ICF vs EMCC: What is the difference and what matters?
ICF or EMCC? Both organisations are respected, but they differ in history, philosophy and certification requirements. What does this mean for you as a client?
ICF - International Coaching Federation
ICF is the world's largest coaching organization, founded in the USA in 1995. It has over 50 000 members in 160 countries. In the Czech Republic, ICF is the most well-known brand and the majority of coaches who obtain certification choose ICF.
ICF has three levels of certification:
| Certification | Minimum hours of practical experience | What does it mean |
|---|---|---|
| ACC Associate Certified Coach | 100 hours | Basic certification, a coach at the start of their career. |
| PCC - Professional Certified Coach | 500 hours | Advanced certification, experienced professional |
| MCC - Master Certified Coach | 2,500 hours | The highest level, with fewer than 20 coaches in the Czech Republic |
EMCC - European Mentoring and Coaching Council
EMCC It is a European organisation founded in the UK. It has a stronger presence in continental Europe and Scandinavia. It places greater emphasis on mentoring as part of the coaching spectrum.
EMCC certification levels:
| Certification | Focus |
|---|---|
| EAC - Emerging | Beginner coach, student |
| EIA - Individual Accreditation | Individual accreditation of a practising coach |
| EQA - Quality Award | Organisational accreditation (training programmes) |
Which certification is better?
Neither one: both are respected standards. In practice, it matters more about the specific level (PCC vs ACC) than whether it is ICF or EMCC. A coach with ICF PCC and a coach with EMCC EIA are comparably experienced.
In the Czech Republic, ICF is slightly more widespread. It is a more recognisable brand for clients. EMCC is stronger in organisational coaching and mentoring.
Filter coaches by certification
On koucbase.cz you will find coaches with ICF and EMCC certification, filterable by level.
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