Every credentialed coach understands that becoming a coach doesn’t stop once you achieve your ICF credential. In fact, that milestone marks the beginning of a deeper commitment to learning, reflection, and skill development.
Whether you hold an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) or a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential, renewal is an essential part of staying at the top of your game and demonstrating your commitment to the high standards of the coaching profession.
Similarly, renewing your ICF credential isn’t just about maintaining compliance—it’s a chance to refine your craft and continue delivering transformative value to your clients. I have found the process of renewal supportive of my development as a coach. It has helped me explore how I am developing in my practice together with a deeper understanding of my growing edges.
In this guide, we’ll explore the renewal requirements for both the ACC and PCC credentials, share practical tips for meeting them, and highlight how Become’s Coaching Community can make the process smoother and more enriching. Let’s dive in.
Why Renewal Matters: The Bigger Picture
Every three years, your coaching journey takes a pivotal step forward with ICF credential renewal. While it may seem like just another administrative task, it’s actually an opportunity to deepen your practice, expand your expertise, and reaffirm your commitment to coaching excellence.
Maintain Credibility: An up-to-date ICF credential is a powerful signal to clients and peers alike. It demonstrates your commitment to professionalism, ethical practice, and continued growth. It shows clients that you’re staying current with the latest developments in coaching and are serious about delivering the highest standard of service.
Stay Competitive: In today’s coaching landscape, clients and organisations value coaches who actively invest in their development. Renewing your accreditation reconfirms that you’re a professional who is constantly refining their skills and keeping pace with the evolving demands of the coaching industry.
Expand Your Skillset: The renewal process isn’t just about meeting requirements—it’s an invitation to innovate. Whether through Continuing Coach Education (CCE) or mentor coaching, the process gives you space to reflect on your practice, sharpen your skills, and learn new approaches that enhance your impact.
Breaking down the ICF's Renewal Requirements
Renewing your ACC or PCC credential involves demonstrating ongoing professional development and alignment with ICF’s high standards. Let’s look at each credential in detail.
Renewing your ACC Credential:
- Credential Validity: 3 years.
- Coaching Experience: Renewing ACCs must submit proof of at least 10 hours of mentor coaching (with an ICF-accredited mentor coach).
- Continuing Coach Education (CCE): A total of 40 CCE units is required:
- At least 24 units in Core Competencies.
- The remaining 16 units can be in Core Competencies, Resource Development, or other related areas.
- Ethics Requirement: Completion of at least 3 hours of coach-specific ethics training (e.g., ICF’s free Ethics CCE course).
Renewing your PCC Credential:
- Credential Validity: 3 years.
- Coaching Experience: Ideally renewing PCCs would demonstrate 10 hours of mentor coaching, however this is not mandatory.
- Continuing Coach Education (CCE): A total of 40 CCE units is required:
- At least 24 units in Core Competencies.
- The remaining 16 units can be in other coaching-related areas, similar to ACC.
- Ethics Requirement: Same as ACC—complete 3 hours of coach-specific ethics training.
How Become’s Coaching Community Transforms the Renewal Process
At Become, we believe renewal should be a catalyst for growth, not a chore. Our Coaching Community offers everything you need to meet ICF renewal requirements while advancing your skills, network, and confidence as a coach.
Effortless 1-1 & Group Mentor Coaching: the Tailored Coaching Community offers both 1-1 and Group Mentor Coaching to help you gain the 10 hours required for renewal. The Essential Coaching Community provides you with the Group Mentor Coaching Hours. Individual Mentoring can also be added at a discounted rate.
CCE Opportunities that Inspire You: Our CPD workshops offer diverse learning experiences to fulfill your CCE requirements. For this year we have talks on Somatic Coaching, Tripartite Meetings (and how to do them well!), Setting Agreements in Coaching and working with Transference in the Coaching Relationship.
Collaborative Learning and Feedback Opportunities with Peers and ICF Facilitators: Coaching is at its best when you’re surrounded by inspiring peers. Join sessions from Become’s popular Coaching in Action series (you can book on 2 sessions per year as part of the Alumni Community). On these sessions you will observe experienced coaches in action taking part in live sessions. Furthermore you can join some of our Peer Coaching Groups where you can practice coaching and obtain feedback to support your development.
Peace of Mind: Our community simplifies the administrative side of renewal, offering clear guidance on ICF policies and deadlines. With Become’s Coaching Community, you’ll experience renewal as an opportunity to refresh your practice, build confidence, and thrive in a supportive environment.
FAQs about the Coaching Community and the ICF ACC or PCC Renewal Process
Absolutely! Become’s Coaching Community is designed to support you through every step of the renewal process. You can complete your mentor coaching hours, access high-quality Continuing Coach Education (CCE) units, and gain support towards your renewal all in one place.
Joining Become’s Coaching Community is one of the most cost-effective ways to meet your renewal requirements. With access to group mentor coaching, a wide variety of CCE opportunities, and a supportive network, it’s a value-packed way to grow your practice without overspending.
Our tip is to join early as the closer you leave it to the renewal end date the more expensive it gets!
Yes! Whether you need group or one-on-one mentoring, our team of ICF-credentialed coaches is here to guide you. Tailored feedback and expert support will ensure you meet your mentor coaching requirements with confidence.
Yes, you can apply at any time.
Note however, that your membership runs on a yearly basis (pro rata) starting from January 1st. Joining early in the year allows you to maximise the benefits and participate in all scheduled events to gain more CCE Units.
We recommend starting 12 -14 months before your credential expires to give yourself plenty of time to complete the requirements and submit your application stress-free.
However, if you’re in membership you’ll be able to complete all the requirements gradually over the 3 year period rather than rushing these at the end. You’ll also maximise your learning this way.
If your credential lapses, you have a one-year grace period to renew. However, during that time, you cannot represent yourself as an ICF-credentialed coach.
Ensure you keep certificates of completion for all CCE courses and documentation for mentor coaching hours. These records will need to be submitted during your renewal application.
These Certificates will sent to you directly by Become.
Once signed up you’ll gain access to our Learning Portal where you will be able to book in individual sessions for Mentoring, Coaching in Action and CPD Workshops.
