03. Understanding the ICF Credentialing Exam: What It Is, How It Works, and When You Take It

This is Part 3 of a 4-part series on the ICF Credentialing Exam.

• Part 1: Choosing Where to Take the ICF Credentialing Exam: At Home or at a Center
• Part 2: ICF Credentialing Exam Day: An In-Depth Look at My In-Person Experience in NYC
• Part 3: Understanding the ICF Credentialing Exam: What It Is, How It Works, and When You Take It
• Part 4: How I Studied for the ICF Credentialing Exam and What Helped Me Pass

A Quick Disclaimer: This post is based on my experience taking the ICF Credentialing Exam as part of my MCC application in April 2024. I’ve done my best to update the information as of June 2025. However, since the ICF regularly makes changes, please do your own homework and verify current requirements by checking their Credential Updates page .

Now that I’ve shared what test day looked like in Part 2: ICF Credentialing Exam Day: An In-Depth Look at My In-Person Experience in NYC, this post breaks down what the exam actually is. After the specific requirements for your credential level (ACC, PCC, or MCC) are approved, you'll receive a link to schedule the exam. You have 60 days to schedule and complete the test from the time you receive the link. Passing the ICF Credentialing Exam is the final step before earning your credential.

For a deeper look at credential levels, see Sorting Out the Confusion: Navigating the ICF Credentialing Process (Post 2 of 2).

Common Confusions About the ICF Credentialing Exam:

• There are two different exams depending on your credential level. As of the time this post is written in June 2025, there are two separate exams:
  • ACC exam is a multiple-choice test focused on coaching knowledge and ethics.
  • ICF Credentialing Exam is used for both PCC and MCC applicants. It’s a scenario-based test where you choose the best and worst actions in coaching situations. There is no separate or harder version for MCC.

• The Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA) was replaced by the ICF Credentialing Exam in August 2022. The CKA is no longer part of the process. If you find information referring to it, it’s outdated.

In this post, I’ll be sharing how I prepared for the ICF Credentialing Exam as part of my MCC application. If you're applying for the PCC, this will still be relevant since the exam is the same for both PCC and MCC applicants.

If you're taking the ACC exam, the content in this post won’t apply to you directly, but here’s a resource that might help.

When You Have to Take the ICF Credentialing Exam

• You need to take the ICF Credentialing Exam when applying for your PCC or MCC credential for the first time.
• If you’re moving from ACC to PCC or from PCC to MCC, you’ll need to take the ICF Credentialing Exam, unless you passed it within the past 12 months.
• If you’re renewing a credential, you do not need to take the exam again, even if your original test was the now-retired Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA).

Exam Structure & Logistics

• The ICF Credentialing Exam consists of 78 situational-judgment scenarios.
• You’ll have 180 minutes total to complete the exam, divided into two separate sections with a 10-minute scheduled break in between.
  • Instructions: 4 minutes
  • Section One: 39 items in 83 minutes
  • Break: 10 minutes
  • Section Two: 39 items in 83 minutes
• You can flag questions to return to later within each section. However, once you're in Section Two, you cannot go back to Section One or access any questions you flagged there.
• Scores are based on identifying the best and worst responses. Each correct selection earns 1 point—for a total possible score between 200 and 600. You need a score of 460 (about 76%) to pass. There are no penalties for incorrect answers.
• If you don’t pass, you can retake the exam up to six times within 12 months. After your first attempt, there’s a 14-day wait. Any additional retakes require a 30-day wait. Each retake costs $105 USD.
• The exam is proctored by Pearson VUE and can be taken either in person or online via OnVUE.

I also wrote about my experience taking the exam in Part 2: ICF Credentialing Exam Day: An In-Depth Look at My In-Person Experience in NYC.

Exam Content Breakdown

The exam is designed to assess your understanding of the ICF Core Competencies, Code of Ethics, and ICF’s definition of coaching. It’s organized around four core domains that form the foundation of effective coaching:

Foundation

• Demonstrates Ethical Practice — 13%
• Embodies a Coaching Mindset — 12%

Co-Creating the Relationship

• Establishes and Maintains Agreements — 12%
• Cultivates Trust and Safety — 13%
• Maintains Presence — 13%

Communicating Effectively

• Listens Actively — 12%
• Evokes Awareness — 13%

Cultivating Learning and Growth

• Facilitates Client Growth — 12%

Accommodations and Exam Language

If you need language support or testing accommodations for the ICF Credentialing Exam, don’t schedule your exam until your request is approved.

Language Support

As of June 2025, the ICF Credentialing Exam is available in 16 languages. You can find the list of available languages at the bottom of the Credentialing Exam page on the ICF website. If your language isn’t offered, you can request language support before scheduling your exam. That same section also includes information about taking the test in non-English-speaking countries.

Exam Accommodations

If you need other accommodations, you can submit a request through the ICF website. They provide comprehensive information about the process, and requests must be approved before you schedule your exam.

For additional support with the ICF Credentialing Exam, you can also contact support@coachingfederation.org.

Good luck with your test. I'm rooting for you.

In the final post of this series, Part 4: How I Studied for the ICF Credentialing Exam and What Helped Me Pass , I’ll share what helped me feel ready, along with specific tools, resources, and strategies you can use in your own prep. And if you have questions or need mentoring, feel free to reach out. I’m here to support you.

About the Author: Rei Perovic is the Founder & CEO of Cofactors Strategies, an Executive and Leadership Coach, ICF Mentor, and Coach Educator. A Master Certified Coach (MCC) through the International Coaching Federation — a distinction held by fewer than 5% of coaches globally — she has coached more than 1,500 clients worldwide. She partners with purpose-driven leaders to navigate power, identity, and impact across cultures. Tokyo-born and NYC-based, she is fluent in English and Japanese and also translated Sushi Chef: Sukibayashi Jiro, based on Jiro Dreams of Sushi.