The following is taken from David’s interview with Michael O. Cooper  in 10 Super Coaches.

Would you advise coaches to pursue certification? If so, at what stage in their practice, and through which accrediting body?

I believe the industry is evolving and coaching clients are becoming more savvy. There will come a time when clients require their coaches to be certified.

Coaches should continually strive to improve their coaching, but become certified as early as possible – certification processes will improve every coach’s quality of coaching. I view the certification process as a learning path in itself. That’s why we developed the International Association of Coaches’ certification process in three steps to provide clear, compelling feedback on which proficiencies coaches need to improve before moving on to the next steps.

I believe the IAC model, which allows any coach to apply for certification regardless of how many hours they have coached, or how many classes they have attended, is the best model to demonstrate competency, particularly because this certification is based on the 15 Coaching Proficiencies, rather than general knowledge.