html.
Natalie Tucker Miller, IAC-CC, is the Lead Certifier and a certifying examiner at the IAC, as well as Past-President. Natalie is founder of Ageless-Sages.com Publishing (www.ageless-sages.com), and creator of the literary genre, Picture Books for Elders™.
Please send your questions on the IAC Coaching Masteries® and the certification process to certification@certifiedcoach.org.
