How can I renew my lapsed credential? What happens if I miss the grace period for renewal?

ICF provides a two-month grace period for your credential renewal. You are able to still renew your credential up to one year from the expiration date, but you will be required to provide additional CCE's for each month that passes after the grace period. I have provided more information below.

If you are 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, 2024: 

• Application submitted in January 2025: grace period – 40 CCE units (24 must be Core Competencies) 
• Application submitted in February 2025: grace period – 40 CCE units (24 must be Core Competencies) 
• Application submitted in March 2025: 41.2 CCE units (24.72 must be Core Competencies)  
• Application submitted in April 2025: 42.4 CCE unit (25.44 must be Core Competencies)  
• Application submitted in May 2025: 43.6 CCE units (26.16 must be Core Competencies)  
• Application submitted in June 2025: 44.8 CCE units (26.88 must be Core Competencies)  
• Application submitted in July 2025: 46 CCE units (27.6 must be Core Competencies)  
• Application submitted in August 2025: 47.2 CCE units (28.32 must be Core Competencies)  
• Application submitted in September 2025: 48.4 CCE units (29.04 must be Core Competencies)  
• Application submitted in October 2025: 49.6 CCE units (29.76 must be Core Competencies)  
• Application submitted in November 2025: 50.8 CCE units (30 must be Core Competencies)  
• Application submitted in December 2025: 52 CCE units (31.2 must be Core Competencies)