ACC Credential
Gaining an ICF credential is a sign of professionalism and commitment to high coaching standards. It’s also a meaningful personal achievement and symbol that reflects your development as a coach.
Whether you're building your practice, working within organisations, or seeking to deepen your impact, an ICF credential signals to clients and colleagues that you’re serious about ethical, evidence-based coaching. It can boost your confidence, expand opportunities, and connect you to a global community of skilled, values-driven coaches.
Some of the benefits of gaining an ICF Credential:
Builds confidence – Validates your coaching skills and helps you feel more grounded and assured in your practice.
Establishes credibility – Shows clients, employers, and peers that you meet globally recognised coaching standards.
Supports professional growth – Deepens your coaching through feedback, reflection, and skill refinement.
Opens doors – Increases eligibility for organisational coaching roles, corporate contracts, and partnerships.
Clarifies your identity as a coach – Strengthens your sense of professional purpose and ethical grounding.
Enhances trust with clients – Reassures clients they’re working with a coach who’s committed to quality and accountability.
Connects you to the profession – Links you with a global community of credentialed, values-aligned coaches.
Meets client/employer expectations – More clients and organisations now require or prefer ICF credentials.
How to Gain an ICF ACC Credential:
The ACSTH & Portfolio Application pathways are being consolidated beginning November 3, 2025.
From this date, to gain an ACC Credential, you must complete:
1. Coaching Education (either A or B option)
Option A. Level 1 Path (simpler path):
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Complete a Level 1 program (ICF-accredited, includes mentor coaching and performance evaluation)
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At least 60 hours of coach-specific training
Option B. Portfolio Path:
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At least 60 hours of coach-specific training from non-accredited sources
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Submit detailed documentation and pass a performance evaluation separately
2. Coaching Experience
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100 hours of coaching experience (75 hours must be paid)
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With at least 8 clients
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At least 25 hours of that experience must have taken place within the 18 months before applying
3. Mentor Coaching (included in a Level 1 program)
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Complete 10 hours of mentor coaching over a minimum of 3 months
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Must be with a qualified mentor coach (ICF credentialed at PCC or MCC level)
4. Performance Evaluation (included in Level 1 program)
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Submit a recorded coaching session with a transcript
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Evaluated against the ICF Core Competencies
5. ICF Credentialing Exam
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Pass the ICF Credentialing Exam
NZIC's Coaching for Transformation is a Level 1 program that includes the required 10 hours of mentoring and the final evaluation.
ACC Exam Update
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) launched a new exam for the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential in November 2024.
The ACC Exam is a proctored, computer-based written exam that you can take in person at a Pearson VUE testing center or online through Pearson’s OnVUE remote testing platform. The exam is divided into two sections, with an optional 10-minute break midway through the exam.
Total Exam Time: 90 minutes, including an optional 10-minute break
Exam Format: 60 multiple-choice questions divided into two sections
Exam Breakdown:
1. Exam Instructions: 2 minutes
2. Section 1 (30 questions): 39 minutes
3. Scheduled Break: 10 minutes
4. Section 2 (30 questions): 39 minutes
Exam topics:
1. Ethics 30%
2. Definition and Boundaries 30%
3. Competencies Strategies and Techniques 40%
1. Coaching Ethics (30%)
This section evaluates your understanding of the ICF Code of Ethics and how ethical principles apply in coaching practices. Key topics include:
- Knowledge of professional ethics codes
- Identifying conflicts of interest
- Understanding confidentiality and when it may need to be breached
- Awareness of relevant laws, regulations, and organizational policies related to coaching
2. Definition and Boundaries of Coaching (30%)
This section tests your ability to differentiate coaching from other professions and understand the scope of coaching practice. It covers:
- Mastery of the definition of coaching
- Knowledge of the coaching process and how it differs from therapy, mentoring, and consulting
- Recognition of when and how to make appropriate referrals to mental health professionals
- Ability to identify signs of mental health conditions that may impede progress in coaching
3. Coaching Competencies, Strategies, and Techniques (40%)
This section assesses your practical coaching skills and application of the ICF Core Competencies. Topics include:
- Understanding how to contract with clients (e.g., key elements of a coaching agreement)
- Comprehension of ICF Core Competencies
- Expertise in goal setting and motivation strategies
- Proficiency with various coaching techniques, tools, and resources
Read more about gaining your credential: ICF ACC Credential Exam - Become a Associate Certified Coach
