{"id":2392,"date":"2024-08-28T12:31:56","date_gmt":"2024-08-28T16:31:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T17:54:33","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T22:54:33","slug":"credentialing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/","title":{"rendered":"Credentialing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2>\n\t\t\tStand Out From the Crowd\t<\/h2>\n\t<p>The ICF credential is more than just letters after your name. It enhances your credibility and builds trust among coaching clients, giving you an edge in your career.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/icf-credentials-overview\/\"  target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n<h3>\n\t\t\tDifferentiate Yourself\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>Earning an ICF credential is a pledge to uphold the highest level of professionalism, ethical standards, and continuous development. It&#8217;s recognized and respected by coaching clients worldwide.<\/p>\n<h3>\n\t\t\tExpand Your Network\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>With an ICF credential, you open doors to new professional opportunities and meaningful connections with peers who share your commitment to coaching excellence.<\/p>\n<h3>\n\t\t\tMeet Client Expectations\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>85% of clients value coaches with credentials, according to the <em>2022 ICF Global Consumer Awareness Study<\/em>. Clients whose coaches held a credential were also more satisfied (by 28%) with their coaching experience. Clients expect the best. Be the coach they need.<\/p>\n<h3>\n\t\t\tBe Fulfilled\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>Don&#8217;t forget about yourself. Coaches report increased confidence, reduced imposter syndrome, and greater professional fulfillment after earning an ICF credential. It is a validation of your skills, your commitment to the profession, and your dedication to your clients. Why settle for less?<\/p>\n<h2>\n\t\t\tICF Credentials = Legitimacy as a<br \/> Professional Coach \t<\/h2>\n\t<p>This journey isn&#8217;t easy, but it is for people like you: someone who is passionate about and committed to transforming lives. There are three levels of ICF credentials, designed to support and recognize you based on your education and experience.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/icf-credentials-overview\/compare-credentials\/\"  target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCompare ICF Credentials\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/icf-credentialing-associate-certified-coach-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Smiling professional standing with arms crossed in a collaborative office workspace\" height=\"1600\" width=\"2400\" title=\"Confident Professional Smiling in Creative Office\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n<h3>\n\t\t\tAchieve Your ACC | Associate Certified Coach\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>Requires 60+ hours of education and 100+ hours of coaching experience.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/icf-credentials-overview\/acc\/\"  target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/icf-credentialing-professional-certified-coach-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Confident professional standing with arms crossed in front of colleagues meeting in a modern office\" height=\"1600\" width=\"2400\" title=\"Confident Professional Leading in Office Environment\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n<h3>\n\t\t\tGet to PCC | Professional Certified Coach\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>Requires 125+ hours of education and 500+ hours of coaching experience.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/icf-credentials-overview\/pcc\/\"  target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/icf-credentialing-master-certified-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Mature professional standing with arms crossed in a contemporary coworking office environment\" height=\"1708\" width=\"2560\" title=\"Confident Professional in Modern Co-working Space\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n<h3>\n\t\t\tAdvance to MCC | Master Certified Coach\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>Requires a PCC credential, 200+ hours of education, and 2,500+ hours of coaching experience.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/icf-credentials-overview\/mcc\/\"  target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/icf-credentialing-advanced-certification-team-coaching-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"A confident professional smiles at the camera while standing in a well-lit office space.\" height=\"1601\" width=\"2400\" title=\"Smiling Professional in Collaborative Office Setting\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n<h3>\n\t\t\tExpand With the ACTC | Advanced Certification in Team Coaching\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>Requires 60+ hours of team coaching education, 5+ team coaching engagements, and 5+ hours of coaching supervision.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/icf-credentials-overview\/actc\/\"  target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n<h2>\n\t\t\tPreparing Your Application\t<\/h2>\n\t<p>No matter which credential level you are pursuing, they all have the same key components (although numbers of hours and other specifics may differ for each component per credential).<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/prepare-for-icf-credential-application\/\"  target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n    <button onclick=\"keenSlider.prev()\"><\/button>\n    <button onclick=\"keenSlider.next()\"><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/icf-credentialing-education-scaled-landscape-e5558f34531f6681c81428f1bfbd15f2-p7x5iyv41k3q.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of a woman holding and reading a book in warm natural light\" height=\"1600\" width=\"2400\" title=\"Woman Reading Book in Soft Natural Light\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  itemprop=\"image\" \/>\n\t\t<h3>\n\t\tEducation\n\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>Begin your journey with coaching education aligned with the ICF definition of coaching, Competencies, and Code of Ethics. This foundation ensures you&#8217;re equipped to make a meaningful impact.