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Certified Associate Coach (CAC)
CCI’s first-level professional coaching certification — designed to develop competent, ethical coaches through practice, feedback, and assessed performance.
Professional certification | Assessed through observed coaching & oral examination | ICF-aligned

What is the Certified Associate Coach (CAC) certification?
The Certified Associate Coach (CAC) is CCI’s first-level professional coaching certification. It qualifies graduates to practise as coaches with confidence, integrity, and competence — grounded in professional standards and assessed performance.
It's designed for:

Aspiring professional coaches

Leaders seeking formal coaching credentials

Practitioners who want a recognised coaching qualification to support their work

CAC is a stand-alone certification. Many graduates practise confidently as Certified Associate Coaches without pursuing further certification.
Professional standards and assessment
CAC certification is awarded through demonstrated coaching competence, not attendance alone. Assessment includes:

Observed coaching sessions

An oral examination

20 real coaching practicum hours

evaluation against ICF ACC performance markers
Who is CAC for?
CAC is suited to people who want to coach with professionalism and clarity, including:

Individuals exploring coaching as a profession

Leaders and managers

HR and People & Culture professionals

Educators and facilitators

NGO and development practitioners

Entrepreneurs and founders

Individuals seeking personal growth and self-awareness
You do not need prior coaching experience. You do need a willingness to practise, reflect, and be assessed.
What you'll develop
Over the course of CAC, you’ll develop:
- a coaching mindset aligned with professional ethics
- presence and deep listening
- powerful questioning that unlocks insight
- clarity around goals, ownership, and accountability
- the ability to coach without advice-giving or fixing
- confidence holding coaching conversations independently
This is not theoretical learning. You are trained to coach, not just talk about coaching.
Program structure
The CAC certification is completed over three modules, each delivered in person:
Foundations
( 2 days )
Coaching mindset, presence, and core skills
Module 2
( 2 days )
Developing coaching competence and structure
Module 3
( 2 days )
Integration, practice depth, and assessment preparation
Certification is awarded upon:

completion of all modules

successful observed coaching

completion of 20 hours of coaching sessions

passing the oral assessment
How you'll learn
CAC is highly experiential. You’ll learn through:
- live demonstrations
- real coaching conversations
- paired and small-group practice
- reflection and group dialogue
- facilitator observations and feedback
- reflection and integration
There are no scripted role-plays. You’ll work with real conversations, in a supportive learning environment. This is how true coaching competence is developed.
What CAC qualifies you to do
Graduates of CAC are qualified to:

practise as Certified Associate Coaches

coach clients independently within a professional scope

apply coaching skills in leadership, organisational, or community contexts

pursue optional external credential support (e.g. ACC) if desired
Beyond CAC
CAC is a CCI's first level professional certification.
Some graduates subsequently choose to deepen their practice through CCTC (Certified Connection-Centred Transformative Coach), CCI’s advanced-level certification focused on depth, range, and transformative coaching.
Program details
- Duration: 6 days (3 x 2 day modules)
- Learning Experience: In-person, hands-on, and experiential learning
- Location: Phnom Penh / Siem Reap
- Group size: Small, interactive cohorts (6-15 pax)
- Investment: $1,000 for the complete program, including all 3 modules, examination, and certification.
- Returning participants: $800 if you have previously completed the Foundations program separately.
- Certification: Earn the Certified Associate Coach (CAC) certification upon successful completion of the program requirements.
FAQs
Is CAC a professional certification?
Yes. CAC is CCI’s first-level professional coaching certification.
Is Foundations required?
Yes. Foundations is Module 1 of CAC. If you have taken Foundations separately, you can just complete the remaining modules (Modules 2 and 3). Only the balance ($800) will be payable.
Can I take Foundations without committing to CAC?
Yes. CAC is aligned with ICF core competencies and assessed using ACC performance markers.
Is CAC aligned with ICF?
Yes. Many participants attend Foundations to improve leadership, relationships and communication.
Will CAC give me an ICF credential?
No. CAC is a CCI certification. Optional external credential support may be pursued separately. This will involve additional mentor coaching, additional coaching hours required (100 instead of 20 hours) etc.
Testimonials
Hear from our past graduates

