The United States Trademark Office has granted a ten-year renewal of the Parent Coach Certification® registered trademark to the Parent Coaching Institute, extending protection through 2035. This renewal follows the initial trademark grant in 2006 after an extensive investigative period and solidifies PCI's position as a global leader in the parent coaching industry.
Gloria DeGaetano, founder and CEO of the Parent Coaching Institute, expressed enthusiasm about the renewal. "I am thrilled that we have been approved for renewal through 2035," DeGaetano stated. "Since there are no parent coach training professional organizations monitoring the industry, we take Parent Coach Certification® training seriously. Parents deserve the best."
The trademark renewal carries significant implications for both the coaching industry and families seeking professional support. With no formal oversight bodies regulating parent coach training, the trademark serves as a critical quality assurance mechanism. PCI maintains rigorous standards for certification candidates, requiring specific qualifications and a thorough enrollment process to ensure certified professionals possess proven backgrounds and experience in family support.
The organization's training program incorporates evidence-based strategies and a well-researched coaching framework that helps parents create awareness of new possibilities. PCI Certified Parent Coaches® utilize a strength-based framework and inquiry-based model that transforms parent-child relationships. The training includes not only coaching techniques based on cutting-edge research but also a nine-month practicum that provides hands-on coaching experience.
DeGaetano recently discussed the organization's growth and methodology on the Business Growth Spotlight podcast at https://businessgrowthspotlight.com, sharing how she built an international company around a previously unknown concept. The Parent Coaching Institute remains committed to growing a global community of professionals dedicated to supporting parents during increasingly stressful and complex times.
PCI's graduate-level training program operates through distance learning in affiliation with Southern New Hampshire University. The program enrolls family support professionals through an application process, with applications currently being accepted for the 2026 Spring Term beginning in late February. Additional information about the program and application materials are available at https://www.ThePCI.org.
This trademark renewal matters because it maintains quality standards in an unregulated industry during a period when families face unprecedented challenges. The certification ensures that parents receive support from properly trained professionals using evidence-based methods, potentially improving family dynamics and child development outcomes across communities.
