For a limited time beginning November 17, 2025, PCC and MCC candidates approved to sit for the written exam as part of their credentialing journey will have the option to take a new ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot instead of the current ICF Credentialing Exam.
By participating in this pilot exam, PCC and MCC candidates will help shape the future of the ICF credentialing process.
Please read through the rest of the information on the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot.
General Information
Why is there an ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot?
Over the last 18 months ICF has been completing an updated Coaching Job Task Analysis (JTA). This allows us to keep up with any changes in the coaching profession and ensure that our ICF certifications are testing the skill, knowledge and attributes required by effective coaching practitioners working in the field.
One outcome of the JTA is updated ICF Core Competencies, upon which ICF bases the ICF Credentialing Exam and ACC Exam. These updates require ICF to also update our credentialing exams. To make sure the new exam performs effectively and similarly to the previous ICF Credentialing Exams, a pilot version of the exam is administered before any changes are made final. The ACC Exam update and pilot will take place later in 2026.
Are there other changes occurring with the ICF Credentialing Exam?
Based on feedback from candidates, the current ICF Credentialing Exam required significant amounts of reading due to the exclusive use of Situational Judgement Items (SJIs). As part of the pilot exam, ICF will balance the exam questions between SJIs and multiple choice knowledge items (KIs), which are shorter and require a lower level of cognitive load. This is to allow candidates to focus on the coaching knowledge and experience that they have and being able to demonstrate that in the exam setting. See exam structure below for further details.
Benefits of Participation
Contribute to the profession: Candidates who participate in the pilot effort make a powerful contribution to the coaching profession as a whole, helping to set standards and empower their peers. It is through the participation of credentialing candidates, such as yourself, that the resulting revision of the exam can be trusted to be effective.
Take a shorter, more candidate-friendly structured exam: While still rigorous, the ICF Credentialing Exam pilot will include both SJIs and KIs. This follows the structure of the ACTC exam that has been successfully running since 2023 and allows for a fair and robust test of candidate knowledge and understanding of coaching while taking less time to complete (two and a half hours versus three). The incorporation of KIs items allows for items that still test candidates while reducing the required reading and processing load.
Free course for three CCEs: As a token of recognition for participating in the ICF Credentialing Exam pilot, participants will receive access to a free course package worth three Continuing Coach Education credits.
Free exam retake, if needed: Candidates who pass the pilot exam will earn their credential (PCC or MCC depending on which they have applied for) and candidates that do not pass will receive one exam retake at no additional charge.
Eligibility Requirements
ICF Credentials and Standards is recruiting 300 participants for this pilot effort. To be eligible, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Have an active PCC or MCC application and be authorized to complete the written exam
- Be available to sit for the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot between November 2025 – February 2026 (approximately)
- Acknowledge that final exam results will be available following the completion of the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot program (estimated April 2026)
- Be able to complete the Pilot Exam in English
About the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot
Exam Time: 2.5 hours, including a 10-minute break
Exam Length: Approximately 46 situational-judgement and 40 knowledge-based multiple-choice questions
Exam Format: Computer-based written exam administered through proctored delivery at Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide, or online through Pearson’s OnVue remote-proctored testing service.
Exam Content: The ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot content covers four broad domains of coaching knowledge: Foundation; Co-Creating the Relationship; Communicating Effectively; Cultivating Learning and Growth. Exam questions cover these four domains as outlined below:
Foundation
- Demonstrates Ethical Practice – 13%
- Embodies a Coaching Mindset – 13%
Co-Creating the Relationship
- Establishes and Maintains Agreements – 12%
- Cultivates Trust and Safety – 12%
- Maintains Presence – 13%
Communicating Effectively
- Listens Actively – 13%
- Evokes Awareness – 13%
Cultivating Learning and Growth
- Facilitates Client Growth – 11%
FAQs
Is there a fee to participate in the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot?
Participation in the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot is covered by the PCC/MCC application fee. There is no additional charge to participate in this pilot effort.
If I participate in the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot, will I also be required to complete the current ICF Credentialing Exam to earn my PCC/MCC?
No. Candidates have the option to take the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot instead of the current ICF Credentialing Exam. Candidates who pass the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot will earn the PCC/MCC credential.
