ICF Credential Levels (ACC, PCC, MCC)

What are the ICF credential levels?

The ICF credential levels are the three professional coaching credentials awarded by the International Coaching Federation (ICF): Associate Certified Coach (ACC), Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and Master Certified Coach (MCC). They represent increasing levels of training, coaching experience, and demonstrated skill, and they are among the most widely recognised marks of a qualified coach globally.

Each level is assessed against the ICF Core Competencies, so a credential signals that a coach practises to a defined, ethical standard.

Why ICF credentials matter

Coaching is a largely unregulated field, so anyone can call themselves a coach. An ICF credential gives buyers and clients confidence that a coach has met a recognised standard of training, experience, and assessed competence, and adheres to a code of ethics. For organisations building a coaching program, requiring ICF-credentialed coaches is one of the simplest ways to protect quality at scale.

ACC, PCC, and MCC

ACC (Associate Certified Coach). The entry professional level, requiring foundational training and a defined number of coaching hours.
PCC (Professional Certified Coach). A more experienced level, with substantially more training and coaching hours and a higher assessment bar.
MCC (Master Certified Coach). The most advanced level, requiring extensive experience and demonstrated mastery of the competencies.

The specific hour and training requirements are set by the ICF and are periodically updated. `[VERIFY]` the current requirements on the ICF website before publishing exact figures.

Coaching you can trust

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FAQs

What do ACC, PCC, and MCC stand for?

Associate Certified Coach, Professional Certified Coach, and Master Certified Coach, the three ICF credential levels in ascending order of experience and skill.

Which ICF credential is the highest?

MCC, the Master Certified Coach, is the most advanced, requiring the most training, experience, and demonstrated mastery.

Why should a coach be ICF-credentialed?

Because coaching is largely unregulated, a credential shows the coach has met a recognised standard of training, experience, and ethics, which protects quality.