ICF ACC vs ICF PCC
Associate Certified Coach (ACC) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) are separate ICF credentials. PCC asks for more coach education and client coaching experience, and it has a different written exam. Start with ICF’s eligibility requirements and the exam named in your invitation.
Last reviewed:
Eligibility and exam formats side by side
| Topic | ICF ACC | ICF PCC |
|---|---|---|
| Education and experience | 60 hours of coach education and 100 hours of coaching experience | 125 hours of coach education and 500 hours of coaching experience |
| Mentoring and assessment | Check the mentor coaching and assessment evidence for your ICF pathway. | Check the mentor coaching and assessment evidence for your ICF pathway. |
| Written exam | ACC Exam, with 60 multiple-choice questions in a 90-minute appointment | During the transition ICF offers the outgoing Credentialing Exam and the updated PCC–MCC Exam. The updated exam has 80 items in a 150-minute appointment. |
| Question types | Single-answer knowledge questions | Outgoing exam: best/worst scenarios. Updated exam: 36 knowledge items and 44 best/worst scenarios. |
| Passing score | 460 on a 200–600 scale | 460 scaled for both versions. For the updated exam, the exam page lists 200–600 and the MCC Candidate Guide lists 110–600. |
| Standards assessed | 2019 Core Competencies and 2020 Code of Ethics | Updated: 2025 Core Competencies and Code of Ethics. Outgoing: 2019 Core Competencies and 2020 Code of Ethics. |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE test centre or OnVUE where available | Pearson VUE test centre or OnVUE where available |
| TestCertify resources | Free guides, five-question diagnostic, and sample ZIP. Optional $49 USD ACC kit. | Free guides, official sample walkthrough, and sample ZIP. Optional $49 USD kit for the updated exam. |
Which PCC exam will you sit?
ICF’s transition runs from November 10, 2026 through March 31, 2027. During that period candidates may be able to choose either version. From April 1, 2027, ICF uses the updated PCC–MCC Exam for sittings and retests. The outgoing exam has 78 best/worst items in a 180-minute appointment. ICF lists an optional 10-minute break for both PCC versions and for ACC. Confirm the version, language, and deadline in your booking. The exam change and the Portfolio application changes have separate rules.
Use ICF’s requirements to choose your credential
Use ICF’s application guidance to check which education, experience, mentor coaching, and assessment evidence your pathway requires. ICF evaluates your application and provides exam scheduling instructions. After you know your exam, use its official candidate guide and samples. TestCertify’s free resources and kits can supplement those materials.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sit the PCC exam without PCC eligibility?
ICF reviews your credential application and sends scheduling instructions after the required steps. Check the PCC credential page for the evidence your pathway requires.
What if I am between ACC and PCC?
Compare your education, client coaching experience, and pathway evidence against ICF’s published requirements. Contact ICF for a decision on your own application.
Do ACC and PCC use the same written exam?
No. ACC has its own exam. PCC candidates should check ICF’s transition guidance and their appointment confirmation for the applicable version.