Credential guide
ICF ACC Certification
A practical map of the education, experience, assessment, and exam requirements on the path to your first ICF credential.
- Education
- 60 hours
- Experience
- 100 hours
- Mentor coaching
- 10 hours
- Evaluation
- Required
- Final step
- ACC exam
The credential
What the ACC demonstrates
The Associate Certified Coach credential is ICF's entry-level professional credential. It verifies foundational coaching education, real client experience, mentor coaching, observed coaching skill, and knowledge of the standards tested on the ACC Exam.
Recognized foundation
A portable credential aligned with ICF coaching standards.
Demonstrated practice
Documented client hours and an assessed coaching conversation.
Exam-ready knowledge
Competencies, ethics, and professional coaching boundaries.
Five checkpoints
ACC eligibility requirements
All five checkpoints must be complete before the credential is awarded.
- 1
Coaching education
Complete at least 60 hours of coach-specific education.
60 hours
- 2
Coaching experience
Document 100 hours with at least eight clients, including 75 paid hours and 25 hours completed within the 18 months before applying.
100 hours
- 3
Mentor coaching
Complete mentor coaching over at least three months. Portfolio candidates need 10 hours, including three one-to-one hours.
10 hours
- 4
Performance evaluation
Meet the ACC performance standard through your accredited program or a submitted recording and transcript on the Portfolio path.
Required
- 5
ACC Exam
Pass the 60-question written credentialing exam after ICF approves your application.
Understand the exam formatFinal step
Which path applies to me?
Compare the two ACC application paths
The Level 1 / Level 2 path is the common streamlined route because the accredited program already covers mentor coaching and the performance evaluation. Portfolio applicants provide those items separately.
| Compare | Level 1 / Level 2 MOST COMMON | Portfolio |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Completed a full ICF-accredited Level 1 or Level 2 program | Using CCE or non-ICF-accredited coaching education |
| Education proof | Program certificate | Certificates plus curriculum details for non-accredited education |
| Performance evaluation | Completed within the accredited program | One recorded session with transcript |
| Estimated review | 4 weeks | 14 weeks |
| ICF member fee | $175 USD | $475 USD |
| Non-member fee | $325 USD | $625 USD |
Prepare for the final checkpoint
Practice scenario-based ACC questions, learn why each answer is correct, then validate your pacing with a timed mock exam.
- Competency-focused quizzes
- 60-question timed mock tests
- Answer explanations
- Competency-level reports
ICF ACC credential FAQs
Requirements, application paths, fees, and credential timing.
What are the requirements for the ICF ACC credential?
The ACC credential requires five things: at least 60 hours of coach-specific training, a minimum of 100 hours of coaching experience (with at least 75 paid), at least 10 hours of mentor coaching over a minimum of 3 months, a performance evaluation (a recorded coaching session), and a passing score on the ICF ACC credentialing exam.
Do I need an ICF-accredited program to apply for the ACC?
Not necessarily. The Level 1 / Level 2 path is for graduates of ICF-accredited programs and has a faster, streamlined application. The Portfolio path is for coaches whose training came from CCE courses or non-accredited programs and requires more documentation, but it is still a valid route to the ACC.
How much does the ICF ACC application cost?
For the Level 1 / Level 2 path, the application fee is $175 for ICF members and $325 for non-members. For the Portfolio path, it is $475 for members and $625 for non-members. The exam fee is included in the application. ICF membership reduces the cost, so many candidates join before applying.
How long does it take to get the ACC credential?
Most coaches take 4 to 12 months from finishing their training to earning the credential, depending on how quickly they log coaching hours, complete mentor coaching, and pass the exam. Application review takes about 4 weeks for the Level 1 / Level 2 path and up to 14 weeks for the Portfolio path.
Does the ICF ACC credential expire?
Yes. The ACC credential must be renewed every 3 years. Renewal requires 40 hours of Continuing Coach Education (CCE) and ongoing ICF membership.
Make the exam your most prepared step
Start with our public sample questions, then use Plus for realistic timed mock exams.
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