The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the world’s most respected coaching body, with over 50,000 members in more than 140 countries. It awards three credential levels: ACC (Associate Certified Coach), PCC (Professional Certified Coach), and MCC (Master Certified Coach). MCC is the top of this hierarchy and the most difficult credential to earn.
100+ coaching hours
500+ coaching hours
2,500+ coaching hours
Minimum 2,500 documented 1:1 coaching hours with real clients
Minimum 200 hours of ICF-approved coach-specific training
Recording of real coaching sessions assessed by ICF-certified assessors against all ICF Core Competencies
Comprehensive written assessment of ICF ethical standards and coaching knowledge
Minimum 10 hours of mentor coaching from a qualified ICF Mentor Coach
Fewer than 4% of all ICF credential holders globally ever reach MCC level
The coaching market in India is large and growing rapidly. But the number of ICF MCC coaches active in India is very small. Most coaches in India hold no ICF credential at all, or hold an ACC credential, the entry-level qualification. The combination of 2,500+ documented hours, live performance evaluation, and written assessment makes MCC an exceptionally rare achievement in any market, and India is no exception.
When selecting an executive coach in India, the ICF MCC credential is the most reliable indicator of coaching excellence available. It is independently verified, internationally recognised, and requires a standard of demonstrated coaching performance that cannot be purchased or shortcut.
Holds 2,500+ documented coaching hours, passed the live ICF performance evaluation, and is independently ranked Top 30 Global NLP Masters worldwide.
Also formally qualified to provide the mentor coaching hours required for ICF ACC, PCC, and MCC credential applicants. One of very few in India.
Ernst and Young and IBM Security Services. The corporate grounding that makes ICF MCC coaching relevant in real organisational contexts.
You can verify any ICF credential holder through the ICF Credential Verification tool on the ICF website at coachingfederation.org. Search by name and country. Credentials can also be confirmed through the ICF Chapter in India.
Vikram Dhar holds the ICF MCC and is one of the very few ICF MCC coaches actively practicing in India. He is based in Bangalore and coaches in person in Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, and Dubai, and globally online. For a full credential profile, visit the Vikram Dhar profile page.