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Professional Certificate in Small Business Coaching
ICF Level 2 PCC Pathway, Built for Small
Business Coaching

ICF Continuing Coaching Education Aligned Training
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The Professional Certificate in Small Business Coaching (ICF Level 2, PCC) is a training program to develop advanced coaching mastery and business capability that strengthens the small business sector, improves productivity, and supports long-term economic sustainability.
Grounded in our Effective Business Coaching Method, this program integrates a coach approach with systems thinking, appreciative inquiry, and pragmatic business tools. Coaches learn to work confidently with complexity, recognize patterns, identify leverage points, and support sustainable change, so clients can make stronger decisions, optimize operations, and build resilient businesses over time.
The Professional Certificate is accredited through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and meets the education requirements for the ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential at Level 2. Graduates also earn the Certified Systems Business Coach® designation as part of the Professional Certificate training program.
What’s included in the Professional Certificate in Small Business Coaching:
The Professional Certificate in Small Business Coaching (ICF Level 2) builds on the Advanced Certificate in Small Business Coaching (ICF Level 1) to meet additional requirements for the PCC credential, including increased observation, written feedback, and the ICF Level 2 exam.
You also gain access to the full Certified Systems Business Coach® suite, including licensed tools, ready-to-deliver programs (slide decks and presenter notes), your listing on the Systems Business Coach® website, global community access, ongoing training, the digital Successful Small Business Systems Field Guide, live classes, and ICF-credentialed faculty support.
ICF Level 2 adds:
Small Business Coaching Foundations must be completed live.
Six observed coaching sessions (one more than Level 1).

Expanded mentor coaching with written feedback aligned to Level 2 evaluation standards

Level 2 PCC Performance Evaluation, taken within this program, with preparation and support included.

Additional requirements for ICF PCC:
500 coaching hours (450 paid)
ICF PCC Exam
This program is ideal for:
- You already work with small business owners and you want to deepen your impact. You have seen the complexity behind the day-to-day decisions, and you want a coaching approach that meets clients at the level of real business pressure and real-world stakes.
- You are planning to complete the 500 coaching hours required for the PCC credential, and you want a Level 2 pathway that develops strong performance at the PCC standard, not just course completion.
- You want advanced feedback, observation, and written mentor coaching support so you can refine your skills, build consistency, and coach with clarity and confidence across leadership, operations, finance, marketing, and team development.
- You want more than education. You want a complete, ready-to-deliver package of proven tools, programs, and resources you can put into immediate use with small business clients, while building a sustainable, credible coaching practice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are you exploring how to become a small business coach? You’re in the right place. Systems Business Coach® offers one of the only ICF-accredited coach training programs in the world dedicated exclusively to coaching small business owners. Unlike generic leadership or executive coaching programs, our training is built for helping professionals who work with entrepreneurs and business owners of companies with fewer than 100 employees, the segment that makes up 95% of all businesses globally.
Learn how to coach with confidence, earn your ICF credential, and support business owners where it matters most: leadership, finance, operations, team, and marketing.
Who is the Professional Certificate in Small Business Coaching for?
This small business coach training program is ideal for:
Business Coaches & Other Professionals Supporting Small Businesses: Current business coaches, consultants, and advisors who want a complete, ready-to-deliver package of proven tools, programs, and resources you can put into immediate use with small business clients.
ICF Certification Seekers: Those who want to complete ICF Level 2 training to become Profession Certified Coaches (PCC) while focusing on coaching small business owners and teams.
Why enroll in the Professional Certificate in Small Business Coaching?
Designed for professionals who coach, advise, or support entrepreneurs, the Professional Certificate prepares you to coach at the ICF PCC performance level while delivering real-world outcomes for small business clients.
You graduate with the structure, tools, and credibility to coach across leadership, operations, finance, marketing, and team development with clarity and consistency.
What is the difference between ICF Level 1 and 2?
- Training Hours: Level 1 requires fewer coaching education hours.
- Credential: Level 1 prepares you for the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential. Level 2 prepares you for the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential.
- Performance Evaluation: Level 1 evaluations are assessed at the ACC skill level, whereas Level 2 evaluations are assessed at the more advanced PCC skill level.
The Professional Certificate in Small Business Coaching is a training program that extends one ICF level beyond the Advanced Certificate in Small Business Coaching, from Level 1 to Level 2.
What is the benefit of earning ICF credentials AND becoming a Certified Systems Business Coach®?
While both are globally recognized for coaching excellence, they have distinct benefits.
Certified Systems Business Coaches®:
- Gain access to licensed, ready-to-use coaching tools, marketing and business development support, and a global community of peers.
- Are trained specifically to support small business owners using a proven, structured framework built from over a decade of real-world experience by a leading authority on small business coaching.
ICF-Credentialed Coaches:
- Hold credentials recognized by the world’s leading independent coaching federation, signalling adherence to ICF coaching competencies and ethics standards.
The Professional Certificate in Small Business Coaching is a small business coach training program that combines the benefits of both.
How long does it take to complete the Professional Certificate in Small Business Coaching?
You can complete the Professional Certificate in Small Business Coaching and earn your PCC credential within 1 year. Completion time varies because your commitment to completing the ICF-required coaching hours affects the overall program duration.
Timeline for the Professional Certificate in Small Business Coaching:
- 6 months: Complete small business training courses to meet ICF PCC training hour requirements.
- 12 weeks: The Systems Business Coach® Certification section of the program.
- Varies: Complete the required 500 coaching hours, plus the Level 2 PCC performance evaluation and Exam to earn the Professional Certified Coach (PCC).
What small business coaching courses are included in the Professional Certificate in Small Business Coaching?
The Professional Certificate in Small Business Coaching includes:
- Coaching Bootcamp
- Small Business Coaching Foundations
- Mentor Coaching
- Systems Business Coach Certification®
Do coaching hours from ICF Level 1(ACC) count toward Level 2 (PCC)?
Yes. If you’ve already completed ICF Level 1 to earn your ACC credential, the 100 coaching hours required for Level 1 count toward the 500 coaching hours required at Level 2 (PCC).
How do I know if the Professional Certificate in Business Coaching is right for me?
If you’re unsure where to start or want to know how your unique experience and situation fit into a professional coaching career, schedule a free call with us.
We’ll walk you through what it takes to become a small business coach and help you decide if training with Systems Business Coach® is right for you.
Help Small Business Owners Build Their Dream Business, while You Build Yours
Our Foundations course is designed to help you deeply understand small business dynamics and learn to effectively coach small business owners towards success.
Get the skills to build trust, establish rapport, challenge business owners, and implement foundational strategies for small business success.