Upgrading the ICF Credentials process

ICF credential holders represent excellence in professional Coaching. That’s why ICF Credentials and Standards is constantly striving to promote the Accreditation process – ensuring it meets the highest standards in professional certification practice, supports and elevates ICF credential holders and offers an important quality assurance for Client Coaching.
As part of this commitment, the ICF Credentials and Standards annex is in a pleasant position to announce several exciting updates to the Accreditation process. The changes include:
Updated application processes incorporating the updated structure ICF Accreditation
Updated Performance Evaluation criteria and guidance developed in alignment with the updated ICF Core Competencies
New ICF Accreditation Exams designed to assess knowledge and candidates’ skills in the updated ICF Core Competencies
These changes will be implemented simultaneously to ensure a smooth transition of candidates for ICF Accreditations.

On August 1, 2022, at 12 noon EDT (New York), the Credentials and ICF Standards will resume accepting applications for ACC, PCC and MCC credentials using the updated application procedures. Candidates who submit Accreditation application on or after this date will be expected to have completed successfully pass the new ICF Accreditation Exams and candidates are expected to submit performance evaluation, will be scored based on the updated Evaluation criteria Performance.

Updated Credential Application Procedures

In November 2021, the ICF Coaching Education branch announced an updated accreditation structure for Coaching education and training programs designed to “set the highest standards of education for Coaches in the world”.
This updated accreditation structure will replace both designations Accredited Coaches Training Program (ACTP) as well as Approved Hours of Education Intended for Coaching (ACSTH) with a hierarchy system of levels, which aligned with ICF Accreditation levels. These updated designations accreditation, described below, include the following:
Level 1 (formerly ACSTH) is for organizations offering at least 60 hours through lifelong learning and 10 hours of Mentor Coaching from a certified Mentor Coach and administers a performance appraisal at ACC level or above. Level training 1 is defined as a pathway to ACC accreditation.
Level 2 (formerly ACTP) is for organizations offering at least 125 hours lifelong learning and 10 hours of Mentor Coaching from a certified Mentor Coach and performance evaluation at PCC level. Level 2 training is defined as a pathway to PCC credentials.
Level 3, a new distinction, is for organizations offering at least 75 hours of advanced life learning, and 10 hours of Mentor Coaching from one certified Mentor Coach, and performance evaluation at the MCC level. Education level 3 is defined as the path to MCC Credentials.
The ICF Credentials and Standards Annex is pleased to announce updated Credential application processes to reflect the new structure accreditation with a hierarchy of levels and is implemented by the ICF Coaching Education Annex.
These updated routes provide a clearer, easier to navigate application experience for Credential candidates.

Updated performance evaluation criteria

The ICF Credentials and Standards Annex is pleased to announce that from on August 1, 2022, any new Credential applications that require a Performance Assessment (ACC-ACSTH, ACC Portfolio, PCC-Level1/ACSTH, PCC-Portfolio and MCC Portfolio) will be assessed in the updated ICF Core Competencies, published in November 2019, the which set the global standard for the professional and ethical practice of Coaching.
The updated PCC indices were released in October 2021 and you can search on the ICF website. The updated PCC indicators will go into effect for scoring PCC assessments performance for candidates applying on or after August 1st. The annex ICF Credentials and Standards also works with Academic Research ICF Group and experts (SMEs) to update the Minimum Skills Requirements in ACC and MCC level. The updated Minimum Skills Requirements for the credential ACC and MCC are aligned with the updated ICF Core Competencies and will be published by June 1, 2022.
The updates will be effective for ACC and MCC candidates applying on or after August 1st.

New ICF Accreditation Exams

The ICF Credentials and Standards Annex is pleased to announce that it will begin a new ICF Accreditation Examination on August 1st. This new exam reflects them updated ICF Core Competencies, published in November 2019, which they set the global standard for professional and ethical practice in Coaching.
The ICF Accreditation Exam will replace the current Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA). The new exam is a high-quality, state-of-the-art Accreditation test aligned with the highest standards of certification exam development practices and informed by ICF-certified Coaches from around the world who served as specialized volunteers in its development.
The new exams will also be more secure, allowing every candidate to have a fair and even equal opportunities to demonstrate his knowledge and skills in Coaching. In addition, the improved exam security means your ICF Credentials will have increased validity, integrity and overall value.
The managers of the ICF Credentials and Standards Annex are excited to are partnering with Pearson VUE to deliver the new ICF Accreditation Exams. Via of the global network of test centers and onVUE (Pearson’s online service), the candidates will now have the option of either completing the exam at home or in the office them while being watched by an online proctor, or to complete the exams at a Pearson VUE test center.
The ICF Accreditation Exam will include approximately 170 questions based on scenarios they have designed to assess the candidate’s knowledge and ability to apply it updated ICF Core Skills in practice.
Applicants applying for ICF Accreditation on or after 1 August 2022 will must complete the new ICF Accreditation Exam. This includes candidates who have completed the CKA for prior ICF certification. The people renewing the ICF certification will not be required to complete the exam.