Sorting Out the Confusion: ICF Certification, Accreditation, and Credentials in Coaching (Part 1 of 2)
An overview of how ICF accreditation, certification, and credentialing differ, including a breakdown of ICF-accredited program levels and what each term actually means in the coaching profession. This is Part 1 of a 2-part series clearing up common confusion.
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In the world of professional coaching, terms like certification, accreditation, and credentials are often tossed around interchangeably. But they each have their own distinct meanings. I want to clear up the confusion and explain these terms, along with the different levels of coaching credentials offered by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Because there's a lot to cover, I’ve broken it down into two separate posts.
A Quick Disclaimer: While this blog post hopefully provides an informative overview of the ICF’s processes, remember to do your own research and verify current requirements, as they can change constantly. This information was written in June 2025. Please refer to the ICF’s Credentialing Updates page for the most current information.
TL;DR: Here’s the Breakdown
I know this can get confusing fast, so here’s a quick overview of how Accreditation, Certification, and Credentialing differ:
- The ICF accredits coaching programs and schools.
- ICF-accredited programs certify individuals when they complete training.
- The ICF then credentials certified coaches by awarding designations like ACC, PCC, or MCC.
In short: The ICF accredits programs, programs certify you, and the ICF credentials you.
Now, let’s take a deep dive into each.
Accreditation
Accreditation is the process by which the ICF evaluates and recognizes a coaching program’s adherence to established standards of quality. The ICF accredits coaching education programs and coaching schools to ensure they meet specific criteria for delivering effective coaching training. There are several levels of ICF accreditation for coaching programs:
- Level 1 (formerly ACSTH): This accreditation requires 60+ student contact hours and is designated as a pathway to the ACC credential.
- Level 2 (formerly ACTP): This accreditation requires 125+ student contact hours and is designated as a pathway to the PCC credential.
- Level 3 (new offering): This accreditation requires 75+ student contact hours and is designated as a pathway to the MCC credential.
- Advanced Accreditation in Team Coaching (AATC): Requires 60+ student contact hours, designated as a pathway to the Advanced Certification in Team Coaching.
- Continuing Coach Education (CCE): Considered supplemental and continuing education for those wishing to acquire new learning, professional development, and/or those renewing their ICF Credential.
The legacy terms ACTP (Accredited Coach Training Program) and ACSTH (Approved Coach Specific Training Hours) were retired on January 7, 2022, and have been replaced with Level 1 and Level 2 accreditations, respectively. Existing programs accredited under these legacy terms are transitioning to the new accreditation levels.
Certification
Certification refers to the completion of a coaching training program. When a coach completes an ICF-accredited program, they receive a certificate indicating they have met the training requirements of that specific program. This demonstrates that the coach has undergone a formal education process in coaching and is equipped with foundational coaching skills. ICF-accredited schools are responsible for certifying individual coaches upon the completion of their programs.
I hope this post helps clarify the differences between accreditation and certification in the ICF coaching world. In the next post, I will talk about clarifying and navigating the different credentialing levels and their requirements for application.
For additional support with ICF Credentialing, you can also contact support@coachingfederation.org.
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.
