The International Coaching Federation's PCC credential requires 125 hours of coaching education, 500 coaching hours (including 450 paid) and 10 hours of mentor coaching. You must also pass a performance evaluation and the ICF Credentialing Exam. An ACC credential is not a prerequisite for applying for PCC.
- 1 125 hours of coaching education Complete an ICF-accredited Level 2 program, or combine accredited and other eligible coaching education on the Portfolio pathway.
- 2 500 hours of coaching experience Coach at least 25 clients for 500 hours. At least 450 hours must be paid. Complete at least 50 coaching hours within the 18 months before you submit your application.
- 3 10 hours of mentor coaching Complete 10 hours with an eligible mentor coach over at least three months, including three hours of individual sessions.
- 4 A performance evaluation Demonstrate coaching competency against ICF’s Core Competencies and the PCC Minimum Skills Requirements.
- 5 The ICF Credentialing Exam The current exam has 78 scenarios within a 180-minute appointment, and you need a scaled score of 460 to pass.
Which PCC Application Pathway Fits You?
| Level 2 pathway | Portfolio pathway | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Graduates of ICF-accredited Level 2 programs | Coaches who combine ICF-accredited and other eligible coaching education to reach 125 hours |
| Performance evaluation | Included within your completed ICF-accredited Level 2 program | Two recorded coaching sessions with transcripts (applications before April 1, 2027) |
| ICF member fee | US$375 | US$750 |
| Non-member fee | US$525 | US$900 |
| Review time | About 4 weeks | About 18 weeks |
Your first exam attempt is included in the application fee.
How to Apply for the ICF PCC Credential
Apply once you meet the education, coaching hours and mentor coaching requirements.
- 1 Prepare your documents Save your coaching education certificates as PDF, JPEG or PNG files. If your mentor coaching took place outside an accredited program, note your mentor's name and contact details, the session dates and hours, and whether each session was one-on-one or in a group.
- 2 Submit your application and pay the fee ICF begins the review once the fee is paid in full. Track the status of each part of your application in your application dashboard.
- 3 Answer any questions from ICF If ICF needs more information, it emails you and marks that section "Additional Information Needed" in your application.
- 4 Take the ICF Credentialing Exam within 60 days After approval, ICF sends your exam invitation by email. Schedule and take the exam within 60 days, at a Pearson VUE test center or online.
- 5 Receive your results You receive preliminary results as soon as you finish the exam. ICF updates your record with your official results within one week, and the credential comes with a digital badge.
What Counts Toward Your PCC Coaching Hours
One coaching hour is a full 60-minute live session with a client who hired you specifically as their coach. A shorter session counts as a partial hour, and only hours after you begin your coaching education count.
Paid hours include sessions paid in money or barter, coaching that is part of your job, and coaching you provide through an arrangement with an organization. Pro bono hours are sessions you volunteer at no cost.
Group and team coaching counts for groups of up to 15 people. Larger groups count only with a co-coach, and the coaches split the hours. A one-hour group session adds one coaching hour, and each participant is a separate client.
Coaching your direct reports, mentor coaching and coaching supervision do not count. Practice coaching during your coaching education counts only with a real client, outside the classroom, and only when the session is not also counted toward your education hours.
ICF does not ask for your coaching log with the application. Report your total hours and confirm they meet ICF's standards. ICF audits applications periodically to verify coaching experience. Keep a log with each client's name, contact details, start and end dates and paid and pro bono hours, and get each client's consent before adding them.
Mentor Coaching and the Performance Evaluation
Level 2 programs include both mentor coaching and the performance evaluation. Portfolio applicants arrange both themselves.
Choose a mentor coach who holds a PCC or MCC. Of the 10 mentor coaching hours, at least 3 must be one-on-one. The other 7 can be one-on-one or in a group of no more than 10 people.
For the performance evaluation, submit two recorded coaching sessions. For each one, record a full, unedited audio session of 20 to 60 minutes as one file in MP3, WMA, MP4 or M4A format. Add a word-for-word transcript as a Word document. The client must be a regular client who hired you for coaching and gave written permission for the recording.
A trained ICF assessor who holds a PCC or MCC reviews each recording, usually within 6 to 8 weeks. If you do not pass, you can submit a new recording within six months of receiving your results, for US$150 per recording.
Understanding PCC Markers
PCC Markers describe 37 observable coaching behaviors across six ICF Core Competencies. ICF’s PCC Minimum Skills Requirements provide broader assessment guidance, including consistent and inconsistent behaviors. Assessors evaluate coaching holistically; the markers are not a checklist. Our ICF PCC Markers guide explains each marker.
The ICF Credentialing Exam
The current ICF Credentialing Exam contains 78 scenarios across two sections, with an optional 10-minute break. Select the best and worst responses for each scenario. PCC and MCC candidates take the same written exam for their credentials.
A new exam format launches on November 10, 2026. Our ICF PCC/MCC exam guide explains the changes.
An exam retake costs US$105. Wait 14 days after your first attempt and 30 days after each later attempt.
ICF Changes Coming in 2027
From January 1, 2027, new mentor coaching hours, for both applications and renewals, must be with a mentor coach who holds ICF's Mentor Coach Specialization (MCS). Hours completed before that date still count.
For PCC Portfolio applications submitted on or after April 1, 2027, an enhanced mentor coaching requirement replaces the performance evaluation. Your MCS mentor coach observes and reviews at least three of your coaching sessions and completes a Competency Review Form for your application. This change does not apply to the Level 2 pathway.
Renewing Your ICF PCC Credential
Renew the ICF PCC credential every three years by completing 40 Continuing Coach Education (CCE) credits in each cycle, including 24 in the Core Competencies and 3 in coaching ethics.
Mentor coaching is optional for PCC renewal. Up to 10 hours of mentor coaching and as many as 10 of coaching supervision, given or received, count as Core Competency credits. Supervision hours completed from January 1, 2027 must be with a supervisor who holds ICF's Coaching Supervisor Specialization (CSS) or a supervision accreditation from another coaching or coaching supervision professional body.
Submit your renewal up to 10 months before your expiration date. The renewal fee is US$175 for ICF members or US$275 for non-members. ICF reviews renewals in about 6 to 8 weeks and allows a two-month grace period after expiry. A lapsed credential can be renewed up to one year after expiry with a US$100 late fee.
Renewal keeps your current credential. To move up a credential level, submit a new credential application.
ICF PCC/MCC Exam Preparation Course and Practice
Prepare for the current or the new (2026) PCC/MCC exam with self-paced lessons, 176 flashcards, quizzes, practical exam strategies and full exam simulators with detailed answer explanations.