Applying for the PCC as an ICF ACTP or ACSTH Graduate

Modified on Fri, Feb 14 at 12:28 PM

PCC 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 Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential.

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

If you completed only part of an ACTP, Level 1, Level 2 program or a combination of these, you will also use the ACSTH application path.

PCC Education Requirements & Application Paths

At the PCC level, 125 hours of coaching education are required. The application path depends on the type of education you received.

ACTP Path

What It Was: ACTP programs included all PCC credential requirements — education hours, mentor coaching, and performance evaluation.
What To Submit With Your Application: Your program certificate and coaching experience hours.
Application Path: Level 2 / ACTP Application Path
Application Fee:
- ICF Member: $375 USD
- Non-Member: $525 USD
Review Time: 4 weeks

ACSTH Path

What It Was: ACSTH programs focused on providing coaching education. Other requirements — mentor coaching and a performance evaluation — must be verified and submitted separately.
What to Submit with Your Application: Your program certificate, coaching experience hours, mentor coaching verification, and two recorded coaching sessions and accompanying transcripts for the performance evaluation.
Application Path: Level 1 / ACSTH Application Path
Application Fee:
- ICF Member: $650 USD
- Non-Member: $800 USD
Review Time: 14 weeks

Experience Requirements

You must have at least 500 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 Experience Requirements

Mentor Coaching Requirements

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

If you completed ACSTH education, you must receive 10 hours of mentor coaching prior to submitting your PCC 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 PCC or MCC credential.

Learn More about Mentor Coaching

Performance Evaluation Requirements

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

If you completed ACSTH education, you are required to pass a performance evaluation as part of your PCC application.

This evaluation involves ICF assessors reviewing two recorded coaching sessions and accompanying transcripts, 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 PCC credential, regardless of application path, are required to pass the ICF Credentialing Exam, a computer-based written exam administered by ICF Credentials and Standards.

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

Learn More about the ICF Credentialing 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.