Beginning later this year, ICF will change the requirements for attaining an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential.
What will change?
- ACC Credential - ICF will require applicants to complete 100 hours (same as current) of client-coaching experience since the start of their coach-specific training. Applicants would still be required to have a minimum of eight clients and at least 75 hours as paid. Additionally, at least 25 hours must have occurred within 18 months of the application for the credential.
- PCC Credential – ICF will require all applicants to complete 500 hours (down from 750) of client-coaching experience since the start of their coach-specific training. Applicants would still be required to have a minimum of 25 clients and at least 450 hours as paid. Additionally, at least 50 hours must have occurred within 18 months of the application for the credential.
Purpose of the changes
- To raise the standard of credentialing.
- To provide a clear demonstration of experience as a direct result of coach-specific training.
- To increase emphasis on recency of client-coaching hours to ensure credentialing of coaches who are in current practice.
Are there plans to change the MCC requirements?
ICF is currently studying the MCC requirements, and will appropriately communicate any future changes to that model when and if any are complete and scheduled to be implemented.
Timing of changes
On October 1, 2015 at 12:00AM (New York), the ICF will begin allowing those that meet the requirements to apply under the new criteria. Applicants will still be able to continue to apply under the previous criteria until September 30, 2016 at 11:59PM (New York).
Questions?
For any additional questions, please contact George Rogers, Assistant Executive Director, ICF Global at george.rogers@coachfederation.org.
