A Deep Dive into the Foundation of Coaching

The ACC Credential is the critical first stepping stone for professionals who want to establish a strong, ethical, and effective coaching practice. It is designed for those who want to move beyond giving advice, learning instead to facilitate profound self-discovery in others.

At Neptune Excellence, our Level 1 (ACC) program provides the exact tools, frameworks, and confidence you need to thrive. By mastering the ICF Core Competencies and the ICF Code of Ethics, you will learn the art of active listening, powerful questioning, and creating deep trust with your clients. You are laying the groundwork for a lifelong career—guiding individuals from uncertainty to clarity, and from fear to bold action.

The Neptune Excellence Difference: Starting with Mastery

H2: The Neptune Excellence Difference: Starting with Mastery

Many programs teach coaching as a mechanical checklist. At Neptune Excellence, we believe your foundational training should be transformative. When you enroll in our Level 1 program, you are not taught by junior trainers—you are mentored directly by industry masters.

Learn from Proven Coaching Leaders

Your journey is personally guided by Sanjay Shesh (ICF-MCC, ACTC & NLP Master Practitioner) and Dhanya Menon (ICF-PCC & NLP Master Practitioner). They bring decades of corporate leadership, behavioral science, and thousands of logged coaching hours directly into the classroom.

Our Signature Level 1 Methodology

We integrate advanced psychological concepts right from the beginning so you enter the market as a confident, highly capable coach:

  • The Art of the Pause: Learning when silence is more powerful than the next question.
  • Emotional Intelligence: Developing the self-awareness to separate your own biases from your client’s narrative.
  • Real-Time Feedback: You won’t just study theory. You will conduct live coaching sessions and receive immediate, granular feedback from MCC and PCC evaluators.

ICF ACC Eligibility & Experience Requirements

Earning your Associate Certified Coach credential requires a blend of rigorous education and real-world application. To apply for the ACC through the International Coaching Federation, you must meet the following criteria:

  1. Education & Mentoring Requirements:
    • Coach Specific Education: Completion of 60+ hours of foundational coaching education (fulfilled through our Level 1 program).
    • Mentor Coaching: 10 hours of Mentor Coaching over a minimum of 3 months (fully integrated into the Neptune Excellence curriculum).
  1. Coaching Experience Requirements:

Before applying to the ICF, you must log practical, real-world hours:

    • Total Hours: 100+ hours of coaching experience.
    • Total Clients: Must be spread across at least eight (8) different clients.
    • Paid vs. Pro Bono: At least 75 of those 100 hours must be paid coaching hours.
    • Recency: At least 25 of these hours must have occurred within the 18 months prior to submitting your application.
  1. Evaluation & Examination:
    • Performance Evaluation: Passing a recorded performance evaluation to demonstrate your ACC-level proficiency.
    • Written Exam: Passing the ICF Credentialing Exam (a multiple-choice, scenario-based test).

Batches

13th June – 6th September 2026

  • 13th – 14th June 2026
  • 20th – 21st June 2026
  • 27th – 28th June 2026
  • 4th – 5th July 2026
  • 11th – 12th July 2026
  • 18th – 19th July 2026
  • 25th – 26th July 2026
  • 1st – 2nd August 2026
  • 8th – 9th August 2026
  • 15th – 16th August 2026
  • 22nd – 23rd August 2026
  • 29th – 30th August 2026
  • 5th – 6th September 2026

5th December 2026 – 21th February 2026

  • 5th – 6th December 2026
  • 12th – 13th December 2026
  • 19th – 20th December 2026
  • 26th – 27th December 2026
  • 2nd – 3rd January 2026
  • 9th – 10th January 2026
  • 16th – 17th January 2026
  • 23rd – 24th January 2026
  • 30th – 31st January 2026
  • 6th – 7th February 2026
  • 13th – 14th February 2026
  • 20th – 21st February 2026

FAQ

1. What is the ICF ACC credential?
The ACC (Associate Certified Coach) is the foundational certification awarded by the International Coaching Federation. It proves that a coach has completed at least 60 hours of professional training and has logged a minimum of 100 hours of client coaching experience.
2. How many paid coaching hours do I need for the ACC?
To qualify for the ICF ACC credential, you must complete at least 100 hours of coaching experience with 8 different clients. Out of those 100 hours, a minimum of 75 hours must be paid engagements.
3. Does Neptune Excellence provide the mentor coaching for ACC?
Yes. The International Coaching Federation requires 10 hours of mentor coaching to apply for the ACC. These 10 hours are fully integrated into the Neptune Excellence Level 1 coach training program.

Upcoming Level 1 (ACC) Batches

Level 1 Level 2

Level 1 (ACC) | Level 2 (PCC)

13th June 2026

Time: 2pm to 5pm IST

Enroll Now
AATC

AATC

13th September 2026

Time: 3pm to 7pm IST

Enroll Now
Level 1 Level 2

Level 1 (ACC) | Level 2 (PCC)

5th December 2026

Time: 2pm to 5pm IST

Enroll Now

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