Sorting Out the Confusion: Navigating the ICF Credentialing Process (Post 2 of 2)

In the first post, we looked at the differences between accreditation and certification in the world of ICF (International Coaching Federation). If you missed it, you can read it here: Sorting Out the Confusion: ICF Certification, Accreditation, and Credentials in Coaching (Part 1 of 2). In this post, we’ll dive into navigating the credentialing process, which can feel daunting at times.

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 Credential Updates page for the most current information.

Credentials

Credentials are designations awarded to coaches who meet specific coach training, experience, mentoring, and testing requirements set by the ICF. These designations mark stages of a coach’s development, from foundational to advanced levels of practice. Renewal is required every three years and includes continuing education and additional coaching hours.

Process:

• Education
  Obtain coach-specific training. Hours vary by credentialing levels. You can learn more at Education and Training Requirements.
• Client Coaching Hours
  The hours you need vary by credentialing levels. A portion of these hours can be unpaid. You can learn more at Coaching Experience Essentials.
• Mentor Coaching
  Regardless of the credentialing level, you need 10 hours of mentoring, with 3 of those hours being one-on-one. You can learn more at ICF Mentor Coaching.
• Performance Evaluation
  This often involves submitting one or two recorded coaching sessions, depending on the credentialing path, for review by an ICF assessor. You can learn more at Performance Evaluations.

• ICF Credentialing Exam
  • The ACC exam is a separate multiple-choice test introduced in November 2024, focused on coaching knowledge and ethics.
  • The ICF Credentialing Exam is the exact same test used for both PCC and MCC applicants. It’s a scenario-based exam where you choose the best and worst actions in coaching situations. There is no separate or harder version for MCC.

Credential Levels

The ICF has gone through several changes in recent years, including shifting from the old ACTP and ACSTH model to the current Level 1, 2, and 3 system in 2022. This transition has created some confusion for applicants. As of June 2025, the requirements are outlined clearly on their credentialing page. You can also read more about it on the Compare ICF Coaching Credentials page.

Here's my best shot at illustrating the requirements for each level.

ACC – Associate Certified Coach

Credential Holders as of March 2025: 29,403

Requirements:

• Education

  • Submission of a Level 1 or Level 2 program certificate
  • OR proof of 60 or more hours from Continuing Coach Education (CCE) programs or other non-ICF-accredited training. If using non-ICF-accredited programs, a copy of the curriculum must be included to show alignment with ICF standards

• Client Coaching Hours

  • 100 hours of client coaching experience
  • Minimum of 8 clients
  • At least 75 hours must be paid
  • At least 25 hours (paid or unpaid) must be completed within the 18 months prior to application

• Mentor Coaching

  • If you completed a Level 1 or Level 2 program, mentor coaching is already included as part of your training
  • If applying through the Portfolio path, you must complete 10 hours of mentor coaching over a minimum of 3 months, including at least 3 hours one-on-one

• Performance Evaluation

  • If you completed a Level 1 or Level 2 program, the performance evaluation is already included as part of your training
  • If applying through the Portfolio path, you must submit one recorded coaching session with a transcript

• ICF Credentialing Exam

  • Pass the ICF ACC Exam

• Application Fee

  • Level 1 / Level 2 Path: ICF Member: $175 USD and Non-Member: $325 USD
  • Portfolio Path: ICF Member: $475 USD and Non-Member: $625 USD

PCC – Professional Certified Coach

Credential Holders as of March 2025: 25,656

Requirements:

• Education

  • Submission of your certificate showing completion of at least 125 hours of coach education through Level 1 programs
  • OR submission of a certificate confirming completion of a Level 2 program
  • OR proof of 125 or more hours from Continuing Coach Education (CCE) programs or other non-ICF-accredited training. If using non-ICF-accredited programs, a copy of the curriculum must be included to show alignment with ICF standards

• Client Coaching Hours

  • 500 hours of client coaching experience
  • Minimum of 25 clients
  • At least 450 hours must be paid
  • At least 50 hours (paid or unpaid) must be completed within the 18 months before applying

• Mentor Coaching

  • If you completed a Level 2 program, mentor coaching is already included as part of your training
  • If applying through a Level 1 or Portfolio path, you must complete 10 hours of mentor coaching over a minimum of 3 months, including at least 3 hours one-on-one

• Performance Evaluation

  • If you completed a Level 2 program, the performance evaluation is already included as part of your training
  • If applying through a Level 1 or Portfolio path, you must submit two recorded coaching sessions with transcripts

• ICF Credentialing Exam

  • Pass the ICF Credentialing Exam

• Application Fee

  • Level 1 Path: ICF Member: $650 USD and Non-Member: $800 USD
  • Level 2 Path: ICF Member: $375 USD and Non-Member: $525 USD
  • Portfolio Path: ICF Member: $750 USD and Non-Member: $900 USD

MCC – Master Certified Coach

Credential Holders as of March 2025: 2,536

Requirements:

• Credential Prerequisite

  • Applicant must currently hold or have previously held a PCC credential

• Education

  • Submission of a Level 3 program certificate
  • OR proof of 200 or more hours of coach education

• Client Coaching Hours

  • 2,500 hours of client coaching experience
  • Minimum of 35 clients
  • At least 2,250 hours must be paid

• Mentor Coaching

  • Level 3 Path: Completed as part of your Level 3 program
  • Portfolio Path: 10 hours with an MCC-credentialed coach, completed over a minimum of 3 months and including at least 3 hours of one-on-one sessions

• Performance Evaluation

  • Submission of two recorded coaching sessions with transcripts

• ICF Credentialing Exam

  • Pass the ICF Credentialing Exam

• Application Fee

  • The application fee is the same regardless of path: ICF Member: $675 USD and Non-Member: $825 USD

ICF Credentialing Exam

If you’re preparing for the ICF Credentialing Exam and want to know what it’s really like, I wrote a four-part blog series that breaks down each part of the process, from logistics to strategy.

• 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
• Part 4: How I Studied for the ICF Credentialing Exam and What Helped Me Pass

I hope this helps clear up the confusion between accreditation, certification, and credentials in the coaching world. Things seem to always be changing, so it’s a good idea to check the ICF website for the most current information.

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

If you’re working toward a credential, whether ACC, PCC, or MCC, and looking for mentoring support, 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.