Elevating the Credential Process - International Coaching Federation
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Elevating the ICF Credential Process

ICF Credential-holders represent excellence in professional coaching. That’s why ICF Credentials and Standards continually strives to advance our credentialing process – ensuring it meets the highest standards in professional certification practice, supports and elevates ICF Credential-holders, and offers an important quality assurance for coaching consumers.  

As part of this commitment, ICF Credentials and Standards is pleased to announce several exciting updates to our Credentialing process. These exciting changes include: 

  • Updated application paths integrating the updated ICF Accreditation structure 
  • Updated Performance Evaluation criteria and guidance developed in alignment with the updated ICF Core Competencies 
  • A new ICF Credentialing Exam designed to assess candidates’ knowledge and skill in the updated ICF Core Competencies 

These changes will be implemented simultaneously to ensure a smooth transition for ICF Credential candidates. July 27, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. EDT (New York) will be the final deadline to submit ICF Credential applications under the current application paths and assessments (Coach Knowledge Assessment Exam and Performance Evaluation standards for ACC, PCC and MCC) 

On August 2, ICF Credentials and Standards will resume accepting applications for ACC, PCC and MCC Credentials using the updated application paths. Candidates who submit a Credential application on or after this date will be required to successfully complete the new ICF Credentialing Exam, and candidates required to submit a performance evaluation will be assessed using updated Performance Evaluation criteria. 

Visit the following pages for more information about these important changes to the ICF Credentialing process. 

  • Updated Credential Application Paths

    Application paths integrating the updated ICF Accreditation structure.

  • Updated Performance Evaluation Criteria

    Evaluation criteria that align with the updated ICF Core Competencies.

  • New ICF Credentialing Exam

    Reflecting the updated ICF Core Competencies and creating a more secure testing protocol.

Key Dates for Credential Process Updates

April 7, 2022 – Announcement of Credentialing Updates to all stakeholders.

June 1, 2022 – Updated Performance Evaluation Criteria for ACC and MCC candidates published by June 1.

July 27, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. EDT (New York) – Final deadline to submit ICF Credential applications under the current application paths and assessments (Coach Knowledge Assessment and Performance Evaluation Standards for ACC, PCC and MCC).

August 2, 2022 – ICF Credentials and Standards will resume accepting applications for the ACC, PCC and MCC Credential using the updated application paths. Candidates who submit a Credential application on or after this date will be required to successfully complete the new ICF Credentialing Exam. Additionally, candidates who are required to submit a performance evaluation will be assessed using the updated Performance Evaluation criteria. 

May 31, 2023 – CKA and current Performance Evaluation criteria will be fully retired. Any candidate who still needs to pass a Performance Evaluation after this date will be assessed to the updated Performance Evaluation criteria. Any candidate who still needs to pass the exam will take the new ICF Credentialing Exam, regardless of their application submission date.

Watch: Credential Process Updates Explained

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