iPEC (Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching)
US-based coach training organization founded in 1999, known for its proprietary Core Energy Coaching™ methodology, the ELI assessment, and ICF Level 2 accreditation.
- Type
- Coach Training Organization
- Founded
- 1999
- Headquarters
- United States
About
iPEC (the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching) was founded in 1999 by Bruce D Schneider, a licensed psychotherapist, Master Certified Coach, and author whose doctoral research into human potential formed the conceptual foundation for everything the school teaches. Headquartered in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, iPEC has since grown into one of the larger coach training organizations in North America, reporting an alumni network of more than 25,000 certified coaches worldwide. Joan M. Ryan serves as CEO; Schneider is Founder and Chairman. In March 2023 iPEC acquired Verus Global, a corporate leadership development firm now linked from iPEC's primary navigation.
Unlike training programs that layer coaching models on top of psychology or business frameworks drawn from other disciplines, iPEC built its entire curriculum around a single proprietary construct: Core Energy Coaching™. The methodology, the assessment tool, and the graduate-level specializations are all extensions of that same framework. Graduates leave with two certifications, the Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and the Energy Leadership Index® Master Practitioner (ELI-MP). Both are iPEC's own designations, though the training hours they represent are recognized by the ICF.
iPEC has held ICF accreditation since 2002. Under the ICF's current framework (which replaced the older ACTP/ACSTH categories), the Coach Training Program (CTP) is accredited as a Level 2 program, the designation that qualifies graduates to apply directly for the ICF's Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential without additional training.
The Coach Training Program
iPEC offers one flagship certification pathway, the Coach Training Program (CTP), structured around three live modules delivered across seven to ten months on a part-time basis. Modules can be attended in person at hosted venues across the United States or via live virtual sessions. Both formats carry the same certification outcomes. The first module is also available on its own as Energy Leadership 101 (Coaching Fundamentals), a 30-hour introductory certificate whose $1,995 tuition is applied toward the full program for students who continue.
Core structure
The three modules are each held over three consecutive days. Between modules, students participate in live monthly webinars, self-directed study, peer coaching practice, and six one-on-one sessions with an assigned iPEC Mentor Coach (an ICF-credentialed coach). The program closes with a performance evaluation aligned to ICF competency standards.
Completing the core CTP awards:
Certified Professional Coach (CPC) — iPEC's foundational coach certification
Energy Leadership Index® Master Practitioner (ELI-MP) — certification to administer and debrief the proprietary ELI assessment with clients
The core program provides 160 ICF-accredited training hours, which satisfies the training hours requirement for both the ICF ACC and PCC credentials. Tuition for the full program is $9,995 USD.
COR.E Dynamics (graduate specializations)
After completing the CTP, graduates can pursue the COR.E Dynamics suite, an advanced, self-paced curriculum organized around ten disciplines and six conceptual frameworks iPEC calls the COR.E Influencers. COR.E Dynamics also includes the SCOPE™ mobile app, which coaches can use to measure client energy engagement between sessions.
Completing COR.E Dynamics brings total accredited hours to 200, satisfying the ICF training hours requirement for the Master Certified Coach (MCC) credential. Niche specialization tracks are available as add-ons within the COR.E Dynamics curriculum: COR.E Life Coaching & Transitions Dynamics, COR.E Leadership Dynamics, COR.E Wellbeing Dynamics, and a sports and performance track. Each track carries 40 ICF CCE hours.
Core Energy Coaching and the 7 Levels of Energy
The Core Energy Coaching™ methodology treats energy as the mechanism through which people perceive their circumstances and choose their actions. Dr. Schneider's model identifies seven levels of energy, each associated with characteristic thoughts, emotions, and behaviors:
Levels 1–2 are described as catabolic: reactive, limiting, and often destructive to progress. Level 1 corresponds to feelings of being stuck or victimized; Level 2 to anger and conflict.
Levels 3–7 are anabolic, meaning constructive, creative, and increasingly expansive. They move through rational responsibility (Level 3), compassion and service (Level 4), solution-focused reconciliation (Level 5), intuitive vision (Level 6), and, at Level 7, a state of non-judgment and full engagement.
The practical implication for coaches trained in the model is that coaching conversations are framed not just around goals or behaviors, but around identifying where a client's energy is anchored and helping them shift it upward. Proponents argue this addresses root causes rather than surface symptoms.