“Participating in a two-day course on Foundations of Transformational Coaching with Joey Ra, CPCC, PCC, CPQC, I can surprisingly shift my problem-focused mindset to client-connected mindset, which benefits for both my professional and personal life.
With his experiential and reflective facilitation approach, Joey walks me deep into the Being and Doing of Coaching Competency, which allows me to experience and exercise the role as not only a coach, but also a coachee.
I highly recommend this course to inspiring leaders and coaches.
Thank Joey for your trusting coaching!”
— Mr. Thida Yon, People and Organization Development at ISI Group

“I am the Founder of Academy of Careers and Technology, an innovative learning academy for K-12 focusing on mastery / project based learning, entrepreneurship and well-being.
I finished Modules 1-5 of CCI's Connection-Centred Transformative Coaching in May 2024. This course had a tremendous impact one me personally, and also helped me to become a better leader for my organization. I grew my listening skills, and the ability to provide meaningful, empathic and safe spaces for myself and others to process what they are going through, and identify limiting beliefs, patterns and habits. Most importantly, I was able to nurture my own strength, strengths in others and better able to set a vision for our future.
I recommend this course others, even if they are not interested in becoming a full-time coach. This training will greatly impact and transform you to be the best version of yourself.”
— Martalia Lo, Founder of Academy of Careers and Technology School

“I’m really impressed with the quality and practicality of the training which allows me to learn so much in a short time periods.
I recommend all managers and leaders in organization to experience this course to elevate your coaching skills to unlock potential in yourself and others in the organization.
It’s amazing when we use the different coaching tools, it unlocks new emotion in people to transform.
I used to not believe in these methods, but seen it work with my own eyes on how we can transform team, and individuals and make life long memories, and lasting impact if we as leaders spend time to care and plan for their growth and wellbeing.”
— Sereivuth Tuon, Director at Prudential Life Assurance Cambodia

“I absolutely loved the Foundations course and would recommend it to literally anyone who likes growth and development.
Let me start by saying that I was very sceptical about coaching in general, and was not overly enthusiastic despite being excited to learn more.
But the three days of focused, positive, inspiring discussions, exercises and reflections showed me great value in coaching and the positive change it brings to the world. I was absolutely blown away by how much great energy came through this online course and although I participated in many online trainings, meetings and discussions I had never felt this connected and engaged.
The coaches/facilitators were attentive and fun and created a beautiful learning environment. So all in all it was a fantastic experience, a great investment in myself and I am still benefiting greatly from it and considering further modules in the future..”
— Ewa, Business Owner and mother of two

“I am a psychiatrist's resident, and I am also passionate about how I can help my patients better by improving myself. I thought coaching was about the sport or the focus on mindset. Mostly when I treat my patient, I focus only on their problem and what they want to improve their condition.
After I joined the transformative foundation of coaching with Joey. I feel more confident to connect with my patients to understand. I feel that it was so new to know those helping techniques to allow my patient to be more open, and make them become better than their problem.
Now I am grateful for participating in the program that I can apply it to my life including people around me, by listening deeply, connecting, and went through the journey together.”
— Koy Norng, Psychiatric Resident (Medical Doctor)

“The course and the trainer led us to connect in a very deep level. I have learned a lot about self-awareness and soft skills such as using my intuition and improving the ability to connect with other people.
Before joining the course - I thought coaching is about training a specific skill, however after the course – I have realized coaching is more like teaching you how to fish rather than giving you a fish.
I would like to recommend this course for everyone who would like to explore self-growth, self-healing and learning about themselves. I think people who want to contribute and make a positive impact to others, or bring the best of themselves into the world – would benefit a lot from this course.”
— Rebecca Mey, Psychologist
Coaching Cambodia Institute | © 2026

























