Start Your Coaching Journey with Confidence

You don’t need coaching experience to begin. You need a calling.

Our ICF Level 1 Certificate Program turns your calling into real skill in two live courses on Zoom. In The Essentials of Coaching (Life or Leadership), you’ll learn to coach with presence, curiosity, and Christian wisdom. In Coaching Skills Development, you’ll practice with real people and get personal feedback from ICF-credentialed instructors. You’ll also work individually with an experienced mentor coach to further develop your skills and verify demonstration of ACC-level coaching proficiency.

An Academic Advisor can help you navigate the process from enrollment through completion of your Level 1 Certificate requirements.

Schedule with an Advisor
ICF Level 1 Certificate Program - Build your coaching foundation in one simple program

  • The Essentials of Coaching (Life or Leadership)

  • Coaching Skills Development

  • At least 3 hours of Enhanced Mentor Coaching

Level 1 ICF-Accredited Coaching Education Badge

Complete your Level 1 Certificate Requirements in 8–12 months

Who Is This Program For?

You don’t need coaching experience to begin.

Aspiring Professional Coaches

You feel called to coach and want training you can trust. This program gives you ICF-accredited skills on a Christian foundation, and puts you on the path to the ACC credential.

Ministry & Organizational Leaders

You lead, counsel, or mentor in a church or organization. You want to listen deeply, ask better questions, and help people grow without telling them what to do.

Professionals in Transition

You sense a calling to more meaningful work and are drawn to helping others change. You want a clear path from interest to credential, with community behind you.

Already earned your ICF Level 1 Certificate? See our Level 2 Upgrade to earn your ICF Level 2 Certificate. Want to go all the way to Level 2? See the Level 2 Program.

Step #1

The Essentials of Coaching

Choose The Essentials of Life Coaching or The Essentials of Leadership Coaching to build your ICF-based coaching foundation.

  • Master the ICF Core Competencies and apply them in weekly demonstrations with real-time feedback.

  • Integrate evidence-based principles from neuroscience, positive psychology, and adult learning.

  • Navigate the change process using proven models, including how the brain responds to transformation.

  • Ground your coaching in Christian wisdom and the spiritual dynamics of growth, while keeping professional standards intact.

  • Develop your unique coaching presence, moving from technique to transformational coaching.

The Essentials of Coaching - Get started as a professional life or leadership coach

  • Course Length: 15 weeks

  • ICF Education Hours: 30 Hours

  • Attendance: Live attendance required; 2 absence maximum

  • Weekly Commitment: 2 hour live class + 3-4 hours reading, audio instruction, and assignments

  • Format: Live via Zoom

  • Prerequisites: None

  • Course Length: 15 weeks

  • ICF Education Hours: 30 Hours

  • Attendance: Live attendance required; 2 absence maximum

  • Weekly Commitment: 2 hour live class + 3-4 hours reading, audio instruction, and assignments

  • Format: Live via Zoom

  • Prerequisites: None

Coaching Skills Development - Strengthen your confidence and competence in coaching

  • Course Length: 12 weeks

  • ICF Education Hours: 27 Hours

  • Attendance: Live attendance required; 1 absence maximum

  • Weekly Commitment: 2 hour live class + 2-4 hours audio instruction and reading.

  • Format: Live via Zoom

  • Prerequisites: Completion of The Essentials of Coaching (Life or Leadership).

  • Course Length: 12 weeks

  • ICF Education Hours: 27 Hours

  • Attendance: Live attendance required; 1 absence maximum

  • Weekly Commitment: 2 hour live class + 2-4 hours audio instruction and reading.

  • Format: Live via Zoom

  • Prerequisites: Completion of The Essentials of Coaching (Life or Leadership).

Step #2

Coaching Skills Development

Transform your natural coaching instincts into professional, ICF-level competency.

  • Demonstrate all eight ICF Core Competencies, with specific behavioral markers, in live coaching sessions.

  • Receive personalized feedback from PCC or MCC-level instructors.

  • Coach full-length sessions with peers, rotating through coach, client, and observer roles.

  • Earn 7 hours of ICF-approved group mentor coaching credit applicable toward ACC or PCC credentialing requirements.

  • Develop natural coaching language that flows from the ICF competency framework.

  • Prepare for ICF credentialing by deepening your grasp of the Core Competencies and ethical standards.

Step #3

Enhanced Mentor Coaching

Enhanced Mentor Coaching is a required and essential part of your Level 1 Certificate program. You’ll work with a PCCI-approved faculty mentor coach to further develop your coaching skills through observation, feedback, and reflection.

At least three hours of one-to-one Enhanced Mentor Coaching are required. During these sessions, your mentor coach will also evaluate your coaching proficiency and verify when you have demonstrated the ACC-level skills required to earn your Level 1 Certificate.

Enhanced Mentor Coaching is arranged separately from your PCCI coursework, and fees are paid directly to your selected mentor coach. Your Academic Advisor can help you explore your options when you are ready to select and engage a mentor coach.

