Accreditation Requirements
Understand the evidence behind professional accreditation. Learn what IGH3P® recognises as professional training, practical coaching experience and continuing professional development, and the documentation required to support your accreditation application.
Accreditation Is More Than a Number of Hours
IGH3P® professional accreditation considers a combination of professional coach training, practical coaching experience, continuing professional development and adherence to professional and ethical standards.
Applicants are required to provide appropriate evidence demonstrating that the criteria relevant to the accreditation level sought have been met.
This page explains what may be considered within each area and how applicants should prepare their supporting evidence.
Looking for the Required Hours & Fees?
This page explains what counts towards the accreditation requirements and how those requirements should be evidenced. To compare the four accreditation levels, required hours and current fees, please visit the Accreditation Levels & Fees page .
Four Core Areas of Assessment
Accreditation applications are supported by evidence across four core areas of professional development and practice.
Training
Relevant professional coach education and training appropriate to the accreditation level sought.
Coaching Experience
Documented practical experience gained through genuine professional coaching engagements.
CPD
Continuing professional development demonstrating ongoing learning and professional growth.
Evidence
Appropriate records and documentation supporting the information declared in the application.
Training Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate professional coaching education and training appropriate to the accreditation level sought.
The assessment considers not only the number of training hours completed, but also the relevance, depth and professional level of that training.
What May Be Considered
- Professional coach-specific education and training.
- Relevant structured professional development in coaching practice.
- Appropriate training delivered through recognised educational or professional providers.
- Relevant prior professional training where it demonstrably supports the accreditation criteria.
Training Completed Outside IGH3P®
Applicants are not restricted to training delivered by IGH3P®. Relevant external qualifications and professional training may be considered as part of an accreditation application.
Where necessary, IGH3P® may review information such as the training provider, programme content, curriculum, learning outcomes, duration and mode of delivery in determining whether the training is appropriate to the accreditation level sought.
Evidence of Training
- Certificates or diplomas.
- Programme or course title.
- Name of the training provider.
- Dates of training or completion.
- Evidence of training hours.
- Curriculum, syllabus or learning outcomes where additional verification is required.
Applicants should not assume that every course, qualification or hour of study will automatically satisfy professional accreditation requirements. Training must be relevant and appropriate to the professional level for which accreditation is sought.
Practical Coaching Hours
Practical coaching experience demonstrates that professional knowledge and coaching skills have been applied in genuine coaching practice.
Applicants should maintain an accurate record of coaching activity and be able to provide appropriate supporting evidence where verification is required.
What May Count as Coaching Experience?
- One-to-one professional coaching engagements.
- Group coaching where the applicant is acting in the role of coach.
- Organisational or workplace coaching.
- Paid professional coaching engagements.
- Appropriately documented pro bono coaching.
- Other genuine coaching practice that can be appropriately evidenced and verified.
What Would Normally Not Count?
- Time spent attending coach training.
- Observing another coach without personally delivering the coaching.
- Reading, research or independent study.
- Business administration or marketing activity.
- Informal conversations that were not conducted as genuine coaching engagements.
Recording Your Coaching Hours
Applicants should maintain a professional coaching log sufficient to demonstrate the nature and duration of their coaching experience.
Coaching records submitted as evidence should avoid unnecessary disclosure of confidential or sensitive client information. Anonymised identifiers should be used where appropriate.
Continuing Professional Development
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) demonstrates an ongoing commitment to professional learning, reflective practice and the continued development of coaching knowledge and skill.
CPD expectations increase with accreditation level, reflecting the greater professional responsibility associated with advanced and senior practice.
Examples of Relevant CPD
Learning
Workshops, seminars, webinars, conferences, advanced professional training and relevant professional study.
Reflective Practice
Professional supervision, peer learning, mentoring and structured reflective professional development.
Professional Contribution
Research, publication, developing professional materials, presenting, teaching or contributing to the development of the profession.
CPD Should Be Relevant to Your Practice
CPD should contribute meaningfully to professional knowledge, competence, judgement or practice. As accreditation level increases, applicants and accredited coaches should demonstrate development appropriate to the depth and responsibility of their professional role.
Recording CPD
- Date of the CPD activity.
- Title and type of activity.
- Provider or professional organisation.
- Number of CPD hours completed.
- Key learning or professional development outcome.
- Supporting evidence where available.
The number of annual CPD hours required depends on the accreditation level held. Please refer to the Accreditation Levels & Fees page for the current requirements for Practitioner, Advanced, Master and Fellow accreditation.
Evidence & Documentation
Accreditation is evidence-based. Applicants should be prepared to provide documentation sufficient to support the professional training, experience and development declared within their application.
The exact documentation required may vary according to the applicant's professional background, qualifications and accreditation level.
Education & Qualifications
- Certificates and diplomas.
- Training-provider details.
- Evidence of training hours.
- Course curriculum or syllabus where requested.
Coaching Experience
- Professional coaching log.
- Dates and duration of engagements.
- Type of coaching delivered.
- Supporting verification where required.
CPD Records
- CPD activity log.
- Attendance certificates where available.
- Professional learning records.
- Reflective or developmental evidence where appropriate.
Declarations & Standards
- Required professional declarations.
- Agreement to applicable ethical standards.
- Confirmation that submitted information is complete and accurate.
- Additional supporting evidence where reasonably required.
Applicants should provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate professional experience without unnecessarily disclosing confidential client information. Client records should be anonymised where appropriate, and supporting documentation should respect applicable confidentiality and data-protection obligations.
Professional & Ethical Requirements
Professional accreditation is not based solely on training certificates and accumulated coaching hours. Accredited coaches are also expected to demonstrate responsible professional practice and continuing commitment to applicable IGH3P® professional and ethical standards.
Before You Apply
Preparing your evidence before beginning an application can make the assessment process clearer and more efficient. Check that you can demonstrate the requirements relevant to the accreditation level you intend to pursue.
- I have evidence of my professional coaching training.
- I can demonstrate the required practical coaching experience.
- I have an appropriate record of my CPD activity.
- I can provide relevant supporting certificates and documentation.
- My coaching records protect client confidentiality.
- I understand the professional and ethical responsibilities associated with accreditation.
- I have checked which IGH3P® accreditation level is appropriate to my experience.
Where Would You Like to Go Next?
Compare the accreditation levels and fees, or review the accreditation process before beginning your application.
Begin Your Accreditation Application
If you have reviewed the accreditation levels, checked the requirements relevant to your professional experience and prepared your supporting evidence, you can now begin your IGH3P® accreditation application.
Apply for Accreditation →