The Energy Leadership Index (ELI)
The ELI is a proprietary self-assessment that measures how a client currently distributes their energy across the seven levels, both under normal conditions and under stress. The standard instrument uses approximately seventy self-rating items and produces an Average Resonating Level (ARL) score along with a percentage breakdown across levels. An ELI-360 multi-rater version is available for teams or leadership applications.
The ELI is not available on the open market; it can only be administered by coaches who hold the ELI-MP certification. iPEC positions it as a baseline measurement tool used at the start of a coaching engagement and again at the end to demonstrate change.
Accreditation and the ICF relationship
iPEC's relationship with the ICF dates to 2002, when the Coach Training Program first received accreditation. Under the ICF's current Level 1 / Level 2 / Level 3 framework, iPEC holds Level 2 status, equivalent to the former ACTP designation. Level 2 programs must provide at least 125 accredited training hours per student alongside mentor coaching and a formal performance evaluation at PCC standards.
Graduates of the CTP can apply for ICF credentials directly using their iPEC training hours: the 160 core hours satisfy the ACC and PCC training requirements; adding the COR.E Dynamics curriculum brings the total to 200 hours, satisfying the MCC training requirement. The ACC, PCC, and MCC credentials themselves are issued by the ICF, not by iPEC, and require additional coaching experience hours, mentor coaching, and an ICF performance evaluation.
iPEC's certifications (CPC, ELI-MP, COR.E Dynamics Specialist) are the school's own. They are not ICF credentials, but the training behind them is ICF-accredited.
Where iPEC sits in the coach training field
iPEC sits in a category of medium-to-large proprietary training schools alongside programs like the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI) and Newfield Network, organizations that developed signature methodologies and built their curricula around them, rather than teaching a generalist approach aligned to a single accrediting body's competency framework.
The Core Energy model is iPEC's most distinctive characteristic and, simultaneously, its most significant differentiator: everything in the curriculum connects back to the seven-level energy framework, which means graduates receive unusually deep immersion in one methodology. The tradeoff is that the framework is proprietary. It isn't a widely published model with independent academic literature behind it in the way that, say, cognitive-behavioral coaching draws on an established research base. The ELI assessment is similarly proprietary and accessible only to iPEC-trained coaches.
Compared to shorter or more modular training offerings, iPEC's seven-to-ten-month structure and 160-plus training hours place it at the more extensive end of the market. The $9,995 tuition is in the mid-to-upper range for ICF Level 2 programs.
What this means for you
If you're considering working with a coach who trained at iPEC, their certification tells you a few reliable things: they completed a structured, ICF Level 2-accredited program of at least 160 training hours, received one-on-one mentoring from an ICF-credentialed coach, and were evaluated on their coaching competency before graduating. It also tells you they were trained specifically in the Core Energy Coaching™ methodology. If that framework resonates with you, an iPEC-certified coach will be well-versed in it. What a CPC certification alone doesn't tell you is how many actual coaching hours they've logged since graduating, what client populations they've worked with, or whether they've pursued an ICF credential on top of their iPEC training. Worth asking directly: how long they've been practicing, what niches they specialize in, and whether they hold an ACC, PCC, or MCC from the ICF.
Lasting change begins with energy: with shifting the level at which a person perceives their circumstances and chooses to act. That is what coaching, at its best, makes possible.
Approaches coaches use
5 iPEC (Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching) training programs
COR.E Life Coaching & Transitions Dynamics
ICF CCE (40 hrs); post-CTP graduate specialization · 2–4 months · Self-paced online
iPEC Coach Training Program
ICF Level 2 (ACC/PCC/MCC pathway) · 7–10 months (core); +2–4 months for COR.E® Dynamics · In-person or live virtual; 3 three-day modules
COR.E Wellbeing Dynamics
ICF CCE (40 hrs); post-CTP graduate specialization · 2–4 months · Self-paced online
COR.E Leadership Dynamics
ICF CCE (40 hrs); post-CTP graduate specialization · 2–4 months · Self-paced online
Energy Leadership 101 (Coaching Fundamentals)
ICF accredited; 30 hours; introductory certificate · 2–4 months · Self-paced online
Challenges our iPEC (Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching) coaches help clients through
iPEC (Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching) coaches on Dream Coach Match
I have 15 years' experience in coaching, HR, and internal communications, where I've coached leaders around the world from startups to 100+ year-old companies. I am a Certified Professional Coach through iPEC and an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner. I have a MA in Social-Organizational Psychology and hold an Advanced Certificate in Conflict Resolution from Columbia University.