Enhanced Mentor Coaching - Sharpen your skills and discover your unique expression

Enhanced Mentor Coaching fees range from $750–$840, depending on your mentor’s ICF credential level. This rate covers the required minimum of three hours of one-to-one Enhanced Mentor Coaching. Because coaching development is individual, some students may benefit from or require additional sessions before proficiency can be verified.

Level 1 ICF-Accredited Coaching Education Badge

Step #4

Apply for Your Level 1 Certificate

Once you’ve completed the required coursework and Enhanced Mentor Coaching and demonstrated ACC-level coaching proficiency, you can apply to PCCI for your Level 1 Certificate.

After earning your Level 1 Certificate and accruing 100 hours of client coaching experience, you’ll apply directly to the ICF for your ACC credential and complete the ICF ACC Exam.

Why Choose PCCI for Your ICF Level 1 Certificate Program?

Education built on ICF standards, grounded in faith, and guided by people who care about your success.

ICF-Accredited Education

The ICF has accredited PCCI as a Level 1 and Level 2 coach education provider, so your coursework leads to ICF credentials.

Grounded in Christian Wisdom

Every course blends professional coaching standards with biblical principles, so you can coach with skill and with faith.

ICF-Credentialed Faculty

Learn from instructors credentialed through the ICF, including ACC-, PCC-, and MCC-level coaches who provide personal feedback.

Live, Hands-On Classes

Join live weekly classes on Zoom, where you coach real conversations and practice with peers, not just watch recorded lessons.

25 Years of Raising the Standard

For more than two decades, PCCI has trained Christian coaches around the world, and that experience shapes every course.

An Advisor Beside You

An Academic Advisor guides you from your first question to registration, and helps you plan the right path. Available whenever you need them.

Tuition & Payment Plans

Choose how you’d like to pay. Registration is through an Academic Advisor.

Level 1 Course Package

$3,595 single payment

or 2 payments of $1,813

Save $455

  • The Essentials of Coaching (Life or Leadership)

  • Coaching Skills Development

  • Level 1 Certificate Application Fee

Enhanced Mentor Coaching is arranged and billed separately.

Some restrictions apply.*

OR

Individual Course Registration

$4,050 total

Register and pay for each course separately

The Essentials of Coaching (Life or Leadership)

$2,400

Coaching Skills Development

$1,500

Level 1 Certificate Application Fee

$150

Enhanced Mentor Coaching is arranged and billed separately.

Enhanced Mentor Coaching

$750 – $840

The $750-$840 rate includes 3 hours of Enhanced Mentor Coaching. Additional sessions may be necessary to demonstrate ACC-level coaching proficiency and will increase your total investment.

Enhanced Mentor Coaching fees vary depending on the mentor’s credential level. Fees are paid directly to your selected PCCI-approved mentor coach and are not included in PCCI tuition.

Level 1 Course Package Restrictions: Coursework must be completed within 12 months of the first class session. The Essentials Satisfaction Guarantee applies. After the guarantee period ends, package tuition is non-refundable, including any unused portion of the package. Click here to view full Terms & Conditions.

Upcoming Essentials Cohort Start Dates

Your program begins when you start The Essentials of Life Coaching or The Essentials of Leadership Coaching. Each class meets live on Zoom for 2 hours weekly. Times are displayed in Eastern Time Zone.

2027

Term 1

Classes begin in January

Life Afternoon Cohort

DAY: Thursdays
TIME: 2:00 – 4:00 PM Eastern
DATES: January 14 – April 29*
INSTRUCTORS: Erica Vinson-Sterns, ACC & Brent O’Bannon, MCC

*NOTE: Class will NOT meet on 3/25.

OR

Life Evening Cohort

DAY: Wednesdays
TIME: 6:00 – 8:00 PM Eastern
DATES: January 13 – April 28*
INSTRUCTORS: Pamela Mertz, PCC & Steve Cromer, PCC

*NOTE: Class will NOT meet on 3/24.

OR

Leadership Evening Cohort

DAY: Tuesdays
TIME: 6:00 – 8:00 PM Eastern
DATES: January 12 – April 20
INSTRUCTORS: Cindy Schmelzenbach, MCC & Sean McKelvey, PCC

2027

Term 2

Classes begin in April

Life Afternoon Cohort

DAY: Wednesdays
TIME: 4:00 – 6:00 PM Eastern
DATES: April 7 – July 14
INSTRUCTORS: Crystal Wagner, PCC & Brent O’Bannon, MCC

OR

Life Evening Cohort

DAY: Tuesdays
TIME: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Eastern
DATES: April 6 – July 13
INSTRUCTORS: Sandra Black, PCC & Sean McKelvey, PCC

OR

Leadership Evening Cohort

DAY: Thursdays
TIME: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Eastern
DATES: April 8 – July 15
INSTRUCTORS: Nancy Lopez, PCC & Kris Kelso, PCC

2027

Term 3

Classes begin in August

Life Afternoon Cohort

DAY: Tuesdays
TIME: 12:00 – 2:00 PM Eastern
DATES: August 24 – November 30
INSTRUCTORS: Erica Vinson-Sterns, ACC & Michael Pfau, PCC

OR

Life Evening Cohort

DAY: Mondays
TIME: 6:00 – 8:00 PM Eastern
DATES: August 23 – December 6*
INSTRUCTORS: Jennifer Freeman, ACC & Steve Cromer, PCC

*NOTE: Class will NOT meet on 9/6.

