Applying for the ACC as an ICF ACTP or ACSTH Graduate

ACC Credential Requirements for ICF ACTP and ACSTH Graduates

The ICF Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) and Approved Coach Specific Training Hours (ACSTH) designations are now retired. But don’t worry — your education still counts toward earning an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential.

If you participated in ACTP or ACSTH education, here’s a summary of the ACC requirements and application paths that apply to you.

If you completed only part of an ACTP, Level 1, or Level 2 program (and did not complete in its entirety), you will also use the ACSTH path to apply for your credential.

Education Requirements & Application Paths

At the ACC level, 60 hours of coaching education are required. The application path depends on the type of education you received.

ACTP Path

• What It Was: ACTP programs were comprehensive, including the education hours, mentor coaching, and performance evaluation needed to meet PCC requirements.

• What To Submit With Your Application: Your program certificate and coaching experience hours.

• Application Path: Level 1/Level 2/ACTP Application Path

• Application Fee:

  • ICF Member: $175 USD

  • Non-Member: $325 USD

• Review Time: 4 weeks

ACSTH Path

• What It Was: ACSTH programs focused on providing coaching education. Other requirements — mentor coaching and a recorded session for performance evaluation — must be verified and submitted separately.

• What To Submit With Your Application: Your program certificate, coaching experience hours, mentor coaching information, recorded coaching session, and accompanying transcript.

• Application Path: ACSTH Application Path

• Application Fee:

  • ICF Member: $375 USD

  • Non-Member: $525 USD

• Review Time: 14 weeks

Experience Requirements

You must have at least 100 hours of coaching experience following the start of your coaching education, regardless of whether it was ACTP or ACSTH. You must complete an attestation of this experience as part of your application.  

Learn more about the Experience Requirements

Mentor Coaching Requirements

If you completed an ACTP program, you have already fulfilled the mentor coaching requirement for the ACC credential as part of your education program.

If you completed ACSTH education, you must receive 10 hours of mentor coaching prior to submitting your ACC application.

Here are additional details you need to complete the mentor coaching requirement:

• Duration: The 10 hours must be completed over a minimum period of three months.

• Session Structure: Out of the 10 hours of mentoring, three hours must be one-on-one sessions. The remaining seven hours can be one-on-one or in a group setting with no more than 10 individuals.

• Mentor Qualifications: Your mentor coach must hold a valid ACC, PCC, or MCC credential. If your mentor is an ACC, they must have renewed their credential at least once before they are eligible to serve as your mentor coach for ACC credentialing or renewal.

Learn More about Mentor Coaching

Performance Evaluation Requirements

If you completed an ACTP program, you have already fulfilled the performance evaluation requirement for the ACC credential as part of your education program.

If you completed ACSTH education, you are required to submit a  performance evaluation recording and transcript with your ACC application.

This evaluation involves an ICF assessor reviewing a recorded coaching session and its accompanying transcript, which you must submit with your application. The coaching session must meet these requirements:

• It must be with a regular client who has specifically hired you as a coach, not in any other role or capacity.

• The session must last between 20 and 60 minutes.

Learn More about Performance Evaluations 

Exam Requirements

All candidates for the ACC credential, regardless of application path, are required to pass the ACC Exam, a computer-based written exam administered by ICF Credentials and Standards. 

This exam is designed to measure a coach’s knowledge of the ICF definition of coaching, ICF Core Competencies, and ICF Code of Ethics.

Learn More about the ACC Exam

Tackling Your Application? Let’s Make It Easy

We know the application itself has many parts to it, but don’t worry — you’ve got this! Our step-by-step sample applications are here to guide you through the application with confidence and ease.

• ACC ACTP Sample Application

• ACSTH Path Sample Application