Board Certified Coach (BCC) Training & Certification Program
What is a Board Certified Coach (BCC)?
The Board Certified Coach (BCC) credential is a reputable independent certification of professional coaches in the United States. It’s requirements and reputation are on par with International Coach Federation.
The credential is awarded by the Center for Credentialing and Education, a preeminent institution for recognizing competence of professional counselors and coaches in the US.
Achieving the BCC certification shows that a professional coach has:
- Met educational and training requirements
- Passed a psychometrically sound coach-specific examination
- Obtained experience in the field of coaching
- Professional peer references
- Accountability to an enforceable ethics code
- Commitment to continuing education
Requirements for becoming a Board Certified Coach
Since there are many overlaps in counseling and coaching competencies, CCE has evaluated those in detail and put together guidance specific to particular backgrounds and professions.
The following information was obtained directly from CCE website and is current as of October 2017.
Application Requirements for National Certified Counselors (NCCs) or Fully State-Licensed Counselors
| Education* |
Master’s degree or higher* Sealed official transcript from the educational institution * |
| Certification |
Must hold a current and active National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential or a full professional counselor license (e.g., LPC, LPCC, LMHC) A copy of your current and active certification ID, certificate or verification letter. |
| Training |
Completion of a minimum of 30 hours of professional coach training from a CCE-approved coach training provider. (NOTE: Coacharya’s Advanced program is approved by CCE) |
| Experience |
30 hours of postdegree coaching experience working with individuals, groups or organizations. Experience form completed by a professional coach, supervisor or colleague. |
| Endorsement |
One professional endorsement. Endorsement form completed by a professional reference. |
| Examination | BCC examination Applicants must pass the BCC examination to be awarded the BCC credential. |
| Fees payable to CCE |
$229 (NCC) application review fee. $279 (non-NCC)application review fee. $40 annual maintenance fee for certificate holders. |
| Continuing Education For continued certification |
Recertification requires confirmation of 70 clock hours of continuing education accrued within your five-year recertification cycle as determined by CCE. Of the 70 clock hours, four clock hours must be earned in the area of ethics. The remaining 66 clock hours must fall within at least one of the six BCC competency areas. |
| Other requirements | |
| * Degrees must be from a postsecondary educational institution or program accredited by an accrediting agency or state approval agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. For non-U.S. degrees, please see the sidebar at left. |
Applicants holding a master's degree or higher in counseling*
| Education* |
Master’s degree or higher in counseling* Sealed official transcript from the educational institution * |
| Training | Completion of a minimum of 30 hours of professional coach training from a CCE-approved coach training provider.(NOTE: Coacharya’s Advanced program is approved by CCE) |
| Experience |
30 hours of postdegree coaching experience working with individuals, groups or organizations. Experience form completed by a professional coach, supervisor or colleague. |
| Endorsement |
One professional endorsement. Endorsement form completed by a professional reference. |
| Examination | BCC examination Applicants must pass the BCC examination to be awarded the BCC credential. |
| Fees |
$279 application review fee. $40 annual maintenance fee for certificate holders. |
| Continuing Education For continued certification |
Recertification requires confirmation of 70 clock hours of continuing education accrued within your five-year recertification cycle as determined by CCE. Of the 70 clock hours, four clock hours must be earned in the area of ethics. The remaining 66 clock hours must fall within at least one of the six BCC competency areas. |
| Other requirements | |
| * Degrees must be from a postsecondary educational institution or program accredited by an accrediting agency or state approval agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. For non-U.S. degrees, please see the sidebar at left. |
Applicants holding a doctoral degree in social or behavioral sciences*
| Education* |
Doctoral degree in social or behavioral sciences* Automatically accepted fields are business, management, social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology, medicine, health and wellness, education, and law. Other related fields will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Sealed official transcript from the educational institution * |
| Training | Completion of a minimum of 30 hours of professional coach training from a CCE-approved coach training provider.(NOTE: Coacharya’s Advanced program is approved by CCE) |
| Experience |
30 hours of postdegree coaching experience working with individuals, groups or organizations. Experience form completed by a professional coach, supervisor or colleague.Verification of Experience Form |
| Endorsement |
One professional endorsement. Endorsement form completed by a professional reference.Professional Endorsement Form |
| Examination | BCC examination Applicants must pass the BCC examination to be awarded the BCC credential. |
| Fees |
$279 application review fee. $40 annual maintenance fee for certificate holders. |
| Continuing Education For continued certification |
Recertification requires confirmation of 70 clock hours of continuing education accrued within your five-year recertification cycle as determined by CCE. Of the 70 clock hours, four clock hours must be earned in the area of ethics. The remaining 66 clock hours must fall within at least one of the six BCC competency areas. |
Applicants holding a master's degree or higher in social or behavioral sciences*
| Education* | Master’s degree or higher in social or behavior sciences*
Automatically accepted fields are business, management, social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology, medicine, health and wellness, education, and law. Other related fields will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Sealed official transcript from the educational institution * |
| Training | Completion of a minimum of 30 hours of professional coach training from a CCE-approved coach training provider.(NOTE: Coacharya’s Advanced program is approved by CCE) |
| Experience | 30 hours of postdegree coaching experience working with individuals, groups or organizations.
Experience form completed by a professional coach, supervisor or colleague. Verification of Experience Form |
| Endorsement | One professional endorsement.
Endorsement form completed by a professional reference. Professional Endorsement Form |
| Examination | BCC examination Applicants must pass the BCC examination to be awarded the BCC credential. |
| Fees | $279 application review fee.
