The ICF offers three different levels of credentialing based on your number of coaching hours:
- Associate Certified Coach (ACC) – 100 coaching hours
- Professional Certified Coach (PCC) – 500 coaching hours
- Master Certified Coach (MCC) – 2500 coaching hours
To get this credential, you must complete a certain number of hours of coach-specific training from an ICF accredited coach training program, have 10 hours with a Mentor Coach, and complete a Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA).
The CKA is a long, online multiple-choice exam based on the ICF Core Competencies and Code of Ethics where you can demonstrate your knowledge of the coaching training you received from your coaching program.
Your ICF credential is valid for three years; to keep your credential active, you must have 10 hours of Mentor Coaching and complete 40 hours of continuing education.