Certification Pathways
Four Levels of Professional Development
The IEFCC offers four levels of certification, providing a clear pathway for professional growth. Each level recognises increasing depth of knowledge, practical experience, and leadership within the field of executive function coaching. From foundational understanding to training future coaches, the pathway ensures that certification reflects both competence and commitment to ethical, inclusive practice.
Level 1: Foundational Knowledge
Introduces the principles of executive function coaching and the 28 Professional Standards. This level is designed not only for aspiring coaches, but also for teachers, therapists, managers, and other professionals who want to integrate an understanding of executive functions into their practice.
Level 2: Certified Executive Function Coach
Builds on foundational knowledge with supervised practice. Coaches at this level demonstrate competence in applying executive function coaching strategies, supporting clients to set goals, build skills, and develop independence.
Level 3: Certified Executive Function Coach Supervisor
Recognises coaches with advanced expertise who can guide and support others. Supervisors provide reflective practice and mentorship, ensuring quality, consistency, and adherence to professional standards across the field.
Level 4: Certified Executive Function Coach Trainer
The highest level of certification, awarded to those who prepare and mentor future coaches. Trainers design and deliver programmes, contribute to research or innovation, and model the highest standards of ethical and inclusive practice.
How to Get Certified
Certification with IEFCC follows a clear and supportive process:
Train with an Approved Provider — Complete your programme with one of our global network of approved training providers.
Application Submitted — Your training provider submits evidence of your training, coaching practice, and supervision to the IEFCC.
Assessment — The IEFCC reviews your portfolio against the 28 Professional Standards.
Certification Awarded — Successful applicants receive certification, a digital badge, and listing on the IEFCC register.
28 Professional Standards
High standards are the foundation of ethical and effective executive function coaching. To define what good practice looks like, our co-founders, Michael Delman and Victoria Bagnall, developed the 28 Professional Standards.
These standards set out the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required for safe, inclusive, and effective practice. They form the benchmark against which the International Executive Function Coaching Certification (IEFCC) assesses coaches worldwide.
Organised into five core domains, the standards provide a clear, evidence-based framework that supports coaches at every stage of their professional journey:
1. Understanding Executive Functions and Human Development
This domain ensures coaches have a sound grasp of how executive functions develop across the lifespan and how they underpin learning, behaviour, and wellbeing. Coaches draw on neuroscience and psychology to inform their practice, while recognising and respecting individual differences.
2. Communicating Relationally Through Coaching
Coaching is built on trust and collaboration. This domain covers the skills needed to listen deeply, ask powerful questions, and create a safe, non-judgemental space where clients feel seen, valued, and supported.
3. Fostering Motivation, Growth, and Behaviour Change
Effective coaching helps people find their own motivation and build confidence in their ability to change. This domain focuses on using evidence-based approaches, such as growth mindset and motivational interviewing, to encourage sustainable progress and resilience.
4. Supporting Executive Function Skill Development
At the heart of the practice is helping clients strengthen and apply executive function skills — such as planning, organisation, emotional regulation, and flexible thinking. This domain focuses on identifying challenges, co-developing strategies, and supporting clients to put those strategies into practice in real life.
5. Upholding Professional Integrity and Reflective Practice
This domain sets the ethical foundation for the profession. It ensures coaches act with integrity, respect confidentiality, maintain appropriate boundaries, and commit to ongoing reflection and supervision to continually improve their practice.
Fees and Renewal
Certification is valid for two years. Renewal requires ongoing supervision and evidence of continued practice, ensuring that certified coaches maintain the highest professional standards.
As a non profit organisation our fee structure is designed to cover our costs and ensure the financial stability of the organisation. Any surplus is returned to our training providers to help fund bursary places on their training programmes.
Fees reviewed annually are currently:
Level 1: £250
Level 2: £310
Level 3: £550
Level 4: £1,500
Renewal: £200 (every two years)
“We are committed to recognising the expertise of professional executive function coaches, regardless of how they developed their skills.”
Victoria Bagnall - Co-founder IEFCC
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
We recognise that many professionals already bring relevant training and experience to their coaching practice. Our RPL process allows coaches to demonstrate prior learning and practice, and to bridge any gaps needed to meet IEFCC standards.
Full details of the RPL process, including criteria and application steps, are available in the Certification Handbook.