$40 annual maintenance fee for certificate holders. |
| Continuing Education For continued certification |
Recertification requires confirmation of 70 clock hours of continuing education accrued within your five-year recertification cycle as determined by CCE. Of the 70 clock hours, four clock hours must be earned in the area of ethics. The remaining 66 clock hours must fall within at least one of the six BCC competency areas. |
| Other requirements | |
| * Degrees must be from a postsecondary educational institution or program accredited by an accrediting agency or state approval agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. For non-U.S. degrees, please see the sidebar at left. |
Applicants holding a bachelor's degree or higher in any field of study*
| Education* | Bachelor’s degree or higher in any field of study*Sealed official transcript from the educational institution * |
| Training |
Completion of a minimum of 120 hours of professional coach training from a CCE-approved coach training provider. (NOTE: Coacharya’s Advanced program is approved by CCE) |
| Experience |
30 hours of postdegree coaching experience working with individuals, groups or organizations.Experience form completed by a professional coach, supervisor or colleague. |
| Endorsement |
One professional endorsement. Endorsement form completed by a professional reference. |
| Examination | BCC examination Applicants must pass the BCC examination to be awarded the BCC credential. |
| Fees |
$279 application review fee. $40 annual maintenance fee for certificate holders. |
| Continuing Education For continued certification |
Recertification requires confirmation of 70 clock hours of continuing education accured within your five-year recertification cycle as determined by CCE. Of the 70 clock hours, four clock hours must be earned in the area of ethics. The remaining 66 clock hours must fall within at least one of the six BCC competency areas. |
| Other requirements | |
| * Degrees must be from a postsecondary educational institution or program accredited by an accrediting agency or state approval agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. For non-U.S. degrees, please see the sidebar at left. |
Applicants holding a national/regional certification in coaching and at least a bachelor’s degree or higher in any field*
| Education* | Bachelor’s degree or higher in any field of study*Sealed official transcript from the educational institution * |
| Certification | Must hold a qualifying current and active coaching certification.
A certification as defined by CCE is a voluntary process by which a nongovernmental agency or association grants recognition to an individual who has met predetermined qualifications specified by the agency or association. Such qualifications must include graduation from an accredited or approved training program, acceptable performance on a qualifying examination, and completion of some specified amount or type of work experience. The certification must require documentation of continuing education in order to renew. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of their coaching certification to CCE for review prior to submitting the BCC application. In order for your coaching certification to be considered, please contact CCE at cce@cce-global.org. |
| Training | Completion of a minimum of 60 hours of professional coach training from a national or regional coach training program. |
| Experience | Minimum of 30 hours of postdegree coaching experience working with individuals, groups or organizations.Experience form completed by a professional coach, supervisor or colleague. |
| Endorsement | One professional endorsement.Endorsement form completed by a professional reference. |
| Examination | BCC examination Applicants must pass the BCC examination to be awarded the BCC credential. |
| Fees | $279 application review fee.
$40 annual maintenance fee for certificate holders. |
| Continuing Education For continued certification |
Recertification requires confirmation of 70 clock hours of continuing education accrued within your five-year recertification cycle as determined by CCE. Of the 70 clock hours, four clock hours must be earned in the area of ethics. The remaining 66 clock hours must fall within at least one of the six BCC competency areas. |
| Other requirements | |
| * Degrees must be from a postsecondary educational institution or program accredited by an accrediting agency or state approval agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. For non-U.S. degrees, please see the sidebar at left. |
Applicants with at least 2,500 hours of coaching experience within five years or more and a bachelor's degree or higher in any field*
| Education* | Bachelor’s degree or higher in any field*Sealed official transcript from the educational institution * |
| Training | Completion of a minimum of 30 hours of professional coach training from a CCE-approved coach training provider.(NOTE: Coacharya’s Advanced program is approved by CCE) |
| Experience | 2,500 hours of postdegree coaching experience over a period of five years or more working with individuals, groups or organizations.Experience form completed by a professional coach, supervisor or colleague. |
| Examination | BCC examination Applicants must pass the BCC examination to be awarded the BCC credential. |
| Endorsement | One professional endorsement.Endorsement form completed by a professional reference. |
| Fees | $279 application review fee.
$40 annual maintenance fee for certificate holders. |
| Continuing Education For continued certification |
Recertification requires confirmation of 70 clock hours of continuing education accrued within your five-year recertification cycle as determined by CCE. Of the 70 clock hours, four clock hours must be earned in the area of ethics. The remaining 66 clock hours must fall within at least one of the six BCC competency areas. |
| Other requirements | |
| * Degrees must be from a postsecondary educational institution or program accredited by an accrediting agency or state approval agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. For non-U.S. degrees, please see the sidebar at left. |
Contact Us About Coach Training
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Board Certified Coach Certification Program
Coacharya’s Coaching Foundation coach training program is accredited by CCE and fulfills all the requirements of BCC training.
Board Certified Coach Examination (BCCE)
The Board Certified Coach Examination (BCCE) is the final part of the BCC certification program. Everyone seeking the Board Certified Coach credential must take the exam. BCCE covers the following competency areas:
- Screening and Orientation in Coaching
- Fundamental Coaching Skills
- Assessments in Coaching
- Coaching Approaches for Individuals
- Coaching Approaches for Business and Organizations
- Ethical and Professional Practice in Coaching
Ready to start your BCC training?
Coacharya’s Advanced coach training program covers all the coaching competencies requirements for Board Certified Coach certification. Learn more about out online training program.