Frequently Asked Questions

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential—which is particularly important in today’s ever-changing landscape. Coaches honor the client as the expert in their own life and embrace the belief that every client is creative, resourceful, and whole.

Source: https://coachfederation.org/faqs

 iPEC, once known as the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching, has expanded our company vision beyond the container of our 4-letter acronym—we knew it was time to let it go. Just as we encourage our students to release what no longer serves them to step more fully into their unique potential, we too released our old identity of the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching to step into our more expansive way of being in the world. We are simply, iPEC.

Here’s a glimpse at what you can expect during the admissions and enrollment process:

• Your first step is to schedule a conversation with our Admissions Team.
• Once you decide to enroll, you’ll work with an Admissions Coach to complete your application, explore payment options, and choose your ideal training location(s).
• The Admissions Team will support you, step-by-step, through the enrollment process and get you set up for the experience of a lifetime.
• Complete the Advanced Standing pre-work before the deadline (if applicable).

Visit our Get Started page to learn about the entire admissions process.

If you are located in the state of Illinois, learn more about enrollment.

18 years of age.

A high school diploma or equivalent in your country.

No. The power of coaching doesn’t come from giving advice but rather empowering people to make choices for themselves. Our philosophy is built on the belief that every person is the expert in their own life.

As an iPEC certified coach, you’ll master the Core Energy Coaching™ process and be taught how to use our proprietary, research-backed tools, going beyond traditional coaching to tackle the root cause of any challenge, including underlying thoughts, emotions, and energy. As you help shift hidden internal blocks, the people you work with will uncover their own insights, wisdom, and perspectives—which leads to powerful and sustainable shifts in every area of their life.

No. iPEC does not train their coaches to consult, give advice, or offer prescriptive solutions. As an iPEC certified coach, you’ll master the Core Energy Coaching™ process and be taught how to use our proprietary, research-backed tools, going beyond traditional coaching to tackle the root cause of any challenge, including underlying thoughts, emotions, and energy. As you help shift hidden internal blocks, the people you work with will uncover their own insights, wisdom, and perspectives—which leads to powerful and sustainable shifts in every area of their life.

Additionally, iPEC’s Energy Leadership™ Index assessment provides tangible, research-backed ROI for any coaching engagement.

Our Coach Training Program is offered in several locations across the globe. If you’re planning to attend each in-person training module in a different location and want to learn about that option, an Admissions Coach can review the details with you so you can choose the option that works best for you. You can also attend each module virtually, if you choose.

 The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is widely considered the governing body of the coaching industry and is a separate entity from all coaching schools and programs. The iPEC Coach Training Program is accredited by the ICF so you’ll receive your Certified Professional Coach (CPC) designation upon completion. However, at iPEC, it’s your personal choice whether or not to pursue your ICF credential.

iPEC meets or exceeds the requirements for Level 2 accreditation with the ICF—so you know you're getting the highest-quality training. Please click here to review ICF FAQs on their website. 

If you have any additional questions, request a session with our Admissions Team who can further assist.

Yes. In fact, iPEC was one of the first coach training programs to be accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). iPEC meets or exceeds the requirements for Level 2 accreditation with the ICF—so you know you're getting the highest-quality training.

iPEC Coaches receive 160 training hours during their first two certifications (CPC & ELI-MP). Since our coaches certify at the beginning PCC skill Level, once an iPEC Certified Coach has logged 500+ hours of coaching as specified by the ICF, they have everything they need to apply for an ICF PCC Credential. Additionally, our coaches receive 40 hours of COR.E Dynamics training with their third certification, bringing their total to 200 training contact hours which meets the training requirements for the MCC credential. Once a coach has logged 2500+ hours of coaching as specified by the ICF, and received mentoring from an MCC Credentialed coach, they may submit their application for MCC. An additional 120 contact training hours are optional add-ons available by way of three additional COR.E Dynamics Courses to reach 320 contact Training Hours.

Yes, both! iPEC’s Coach Training Program includes three 3-day modules that may be completed at your choice of an in-person or live virtual location. During these modules, you’ll have the opportunity to practice your skills in a supportive in-person or online environment, get immediate feedback, and build valuable relationships with other students in the program. These three in-person/virtual modules are required for graduation.

You can view the locations and start dates for our upcoming classes here.

iPEC offers a number of payment plan options and we’ve helped thousands of students find a payment option that fits their unique needs. At iPEC, you can reduce your tuition by enrolling early, completing coursework ahead of time, or taking advantage of time-sensitive tuition reductions and payment options. We also have interest-free monthly payment plans, as well as loan* and tuition assistance options! And since you can start working with clients right after Module I, many students start earning income early in the training.

If this is the program for you, we usually have a payment option that fits your unique situation so you can start changing your life, and the lives of others, as soon as possible.

*Available only to US residents.

Click here for full program details and tuition information.

iPEC’s comprehensive Coach Training Program offers dynamic business tools, a strong coaching community, and expert guidance from a team dedicated to your business success long after graduation. Our program will enhance your innate talents and desire to help others thrive with proven, research-backed tools so you can better serve the people you coach.

When you enroll in iPEC’s Coach Training Program, you aren’t just learning how to be a coach—you’re learning how to be a successful entrepreneur with ongoing business development training and access to a community of successful coaches. And since you can start working with clients right after Module I, many students start earning income right away.

Learn more about starting a coaching practice here.

