Certified Neurodiversity
Coach Credential

Level 1 Coaching Credential
What is the Certified Neurodiversity
Coach (CNC)™ Credential?
A Certified Neurodiversity Coach (CNC)™ has demonstrated coaching competence at the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Associate Certified Coach (ACC) level. This Level 1 credential exceeds ACC standards and represents almost 80 hours of coach training, 100 client coaching hours, 10 mentor coaching hours, and the evaluation of a recorded coaching session. Overall, each of the coaches earning a Level 1 credential has documented extensive training in organizing, productivity and/or neurodiversity education and advocacy.
CNCs provide holistic coaching services enhanced by the insights and experiences of a brain-based educator, advocate, organizer, and/or other direct experience. The combination of these skills powerfully enables these coaches to support individuals with a variety of neurotypes (including ADHD, autism, and other neurodivergence) in reaching and sustaining their goals.
Exceeds ACC standards
80 hours of coach training
100 client coaching hours, at least 50 with clients impacted by brain-based differences
10 mentor coaching hours
All Level 1 Coaching Credentials:

The Path to Becoming a Certified Neurodiversity Coach (CNC)™
Foundation Training
Additional Advanced Training
Completion of two graduate-level courses:
- ADHD Education (AE) and
- Neurodiversity Support & Advocacy (NSA) which includes the Identity Module
Mentor Coaching - 10 Hours
- Completion of 10 mentor coaching hours
- All 10 required hours may be individual mentoring hours with a qualified Coach Approach Training Institute mentor coach with an ADHD or Neurodiversity speciality
- Up to 7 hours may be from the group mentor-lab course Core Competency Intensive: ADHD (CCI:ADHD) (no fewer than 3 hours must be individual mentor coaching hours, scheduled within 6 months of completing the course)
- The 10 mentor coaching hours must extend over no fewer than 12 weeks
- Mentoring sessions must address the applicant’s coaching skills and competence in support of a strong certification recording (not marketing, for example)
Coaching Experience - 100 Client Hours
Students should create a client coaching log starting when they began comprehensive coach training (in Coaching Essentials). To be included on the log, the client must be aware in all cases: 1) that they are in a coaching interaction; and 2) the expectations of the client and coach.
The logged client coaching hours must meet these requirements:
- At least 80 of the 100 hours must be paid hours (bartered coaching is considered paid)
- At least 8 clients
- No more than 20 hours where another Coach Approach student is the client
- At least 50 hours must be with clients coached in part on awareness of their unique executive functioning and sensitivity qualities, needs and/or strategies
- At least 25 hours must have been logged in the 18 months before submitting a credential application
Coaching Proficiency
Additional Qualifications
PLEASE NOTE: For all up-to-date information, details, and requirements, students seeking any CAT Institute credential should refer to the application for that calendar year.
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Learn more about our program and overall philosophy by attending a bi-monthly webinar. Past topics included: ADHD coaching partnerships, goal-setting for your coaching business, mindfulness for coaches, and more!
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The ICF accredits coaching education organizations that meet the high standards. All Coach Approach Training Institute programs meet or exceed these standards.
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