I’m a 3x certified ICF leadership coach with 12 years in corporate Learning & Development. I work with Millennial and GenZ professionals navigating confidence, promotion readiness, and leadership in modern workplaces. Known for my relatable, grounded style, I help clients turn self doubt into self trust, leadership skill building, and clear workplace strategy that drives credibility and growth!
Carol Fraser is a powerhouse in HR and Executive Coaching, with 30+ years leading and transforming organizations. She blends deep expertise with a passion for authentic leadership. Working with all levels of leaders, she develops people who think boldly, grow intentionally, and build teams grounded in trust, clarity, and real impact.
Through coaching, my clients create the kind of Life Rhythm that enables them to build profitable businesses, raise thriving families, and live wildly fulfilling lives.
Francine Tirrell is a Business Coach and Speaker who helps purpose-driven, intuitive women who already know what to do but still feel stuck in perfectionism, procrastination, and people-pleasing. Through coaching, EFT, nervous system awareness, and energetic practices, she helps women uncover what's keeping them stuck so they can take clear, aligned action in their business and life.
Imagine a life where ease, happiness, play, flow, and mindfulness are not just ideals, but your daily reality. As a creative coach, I guide you through a transformative process using creative activities like sketching, walking, and journaling to unlock your potential and create a life and career that truly fulfill you. My coaching is deeply rooted in my transformative journey of self-discovery
Questions about iPEC (Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching)
Q.01What is iPEC and who founded it?
What is iPEC and who founded it?
iPEC, the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching, is a US-based coach training organization founded in 1999 by Bruce D Schneider, a licensed psychotherapist and Master Certified Coach. It is headquartered in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, and reports a global alumni network of more than 25,000 certified coaches. The school is known for its proprietary Core Energy Coaching™ methodology and Energy Leadership Index (ELI) assessment.
Q.02Is iPEC accredited by the ICF?
Is iPEC accredited by the ICF?
Yes. iPEC has held ICF accreditation since 2002. Under the ICF's current framework, the Coach Training Program (CTP) is accredited as a Level 2 program, the category formerly known as ACTP. Level 2 accreditation requires at least 125 accredited training hours, mentor coaching, and a performance evaluation at PCC standards. iPEC's core program provides 160 accredited hours.
Q.03What certifications do graduates receive?
What certifications do graduates receive?
Graduates of the Coach Training Program receive two certifications issued by iPEC: the Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and the Energy Leadership Index® Master Practitioner (ELI-MP). These are iPEC's own designations, not ICF credentials. Graduates who want an ICF credential (ACC, PCC, or MCC) must apply separately to the ICF using their training hours, coaching experience, and performance evaluation results.
Q.04How long does the program take and what does it cost?
How long does the program take and what does it cost?
The core Coach Training Program runs seven to ten months on a part-time basis and costs $9,995 USD. It is structured around three live three-day modules, supplemented by monthly webinars, self-study, peer coaching, and six one-on-one mentor coaching sessions. The optional COR.E Dynamics graduate curriculum can extend the total training by a further two to four months.
Q.05Can I attend the program online or do I need to travel?
Can I attend the program online or do I need to travel?
Both formats are available. Modules can be attended in person at venues hosted across the United States, or via live virtual sessions. Both formats lead to the same certifications and the same number of ICF-accredited training hours. Self-study and peer coaching components are completed independently between modules.
Q.06What is Core Energy Coaching and the 7 Levels of Energy?
What is Core Energy Coaching and the 7 Levels of Energy?
Core Energy Coaching™ is iPEC's proprietary coaching methodology, developed by Bruce D Schneider. It frames human behavior in terms of seven levels of energy, ranging from catabolic states (reactive, limiting) at Levels 1–2, through increasingly anabolic states (constructive, creative) at Levels 3–7. Coaches trained in the methodology help clients identify which energy level is driving their thinking and behavior, and support them in shifting upward. The model is proprietary to iPEC.
Q.07What is the Energy Leadership Index (ELI) and who can use it?