Phase One of the program can be completed in about 7–8 months. At the end of Phase One, you’ll have earned your Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and Energy Leadership™ Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP) certifications. Please note: you do NOT have to wait until you finish Phase One to start working with clients. You can start working with clients and organizations right after your first in-person module, Module I.

Phase Two can be completed in about 3–4 months. At the end of Phase Two, you’ll have earned your COR.E Dynamics™ Specialist certification.

Click here for full program details.

Absolutely not. Many of our graduates utilize their coaching skills to become coach-centric leaders within their organizations: HR professionals use coach skills to transform office culture and companies such as New York Presbyterian Hospital, Rabobank, Mastercard, NASA, IKEA, and Boeing have sent employees to our training.

With corporate titans such as GE, Goldman Sachs, and Google now spending more than $1 billion per year on executive coaching in the US alone, it becomes clear: your training in the professional skill set of coaching can pay huge dividends for both you and your company.

Many professionals who use coaching techniques and skills do not have “coach” in their professional titles and don’t aspire to. For more, read the blog post: “Coach Training Isn’t Just for ‘Coaches’. . . Here’s Why.”

Yes! Choose from four specialized tracks and earn your third certification as a COR.E Dynamics™ Specialist in your chosen niche. Choose between:

• Life Coaching
• Health and Wellness Coaching
• Leadership Development Coaching
• Executive Coaching
• Performance Coaching

Additionally, your tuition includes a massive library containing a variety of resources related to other niche areas, including:

• Life Coaching
• Relationship Coaching
• Transitions Coaching
• Health and Wellness Coaching
• Group Coaching
• Small Business & Professionals Coaching
• Leadership: Executive & Management Coaching
• Parents & Teens Coaching
• Couples Coaching
• Sports Performance Coaching

Through our comprehensive Coach Training Program, you’ll learn how to coach anyone, on anything, at any time. (Truly!) And yet, the best way to become a go-to coach is to become known for your expertise in a specific niche. Far from limiting your options and potential clients, specializing increases your effectiveness and attracts people who will want to work with you.

And as you continue to grow your business and your reach, you might find a new niche unfolding that you had never imagined before. The possiblities are endless!

VAT will be charged where applicable. We recommend you speak with our Admissions Team to learn where and how VAT will be applied.

Yes! A coaching certification can enhance any career and can be applied to any industry. Take Human Resources, for example: a certification specifically from iPEC is shown to raise HR salaries by about 28%. Many of our students and graduates take their training back to their organizations to lead as internal coaches for their coworkers and team members. 

Tommy Acierno, one of our powerful Lead Trainers, shared in Choice magazine how he advocated for a new role within his organization, and the ways in which he measured his valuable (money-making!) contributions to his team to illustrate the ROI of coaching. Read more

At iPEC, you can reduce your tuition by enrolling early, completing coursework ahead of time, or taking advantage of time-sensitive tuition reductions and payment options. We also have interest-free monthly payment plans, as well as loan* and tuition assistance options! And since you can start working with clients right after Module I, many students start earning income early in the training.

If this is the program for you, we usually have a payment option that fits your unique situation so you can start changing your life, and the lives of others, as soon as possible. Money shouldn’t be the thing that stops you from making your dream a reality, and we’re here to help. The Admissions Team is happy to walk you through the many options available.

*Available only to US residents.

Yes! Coaching allows you the flexibility to set your own schedule. Many graduates work full time and coach on the side which supports a healthy work-life balance and promotes personal and professional growth.

The coaching industry is ripe for potential earnings and is seeing 2.2% annual growth per year. Recent data from the Lumia annual coaching survey indicates that the average total pay for coaching ranges from approximately $62,500 per year to $245,000 per year. Coach Pony indicates that life coaches can make $100–$400 per hour and the 2021 Center for Leadership Studies indicates that executive and life coaches can make $150–$650 per session. 

The exact level of earnings you have the potential to garner hinges on how you approach the process and what decisions you make regarding your learning and investment opportunities. Factor in whether you are planning for coaching to be a full-time career or a part-time supplemental component. Consider your typical week and how you want your work to fit around your life. Remember, “full time” can mean different things to different people depending on their goals, and you’ll want to answer this question for you.

Many people use this equation to help them simplify the decision: I need to make X amount of dollars to live my life how I want to live it, and I have the time to help Y number of clients, so I need to charge Z dollars for my services.

As a certified coach, you can charge what you want, work when you want, and choose your own clients. There are distinct opportunities for you to excel your bottom line and attract paying customers even before you complete a program, especially if you’ve invested in one that focuses a substantial portion of time on helping you build your own coaching practice through business development, branding, and marketing.

For more, read our blog article on The 3 Factors That Influence a Life Coach's Salary.

Through the coach training process, you’ll learn lots of tools and techniques for being more aware of your energy and making intentional shifts that help you show up the way you want to in your work and life. Plus, if you choose to start a coaching business, coaching as a profession allows you to set your own schedule and provides flexibility in your days while doing work you love.

 The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is widely considered the governing body of the coaching industry and is a separate entity from all coaching schools and programs. The iPEC Coach Training Program is accredited by the ICF so you’ll receive your Certified Professional Coach (CPC) designation upon completion. However, at iPEC, it’s your personal choice whether or not to pursue your ICF credential.

iPEC meets or exceeds the requirements for Level 2 accreditation with the ICF—so you know you're getting the highest-quality training. Please read the ICF FAQs on their website. 

If you have any additional questions, request a session with our Admissions Team who can further assist.