Question 1

What is the Center for Executive Coaching (CEC)?

Accepted Answer

CEC is an ICF-accredited coach training organization founded in 2006 by Andrew Neitlich in Sarasota, Florida. It focuses on practical, business-oriented executive coach certification programs for experienced professionals, and has trained over 2,500 coaches in more than 32 countries.

Question 2

Is CEC accredited by the ICF?

Accepted Answer

Yes. CEC holds both ICF Level 1 and Level 2 accreditation. Level 1 supports the ACC credential pathway (60 hours of training); Level 2 supports the PCC pathway (125 hours). Both accreditations were earned through the ICF's formal review of CEC's policies, methodologies, and instructional quality.

Question 3

What credentials can I earn through CEC?

Accepted Answer

CEC offers its own proprietary CEC Executive Coach Certification, and ICF-aligned programs leading to the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) or Professional Certified Coach (PCC) designation. A university-backed dual credential is also available through partner institutions.

Question 4

How long do CEC programs take to complete?

Accepted Answer

The CEC Core and Virtual Seminar programs typically take two to four months. The ICF Path to Certification — which includes mentor coaching — takes most participants five to six months. An accelerated Full Program option can compress the timeline further.

Question 5

How much does CEC certification cost?

Accepted Answer

The proprietary CEC Executive Coach Certification programs start at $5,990. The ICF Path to Certification (Level 1 and Level 2 combined, with mentor coaching included) is $8,490. An accelerated Full Program runs $10,990. University-backed dual certifications range from $9,990 to $12,490.

Question 6

What is the format — online or in-person?

Accepted Answer

CEC programs are available in three formats: hybrid (on-demand self-study plus live virtual sessions), fully live virtual, and in-person seminars held at locations including Sarasota, Florida. The mini-module structure means live sessions cover discrete topics and can generally be attended in any sequence.

Question 7

Who is CEC designed for?

Accepted Answer

CEC explicitly targets experienced professionals — executives, HR leaders, management consultants, and therapists — who want to transition into executive coaching or add coaching to their existing practice. Programs assume prior business experience rather than starting from foundational career development concepts.

Question 8

Does a CEC credential tell me a coach can handle executive-level clients?

Accepted Answer

It signals training specifically oriented toward executive and leadership contexts, which is more targeted than a general coaching credential. CEC's curriculum covers organizational, leadership, career, and business coaching situations. Still, ask a prospective coach about their specific client experience and which specialty tracks they completed.

Question 9

Who owns CEC now, and is Andrew Neitlich still involved?

Accepted Answer

In 2020, CEC was acquired by Keystone Partners, a Boston-based leadership development and career transition firm. Andrew Neitlich continues as Director of the Center, leading live seminars and shaping the curriculum.

Question 10

How does CEC's ICF Level 2 status benefit candidates compared to non-accredited programs?

Accepted Answer

ICF Level 2 means mentor coaching is included and evaluated by CEC faculty. Candidates do not need to submit coaching recordings directly to the ICF for performance review — a process that can be slow and subjective with other pathways. This simplifies and speeds up the ICF credential application.

Question 11

What should I ask a CEC-trained coach before hiring them?

Accepted Answer

Executive coaching is a professional discipline, not a therapeutic service. CEC-trained coaches are equipped for leadership, career, and business coaching contexts — not to treat clinical conditions or provide psychotherapy. Before engaging a CEC-certified coach, ask: Which pathway did you complete — the proprietary CEC credential, ICF Level 1, or ICF Level 2? Do you hold an active ICF credential? Which specialty tracks did you complete within CEC? What executive or organizational domains have you coached in, and how many paid client hours have you accumulated? And when a client's challenge moves beyond the scope of coaching, how do you handle the referral?

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