There are three application paths for the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) Credential. For each path, the applicant is required to have completed at least 125 hours of coach-specific education or training, a minimum of 500 hours of client coaching experience, 10 hours of mentor coaching over a minimum of three months, and must pass a performance assessment of their coaching and a computer-based written exam delivered by ICF Credentials and Standards.
Your application path is determined by the training(s) used to meet the 125-hour coach specific training requirement. Review the requirements below to determine which path fits the training you have received or are considering.
Use the tabbed content below to review each pathway’s requirements, pricing and review time, which vary with each path. You can find these details under the appropriate path’s tab.
*An ACTP program, when completed in full, includes at least 125 student contact hours, 10 hours of mentor coaching and a performance evaluation process.
**The Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA) will be replaced by the ICF Credentialing Exam in the second quarter of 2022. once the new ICF Credentialing Exam has been released, all applicants for an ICF ACC, PCC, or MCC Credential will be required to take and pass the new exam, even if an applicant has previously passed the CKA.
Estimated Timeline for Review: 4 weeks
*The Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA) will be replaced by the ICF Credentialing Exam in the second quarter of 2022. once the new ICF Credentialing Exam has been released, all applicants for an ICF ACC, PCC, or MCC Credential will be required to take and pass the new exam, even if an applicant has previously passed the CKA.
Estimated Timeline for Review: 14 Weeks
If you are counting Continuing Coach Education (CCE) units and/or non-approved training toward your training requirements, you are required to follow the PCC Portfolio path.
*The Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA) will be replaced by the ICF Credentialing Exam in the second quarter of 2022. once the new ICF Credentialing Exam has been released, all applicants for an ICF ACC, PCC, or MCC Credential will be required to take and pass the new exam, even if an applicant has previously passed the CKA.
Estimated Timeline for Review: 18 weeks
Candidates on the PCC Portfolio Path must complete at least 125 hours of coach-specific education or training with robust documentation.
Candidates on the PCC ACSTH and Portfolio paths must document at least 10 hours of Mentor Coaching on their online application.
Applicants for ICF Credentials are required to demonstrate a set number of hours of coaching experience. Coaches must complete an attestation of this experience as part of the application.
The Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA) is a tool that can be used to measure coaches’ understanding of the knowledge and skills important in the practice of coaching. The CKA tests coaches on their understanding of the body of knowledge that includes the ICF definition of coaching, Core Competencies and Code of Ethics.
NOTE: The CKA will be replaced with the ICF Credentialing Exam in the second quarter of 2022. The ICF Credentialing Exam is a computer-based written exam designed to assess an applicant’s understanding of and ability to apply the ICF definition of coaching, the updated ICF Core Competencies and Code of Ethics in realistic coaching scenarios. The ICF Credentialing exam will be delivered in partnership with Pearson VUE through their global network of testing centers and through the Pearson OnVUE system, which allows applicants to complete the exam online at their home or office while being monitored by a remote proctor.
The PCC ACSTH and Portfolio processes include a performance evaluation through which ICF Assessors review two recorded coaching sessions with transcripts submitted by the applicant. Applicants are required to pass this performance evaluation at the PCC level in order to be awarded the PCC credential.
Do not send documentation to ICF Credentials and Standards by mail or email. Only documentation that has been included with your online application will be accepted.
To create your application, please complete the ICF Credentialing Survey.
If you have questions about the credentialing process, please visit the FAQ page.
If you need support regarding the Associate Certified Coach Credential or if you do not find the answer to your question on the FAQ page, please visit the ICF Support page.
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