Learn all about the recent changes in ICF Education accreditation.
Update on ICF Accreditation levels
An Updated Accreditation Structure
An updated accreditation structure is replacing both ACTP and ACSTH with levels tied to ICF Credentialing pathways.
Level 1 Accreditation (formerly ACSTH) is for organizations that offer at least 60 contact learning hours, and it is designated as a pathway to the ACC credential.Â
Graduates from a Level 1 education and training programs may apply for the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) Credential using the Level 1 application path if they meet the credentialing requirements.
Level 2 Accreditation (formerly ACTP) is for organizations that offer at least 125 contact learning hours, and it is designated as a pathway to the PCC credential.Â
Graduates from a Level 2 education and training programs may apply for the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) Credential using the Level 2 application path if they meet the credentialing requirements.
Level 3 Accreditation, a brand-new offering, is for organizations that offer at least 75 advanced contact learning hours, and it is designated as a pathway to the MCC credential.Â
Graduates from a Level 3 education and training program may apply for the Master Certified Coach (MCC) Credential using the MCC application path if they meet the credentialing application requirements.
Continuing Coach Education (CCE) will remain, and is intended to serve as continuing education and professional development for the renewal of a credential – not as initial coach training or education.
A New Way of Accrediting
A new way of accrediting that accredits an entire organization rather than only a specific curriculum or program. Accrediting whole organizations is a leading global practice. This sends a strong message of credibility and congruence for our organization, and our profession, that enables all of us to live the gold standard for which we are all proud.Â
Coaches worldwide recognize ICF as an industry leader.
Last update from ICF website September 17, 2022.
ICF currently has the following credentials:
Associate Certified Coach (ACC) Credential
Standards:
- 60 hours of Level 1 education
- 100+ hours of coaching experience
- 10 hours of Mentor Coaching
- Successful completion (passing score) of a performance evaluation
- Successful completion (passing score) of the ICF Credentialing Exam
Level 1 with Positivity Coaching Academy offers 122 hrs of training. You can choose the introduction course for Personal & Executive coaching or the advanced for Team coaching. Both options offer 62 hrs of Level 1 training that can lead to ACC and ACTC respectively. ACTC is an Advanced Certification for Team Coaching (see below for details). Graduates from a Level 1 education training program may apply for the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) Credential using the Level 1 application path if they meet the credentialing application standards. View sample Level 1 application. Through a level 1 application you won’t have to submit recording for performance evaluation. Evaluation will be performed by the Positivity Coaching Academy Level 1 faculty.
Advanced Certification for Team Coaching (ACTC) Credential
Standards:Â
- Holds an ACC, PCC or MCC Credential Â
- 10+ team coaching engagementsÂ
- 60+ hours of team coaching education or training
- 10 hours of coaching supervision
- Successful completion (passing score) of the ICF Team Credentialing ExamÂ
Graduates from Diploma in Team Coaching education training program may apply for the Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC) Credential if they meet the credentialing application standards. ICF is expected to release more detailed information on its website perhaps later this year.
Professional Certified Coach (PCC) Credential
Standards:Â
- 500+ hours of coaching experienceÂ
- 125 hours of Level 2 education
- 10 hours of Mentor CoachingÂ
- Successful completion (passing score) of a performance evaluation
- Successful completion (passing score) of the ICF Credentialing Exam
Level 2 with Positivity Coaching Academy offers 200 hrs of training. Graduates from our Advanced Diploma in Professional Coaching Mastery education training program may apply for the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) Credential using the Level 2 application path if they meet the credentialing application standards. View sample Level 2 application. Through a level 2 application you won’t have to submit recordings for your performance evaluation. Evaluation will be performed by the Positivity Coaching Academy Level 2 faculty.
Master Certified Coach (MCC) Credential
Standards:Â
- 200+ hours of coaching educationÂ
- 2,500+ hours of coaching experience Â
- Holds, or previously held, PCC Credential Â
- 75 hours of Level 3 education
- 10 hours of Mentor CoachingÂ
- Successful completion (passing score) of a performance evaluation
- Successful completion (passing score) of the ICF Credentialing Exam
Level 3 with Positivity Coaching Academy offers 86 hrs of training. Graduates from Diploma in Masterful Coaching education training program may apply for the Master Certified Coach (MCC) Credential if they meet the credentialing application standards. View sample application.
Last update from ICF website September 17, 2022.

Ideal for you if you want to become a professional coach.
All-inclusive pack of live and on-demand lessons, theory, models, practice, mentor coaching, coaching supervision.
Designated path for your ICF PCC credential.
Accredited by the ICF as a LEVEL 2 program.
No need to send your recordings to ICF to get your PCC.
More info here.

Ideal for coaches who want to become team coaches as well.
All-inclusive pack of live and on-demand lessons, theory, models, practice, mentor coaching, team coaching supervision.
Accredited by the ICF as a LEVEL 1 program.
Designated path for your ICF ACTC credential.
More info here.

Ideal for you if you are just starting to study coaching.
All-inclusive pack of live and on-demand lessons, theory, models, practice, mentor coaching, supervision.
Accredited by the ICF as a LEVEL 1 program.
Designated path for your ICF ACC credential.
No need to send your recording to ICF to get your ACC.
More info here.

Ideal for you if you are a seasoned PCC coach who is looking to become an MCC coach.
All-inclusive pack of live and on-demand lessons, theory, models, practice, mentor coaching, coaching supervision and masterclasses.
Designated path for your ICF MCC credential.
Will be submitted to the ICF as a LEVEL 3 program.
More info here.
Do you want to receive your PCC credential without submitting your coaching sessions to ICF?
If you are an ACC coach, or have a 60-hour ACSTH training certificate, we’ll accept it towards your LEVEL 2 certificate in our “Advanced Diploma in Professional Coaching Mastery”.
Send us an email at ask@positivityglobal.org

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