ICF-PCC Certification: Professional Certified Coach Guide

The ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) is the mid-tier credential in the ICF's three-level system. It sits between the ACC (Associate Certified Coach) and the MCC (Master Certified Coach), and it's the credential that most full-time professional coaches aim for.

To earn the PCC, you must meet all of the following requirements:

125+ hours of coach-specific training. This training must come from an ICF Level 2 accredited program (or the legacy ACTP pathway). Level 2 programs build on the foundational skills taught in Level 1, focusing on advanced coaching competencies, deeper client engagement, and mastery of the ICF Core Competencies.

500+ coaching experience hours. At least 450 of these must be paid coaching hours. This is a significant step up from the ACC's 100-hour requirement and is the biggest bottleneck for most candidates. You need to be actively coaching clients — not just studying — for a sustained period.

10 hours of mentor coaching. These sessions must be with an ICF-credentialed coach (PCC or MCC level) and must include at least three hours of individual mentoring. Some training programs include mentor coaching in their tuition; others don't.

Pass the Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA). This is a scenario-based exam that tests your understanding of the ICF Core Competencies and Code of Ethics. It replaced the older ICF Credentialing Exam in 2023. You have three hours to complete it, and it's administered online.

Application fee. The fee varies by pathway and membership status: $375 for ICF members applying through the Level 2/ACTP path, up to $900 for non-members using the ACSTH (portfolio) path. ICF membership costs $245/year, so joining before you apply usually saves money.

The ICF offers two main routes to the PCC credential. Which one you choose depends on whether you're building on an existing ACC or going through a comprehensive program from the start.

Path 1: Level 2 / ACTP Program (most common). You complete an ICF Level 2 accredited program that provides all 125+ training hours in a structured curriculum. Many Level 2 programs include mentor coaching and observed coaching sessions as part of the program. After completing the program, you log your 500+ coaching hours and apply. This is the most straightforward path and typically has the lower application fee ($375 for ICF members, $575 for non-members).

Path 2: Upgrade from ACC (portfolio path). If you already hold an ACC credential, you can upgrade to PCC by completing additional training hours to reach the 125-hour total, accumulating 500+ coaching hours, completing 10 hours of mentor coaching, and passing the CKA. This path uses the ACSTH pathway, with application fees of $575 (ICF members) or $900 (non-members). It's more expensive in application fees but may be less expensive overall if you've already paid for Level 1 training.

Which path is better? If you're starting fresh or early in your coaching career, a comprehensive Level 2 program is usually the best value — you get structured training, mentor coaching, and a clear curriculum. If you already have your ACC and hundreds of coaching hours, the upgrade path lets you build on what you've already invested.

For a current directory of ICF-accredited Level 2 programs, visit the ICF Training Program Search.

The total investment for a PCC credential ranges from roughly $6,000 to $16,800. Here's where the money goes:

Training program: $3,500-$13,395. This is the largest expense. ICF Level 2 accredited programs vary widely in price. More affordable online programs start around $3,500, while premium programs from well-known institutions (CTI, iPEC, etc.) can exceed $13,000. The price reflects program length, delivery format, included resources, and brand reputation — not necessarily quality of instruction.

Mentor coaching: $1,000-$2,700 (if not included). Some Level 2 programs bundle mentor coaching into tuition. If yours doesn't, you'll need to arrange 10 hours separately. Individual mentor coaching sessions with a PCC or MCC coach typically cost $100-$270 per hour. When comparing program costs, check whether mentor coaching is included — it's a significant hidden cost if not.

Application fee: $375-$900. The exact fee depends on your pathway and ICF membership status. Level 2/ACTP path: $375 (members) or $575 (non-members). ACSTH/portfolio path: $575 (members) or $900 (non-members). ICF membership is $245/year — if you're applying through the portfolio path, the membership pays for itself in application fee savings.

