ICF Credentialing: The Basics
An ICF Credential is a professional certification indicating that you have met specific standards and requirements designed to develop and refine your coaching skills. Your credential signals your dedication to upholding strong principles of ethical behavior in coaching, and shows your clients and peers that you are committed to the coaching industry and to developing yourself as a coaching professional.
As the profession of coaching continues to grow exponentially, an ICF credential provides an important differentiator. ICF’s Global Consumer Awareness Study found that 85% of clients say it’s important or very important that their coach holds a credential. ICF is the leading global organization for coaches and coaching, so its credential is a meaningful and valuable addition to your coaching resume!
ICF offers three primary credentials, corresponding with the quantity of education and experience required to earn it. The credentials are:
ACC
Associate Certified Coach:
Completed 60 hours of coach-specific education and 100 hours of client coaching experience
PCC
Professional Certified Coach:
Completed 125 hours of coach-specific education and 500 hours of client coaching experience
MCC
Master Certified Coach:
Hold or have held a PCC Credential, completed 200 hours of coach-specific education, and 2,500 hours of client coaching experience
New in 2024, ICF also offers an Advanced Certificate in Team Coaching (ACTC). The ACTC is awarded to coaches who hold an active ICF Credential at the ACC, PCC, or MCC level, complete 60+ hours of team coaching education, complete at least five team coaching engagements within the last five years, and complete at least five hours of coaching supervision.
The International Coaching Federation website contains exhaustive information about credentialing pathways and processes, credential renewal, and more. Click on the button below to deepen your knowledge.