OR

Leadership Evening Cohort

DAY: Mondays
TIME: 6:00 – 8:00 PM Eastern
DATES: August 23 – December 6*
INSTRUCTORS: Pamela Mertz, PCC & Scott Frickenstein, PCC

*NOTE: Class will NOT meet on 9/6.

Level 1 Certificate Program FAQs

Straight answers to the questions prospective students ask most.

The Level 1 Certificate Program includes The Essentials of Life Coaching or The Essentials of Leadership Coaching, Coaching Skills Development, Enhanced Mentor Coaching, and verification of ACC-level coaching proficiency.

PCCI students have the option to register and pay tuition for each course independently or package their coursework for extra savings. In either case, Enhanced Mentor Coaching is arranged separately, and fees are paid directly to the mentor coach.

The Level 1 Certificate Program investment begins at $4,345 when students choose to package their courses for extra savings.

The estimated investment of $4,345–$4,435 includes:

  • The $3,595 Level 1 Course Package, which includes both courses and the Level 1 Certificate application fee – a savings of $455 compared with individual course registration.
  • $750–$840 for the minimum three Enhanced Mentor Coaching sessions. Additional mentor coaching may be necessary for you to demonstrate ACC-level proficiency and would increase your total investment.

Academic Advisors can help you determine which payment option is best for your budget.

Enhanced Mentor Coaching (EMC) is a structured developmental process in which a qualified Mentor Coach supports a coach in strengthening their ICF Core Competencies through observation, feedback, reflection, and intentional practice. It includes a minimum of three one-on-one sessions in which coaching recordings are evaluated and reviewed, with documented feedback and development planning. The process concludes with a required Competency Review Form documenting the coach’s demonstrated proficiency at the credential level being pursued. EMC may only be facilitated by working with a coach who holds their Mentor Coach Specialization at the appropriate credential level. All PCCI faculty mentors hold the ICF-required specialization.

Enhanced Mentor Coaching is a required component of earning a Level 1 Certificate. Enhanced Mentor Coaching fees are separate from PCCI course tuition.

When you are ready for Enhanced Mentor Coaching, you’ll select a PCCI-approved faculty mentor coach, arrange your individual sessions, and pay your mentor directly.

Level 1 Certificate candidates must complete at least three hours of Enhanced Mentor Coaching. However, completing three sessions does not automatically qualify you for the Level 1 Certificate.

Your mentor coach must verify that you have demonstrated ACC-level coaching proficiency. Depending on your individual development, additional mentor coaching may be needed.

Yes. You’ll select from a list of PCCI-approved faculty mentor coaches. Fees vary depending on your mentor coach’s credential level.

You will complete the Essentials and Coaching Skills Development courses as two separate modules. Most students complete both within 8–12 months.

If you purchase the Level 1 Course Package to maximize your savings, you must complete both within 12 months of your first class session. The time required for Enhanced Mentor Coaching and proficiency verification may vary.

No. Neither The Essentials of Life Coaching nor The Essentials of Leadership Coaching has prerequisites. Both are open to anyone interested in developing professional coaching skills.

Begin by speaking with an Academic Advisor. Your advisor will help you understand the complete Level 1 Certificate requirements, identify your Life or Leadership pathway, select course start dates, and explore which payment option works best for you.

Once you’ve earned your Level 1 Certificate from PCCI and met the ICF’s coaching experience requirements – at least 100 hours with at least eight clients, including 75 paid hours – you may apply directly to the ICF for your ACC credential through the Level 1 application path.

The ICF will review your application and provide instructions for completing the ICF ACC Exam.

Both The Essentials of Coaching (15 weeks) and Coaching Skills Development (12 weeks) meet weekly on Zoom and require students to attend two-hour live class sessions.

For each course, plan an additional 2–4 hours per week outside class for textbook reading, audio instruction, and assignment completion.

Hear From Coaches We’ve Trained

Graduates describe the hands-on training, the professional standard of the instructors, and a prayerful community that stays with them long after class ends.

“PCCI is the best coach training available with Christian values, commitment to excellence, a supportive and prayerful community, and unparalleled training. I highly recommend it!”

Lauren Rush, Lauren Rush Life Coach

“I have taken 149 hours of training from PCCI and I have nothing but gratitude. Lots of money and time invested, and it was well worth it!”

Brian Bennett, Kingdom Capital Leadership Institute

“Every instructor I had was very professional; no lightweights. Christianity is a constant thread. Their goal is solidly equipping coaches to coach to the highest industry standards. And it’s not just a school; you will belong to the fellowship of PCCI for your entire career.”

Thomas Kenyon, Real-Life Coaching

“PCCI coach training is life changing and one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. The hand-on training is priceless.”

Mary Lou Caskey, Life Coach

“The training I received at PCCI has been both very professional and invaluable for this season of my career.”

Jenn Nickel, MBA, JLN Consultants