What is the Energy Leadership Index (ELI) and who can use it?
The ELI is a proprietary self-assessment developed by iPEC that measures how a client distributes their energy across the seven levels, under normal conditions and under stress. It produces an Average Resonating Level (ARL) score and a percentage breakdown across levels. The ELI is not publicly available: it can only be administered by coaches who have earned the ELI-MP certification through iPEC's training program. An ELI-360 multi-rater version is available for teams and leadership applications.
Q.08What is COR.E Dynamics and who is it for?
What is COR.E Dynamics and who is it for?
COR.E Dynamics is iPEC's advanced graduate-level curriculum, available to coaches who have already completed the core CTP and earned their CPC and ELI-MP certifications. It covers ten disciplines organized around six conceptual frameworks (the COR.E Influencers), includes niche specialization tracks in life coaching, executive and leadership development, health and wellness, and sports and performance, and provides access to the SCOPE™ mobile app. Completing COR.E Dynamics brings total ICF-accredited hours to 200, satisfying the MCC training hours requirement.
Q.09How do iPEC's credentials compare to ICF credentials like ACC, PCC, and MCC?
How do iPEC's credentials compare to ICF credentials like ACC, PCC, and MCC?
iPEC credentials (CPC, ELI-MP, COR.E Dynamics Specialist) are the school's own certifications confirming completion of its training program. ICF credentials (ACC, PCC, MCC) are issued by the International Coaching Federation, an independent professional body, and require training hours from an accredited program, verified coaching experience, mentor coaching, and a performance evaluation. A coach can hold both an iPEC certification and an ICF credential; the two aren't mutually exclusive, and many iPEC graduates pursue ICF credentialing after completing their training.
Q.10What does an iPEC certification tell me about a coach?
What does an iPEC certification tell me about a coach?
An iPEC Certified Professional Coach (CPC) designation tells you the coach completed a structured, ICF Level 2-accredited program. That means 160 hours of coach-specific training, one-on-one mentoring from an ICF-credentialed coach, and a formal competency evaluation before graduating. That places it at the higher end of the ICF accreditation tier structure. It also tells you the coach was trained specifically in Core Energy Coaching™, iPEC's proprietary seven-level energy framework, which shapes how they listen, ask questions, and interpret what's happening beneath a client's presenting goals. What it doesn't confirm: whether the coach has pursued an ICF credential (ACC, PCC, or MCC) in addition to their CPC, how many paid coaching hours they've logged since graduating, or what populations they've worked with. The CPC is iPEC's own designation; an ICF credential requires a separate application and independent assessment. A coach who holds both has taken an additional step to have their competence verified externally. Coaching is a forward-focused professional service. An iPEC certification doesn't authorize clinical or therapeutic work, and a well-trained coach will tell you clearly where that line sits.
Q.11How does iPEC differ from other well-known coach training schools?
How does iPEC differ from other well-known coach training schools?
iPEC's defining characteristic is its proprietary Core Energy framework, which underpins every element of the curriculum, unlike generalist programs that teach multiple coaching approaches. This gives graduates deep immersion in one methodology, but that methodology is not independently published or peer-reviewed in the academic literature. Compared to schools like the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI), iPEC's program is similarly extensive in hours and duration. Its Level 2 ICF accreditation places it in the same tier as other established training organizations that meet the ICF's highest accreditation standards.
Q.12What should I ask an iPEC-trained coach before hiring them?
What should I ask an iPEC-trained coach before hiring them?
Start by asking whether they hold an ACC, PCC, or MCC from the ICF in addition to their CPC certification. The CPC is iPEC's own designation; an ICF credential means they've been independently assessed on standardized competencies by an external professional body. Ask how many paid coaching hours they've logged since graduating and in what areas. Core Energy is a versatile methodology, but coaches who specialize in leadership, career, health, or relationships will serve you better than generalists if your needs are specific. Ask how they use the Energy Leadership Index (ELI) in their practice: whether it's offered at intake, how the debrief works, and what follows from it. The answer tells you how they structure an engagement. Ask what they won't work with. Coaching is not therapy, and a well-trained iPEC coach will name the boundary between coaching support and clinical or therapeutic need clearly, and describe when they refer on. A coach who can't answer that question clearly hasn't defined their practice scope.