This page is informational only. ACC Candidates that have completed their application and are eligible to take the pilot will be contacted with the opportunity to volunteer for the ACC pilot. Please Note: No candidate is guaranteed an opportunity to take the pilot exam as part of their certification process.
For a limited time beginning in January 2024, ACC candidates approved to sit for the written exam as part of their credentialing journey will have the option to take a new ACC Pilot Exam instead of the ICF Credentialing Exam. By participating in this pilot exam, ACC candidates will help shape the future of the ACC credentialing process.
The ACC Pilot Exam has been designed to test knowledge of coaching competencies. This new pilot exam is designed to be a more accurate gauge of ACC candidate’s coaching knowledge at this stage of their career. While still rigorous, the ACC Pilot Exam has fewer questions than the ICF Credentialing Exam and will take less time to complete (two-and-half hours versus three). Candidates who pass the pilot exam will earn the ACC, and, if not, will have a second chance and opportunity to take the ICF Credentialing Exam at no additional charge.
By participating in this pilot effort, candidates will also make a powerful contribution to the coaching profession as a whole, helping to set standards and empower their peers.
ICF Credentials and Standards is recruiting 300 participants for this pilot effort. To be eligible, candidates must meet the following criteria:
Exam Time: Two and half hours, including a 10-minute break.
Exam Length: Approximately 100 multiple-choice questions.
Exam Format: Computer-based written exam administered through proctored delivery at Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide, or online through Pearson’s OnVue remote-proctored testing service.
Exam Content: The ACC Pilot Exam content covers three broad domains of coaching knowledge: Coaching Ethics; Definitions and Boundaries of Coaching; Coaching Competencies, Strategies and Techniques. Exam questions cover these three domains as outlined below:
Is there a fee to participate in the ACC Pilot Exam?
Participation in the ACC Pilot Exam is covered by the ACC application fee. There is no additional charge to participate in this pilot effort.
If I participate in the ACC Pilot Exam, will I also be required to complete the ICF Credentialing Exam to earn my ACC?
No. Candidates have the option to take the ACC Pilot Exam instead of the ICF Credentialing Exam. Candidates who pass the ACC Pilot Exam will earn the ACC credential.
Candidates who do not earn a passing score on the ACC Pilot Exam may choose to take the ICF Credentialing Exam, at no additional cost, to earn the ACC.
When can I take the ACC Pilot Exam?
The ACC Pilot Exam will be offered to candidates January – February 2024. ACC candidates authorized to sit for the written exam during this time may choose to complete the ACC Pilot Exam instead of the ICF Credentialing Exam.
Where can I take the ACC Pilot Exam?
ICF Credentials and Standards partners with Pearson VUE for the delivery of its exams, including the new ACC Pilot Exam. Candidates may choose to complete the exam at one of Pearson VUE’s 5,000+ test centers worldwide, or through Pearson OnVUE, a live, remote-proctored testing service that allows candidates to test from their home or office while being monitored by an online proctor.
How will candidates complete the ACC Pilot Exam?
ACC candidates interested in participating in the ACC Pilot Exam should complete the ACC Pilot Exam volunteer registration form here. Once a candidate’s ACC application materials have been reviewed and approved by ICF Credentials and Standards, they will receive an invitation to complete the ACC Pilot Exam as a final step in the credentialing process, along with instructions for scheduling an exam appointment with Pearson VUE at one of their 5,000+ testing centers worldwide, or through online, remote proctored delivery through Pearson’s OnVUE testing service.
Will the ACC Pilot Exam be available in languages other than English?
For purposes of the ACC Pilot Exam program, the pilot exam will be available in English only. Once finalized, the ACC Exam will be made available with additional translations.
The ICF Credentialing exam uses Situational judgement questions, and the ACC Pilot exam is going to use knowledge-based questions, what is the difference?
Situational judgement questions evaluate how individuals respond to practical situations, while knowledge-based questions assess knowledge and understanding of specific facts or concepts. Situational judgement questions are often longer and require more deliberation to answer correctly.
To be better illustrate the differences an example follows. Please note the example is not representative of any content included in ICF exams:
Situational Judgment: Scenario:
You are a graphic designer working on a project for a client. The client has requested a design that conveys a sense of trust and reliability for their financial services company. They are uncertain about color choices. What do you do?
Knowledge-Based:
Question: In color psychology, which color is often associated with trust, reliability, and professionalism?
When will I receive my results for the ACC Pilot Exam?
ACC Pilot Exam results will be available for candidates following the conclusion of the pilot program, anticipated in May 2024. As part of the pilot program, exam data collected will support ICF Credentials and Standards in determining which exam questions are valid and fair to be used as scored items toward a candidate’s results and to determine the passing standard for the new exam. This process will take place following the administration of all pilot exams. As a result, pilot exam results will not be available immediately upon completion of the exam.
What if I don’t pass the ACC Pilot Exam?
ACC candidates who participate in the ACC Pilot Exam will receive their exam results following the completion of the pilot program. This is anticipated in May 2024. If a candidate does not pass the exam, they will be provided an opportunity to complete the ICF Credentialing Exam at no additional cost. The Exam Retake fee will be waived one time for ACC candidate who do not pass the ACC Pilot Exam and who elect to retake the current ICF Credentialing Exam; the Exam Retake fee will apply only to subsequent attempts.
Candidates must wait 14 days following their first attempt to retake an exam. For any subsequent attempts, candidates must wait 30 days to retake the exam following their most recent attempt.
I am due to retake the ICF Credentialing Exam after previously not passing the exam section of the ACC application. Can I apply to take the ACC pilot exam as my exam retake option instead
Part A
For Candidates who have not yet paid the retake fee (or have paid the retake fee ON OR AFTER December 4)
ACC candidates who have previously attempted the ICF Credentialing Exam and not passed are eligible to take the ACC Pilot exam if they meet the following requirements:
When submitting the retake fee you will be provided instructions to follow which will allow you the choice of taking either the ICF Credentialing Exam or the ACC Pilot exam. Follow the instruction to choose the exam type you prefer.PART BFor Candidates who have already paid the retake fee (or who paid the retake fee BEFORE December 4)
ACC candidates who have previously attempted the ICF Credentialing Exam and not passed are eligible to take the ACC Pilot exam if they meet the following requirements:
You will have already received an email titled ‘Ready for ICF Credential Exam’ – This email does not provide the information needed to sign up for the ACC Pilot exam. Therefore, you should NOT schedule an exam and instead reach out to support@coachingfederation.org for more information and instructions.If you have already scheduled your exam, note that cancellation rules still apply as listed in your exam scheduling information and will not be waived [see here and click on ‘Policies’]. If you can cancel without penalty, please do so and reach out to support@coachingfederation.org for more information and instructions.
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