International Coaching Federation
The International Coaching Federation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to professional coaching.As of July 2020, ICF has approximately 41,500 members in 147 countries and territories. Founded in 1995, ICF campaigns worldwide for professional standards within the coaching profession, and provides independent certification for professional coaches and coach training programs. ICF has been called "the main accrediting and credentialing body for both training programs and coaches".
ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.
As of July 2020, there are 30,079 coaches in 130 countries and territories who hold one of three ICF Credentials: 16,898 Associate Certified Coaches ; 11,946 Professional Certified Coaches ; and 1,235 Master Certified Coaches.
In 2011, the ICF and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council led in the lodging with the European Union a charter which lays out how the coaching and mentoring profession across Europe can remain a self-regulated profession.
