ICF Credentialing Program

1. Overview of ICF

ICF is the leader in developing a definition and philosophy of coaching, as well as establishing a set of ethical standards that ICF members pledge to uphold.

ICF provides a platform for coaches from all over the world to network, develop and share best practices, while helping to shape the future of the profession.

ICF sets the standard for professional coaches through its credentialing program.

2. The Purpose of the ICF Credentialing Program is:

• Establish and administer minimum standards for credentialing professional coaches and coach training agencies.
• Assure the public that participating coaches and coach training agencies meet or exceed these minimum standards.
• Reinforce professional coaching as a distinct and self-regulating profession.

The ICF credential is awarded to professional coaches and coach training agencies who validate that they meet or exceed these minimum standards.

3. Why Pursue an ICF Credential?

ICF Credentials are highly recognized coaching qualifications with credibility around the world. If you are serious about building or maintaining your coaching business and care for being part of a well-respected, self-regulating profession, you will be interested in gaining ICF Credentials.

There are three ICF credentials: Associate Certified Coach (ACC), Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and Master Certified Coach (MCC). Each credential requires a specific set of required hours of coach-specific training and coaching experience.

Research indicates that the current world marketplace is confused about the coaching profession. Without a clear standard the marketplace will remain confused, and where there is confusion, coaching as a profession loses. By creating a credentialed member body, the ICF creates a “brand” which can be clearly marketed—thus generating understanding, trust, respect and greater demand for coaching services.

Additional reasons include:

• Over 2,000 coaches hold ICF credentials
• First Cycle of 2006—almost 600 applications in comparison to 480 in all of 2005
• Anticipated further growth and strategic direction
• The ICF Credentials are both training and experience-based. All credentials require hours of coach-specific training and coaching experience and a demonstration of skills.
• Independent process

4. Benefits of an ICF Credential:

• Enhances your credibility and reassures potential clients that you are an experienced and professional coach
• Demonstrates that you have high professional standards
• Demonstrates that you stand by a strong code of ethics
• Demonstrates a high knowledge and skill level
• Demonstrates that you take on-going professional development seriously
• Develops you as a professional coach – to further enhance your skills
• Brings personal satisfaction - in achieving a career goal
• Brings personal satisfaction - in gaining a credential from the only internationally recognized independent coaching body
• Reinforces the integrity of the coaching profession nationally and internationally

5. Definitions, Categories & Key Terms

Associate Certified Coach (ACC) - First level of credential for a Professional Coach.

Professional Certified Coach (PCC) - Second level of credential for a Professional Coach.

Master Certified Coach (MCC) - Advanced level of credential for a Professional Coach.

Coach Specific Training - Coach Specific Training is training that is predominantly marketed as teaching coaching skills and not something else and where the major emphasis is on coaching skills or applying technical skills as a coach and in a manner consistent with the ICF core competencies.

Client Coaching Hours - For purposes of individual credentialing for ACC, PCC and MCC, a client coaching hour is 60 minutes coaching time with a person who has hired you as a coach, with whom you have a formal coaching agreement, and who you coach rather than providing any other service such as consulting or therapy. If you perform coaching and other services for a client, you may only count the actual time spent coaching toward certification. You may not count time providing other services.

6. Credentialing Designations for Individual Coaches (ACC / PCC / MCC)

Please review the current requirements for the ACC, PCC and MCC credentials.

