Have you thought about taking the ICF ACC exam in order to help take you to the next level in your coaching career? Consider becoming an ICF Certified Coach today.

ICF Credential Paths: The Associate Certified Coach Requirements

The ICF currently offers three coaching credentials and there are:

• The Associate Certified Coach

• The Professional Certified Coach

• The Master Certified Coach

The Associate Certified Coach credential is ICF’s first level of credentialing for professional coaches and it is one of two credentials often pursued by individuals. The second one, being the professional certified coach. Within the ICF associate certified coach program, there are three application paths to choose from; the ACTP, ACSTH, and the Portfolio path.

To earn this credential, the following requirements must be met (all depending on which application path you choose)

ACTP Path

• Completion of an entire ICF Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP).

• A minimum of 100 hours (75 paid.) of coaching experience with at least eight clients following the start of your coach-specific training. At the minimum 25 of these hours must occur within the 18 months prior to submitting the application for the credential.

• Completion of the Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA).

ACSTH Path

• At least 60 hours of coach-specific training through an ACTP or ACSTH program. Check for your program’s approval below.

• 10 hours of Mentor Coaching over a minimum of three months to be documented on your online application. Your Mentor Coach must be an ACC who has completed a full cycle of the credential through renewal, PCC or MCC in good standing.

• A minimum of 100 hours (75 paid.) of coaching experience with at least eight clients following the start of your coach-specific training. At least 25 of these hours must occur within the 18 months prior to submitting the application for the credential.

• Performance evaluation (audio recording and written transcript of a coach session to be uploaded with your application).

• Completion of the Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA).

Portfolio Path

At least 60 hours of coach-specific training with detailed documentation. You will be required to demonstrate that you have completed a comprehensive training program that includes the ICF definition of coaching, Code of Ethics and Core Competencies

• 10 hours of Mentor Coaching over a minimum of three months to be documented on your online application. Your Mentor Coach must be an ACC who has completed a full cycle of their credential (through renewal), PCC or MCC in good standing.

• A minimum of 100 hours (75 paid.) of coaching experience with at least eight clients following the start of your coach-specific training. At least 25 of these hours must occur within the 18 months prior to submitting the application for the credential.

• Performance evaluation (audio recording and written transcript of a coaching session to be uploaded with your application).

• Completion of the Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA).

ACC Exam: The Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA)

The coach knowledge assessment or exam is used to measure coaches’ understanding of the knowledge and skills significant in the practice of coaching. According to the ICF, it is essential for all credentialed coaches to demonstrate foundational knowledge of ICF Core Competencies, ICF Code of Ethics, and ICF’s Definition of Coaching. The exam is intended as an assessment of knowledge and without this acc exam satisfactory completed, the individual will not be awarded the acc credential. The CKA is sent via a link to the applicant’s email upon successful review of their credential application. The ICF staff will contact the applicant via email with a status update containing the subsequent step in the review process.

The acc exam requires three hours to complete and the passing grade is 70%. An applicant can elect to retake a different version of the test for a fee of $75 USD. The test is conducted twice per quarter. One week after completion of the exam, applicants will receive official notification from the ICF credentialing department regarding the approval status of the credential application.

Becoming an ICF certified coach is a progressive step to take in advancing your coaching career and taking the acc exam today along with the other requirements for certification is what you need to accomplish your career goals.

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“Margaret K. Olubiyi
Life Coach
Writer, Coaches Training Blog community”