Updated Credential Application Paths

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In November 2021, ICF Coaching Education announced an updated accreditation structure for coaching education and training programs designed to “set the highest standards for coach-specific education in the world.” This updated accreditation structure replaced both the Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) and Approved Coach Specific Training Hours (ACSTH) designations with a level-based system, which aligns with the ICF Credential levels. These updated accreditation designations, described below, include the following:

 

• Level 1 (formerly ACSTH) is for organizations that offer at least 60 contact learning hours and 10 hours of Mentor Coaching by an eligible Mentor Coach; and administers a performance evaluation at or above the ACC level.  Level 1 education is designated as a path to the ACC Credential.  

• Level 2 (formerly ACTP) is for organizations that offer at least 125 contact learning hours and 10 hours of Mentor Coaching by an eligible Mentor Coach; and performance evaluation to the PCC level. Level 2 education is designated as a path to the PCC Credential. 

• Level 3, a new offering, is for organizations that offer at least 75 advanced contact learning hours and 10 hours of Mentor Coaching by an eligible Mentor Coach to the MCC level. Level 3 education is designated as a pathway to the MCC Credential.  

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ICF Credentials and Standards is pleased to announce updated Credential application paths that reflect the new level-based accreditation structure implemented by ICF Coaching Education. These updated paths provide a clearer, easier-to-navigate application experience for Credential candidates.

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Mentor Coaching

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Mentor Coaching for an ICF Credential consists of coaching and feedback in a collaborative, appreciative and dialogued process based on an observed or recorded coaching session to increase the coach’s capability in coaching, in alignment with the ICF Core Competencies.

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Purpose

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Mentoring provides professional assistance in achieving and demonstrating the levels of coaching competency and capability demanded by the desired credential level.

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Mentor Coaching should take place over an extended time (three-month minimum) in a cycle that allows for listening and feedback from the Mentor Coach while also allowing reflection and practice on the part of the individual being mentored.

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Initial Credentialing

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Credentialing candidates on the following paths are required to participate in Mentor Coaching prior to submitting their application:

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• ACC ACSTH

• ACC Portfolio

• PCC Level 1 / ACSTH

• PCC Portfolio

• MCC Portfolio

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ACC Renewal

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Coaches applying to renew their ACC Credential are required to complete an additional 10 hours of Mentor Coaching above those hours required for their initial credential.

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Mentor Coaching Requirements by Credential

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• ACC Credential 

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Credentialing candidates on the ACC ACSTH and Portfolio paths must complete 10 hours of Mentor Coaching prior to submitting their application.

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They are required to partner with a Mentor Coach who holds a valid ACC*, PCC or MCC Credential.

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Credential candidates on the ACC Level 1/ Level 2/ ACTP path have completed Mentor Coaching as part of their Coach Education program.

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*Associate Certified Coaches must complete at least one full cycle of their credential (with renewal) before they’re eligible to serve as a Mentor Coach for ACC credentialing or credential renewal.

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• PCC Credential 

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Credentialing candidates on the PCC Level 1 / ACSTH and Portfolio paths must complete 10 hours of Mentor Coaching prior to submitting their application.

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They are required to partner with a Mentor Coach who holds a valid PCC or MCC Credential.

 

Credential candidates on the PCC Level 2/ ACTP path have completed Mentor Coaching as part of their Coach Education program.

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• MCC Credential 

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Credentialing candidates on the MCC Portfolio path must complete 10 hours of Mentor Coaching prior to submitting their application. These must be new hours of Mentor Coaching, and cannot have been used for a prior credential.

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They are required to partner with a Mentor Coach who holds a valid MCC Credential.

Credential candidates on the MCC Level 3 path have completed Mentor Coaching as part of their Coach Education program.

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• ACC Renewal

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Coaches applying to renew their ACC Credential are required to complete an additional 10 hours of Mentor Coaching above those hours required for their initial credential. These hours must be completed in the three years since the initial award of the credential or since the last credential renewal, and must take place over the course of at least three months.

 

They are required to partner with a Mentor Coach who holds a valid ACC*, PCC or MCC Credential.

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*Associate Certified Coaches must complete at least one full cycle of their credential (with renewal) before they’re eligible to serve as a Mentor Coach for ACC credentialing or credential renewal.

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Coaching Experience

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ACC

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ACC candidates are required to document at least 100 hours (75 paid) of coaching experience with at least eight clients following the start of their coach-specific education or training.* At least 25 of these hours (paid or unpaid) must occur within the 18 months prior to submitting the application for the credential.

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*For this purpose, ICF defines the start of coach-specific training as any ICF-approved program with at least 30 hours, any CCE program with at least 30 hours (at least 80 percent of which are in Core Competencies), or a non-approved program with at least 30 hours (at least 80 percent of which are in Core Competencies). Please note that all non-approved programs are subject to review by ICF as part of the credential application process on the ACC Portfolio path.

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PCC

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PCC candidates are required to document at least 500 hours (450 paid) of coaching experience with at least 25 clients following the start of their coach-specific education or training*. At least 50 of these hours (paid or unpaid) must occur within the 18 months prior to submitting the application for the credential.

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*For this purpose, ICF defines the start of coach-specific education or training as any ICF-approved program with at least 30 hours, any CCE program with at least 30 hours (at least 80 percent of which are in Core Competencies), or a non-approved program with at least 30 hours (at least 80 percent of which are in Core Competencies). Please note that all non-approved programs are subject to review by ICF as part of the credential application process on the PCC Portfolio path.

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MCC

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MCC candidates are required to document at least 2,500 hours (2,250 paid) of coaching experience with at least 35 clients following the start of coach-specific education or training*.

*For this purpose, ICF defines the start of coach-specific education or training as 1) any ICF-approved program with at least 30 hours, 2) any CCE program with at least 30 hours (at least 80 percent of which are in Core Competencies), or 3) a non-approved program with at least 30 hours (at least 80 percent of which are in Core Competencies). Please note that all non-approved programs are subject to review by ICF as part of the MCC application process.

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Verification of Coaching Experience

 

To comply with global data security regulations and align with best practices for data security and protection of personally identifiable information, applicants for an ICF Credential are required to complete an attestation to verify their coaching experience as part of the application process. Applicants for an ICF Credential are not required to submit a coaching log with personally identifiable client information to ICF.

ICF will conduct periodic audits to verify applicants’ coaching experience. Coaches selected for audit will be required to access the contact information for their clients or, for confidential internal coaching, an individual within the organization who is authorized to verify their coaching hours. This means that coaches should continue to obtain and document clients’ consent to store their information and document client coaching experience hours.

 

Coaches selected for audit will be required to access the contact information for their clients or, for confidential internal coaching, an individual within the organization who is authorized to verify their coaching hours. Coaches should obtain and document clients’ consent to store their information, have a policy on how that information will be protected and maintained, and have a system in place for tracking relevant data. However, applicants selected for audit will not submit client logs directly to the ICF.

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Applicants for an ICF credential are bound by the ICF Code of Ethics, which requires coaches to accurately represent their qualifications, expertise, experience, training, certifications and ICF Credentials. As such, applicants found to provide inaccurate or fraudulent information within their ICF Credential application will be subject to denial and/or revocation of their ICF Credential and may be prohibited from reapplying for an ICF Credential for up to five years.

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