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Eligibility Requirements for the IFS Foundations for Coaches Program

Eligibility Overview

The IFS Foundations for Coaches program is designed for professional coaches who have completed formal coach training and have an established coaching practice. Because the program is experiential and builds on existing coaching competencies, applicants must meet all eligibility requirements to participate.

Required Eligibility Criteria

  1. Formal Coach Training by an Accredited Coaching Body

Applicants must have completed coach training overseen by an established accrediting organization with:

  • A professional ethics code, and
  • A formal complaint or accountability process for clients

During the application, candidates must confirm the following:

“By checking this box, I attest that I have undergone formal coach training by an accredited coach training body with a professional ethics code and formal complaint process for my clients.”

Applicants will then be asked to specify the accrediting body that oversaw their training. Accepted accrediting bodies include:

  • Association for Coaching (AC)
  • Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE)
  • European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC)
  • International Authority for Professional Coaching & Mentoring (IAPC&M)
  • International Coach Federation (ICF)
  • National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC)
  • Nederlandse Orde van Beroepscoaches (NOBCO)
  • Other (accredited body or official partner recognized within coaching professions)

      2. Minimum of One Year of Practical Coaching Experience

Participants must have at least one year of hands-on experience coaching clients.

Applicants must confirm this during the application:

“By checking this box, I hereby attest that in addition to my formal training I have a minimum of one year of practical experience working with clients as a coach.”

Why These Requirements Exist

The program is structured around peer practice, mentorship, and experiential exercises. These components rely on participants having:

  • A foundational coaching skill set
  • Professional readiness to integrate IFS-informed techniques
  • The ability to maintain coaching boundaries in alignment with ICF standards

The program is not a beginner coach training and does not teach core coaching competencies from the ground up.

Does IFSI Review Individual Eligibility Cases?

IFS Institute does not review or evaluate individual eligibility scenarios outside the application process.

If you believe your training and experience meet the criteria listed above, you are welcome to consider applying when applications open.

All eligibility confirmations are self-attested by the applicant during the application process.

Not a Clinical Training Requirement

This program is designed for coaching contexts, not clinical practice.
It is not equivalent to IFS Level 1 training and does not qualify participants for IFS Certification.