Coaching Accreditation & Certification Explained
ICF
EMCC
QQI
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What Accreditation Means for You
Comparing coaching programmes is simplest when you separate three things: the quality of the programme, the qualification you receive and any professional credential you may choose to pursue later.
Confidence in Quality
Your programme has been independently reviewed against recognised educational or professional standards.
Already in place before enrolment
Better Recognition
You receive a Kingstown College qualification that employers and clients can place and verify.
Awarded after successful completion
Professional Progression
Optional next step after graduation
Kingstown College provides recognised education and awards its own qualifications. Individual professional credentials are applied for separately through the relevant professional body.
RECOGNITION & PROGRESSION
How Kingstown Recognition Supports Your Goals
Explore how recognised education, qualifications and professional pathways can support your coaching journey.
Start a professional coaching career
Build your coaching skills through comprehensive, recognised education designed for professional practice.
Benefit from ICF & EMCC recognition
Study recognised coach education that can also support future ICF and EMCC professional credential pathways.
Gain a nationally recognised qualification
Choose a QQI qualification positioned within Ireland’s National Framework of Qualifications and aligned with the European Qualifications Framework.
Continue your professional development
Develop your coaching practice through specialist and advanced learning for experienced coaches and professionals.
UNDERSTANDING ACCREDITATION
What ICF, EMCC and QQI Mean for Your Course
Programmes can carry different types of recognition. Here’s what ICF, EMCC & QQI each mean, and how they relate to your qualification and professional pathway.
ICF
INTERNATIONAL COACHING FEDERATION
EMCC
EMCC GLOBAL
QQI
QQI AND THE NFQ
These recognitions serve different purposes and can work together. Depending on the programme you choose, your course may combine professional accreditation with a nationally recognised qualification.
Recognised Education
Kingstown Coaching Programmes With Professional Recognition
Professional Coaching Qualification
Professional Diploma in Coaching & Mentoring
Comprehensive, practice-focused education for learners beginning or developing a professional coaching journey.
The Professional Diploma combines internationally recognised coach education with a QQI qualification at NFQ Level 6, giving you a strong foundation for professional practice and future ICF or EMCC credential pathways.
Specialist and Advanced Coaching Programmes
EMCC Accredited
QQI / NFQ Level 6
Advanced Diploma in Mental Health & Wellbeing Coaching
Specialist education for mental health and wellbeing coaching.
EMCC-assessed education leading to an NFQ Level 6 qualification.
39 ICF CCE Hours
Professional Diploma in Team Coaching
Practical development for team coaching and organisational systems.
Earns 39 ICF CCE hours for continuing team-coaching development.
EMCC ESQA — Practitioner
Professional Diploma in Coaching Supervision
Advanced education for coaches preparing to supervise other coaches.
EMCC ESQA-assessed training that may support a supervision pathway.
Continued professional development
View All Professional Development Programmes
International Coaching Federation
Understanding the ICF Education and Credentialing Pathway
The ICF accredits coach-education programmes and separately awards professional credentials to individual coaches. Kingstown College delivers the education; the ICF awards the credential.
In brief
Completing an ICF-accredited programme gives you recognised coach education towards your professional pathway. ACC, PCC or MCC credentials are then applied for separately through the ICF.
Complete relevant Kingstown coach education
ICF Level 2 education provides recognised training for your professional coaching pathway.
Build your professional coaching experience
Kingstown training supports your pathway as coaching experience develops during and after study.
Apply separately to the ICF for ACC, PCC or MCC
Apply directly to the ICF for ACC or PCC once you have met the relevant credential requirements.
Individual credentials awarded by the ICF
ACC
Associate Certified Coach
Awarded by the ICF
PCC
Professional Certified Coach
Awarded by the ICF
MCC
Master Certified Coach
Awarded by the ICF
What this means for you
ACC, PCC and MCC are three progressive credential levels. Each asks for more coach education, more coaching experience and a higher level of demonstrated skill, and each is applied for directly with the ICF rather than awarded by Kingstown College.
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Coaching hours. Credential applications require documented client coaching experience, which increases at each credential level and is built up over time alongside and after your education.
Mentor coaching. Applicants work with a qualified mentor coach over a defined period, developing their coaching against the ICF Core Competencies. Kingstown College offers ICF Mentor Coaching for this purpose.
Performance evaluation and exam. Recorded coaching sessions are assessed against the ICF Core Competencies, and applicants also complete the ICF Credentialing Exam. Requirements are set and periodically updated by the ICF, so always confirm current criteria directly with them before applying.
Separate team-coaching credential
The Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC) relates specifically to team coaching, so it sits outside the ACC, PCC and MCC progression rather than being a step along it.
ICF education levels, coaching hours, mentoring and performance evaluation
Education levels. ICF-accredited coach education is organised by level. Level 1 provides foundational coach-specific training, while Level 2 offers more comprehensive coach education, including mentor coaching and a performance evaluation. Kingstown College’s Professional Diploma in Coaching & Mentoring is ICF Level 2 accredited.
Coaching hours. ICF credentials also require practical coaching experience with clients. These hours are built up over time as you develop your coaching practice, during and after your coach education. The number of hours required increases across the ACC, PCC and MCC credential levels.
Mentor coaching. Mentor coaching gives you the opportunity to develop your coaching skills against the ICF Core Competencies with the support of an experienced mentor coach. Mentor coaching forms part of Level 2 coach education, and Kingstown College also offers dedicated ICF Mentor Coaching where further support is required.
