For the experienced Coach looking to evidence their proficiency in coaching skills, knowledge, and competence.
Coaches who have earned the Professional Certified Coach credential have achieved proficiency in their knowledge of and ability to apply the ICF Core Competencies and the ICF Code of Ethics as a coaching professional.
The PCC distinguishes coaches with the verified skills required for effective coaching practice and substantial experience partnering with clients. The PCC is designed for established coaches who provide coaching services as a primary focus of their professional practice.
PCC coaches are required to demonstrate their continued professional development to maintain their PCC status.
As of December 31, 2023, there were 22,521 active PCC credential-holders worldwide.
Eligibility:
Requirements:
At the PCC level, ICF offers three credential application paths – Level 2 / ACTP, Level 1 / ACSTH, and Portfolio. The path used to apply is determined by the type of coach-specific education received. All three paths have the same five requirements (education, experience, mentor coaching, performance evaluation and exam) and result in the same PCC Credential. Explore each application requirement for the PCC Credential below.
At the PCC level, 125 hours of coach-specific education are required. This education may be earned through one or more ICF-accredited or non-accredited programs. Your Credential application path is determined by the type of education you received.
Level 2 and Accredited Coach Training Programs (ACTP) have built into their program the education hours, mentor coaching and performance evaluation required to earn an ICF PCC Credential. If you have completed either of these education program types, you will submit your program certificate and coaching experience hours in your credential application. Once the application review process is complete, you will then take the ICF Credentialing Exam.
For those who have fully completed and graduated from a Level 2 or ACTP program, the Level 2 / ACTP application path should be used. View Sample Application.
Level 2 / ACTP Path Application Price:
Estimated Time for Review: 4 weeks
Level 1, Accredited Coach Specific Training Hours (ACSTH) programs, or taking a portion of an ACTP or Level 1 or Level 2 program provides coaching education hours that may be used toward the PCC requirement of 125 hours. The other aspects – mentor coaching and recorded coaching sessions for the performance evaluation – need to be verified separately and included in the credential application, along with the program certificate(s) and coaching experience hours. Once the application review process is complete, you will then take the ICF Credentialing Exam.
For those who reach the required hours of coaching education through the completion of an ACSTH program(s), and/or a Level 1 program, and/or part of an ACTP or Level 1 or Level 2 program, the Level 1 / ACSTH path should be used. View Sample Application.
Level 1 / ACSTH Path Application Price
Estimated Time for Review: 14 weeks
If non ICF-accredited programs or Continuing Coach Education (CCE) units will be used to meet the required 125 hours of coach-specific education, you must use the Portfolio Path to apply for a credential. For non ICF-accredited education, the program curriculum will need to be submitted with robust documentation to ensure the education received meets ICF standards. The other requirements – mentor coaching and recorded coaching sessions for the performance evaluation – will need to be verified separately and must be included in the application, along with the program certificate(s) and coaching experience hours. Once the application review process is complete, you will then take the ICF Credentialing Exam.
For those who use non ICF-accredited programs or CCEs to reach the required education hours in full, the Portfolio Path must be used to apply for a credential. View Sample Portfolio Application.
Portfolio Path Application Price
Estimated Time for Review: 18 weeks
Candidates for the PCC Credential must have at least 500 hours of coaching experience following the start of their coach-specific education.* Coaches must complete an attestation of this experience as part of the application.
The experience hours must have been with at least 25 clients, and 50 of the hours must have occurred within the 18 months prior to submitting the credential application. Of the 500 or more coaching experience hours, at least 450 of the hours must be paid.
*For this purpose, ICF defines the start of coach-specific education as any course with at least 30 hours of which at least 24 hours are in ICF Core Competencies instruction. Eligible courses can be ICF-accredited or non ICF-accredited. Please note that all non-accredited programs and CCE-accredited courses are subject to review by ICF as part of the portfolio application path.
Visit the Coaching Experience page for more details on experience requirements, including all acceptable coaching experiences and how to document them. You will also find the ICF Coaching Log Template at the bottom of this page, which you may use if you wish.
Candidates on the PCC Level 1 / ACSTH and Portfolio application paths must document at least 10 hours of Mentor Coaching on their application. Candidates on the Level 2 / ACTP application path completed Mentor Coaching as part of their coaching education program.
The Mentor Coaching hours must occur over a three-month period or longer. Example: If the first session is March 14, then the last session must be June 14 or after. Of the 10 hours of mentoring, three hours must be one-on-one. The remaining seven hours may be one-on-one or in a group.
For the PCC Credential, the Mentor Coach must be a current ICF Credential-holder in good standing at the PCC or MCC level.
Visit the Mentor Coaching page for more information about mentoring and, if needed, to find a mentor coach.
Candidates on the PCC Level 1 / ACSTH and Portfolio application paths are required to pass a performance evaluation. This evaluation consists of an ICF Assessor’s review of two recorded coaching sessions with a transcript submitted by the applicant. Candidates on the Level 2 / ACTP application path passed a performance evaluation as part of their completion of their coaching education program.
The coaching session must be with a regular client who has hired you as a coach and not in any other capacity and must last between 20-60 minutes.
Please visit the Performance Evaluation page for more information, including the requirements for the audio and transcript files and access to the PCC Markers.
All candidates for the PCC credential, regardless of application path, are required to pass a computer-based written exam administered by ICF Credentials and Standards.
The ICF Credentialing Exam is a tool designed to measure a coach’s knowledge of and ability to apply the ICF definition of coaching, ICF Core Competencies and ICF Code of Ethics.
ICF Credentials and Standards has partnered with Pearson VUE to deliver the new ICF Credentialing Exam. Through its global network of testing centers and OnVUE (Pearson’s online service), candidates may either complete the exam at an on-site Pearson VUE testing center or in their home or office while being monitored by an online proctor. All candidates for an ICF Credential must complete the ICF Credentialing Exam as part of the Credential process.
Please visit the exam information page to learn more about the exam process, access links to the ICF Core Competencies and Ethics pages, view sample questions and review other resources and information.
For a visual representation of application paths and the required documentation to be included in each, please visit the Application Path Comparison page.
This handbook contains helpful information for those applying for the ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) Credential. Applicants should use this resource as a source of guidance and direction in navigating the ICF Credentialing process.
ICF Credentials and Standards will only accept documentation that has been included with your online application. Do not send documentation by mail or email.
Credential applications must be paid in full before they will be considered submitted and placed in line to be reviewed.
To create your application, please complete the ICF Credential Path Survey.
Credential applications must be paid in full before they will be considered submitted and placed in line to be reviewed.
Payment Type Options: All major credit cards are accepted online. If you wish to pay for your application through another method, such as PayPal or Bank Transfer, please reach out to support@coachingfederation.org with your request.
Payment Installments: Applicants have the option to break up the payment into either two or four monthly payments.
NOTE: The application will not be considered submitted and the application’s review will not begin until the application fee has been paid in full.
If you wish to pay for your application in full, then simply skip this question during the payment process for your application.
Refund Policy: ICF Credential and Credential Renewal applications are non-refundable once submitted. In the event of a medical emergency, ICF may consider a refund minus a $50 administrative fee.
If you have questions or need support regarding the Professional Certified Coach Credential or any of the requirements, please visit the ICF Support.
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