Streamlined ACC and PCC Application Pathways

Update: November 3, 2025

Earning an ICF credential is a bold step in your growth as a coach — and now that journey is clearer and more accessible than ever.

Guided by feedback from credential candidates around the world, we’ve simplified the application process to make it easier to navigate, no matter your coaching education background, and without compromising the high standards that set ICF credentials apart.

This is more than a process update; it’s a reflection of our ongoing commitment to you and your journey as a coach. With fewer, more intuitive pathways, you’ll have the clarity and flexibility to move forward with confidence.

What’s Changed?

We’ve consolidated our previous application paths for both the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credentials. As of today, ICF now offers two simplified application routes for each credential.

For ACC applicants:

• Level 1/Level 2 Path – For those who have completed an entire ICF-accredited Level 1 or Level 2 program (or former ACTP program).
• Portfolio Path – For those with 60+ hours of coach-specific education. The previous ACSTH pathway is now integrated into this option.

For PCC applicants:

• Level 2 Path – For those who have completed an entire ICF-accredited Level 2 program (or former ACTP program).
• Portfolio Path – For those with 125+ hours of coaching education. The previous Level 1/ACSTH option is now integrated into this pathway.

Looking for a concise overview of the changes? View the visual guide to the new application pathways.

Already Started an Application? No Problem

If you began your application under the ACSTH pathway, there’s no need to worry. Your application has been transferred to the Portfolio Path application, and all your information remains intact.

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Update: May 22, 2025

Achieving an ICF credential is a testament to your commitment and expertise as a professional coach. To make the path to that achievement more accessible, we are streamlining the application process. Based on valuable feedback from previous applicants, we are consolidating the current application pathways to reduce complexity while maintaining the same rigorous standards.  

These changes will go into effect on November 3, 2025. 

ICF will offer two application pathways for both the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) and the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credentials, simplifying the navigation of credential applications while maintaining access to meet the needs of coaches from diverse educational backgrounds.  

With this change, the following application paths will be available to support ACC and PCC candidates.  

For ACC applicants:  

• Level 1/Level 2 Path: For applicants who have completed a full ICF-accredited Level 1 program or a full ICF-accredited Level 2 program (or former ACTP program).  

• Portfolio Path: For applicants with 60+ hours of coaching education. The current ACSTH pathway will combine with this pathway.  

For PCC applicants:   

• Level 2 Path: For applicants who have completed an ICF-accredited Level 2  program (or former ACTP program) in its entirety.  

• Portfolio Path: For applicants with 125+ hours of coaching education. The current Level 1/ACSTH pathway will combine with this pathway.