Research Paper: Carol A. Fontanez How Does The ICF Credentialing Process Compare To That of Other Professional Associations?

Research Paper Assessment Name: Carol Fontanez Date: 7/25/12 Student ID: 266030 Email: cafontanez08@gmail.
com
Complete your 2000 word research paper and insert it in the space below. Then email this document as an attachment to assessment@icoachacademy.com
How does the ICF credentialing process compare to that of other professional associations?
Carol A. Fontanez July 2012
Introduction As I embark on completing my graduation requirements for ICA and look toward applying for a coaching credential from the International Coach Federation (ICF), I began to wonder how the ICF certification process compares to the best practices I identified in my masters research on certification requirements for membership-driven associations and specialty boards. After doing the research for this paper, I believe that the ICF credentialing process goes beyond the basic elements of certification that other professional organizations utilize and in doing so, provides a valuable tool for coaches and a professional designation that coaching clients can have the utmost confidence in. From the standpoint of professions, more and more of them look at the attainment of professional certifications as a means to establish the expertise of their practitioners. On an individual level, professional certifications add a degree of notoriety to a persons resume, and are designed to give recipients a credential that says they have achieved a certain level of competency in their profession (Sunoo, 1999 in MacKenzie thesis). In addition, individuals themselves often consider the pursuit of professional designations as an important element of their ongoing professional development and a key to their continued success (Boyers, 1995 in MacKenzie thesis). The survey research project I conducted for my masters thesis was aimed at identifying the best practices for creating and validating the standards used in structuring professional certifications, however this paper will focus only on the certification requirements themselves since I do not have firsthand knowledge regarding how the ICF credentialing requirements were initially created. The most widely known certifications are those related to the health-care field, yet hundreds of other certifications exist today or are in development. There are various reasons
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for creating certifications, but the most common ones center on assuring competency standards and establishing expertise in a given field. Regardless of the profession, it stands to reason that some combination of education and experience would be required. In addition, most, if not all, professional member-driven organizations maintain a code of conduct or ethics that all members agree to abide by. ICF Credentials Lets take a closer look at the credentials which ICF offers: Associate Certified Coach (ACC), Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and Master Certified Coach (MCC). One key differentiator among the credentials is the number of hours of client coaching experience that the applicant must have. According to the ICF web site, the ICF Associate Certified Coach credential is for the practiced coach with at least 100 hours of client coaching experience. The Professional Certified Coach credential is for the proven coach with at least 750 hours of client coaching experience, and the Master Certified Coach credential is for the expert coach with at least 2,500 hours of client coaching experience. There are two ways to apply for the ACC and PCC credentials: an ACTP application or a Portfolio application. The ACTP application is only for those who have completed an entire Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP). The Portfolio application is for all other applicants. For the MCC credential, there is only one application type. For example, the ACC Portfolio Application Requirements are: 60 hours of coach specific training 100 hours of client coaching experience 10 hours of work with a qualified Mentor Coach Reference letters from two qualified coaches
Oral exam
Note that the Portfolio Application for the PCC and MCC designation does include both a written and oral exam, according to the credentialing information dated March 2012 that is posted on the ICF web site. Since ICA is an ACTP, completion of the Certified Professional Coach Program fulfills the requirements related to coach-specific training, working with a mentor coach and taking the oral exam. The ICF web site clearly states that the organization expects all ICF credentialed coaches to continue their education and keep building their coaching expertise. The desired result is increased competency in the coaching profession and, the organization hopes, an increase in those coaches pursuing the MCC credential. My Research Study When I conducted my research, I received 31 responses from the approximately 225 organizations that were contacted, yielding a response rate of 13.8%. However, those 31 respondents represented 138 different certifications. As for classifications, the respondents were equally divided between specialty boards and profession/membership-based organizations, coming in at 13 apiece (41.9% each). Three respondents were from industry/trade associations (9.7%) and two were accreditation-related organizations (6.5%). Slightly more than half of the respondents certifications are accredited (17 or 54.8%). The certifications that the respondents offer went into effect as early as 1939 and went all the way to new certifications that were in the process of full implementation. Why Develop a Certification Program? Despite the assorted professions involved in my study, the number one reason why respondents certifications were originally developed was to establish expertise in the profession.
