Understanding the Latest Credentialing Exam Changes for Educators

July 17, 2026 — ICF has redesigned its written assessment for Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and Master Certified Coach (MCC) credential seekers. The updated assessment, launching on November 10, 2026, will be called the PCC-MCC Exam and reflect ICF’s commitment to maintaining a rigorous, relevant standard for coaching excellence.

What Has Changed

The PCC-MCC Exam features two distinct question formats:

• Situational judgment questions present candidates with realistic coaching scenarios and assess their ability to evaluate and prioritize appropriate responses. This format has been a longstanding component of the credentialing assessment.
• Knowledge-Based questions are new to this exam (they have been used on the ACC Exam) and measure a candidate’s understanding of core coaching concepts, principles, and professional standards. Because these questions are more direct than scenario-based items, the overall exam involves less reading than the current format.

Together, these two formats offer a more comprehensive evaluation of a candidate’s readiness for PCC or MCC credentialing — assessing both applied judgment in the moment and foundational coaching knowledge.

The exam has also been aligned with ICF’s most recent updates to both the ICF Core Competencies and Code of Ethics.

Exam Format

While the updated exam will not introduce major changes to the format, here are a few important updates to be aware of.

The updated PCC–MCC Credentialing Exam will include 80 exam items: 44 situational judgment questions and 36 multiple-choice, knowledge-based questions.

Candidates will have 150 minutes to complete the exam, including an optional 10-minute break midway through the assessment.

The exam is delivered in four sections:

• Section 1: 18 multiple-choice questions.
• Section 2: 22 situational judgment questions.
• Optional Break: 10 minutes.
• Section 3: 18 multiple-choice questions.
• Section 4: 22 situational judgment questions.

What Hasn’t Changed

All ICF exams continue to be developed by coaches for coaches. The PCC-MCC Exam was built through a rigorous, research-driven process to ensure it accurately measures the competencies essential for professional coaching practice.

The exam retains its four-domain structure for assessing candidates’ comprehension and application of the ICF Core Competencies and Code of Ethics: Foundation, Co-Creating the Relationship, Communicating Effectively, and Cultivating Learning and Growth.

Although the question format has evolved, the difficulty level and pass rate remain consistent with the current exam. Even with the 2025 updates to the Core Competencies and Code of Ethics reflected in the exam, existing study materials and preparation resources will continue to serve candidates well. A free tutorial will also be made available to candidates shortly before the exam launches.

Key Dates

November 10, 2026: First available test dates; transition period begins.

March 31, 2027: Final date to sit for the current ICF Credentialing Exam.

Learn More

As always, a candidate’s familiarity with the ICF Core Competencies and Code of Ethics is the best preparation for the new PCC-MCC Exam.

For any coach educators who have further questions, register to join an upcoming Town Hall discussion.

September 9, 9 a.m. (New York)

September 9, 7 p.m. (New York)