Are you planning to join a coach training course to take the first step towards a coaching career? Well, it’s a great choice that you have made, but first, you need to know about the certifications and credentials. Let’s start with the highest level of coaching certification and credential under ICF, which is MCC credentialing.
What is MCC?
MCC is short for Master Certified Coach. It is the highest designation that a coach can get under the ICF curriculum. MCC is a master-level credentialing that solidifies one’s profile as a professional coach of the highest order. To acquire the MCC level, you need to complete the following;
- 200+ hours of coach-specific training
- 10+ hours of mentoring sessions under a Master coach
- 2500+ hours of coaching experience (2250 paid hours)
- Holder of the PCC (Professional Certified Coach) credential
Along with these, the aspirant has to complete the Coach Knowledge Assessment and submit recordings and transcripts of sessions with clients for evaluation.
What is ICF?
The MCC is one of the credentials designated by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) for coaching professionals. It is the largest global coaching organization that has set precedence in upholding the integrity of the profession and practice. It sets the standards for core coaching competencies and the Code of Conduct for professionals.
ICF does not offer training to the aspirants. However, it does offer accreditations to the training programs, ensuring that they stick to the precedence. ICF provides aspirants and professionals with certifications and credentials, respectively. If you want MCC credentialing, you need to apply for the same to the ICF.
Updated ICF MCC or ICF Master Coach Credential Requirements
ICF is updating its credential criteria and pathways from 2023. Master Certified Coach (MCC) credential pathways will be renamed to Level 3 accreditations. Coaches will still get two pathways to choose from:
- Level 3 Path
- Portfolio Path
The Level 3 path is a new path for Master Certified Coach (MCC) candidates introduced by ICF. This path will apply to candidates who have completed an ICF-accredited Level 3 program following the award of the PCC Credential. The Portfolio path will remain as existing, which is a path for candidates who completed a range of coach-specific educational programs, including ICF- accredited and non-accredited programs.
Other important updates to consider are that ICF will be removing CKA (Coach Knowledge Assessment) and current Performance Evaluation criteria from January 2023. And this process will be replaced with ICF Credentialing Exam. Here’s an overview of the requirements for MCC contestants:
General Qualifications for MCC:
- Must be an ICF PCC
- Complete at least 60 hours of coach-specific education (Leve-3 or Portfolio pathway). Training hours must total 200 hours of training.
- Submit coaching experience hours log and recorded sessions for Performance Evolution.
- Complete at least 10 hours of mentor coaching. These hours must occur over three months or longer.
- Pass Performance Evaluation (submission of two recorded coaching sessions of 20-60 minutes with transcripts).
- Pass a computer-based written exam administered by ICF Credentials and Standards.
- ICF will take at least 18 to 22 weeks for application review.
MCC Level-3 Pathway:
- Complete the entire CF-accredited Level 3 program (75 contact learning hours and is designated as MCC Accredited Education).
- Coaching experience hours: Minimum of 2500 hours (2250 hours must be paid) with at least 35 clients following the start of coach-specific education or training.
MCC Portfolio Pathway:
- At least 200 hours of coach-specific education (ICF-accredited, CCE, and/or non-ICF accredited courses).
- Coaching experience hours: Minimum of 100 hours (at least 75 paid) with at least 8 clients following the start of coach-specific training.
Getting started
MCC credentialing is the most coveted position for any coach, and there are only a few who reach that level. According to a recent report by ICF, only 3% of all coaches are Master Certified Coaches. If you want to keep that as your ultimate aim, first you must enroll in a training program with ICF accreditation. The Coach Transformation Academy (CTA) excels as the leading institute for coach training. Coach Transformation offers a complete experiential, immersive Master Coach program that supports coaches to gain expertise in their own coaching style. You can read more about our MCC credentialing training program here.