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Nearly half of the respondents indicated that the desire to establish uniform competency requirements, and the desire to protect the health and safety of the public were two other key reasons for certifying practitioners. Only two respondents indicated that their certifications were initially created in response to a mandate from a regulatory agency or the government. Because of the rapid growth in the field of coaching over the last decade and the lack of a current evidence base, considerable confusion still surrounds the understanding of what coaching is, where it comes from, and what it does (Griffiths, Campbell, 2009). Therefore, having a credential administered by a professional organization helps to add legitimacy to the profession, as well as provide clients with a clear understanding of what to expect from the coaching experience. Certification Requirements In my research, I found that most certification guidelines require applicants to meet some type of minimum education requirements, along with a minimum score on a required test. The next most widely implemented criterion was a minimum number of years experience in the profession.
Table: Candidate Requirements for Certification Response Minimum education Minimum score on a required test Minimum number of years experience in profession Specific experience requirements Acceptance of a code of ethics Endorsement by expert practitioner Other Assessment of ability by means other than a required test Endorsement by candidates professional association Respondents 22 22 20 15 12 7 5 4 0 Percent 71.0% 71.0% 64.5% 48.4% 38.7% 22.6% 16.1% 12.9% 0.0%
In order to assess a candidates competency for certification, the vast majority of respondents in my study used a written test (29 or 93.5%) with multiple-choice questions (26 or 83.9%). Fifteen organizations (48.4%) still used paper and pencil tests, although computer-based
tests were a close second, garnering 12 responses (38.7%). Very few certifying organizations required an assessment other than testing, and for those that did, the responses were evenly divided between in-person demonstration, portfolio review, work submissions, and attestations from supervisors or clients. As far as demonstrating competence goes, all six certifying bodies in my best practices group used written tests as their assessment vehicle. Five of the tests were multiple choice. In addition to the test, one respondent required an in-person demonstration, and another called for a portfolio review. ICF has chosen to focus its certification requirements on a combination of coach-specific education and skill demonstration, which I believe serves our profession well. While most certifying organizations work diligently to ensure that their tests are valid and reliable, there is little evidence to suggest that successfully passing a certification examination is evidence of effective and competent job performance (Lee, 1998; Thomas, 1993 in MacKenzie thesis). That is why skill demonstration is so incredibly important, especially in a newer profession such as coaching. Implementation Whether to cover administrative expenses or to contribute to an organizations profits, all respondents to my survey indicated that they charged fees related to their certifications. The most widely adopted fees were for examinations and re-certification (25 respondents or 80.6% each), closely followed by charges for retesting and applications (approximately 65%). Appeals and practice tests made up the third tier of fees, coming in with 10-11 respondents (32-35%). The ICF charges application and exam fees, with charges slightly higher for non-members.