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/prepare-for-icf-credential-application\/education-training-requirements\/\"  target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/icf-credentialing-experience-scaled-landscape-892e718e6e29007dd3e6ca0dfa959a2c-8r195hc2xe63.jpg\" alt=\"Young woman sitting on a couch indoors using her smartphone in a cozy living room\" height=\"1600\" width=\"2400\" title=\"Woman Using Smartphone While Relaxing on Couch\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  itemprop=\"image\" \/>\n\t\t<h3>\n\t\tExperience\n\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>Once you&#8217;ve begun your education, you start counting your hands-on experience. Every session helps you grow your skills and confidence as you work toward becoming a credentialed coach.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/prepare-for-icf-credential-application\/experience-requirements\/\"  target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/icf-credentialing-mentor-coaching-coaching-supervision-scaled-landscape-ca69cd331869a03f6090c584f0d4c49c-gpanqt81k3j5.jpg\" alt=\"Two professionals discussing notes and charts on a corkboard in an office\" height=\"1600\" width=\"2400\" title=\"Colleagues Reviewing Strategy at Office Board\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  itemprop=\"image\" \/>\n\t\t<h3>\n\t\tMentor Coaching and Coaching Supervision \n\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>Enhance your abilities and deepen your impact through mentor coaching (for ACC, PCC, and MCC) or coaching supervision (for ACTC).<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/prepare-for-icf-credential-application\/mentoring-and-supervision-requirements\/\"  target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/icf-credentialing-performance-evaluation-scaled-landscape-280a97f00b7eb28c65245420b5008694-sfgkbp3wzxad.jpg\" alt=\"Two university students walking together outside a modern campus building, holding notebooks and talking\" height=\"1600\" width=\"2400\" title=\"Diverse University Students Walking on Campus\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  itemprop=\"image\" \/>\n\t\t<h3>\n\t\tPerformance Evaluation \n\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>Demonstrate your practice through a performance evaluation that measures your coaching skills against ICF&#8217;s rigorous standards. (Note: This is not required for the ACTC.)<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/performance-evaluations\/\"  target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/icf-credentialing-smiling-female-coach-with-glasses-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"Businesswoman smiling while on the phone discussing coach credentials and standards.\" height=\"1536\" width=\"2400\" title=\"Engaged Coach Discussing Credentials and Standards\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n<h2>\n\t\t\tICF Exams\t<\/h2>\n\t<p>ICF Exams measure a coach&#8217;s knowledge and competence.<\/p>\n\t\t\t <p><a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/icf-credential-exams\/acc-exam\/\">ICF ACC Exam (for ACC)<\/a><\/p>\t\t\n\t\t\t <p><a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/icf-credential-exams\/pcc-mcc-exam\/\">ICF Credentialing Exam (for PCC &amp; MCC) <\/a><\/p>\t\t\n\t\t\t <p><a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/icf-credential-exams\/actc-exam\/\">ICF Team Coaching Certification Exam (for ACTC) <\/a><\/p>\t\t\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/icf-credential-exams\/\"  target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn About Our Exams\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n<h2>\n\t\t\tThe Coaching Standards<br \/>Behind Your Credential\t<\/h2>\n\t<p>Professional coaching doesn&#8217;t happen by chance. We define the standards that shape the profession, and we support you in mastering them.<\/p>\n<h3>\n\t\t\tICF Core Competencies\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>Excellence in coaching starts with clarity. The ICF Core Competencies define the skills and behaviors required for an ICF credential.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/coaching-competencies\/\"  target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n<h3>\n\t\t\tICF Code of Ethics\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>Trust isn&#8217;t assumed; it&#8217;s earned. The ICF Code of Ethics sets the benchmark for integrity across our global profession.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/coaching-ethics\/icf-code-of-ethics\/\"  target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n<h3>\n\t\t\tICF COACHBOCK\u2122\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>Knowledge strengthens practice. COACHBOCK is the authoritative guide to professional coaching, capturing the collective wisdom of our global community.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/resources\/icf-coachbock\/\"  target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/icf-credentialing-earn-credential-today-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Two professionals sitting together looking at a tablet in a bright modern workspace\" height=\"1602\" width=\"2400\" title=\"Entrepreneurs Reviewing Content on Tablet\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n<h2>\n\t\t\tBe the Reason Someone Thrives: Get Credentialed\t<\/h2>\n\t<p>Ready to transform lives and elevate your coaching career? Advance your coaching journey with an ICF credential and become a force for positive change.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/credentialing\/icf-credentials-overview\/apply-for-credential\/\"  target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTake Your Career to New Heights\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stand Out From the Crowd The ICF credential is more than just&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":30022,"parent":0,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"ICF Coaching Credentials: Your Guide to the ACC, PCC & MCC","_seopress_titles_desc":"Getting your professional coaching credentials can help further your career & grow your network. 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