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Renew Your Credential

ICF maintains high standards for professional coaches around the world and requires that you renew your ICF Credential every three years. To maintain your credential-holder status, your renewal must be submitted by its expiration date. 

To find your credential expiration date, sign into your ICF Profile. Your credential information and access to your renewal application will be found at the very bottom of your profile page under “My Credentials.”   

Your credential renewal application will be created as soon as your credential is awarded or following its last renewal. You may access it at any time to input CCEs as you earn them. You may submit your renewal application up to 10 months prior to your credential expiration date.  

NOTE: It is not possible to upgrade to a higher level credential through the credential renewal application. If you wish to pursue a higher level credential, you must complete an application for that credential and complete it in full.  To create an application, please complete the Credential Path Survey.  

Need support in completing your renewal?  Check out the “Support” section found at the bottom of this page.

Renewal Fees 

ICF Members: $175 USD 

Non-members: $275 USD 

Estimated Timeline 

The estimated timeline for review of renewal applications at any level is 6-8 weeks. 

  • ACC

    To renew your ACC Credential, you will submit the online credential renewal application with appropriate documentation. You can access your renewal application by logging into your ICF profile. You will see a link to your credential renewal application at the bottom of the page under “My Credentials.” 

    ACC Renewal Requirements 

    • Completion of at least 40 hours of Continuing Coach Education (CCE) in the three years since the initial award of your credential or since your last credential renewal. Of the 40 hours of CCEs required: 
      • At least 24 CCEs must be in Core Competencies. 
        • At least three (3) of these hours must be in coaching ethics. (Coaches can obtain coaching ethics hours by completing ICF’s Complimentary Ethics course online). 
        • 10 hours of Mentor Coaching with an eligible Mentor Coach* over a minimum of three months** in the three years since the initial award of your credential or since your last credential renewal.*** 
      • The remaining 16 hours can be in Resource Development or Core Competencies. 

    *If your Mentor Coach holds an ACC Credential, they are required to have renewed their ACC at least once. 

    ** The mentoring must be over at least three months or longer.  Example: If the first session is March 14, then the last session must be June 14 or after. 

    ***Mentor Coaching is required for each ACC renewal cycle. 

  • PCC

    To renew your PCC Credential, you will submit the online credential renewal application with appropriate documentation. You can access your renewal application by logging into your ICF profile. You will see a link to your credential renewal application at the bottom of the page under “My Credentials.” 

    PCC Renewal Requirements 

    • Completion of at least 40 hours of Continuing Coach Education (CCE) in the three years since the initial award of your PCC or since your last PCC credential renewal. Of the 40 hours of CCEs required: 
      • At least 24 CCEs must be in Core Competencies. 
      • The Remaining 16 hours can be in Resource Development or Core Competencies. 

    TIP: Up to 10 hours of Mentor Coaching (giving or receiving) AND up to 10 hours of Coaching Supervision (giving or receiving) may be used towards the required 40 CCEs for renewal and count as Core Competency credits.

  • MCC

    To renew your MCC, you will submit the online credential renewal application with appropriate documentation. You can access your renewal application by logging into your ICF profile and clicking “Edit Profile.” You will see a link to your credential renewal application at the bottom of the page under “My Credentials.” 

    MCC Renewal Requirements 

    • Completion of at least 40 hours of Continuing Coach Education in the three years since the initial award of your MCC or since your last MCC credential renewal. Of the 40 hours of CCEs required: 
      • At least 24 CCEs must be in Core Competencies.  
        • At least three (3) of those hours must be in coaching ethics. (Coaches can obtain coaching ethics hours by completing ICF’s free Ethics course online). 
      • Remaining 16 hours can be in Resource Development or Core Competencies. 

    TIP: Up to 10 hours of Mentor Coaching (giving or receiving) AND up to 10 hours of Coaching Supervision (giving or receiving) may be used towards the required 40 CCEs for renewal and count as Core Competency credits.  

More Renewal Information

  • Renewing a Lapsed Credential

    If you were unable to submit your credential renewal application by its expiration date, ICF provides a two-month grace period during which time your credential will remain active.   

    However, if you are unable to submit your credential renewal application by the end of the grace period your credential will lapse, and you will not hold an active credential. You will still have an additional 10 months to renew your credential, but you will need to provide additional CCEs for each lapsed month.  