Another aspect of implementation that the survey covered was online delivery systems. Nearly half of the organizations that replied had provisions for their applicants to apply online, and one-fourth allowed applicants to enroll for training online. Only a handful of certifying bodies allowed for online self-assessments or practice tests. The ICF application process is done online, and the organization is in the process of converting its written exam to an online format. Once certification is attained, all of my survey respondents indicated that they provided a certificate of achievement to recipients, and 80% maintained a list or registry of certified practitioners. Upon achieving ICF certification, coaches gain additional privileges beyond the standard achievement certificate, such as using the ACC, PCC or MCC mark and logo, which are recognizable symbols of achievement. In addition, ICF credentialed coaches have full voting rights in the organization, and can take advantage of the no cost Coach Referral Service on the ICF web site. ICF credentialed coaches are also eligible to serve on various committees, the board or to speak at ICF sanctioned events. Re-certification Ensuring that certificants maintain their knowledge and skills is a key ingredient in certifications. This is borne out by the fact that all but one respondent in my survey said they stipulate re-certification, with the most popular interval being one to three years (51.6%). That was closely followed by a re-certification requirement every four to six years (38.7%). Most organizations (74.2%) implemented re-certification when their programs were started. Continuing education and re-testing were the two most widely adopted requirements. Continuing practice in the field was mandated by slightly more than one-third of those responding. Professional service garnered a 25.8% response. All of the other choices, such as
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various types of work submission and in-person demonstrations, were used very little according to my survey respondents. In order to maintain any of the three ICF credentials, recipients must complete 40 Continuing Coaching Education Credits (CCEUs) within the three-year renewal cycle. Those at the ACC level must also complete 10 hours of mentor coaching. These requirements are certainly in line with the common practices identified in my survey research. The added requirement of mentor coaching for those newest to the profession is further testament to ICFs desire to ensure a positive coaching experience for clients. It is important to note the ICF provides additional information regarding selecting an appropriate mentor coach. Continuous Improvement Another hallmark of a reputable and desirable credentialing organization is one that strives for continuous improvement to ensure that the credential remains relevant to the field. According to Judith Hale, a renowned expert in credentialing and author of several performance improvement related books, it is important for the credentialing organization to monitor changes in the field and track results in order to help determine when changes are necessary. The governing board of the credentialing body ultimately decides when it is appropriate to update requirements. When such changes do occur, it is paramount to communicate them early and often, so that professionals holding the credential are given fair notice and provided with adequate opportunities to meet the new requirements (Hale, 2000). ICF is doing well in this area. First, it provides an online quarterly newsletter dedicated to credentialing. Second, in late 2011, it announced changes to the credentialing process (primarily for those applying via the portfolio route) that will go into effect in 2013. The written test is being revised. To accomplish this, the ICF is partnering with a test development expert to
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conduct a role delineation study. In addition, the ICF conducted a comprehensive survey to help identify the ICF knowledge base, which is defined as the ICF Core Competencies, Code of Ethics, and the definition of coaching. The survey received 4,000 responses, indicating a solid representation from credentialed members. Note that as of December, 2011, there were 8,381 ICF credential holders from 83 different countries. (Here is the breakdown: ACC: 5,203; PCC: 2,547; MCC.) This data, and additional information, can be found on the ICF web site. The written test items will be updated and transitioned from short answer to multiple choice. That shift will enable the test to be delivered electronically via the internet, providing added convenience for those seeking the credential. In addition, the process for submitting oral coaching samples is changing, and MP3 recordings will be required vs. conducting a live oral exam. Full details are available on the ICF web site. Conclusion The ICF, in support of the profession of coaching, has designed a credentialing process to ensure that the organizations code of conduct, ethics and professional standards are maintained by coaches worldwide. Understanding that coaching is a profession that requires continuous learning and development on the part of its practitioners, the certification requirements include a combination of coach-specific training, client coaching experience, and a demonstration of actual coaching skills. These requirements do go further than many of the associations I researched. In order to truly demonstrate competence, it is my belief and also that of certification experts such as Judith Hale, that valid skill-based assessments are a critical aspect of demonstrating competence in a given profession. By having graduated credentials and requiring re-certification every three years, the ICF recognizes and actively promotes the lifelong learning
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and ongoing development of its credentialed coaches. The ICF credentialing process is clearly grounded in high standards designed to serve the best interests of coaches and clients alike.
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References Griffiths, K. and Campbell, A. (2009, August). Discovering, applying and integrating: The process of learning in coaching. International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring, 16-30. Hale, J. (2000). Performance-based certification: How to design a valid, defensible, costeffective program. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer. MacKenzie, C. (2002). What are the best practices for developing and validating standards used in the certification requirements of specialty boards and membership-driven associations. Unpublished masters thesis, Alverno College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. http://www.coachfederation.org/icfcredentials/
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Research Paper: Carol A. Fontanez How Does The ICF Credentialing Process Compare To That of Other Professional Associations?

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Research Paper Assessment Name: Carol Fontanez Date: 7/25/12 Student ID: 266030 Email: cafontanez08@gmail.

Carol A. Fontanez July 2012

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