Earn Your ICF Credential

Why ICF Credentialing?

Though the field of coaching is exploding, it’s still a relatively young profession. Unlike other fields, it remains unregulated at this point, leaving room for all kinds of things to be done under the name of coaching. Because of this, the profession desperately needed a codified set of Practice Standards and Ethical Guidelines, and the ICF created those – just like the American Medical Association has created standards and ethics for healthcare professionals.

The ICF also established Curriculum Standards to ensure consistency in coach education, and a credentialing system that has become the industry standard.

Today, most any media coverage on coaching will cite the International Coach Federation, their standards, and their credentials. As a result, informed persons and organizations seeking to hire a coach often only consider those with ICF credentials.

Path to ICF Credentialing

The table below outlines the three levels of credentialing offered by the ICF, as well as the recommended pathway to achieve those credentials.

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Getting Started

If you’re just getting started, our Level 1 and Level 2 programs both begin with our foundational certification course, The Essentials of Life Coaching or The Essentials of Leadership Coaching. The full journey is outlined in the image below.

NOTE: The information here serves only as an overview and guide to the ICF credentialing process. For more information regarding ICF’s credentialing requirements visit their website at coachfederation.org.

Already In Process?

That’s no problem! PCCI has been an ICF-accredited coach-specific education provider since 2014. Prior to the ICF’s recent accreditation framework changes (effective January of 2023) PCCI held the ACSTH (Approved Coach Specific Training Hours) accreditation. We’ll walk you through the steps below:

If you started your Essentials class in 2023 or later

If you started your Essentials class in 2023 or later, and have earned a Level 1/Level 2 certificate from PCCI, you will use the ICF Level 1 or Level 2 application path to pursue your ACC or PCC credential.

To receive a Level 1/Level 2 certificate, all required courses must be completed from 2023 forward.

Your coach education, mentor coaching, and performance evaluation all takes place at PCCI. During the credential application process, the ICF will validate your coaching experience hours, and then you will take the ICF Credentialing Exam.

If your training with PCCI started between July 2014 to December 2022

If your training with PCCI started between July 2014 to December 2022, your coursework was ACSTH and you will use the ICF ACSTH path to pursue the ACC or PCC credential.

If you began Essentials prior to January of 2023, and have continued required coursework into 2023 and beyond, you will also use the ACSTH path.

During the ICF credential application process, you will upload your course certificates of completion and the ICF will validate your coach training hours, mentor coaching completion, and facilitate your performance evaluation. When the application review process is complete, you will take the ICF Credentialing Exam.

If your training with PCCI took place prior to July 2014

If your training with PCCI took place prior to July 2014, these training hours were not accredited but credentialing can still be pursued by using the ICF ACC/PCC/MCC Portfolio application path.

During the ICF credential application process, you will upload your course certificates of completion and course information. The ICF will validate your coach training hours, mentor coaching completion, and facilitate your performance evaluation. When the application review process is complete, you will take the ICF Credentialing Exam.

If you are combining training from multiple locations

If you are combining training from multiple locations, you will use your certificates of completion as a guide to determine which ICF application path serves you best.If all of your course certificates indicate ACSTH, then you will use the ACSTH application path. If they do not indicate ACSTH, are not ICF approved, or are approved as CCE, then you will use the ICF Portfolio path.