Candidates who do not earn a passing score on the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot will be offered one free opportunity to take the ICF Credentialing Exam, to earn their PCC/MCC.
When can I take the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot?
The ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot will be offered to candidates November 2025 – February 2026 (approximately). PCC and MCC candidates authorized to sit for the written exam during this time may choose to complete the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot instead of the ICF Credentialing Exam.
Where can I take the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot?
ICF Credentials and Standards partners with Pearson VUE for the delivery of its exams, including the ICF Credentialing Exam. Candidates may choose to complete the exam at one of Pearson VUE’s 5,000+ test centers worldwide, or through Pearson OnVUE, a live, remote-proctored testing service that allows candidates to test from their home or office while being monitored by an online proctor.
How will candidates complete the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot?
Candidates that are eligible to take the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot will be informed when they begin the exam scheduling process. Once a candidate’s PCC or MCC application materials have been reviewed and approved by ICF Credentials and Standards, they will receive an invitation to complete the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot as a final step in the credentialing process, along with instructions for scheduling an exam appointment with Pearson VUE at one of their 5,000+ testing centers worldwide, or through online, remote proctored delivery through Pearson’s OnVUE testing service.
Will the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot be available in languages other than English?
For purposes of the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot program, the pilot exam will be available in English only. Once finalized, the updated ICF Credentialing Exam will be made available with additional translations.
Situational judgement questions and knowledge-based questions, what is the difference?
Situational judgement questions evaluate how individuals respond to practical situations, while knowledge-based questions assess knowledge and understanding of specific facts or concepts. Situational judgement questions are often longer and require more deliberation to answer correctly. In addition the situational judgement items require candidates to find the best and worst, or most and least effective, option. Knowledge-based items simply require the best, or correct option to be chosen.
To be better illustrate the differences an example follows. Please note the example is a sample item and not representative of content included in ICF exams:
Situational Judgment: Scenario:
A coach is meeting with a prospective client who is growing a new business. The coach and potential client quickly establish an easy connection. The coach is excited about the opportunity to work with the client. As the coach and client are ending their conversation, the prospective client briefly mentions the name of their new business. The coach recognizes the business, as the coach is an investor in a more established competitor business in the same community. What should the coach do?
- Not say anything. Try to keep their role as an investor in a competing business separate from their role as a coach.
- Share that the business name sounds familiar and make a mental note to determine whether it is a competitor business later that evening.
- Share their role as investor in the competitor business only if the potential client follows up to pursue coaching with the coach.
- Share their role as an investor in a competing business and acknowledge the possibility of a conflict of interest with the client.
What is the BEST action? D. Share their role as an investor in a competing business and acknowledge the possibility of a conflict of interest with the client.
What is the WORST action? A. Not say anything. Try to keep their role as an investor in a competing business separate from their role as a coach.
Knowledge-Based:
Which of the following actions is considered a violation of the ICF Code of Ethics?
- Maintaining confidentiality of client information.
- Engaging in a romantic relationship with a client.
- Setting clear agreements with clients.
Correct answer: B. Engaging in a romantic relationship with a client.
When will I receive my results for the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot?
ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot results will be available for candidates following the conclusion of the pilot program, anticipated in April 2026.
As part of the pilot program, exam data collected will support ICF Credentials and Standards in determining which exam questions are valid and fair to be used as scored items toward a candidate’s results and to determine the passing standard for the new exam. This process will take place following the administration of all pilot exams. As a result, pilot exam results will not be available immediately upon completion of the exam.
What if I don’t pass the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot?
PCC and MCC candidates who participate in the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot will receive their exam results following the completion of the pilot program. This is anticipated in April 2026.
If a candidate does not pass the exam, they will be provided an opportunity to complete the ICF Credentialing Exam at no additional cost. The Exam Retake fee will be waived one time for PCC and MCC candidates who do not pass the ICF Credentialing Exam Pilot and who elect to retake the current ICF Credentialing Exam; the Exam Retake fee will apply only to subsequent attempts.
Candidates must wait 14 days following their first attempt to retake an exam. For any subsequent attempts, candidates must wait 30 days to retake the exam following their most recent attempt.
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