Performance evaluation and exam. Level 2 education includes a performance evaluation of your coaching against the ICF Core Competencies. When applying for an individual ICF credential, you will also complete the relevant ICF Credentialing Exam. As ICF requirements can change over time, we recommend checking the latest criteria directly with the ICF when you are ready to apply.
Separate team-coaching credential. The Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC) is designed specifically for team coaches. It sits alongside the ACC, PCC and MCC pathway rather than representing another level within that progression.
Kingstown support
Unsure About the ICF Pathway?
If you’re not sure how ICF accreditation, credentials or Kingstown programmes fit together, our team can help you understand the options and what may be most relevant for your goals.
EMCC Global
Understanding EMCC Programme and Individual Accreditation
EMCC Global accredits coaching and mentoring programmes and separately awards professional accreditation to individual practitioners.
In brief
An EMCC Quality Award recognises the programme you study. Individual EMCC accreditation is a separate professional pathway after graduation.
Relates to education programmes
Programme Quality Awards
EQA — EMCC Global Quality Award
Shows that a coaching or mentoring programme has been assessed against EMCC standards for quality, content and delivery.
ESQA — EMCC Global Supervision Quality Award
Recognises supervision-training programmes that meet EMCC Global professional standards.
Relates to individual practitioners
Individual Professional Accreditation
Optional professional pathway
After completing recognised training, you may choose to pursue individual EMCC accreditation based on your professional practice and experience.
- EIA Foundation
- EIA Practitioner
- EIA Senior Practitioner
- EIA Master Practitioner
Professional Diploma in Coaching & Mentoring — EMCC accredited
Advanced Diploma in Mental Health & Wellbeing Coaching — EMCC accredited
Professional Diploma in Coaching Supervision — ESQA at Practitioner level
ESIA — European Supervision Individual Accreditation
For individual coaching and mentoring supervisors.
ITCA — International Team Coaching Accreditation
For individual team coaches; a separate route from the EIA levels above.
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How the EMCC pathway works
Your Kingstown programme
EMCC recognition means your programme has been independently assessed against EMCC standards for coaching and mentoring education.
Your next step
After completing an EMCC-recognised programme, you may choose to work towards individual EMCC accreditation as your coaching practice and experience develop.
What individual accreditation considers
Your professional experience, client work, supervision and reflective practice form part of the individual accreditation process.
Apply through EMCC Global
Individual accreditation is assessed and awarded separately by EMCC Global.
Then at the bottom:
National Qualifications Framework
Understanding QQI and NFQ Level 6
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is Ireland’s state agency for qualifications, and the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is Ireland’s ten-level framework for placing awards. The NFQ is aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).
In brief
NFQ Level 6 shows where your qualification sits within Ireland’s national framework, with alignment to the European Qualifications Framework helping its level to be understood across Europe.
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QQI
Ireland’s state agency for qualifications and quality assurance in education and training.
NFQ LEVEL 6
Shows where your qualification is positioned within Ireland’s ten-level National Framework of Qualifications.
What this means for you
An NFQ Level 6 qualification gives your award a recognised national position, while European framework alignment helps employers and education providers understand and compare its level internationally.
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Kingstown qualifications at NFQ Level 6
Professional Diploma in Coaching & Mentoring
Combines recognised coach education with a QQI qualification positioned at NFQ Level 6.
Advanced Diploma in Mental Health & Wellbeing Coaching
Includes a QQI qualification at NFQ Level 6 alongside specialist coach education in mental health and wellbeing.
What this means for you
A QQI qualification gives your award a recognised place within Ireland’s National Framework of Qualifications, helping employers and education providers understand the level of your qualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Accreditation Questions, Answered
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Is accreditation the same as certification?
No. Accreditation usually refers to the recognition of an education programme against professional or national standards. A professional credential is awarded to an individual practitioner. Kingstown College offers recognised programmes and qualifications, while credentials such as ICF ACC or PCC are professional pathways graduates can choose to pursue.
Does completing an accredited course automatically make me an ICF-credentialed coach?
Completing an ICF-accredited programme gives you recognised coach education towards an ICF credential. Kingstown College’s Level 2 programme includes key elements such as mentor coaching and performance evaluation. You then build the required coaching experience and apply directly to the ICF for your chosen credential.
What is the difference between ICF and EMCC?
Both are internationally recognised professional bodies within coaching. ICF accredits coach education and awards credentials including ACC, PCC and MCC. EMCC Global recognises coaching, mentoring and supervision education and also offers individual professional accreditation pathways.
What does QQI Level 6 mean?
QQI is Quality and Qualifications Ireland, Ireland’s state agency for qualifications and quality assurance. NFQ Level 6 shows where your qualification sits within Ireland’s ten-level National Framework of Qualifications, helping its level to be clearly understood and compared.
Which accreditation is most relevant if I want to work internationally?
Both ICF and EMCC provide internationally recognised professional pathways. Choosing a programme with strong professional recognition, such as Kingstown College’s Professional Diploma in Coaching & Mentoring, gives you a valuable foundation for developing your coaching career and pursuing further professional accreditation.
Can one programme carry more than one type of recognition?
Yes. Kingstown College’s Professional Diploma in Coaching & Mentoring combines ICF-accredited coach education, EMCC recognition and a QQI qualification at NFQ Level 6. These different forms of recognition can sit alongside one another and provide value at different stages of your professional journey.
Which Kingstown programme is right for my goal?
If you’re beginning a professional coaching journey, the Professional Diploma in Coaching & Mentoring is a strong place to start. Experienced coaches can progress into specialist, team coaching or supervision programmes, while leaders and professionals can explore programmes focused on leadership and organisational development. If you’re unsure, our team can help you find the pathway that best fits your goals.