ICF membership: $245/year. Not technically required, but the application fee discount and access to ICF resources, research, and the credential finder directory make it worthwhile for most coaches.

CKA exam fee: included in application. Unlike some professional certifications, the Coach Knowledge Assessment fee is part of your application fee — you don't pay separately.

Sources: ICF PCC Paths, coaching-online.org cost analysis.

Plan for 1 to 3 years from the start of your Level 2 training to receiving your PCC credential. The timeline depends primarily on how quickly you accumulate 500 coaching hours.

Training phase: 6-12 months. Most Level 2 programs run 6-12 months. Some accelerated or self-paced options can be completed faster, but the ICF emphasizes that coaching competency develops through practice over time, not speed.

Experience accumulation: the real variable. The 500 coaching hours requirement is what stretches the timeline. If you're coaching 10 clients per week for 1 hour each, that's roughly 50 hours per month — meaning about 10 months of full-time coaching. If you're building your practice part-time with 3-5 clients per week, you're looking at 2-3 years to accumulate enough hours.

For ACC holders upgrading: If you already have significant coaching hours logged from your ACC period, the timeline shortens. Hours accumulated before or during your ACC can count toward the PCC's 500-hour requirement, as long as they were logged after you completed at least 60 hours of training.

Application and review: 4-8 weeks. After submitting your application, ICF review typically takes 4-8 weeks. You'll schedule the CKA exam during this period.

Realistic timeline for most coaches: If you're starting from scratch with no prior coaching hours, expect 2-3 years total. If you're upgrading from ACC with 200-300 hours already logged, 1-2 years is realistic. Full-time coaches with strong client pipelines can do it faster.

The PCC is where coaching transitions from a side practice to a recognized profession. Here's what changes when you earn it:

Higher session rates. PCC holders typically charge $200-$350 per session, compared to $100-$200 for ACC coaches. According to the 2025 ICF Global Coaching Study, coaches with higher credentials consistently earn more. The PCC signals that you've logged at least 500 hours of real coaching — not just training, but actual client work.

Corporate and organizational clients. This is the biggest practical difference. When HR departments and organizations hire external coaches, they typically require PCC or higher. Many corporate coaching panels and coaching platforms list PCC as a minimum requirement. If you want to work with corporate clients, the PCC is effectively a prerequisite.

Coaching platforms and directories. Major coaching platforms (BetterUp, CoachHub, Noomii) weight PCC credentials heavily in their coach selection process. The ICF Credential Finder lets potential clients search specifically for PCC coaches.

Professional credibility. The PCC demonstrates sustained commitment to coaching as a profession. The 500-hour requirement means you've worked with dozens of clients across a range of situations — that depth of experience matters to referral sources and potential clients.

Pathway to MCC. If you eventually want to pursue the Master Certified Coach (MCC) credential, PCC is a required stepping stone. The MCC requires 2,500+ coaching hours and 200+ training hours, building directly on the PCC foundation.

For more on how certification affects earning potential, see our life coach salary guide.

Your PCC credential is valid for 3 years from the date of issuance. To renew, you need:

40 hours of continuing coach education (CCE). At least 24 hours must be in core coaching competencies, and at least 3 hours must cover coaching ethics. The remaining hours can be in either core competencies or resource development. CCE hours can come from ICF-approved programs, conferences, workshops, or webinars.

Renewal fee: $175 (ICF members) or $275 (non-members). Again, ICF membership typically pays for itself through the fee discount alone.

What happens if you don't renew? Your credential lapses. ICF provides a grace period, but if you let it lapse entirely, you'll need to reapply and may need to retake the exam. Keep a calendar reminder — it's easier to maintain than to restart.

Practical tip: Spread your CCE hours across the 3-year cycle. If you attend one coaching conference per year and take 2-3 workshops, you'll exceed the requirement without any last-minute scramble. Many coaches find that staying engaged in continuing education also improves their coaching and keeps them current on industry developments.