For Prospective Students

Please keep in mind as you search for coach training options that "Approved" refers to any program that has been approved by the ICF - ACTP (Accredited Coach Training Programs), ACSTH (Approved Coach Specific Training Hours), or CCE (Continuing Coach Education). "Accredited" refers only to ACTPs.

Accredited Coach Training Programs (ACTP)
Each Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) offers:

• A minimum of 125 hours of coach-specific training
• Training on all ICF Core Competencies and the ICF Code of Ethics
• A minimum of six (6) observed coaching sessions with an experienced coach
• A comprehensive final exam that evaluates a student's coaching competency

Certified graduates of ACTPs may apply for an ACC or PCC credential using the ACTP graduate application.

Students who complete some, but not all, of an ACTP may apply for a credential using the portfolio application. The completed hours are considered ACSTH.

CCE Note: All portions of an ACTP are also pre-approved as CCEUs for the purpose of renewing a credential.

Approved Coach Specific Training Hours (ACSTH)
Organizations that offer Approved Coach Specific Training Hours (ACSTH) offer:

• A minimum of 30 hours of coach-specific training
• Training on all ICF Core Competencies and the ICF Code of Ethics
• Students the opportunity to use pre-approved training hours for an ACC, PCC, or MCC Portfolio application

Graduates of ACSTH programs applying for an ACC or PCC credential must use the portfolio application rather than the ACTP graduate application. The portfolio application includes an exam.

CCE Note: All portions of an ACSTH program are also pre-approved as CCEUs for the purpose of renewing a credential.


Continuing Coach Education (CCE)
Continuing Coach Education (CCE) courses are advanced or niche-specific courses that can be used to:

• Satisfy the renewal requirements for credentialed coaches renewing their ACC, PCC, or MCC credentials
• Further the on-going development of the professional coach
• Apply toward coach-specific training requirements for an ICF Credential

Completion of a CCE program alone is generally not enough to satisfy the coach training requirements for a credential.