    Below is the list of CCE’s required by month when submitted following expiration date:  

    • Application submitted in the first month following expiration date: grace period – 40 CCE units (Minimum of 24 must be Core Competencies) 
    • Application submitted in the second month following expiration date: grace period – 40 CCE units (Minimum of 24 must be Core Competencies) 
    • Application submitted in the third month following expiration date: 41.2 CCE units (Minimum of 24.72 must be Core Competencies)  
    • Application submitted in the fourth month following expiration date: 42.4 CCE unit (Minimum of 25.44 must be Core Competencies)  
    • Application submitted in the fifth month following expiration date: 43.6 CCE units (Minimum of 26.16 must be Core Competencies)  
    • Application submitted in the sixth month following expiration date: 44.8 CCE units (Minimum of 26.88 must be Core Competencies)  
    • Application submitted in the seventh month following expiration date: 46 CCE units (Minimum of 27.6 must be Core Competencies)  
    • Application submitted in the eighth month following expiration date: 47.2 CCE units (Minimum of 28.32 must be Core Competencies)  
    • Application submitted in the ninth month following expiration date: 48.4 CCE units (Minimum of 29.04 must be Core Competencies)  
    • Application submitted in the tenth month following expiration date: 49.6 CCE units (Minimum of 29.76 must be Core Competencies)  
    • Application submitted in the eleventh month following expiration date: 50.8 CCE units (Minimum of 30 must be Core Competencies)  
    • Application submitted in the twelfth month following expiration date: 52 CCE units (Minimum of 31.2 must be Core Competencies)  

    Once a full year has passed from the expiration date of the credential it is now fully expired. In order to reinstate your ICF Credential, you will be required to submit a new credential application rather than completing a credential renewal application 

    Example for renewals that were due on December 31, 2021: 

    • Application submitted in January 2022: grace period – 40 CCE units (24 must be Core Competencies) 
    • Application submitted in February 2022: grace period – 40 CCE units (24 must be Core Competencies) 
    • Application submitted in March 2022: 41.2 CCE units (24.72 must be Core Competencies)  
    • Application submitted in April 2022: 42.4 CCE unit (25.44 must be Core Competencies)  
    • Application submitted in May 2022: 43.6 CCE units (26.16 must be Core Competencies)  
    • Application submitted in June 2022: 44.8 CCE units (26.88 must be Core Competencies)  
    • Application submitted in July 2022: 46 CCE units (27.6 must be Core Competencies)  
    • Application submitted in August 2022: 47.2 CCE units (28.32 must be Core Competencies)  
    • Application submitted in September 2022: 48.4 CCE units (29.04 must be Core Competencies)  
    • Application submitted in October 2022: 49.6 CCE units (29.76 must be Core Competencies)  
    • Application submitted in November 2022: 50.8 CCE units (30 must be Core Competencies)  
    • Application submitted in December 2022: 52 CCE units (31.2 must be Core Competencies)
  • Renewing a Fully Expired Credential

    Once a full year has passed from the expiration date of the credential it is now fully expired. In order to hold an ICF Credential, you will be required to submit a new credential application rather than completing a credential renewal application. 

    If your ICF Credential expired on or before December 31, 2020, you will need to submit a credential application in order to reinstate your credential, or you may apply directly to the next credential level. 

    If you have questions or need support about submitting a new credential application, please visit the ICF Support page. 

  • Upgrading a Credential

    It is not possible to upgrade to a higher credential via the credential renewal application. If you wish to pursue a higher credential, you must complete an initial application for that credential. 

    To create an application, please complete the Credential Path Survey. You will be asked questions about your training and client coaching and then at the end of the survey you will learn which level and pathway you qualify for. You will be able to access the requirements as well as be provided the link to create the application. 

  • Credential Renewal Guide

    This handbook contains helpful information for those applying renewing an ICF Credential. Applicants should use this resource as a source of guidance and direction in navigating the ICF Credentialing process.

  • Payment Information

    Credential renewal applications must be paid in full before they will be considered submitted and placed in line to be reviewed.

    Payment Type Options: All major credit cards are accepted online.  If you wish to pay for your credential renewal through another method, such as PayPal or Bank Transfer, please reach out to support@coachingfederation.org with your request.

    Payment Installments: Renewal applicants have the option to break up the payment into two payments.

    If you wish to pay for your application in full, then simply skip this question during the payment process for your renewal application.

    NOTE: The renewal application will not be considered submitted and the application’s review will not begin until the renewal fee has been paid in full.

  • Support

    If you need assistance, finding CCEs or information on how to document them in your application, please visit the Professional Development page. 

    If you have additional questions regarding renewing your credential not found above, please visit the Credentialing FAQ page. 

    Have a question you’d like to ask Credential and Standards staff?  Attend one of the Credentials and Standards Q&A calls held throughout the year.

    If you need support regarding the Renewal process, or if you did not find an answer to your question on the FAQ page, please visit the ICF Support page. 

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