To determine which credential recognizes your amounts of training and experience, please consult the table below:

Credential	Minimum Requirements
	Coach-Specific Training	Coaching Experience
Associate Certified Coach (ACC)®	60 hours	100 hours
Professional Certified Coach (PCC)®	125 hours	750 hours
Master Certified Coach (MCC)®	200 hours	2500 hours

For additional information, follow these links:

Requirements for ICF Credentials
Definitions and Terms

7. Application Process

Applications for a credential can be found on the ICF Web site. www.coachfederation.org

• Documentation of Coach Specific Training
• Documentation of Client Coaching Experience
• Letters of Reference
• Mentor Coaching*
• Submission of Client Coaching Session*

8. Application Requirements

Coach Specific Training

Direct interaction with trainer
- Voice to voice
- In person

Includes all the ICF Core Competencies
- From an ACTP
- From an ASCTH

Client Coaching Hours
60 minutes of actual coaching per client hour
Paid hours/Pro-bono hours
Coaching of individuals
Coaching of groups (no more than 15 participants)
Coaching internally

Mentor/Reference Coach Requirements
For applicants living in the U.S and Canada
- Coach currently must hold a PCC or MCC
For applicants living outside the U.S. or Canada
- Coach currently holds a PCC or MCC
- Coach is actively involved with an ICF Chapter
- Coach is actively involved in another coaching association that holds similar definitions of coaching
- If not ICF credentialed: detail qualifications

Letters of Reference
Dated within 12 months of the application date
Clearly state the coach’s support
Coach has observed or heard coaching
Recommendation for application type
On letterhead or e-mail address

Mentor Coaching
10 hours over three (3) months
With a qualified coach
Group coaching (up to 7 hours)

Definition:
an applicant being coached on their coaching skills rather than coaching on practice building, life balance or other towep_pics.

9. Which Application Type?

Refer to Table for Individual Credentialing at: www.coachfederation.org

ACTP Applications
Coaches who complete a full Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP)

Portfolio Applications
Coaches who complete the required number of coach-specific training hours from: an Accredited Coach Specific Training Hours program or from Non-Accredited Programs

10. Exam Process

ACTP Applicants
Fulfilled the exam requirement upon completion of certification exam at the Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP)

ACC Portfolio
Live Exam

PCC/MCC Portfolio
Live Exam
Written Exam
Client Session Evaluation

11. Length of Process:

Review process:
Ninety (90) days after the close of the submission cycle.
Applications are reviewed in order of receipt

Communication
Applicants will receive three general messages through the credentialing session
Applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail upon receipt of application
Applicants will receive an e-mail notification of the awarding of the credential
Letters will be mailed for any denials
Certificates will be sent by mail
Please contact the Office with questions

12. The Credentialing Calendar

ACC Applicants Using an ACTP Application
Year round submittal

All Other Applicants
PCC or MCC applicants eligible to use the ACTP Application
All Portfolio applicants

1 January – 31 March of each year

Or

1 July – 30 September of each year

Applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received

13. Renewal of the ICF Credential

ACC Credential
Valid for four years
Non-renewable

PCC or MCC Credential
Valid for the three-year period following the initial certification or latest renewal
Renewed by December 31 of the year the credential expires

Renewal requirements can be found at www.coachfederation.org

14. FAQ

What are the Application Fees for the ICF Credential?
(All prices are in U.S. Dollars)

ACC ACTP Application - $100 (members) / $300 (non-members)

ACC Portfolio Application - $225 (members) / $425 (non-members)
+ $75 exam fee

PCC or MCC ACTP Application - $300 (members) / $500 (non-members)

PCC or MCC Portfolio Application - $425 (members)/ $625 (non-members)
+ $150 exam fee

Do I Have to Be an ICF Member in Order to Be Eligible for an ICF Credential?

No! The credentialing process is designed to support the coaching profession as a whole. To that end, both ICF members and non-members can apply for and receive a credential if they meet the requirements.

However, ICF members do receive a discount on the application fee for a credential.

How can I find out more?

ICF Web Site: www.coachfederation.org

Credentialing Teleforums
The ICF offers several different types of teleforums.
1. For coaches interested in becoming credentialed in the all three categories of credential--ACC, PCC or MCC
2. For coaches who are a current applicant to further explain the Exam Process
3. For coaches whose credential will expire in that year to review the requirements for renewal.
4. For an updated list of credentialing teleforums, please visit the ICF Web site www.coachfederation.org