ICF Coaching Credentials Update for Renewals and New Coaches

by | Dec 22, 2020

Are you due to renew your ICF credential by the end of 2020 and you’re panicking a bit about getting your CCEUs in order?

Are you applying for your first ICF credential and you’re worried about the paid hours requirement?

We have some good news for both new and renewing ICF coaches. With COVID-19 affecting all corners of our lives, ICF has changed their protocols for coaches whose credentials expire by the end of 2020, as well as for new learners, who are on their journey to become a coach. We’ve summarized these changes below, but please note that you can keep up to date with ICF on their website. If you have any questions, please leave a comment and we’ll be glad to help.

If you’re not clear as to application requirements for your chosen credential, please take a look at this page.

For details on what’s required for ICF credential renewal, please read this blog post.

Coaches Whose ICF Credentials Expire December 31, 2020

If you’re not to renew your ICF credential on or before Dec. 21, 2020, your credential will remain active until February 28, 2021. After that, it will be considered lapsed.

If you’re not ready with your renewal yet, here are some ways you can earn CCEUs before the Feb. 28, 2021 deadline:

  • Coacharya’s weekly webinars offer 1 free Core Competencies unit per webinar. These qualifying webinars take place on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 9pm IST. Here’s more information about the webinar program.
  • The Business of Coaching series offers 1 free Resource Development unit per webinar. This series takes place on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 9pm IST.
  • All past webinars are available on our YouTube channel. You can note each webinar for 1 unit of Resource Development.

What happens if you don’t renew by this extended deadline? After Feb. 28, your credential status will be considered lapsed. You may still apply to renew your lapsed credential through December 31, 2021. Your required CCE hours will be capped at 41.2 (an additional 1.2 instead of the former 1.2 additional units per month of lapse).

We definitely encourage you to apply by the Feb. 28 extended deadline to avoid the lapsed status. While it’s not the end of the world since ICF will still let you renew with the small penalty, your status on the ICF coach directory will show that you’ve lapsed, which could lead to you missing out on new clients who do their homework on your credentials.

Coaches Whose ICF Credentials Expire December 31, 2021

Our webinar program runs all year long so all the items outlined in the previous section apply to coaches whose ICF credentials expire on Dec. 31, 2021.

Since you have more time to get all the CCEUs you need, you also have the option of joining one of our 30-hour elective courses, facilitated by some of the top minds in coaching on the planet. At the time of publishing this article, only a few courses have start dates listed, so please check the schedule for regular updates. We will be covering a whole range of topics in coaching, and all courses will qualify for 30 hours or Core Competencies. Since we’re an ACTP institute, if you’re pursuing a new credential, the courses can be used as part of your coach training program with us. Contact us for more details.

Coaching Hours Requirements for ACC and PCC Applicants

When you’re applying for your ACC or PCC with ICF, you must submit a log of your coaching hours. Some of these hours must be logged within 18 months of your application. Since the pandemic has made it harder for coaches to source clients, ICF is extending the recency requirements to 24 months.

  • For ACC applicants, this means that at least 25 hours of coaching experience must have taken place within 24 months of submitting their application.
  • For PCC applicants, this means that at least 50 hours of coaching experience must have taken place within 24 months of submitting their application.

Looking for ways to increase your coaching hours?

  • List yourself as a coach on the coaching marketplace. It’s free to use and it’s a great way to source clients.
  • Register for peer coaching. We have sessions three times each week and it’s 100% free to participate. It’s a drop-in program so come as often or as little as you like. Peer coaching counts as paid hours for your log.

Increased Pro Bono Hours for ACC, PCC and MCC Applicants

For any coaches applying for their ACC, PCC or MCC by December 31, 2021, ICF is increasing the proportion of eligible pro bono coaching hours by 20%. This means:

  • ACC applicants can count 30 hours of pro bono coaching toward their experience requirement (up from 25 hours)
  • PCC applicants can count 60 hours of pro bono coaching toward their experience requirement (up from 50 hours)
  • MCC applicants can count 300 hours of pro bono coaching toward their experience requirement (up from 250 hours).

You can offer pro bono services on the coaching marketplace as well. Or if there’s a specific type of NGO client you’re looking for, please get in touch and we will happily introduce you to one of the many charities we’ve worked with.

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Smita Raghum
Smita Raghum

Smita

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