What Counts As Continuing Coach Education (CCE) For The ICF
Forty hours every three years is a lot to find in the final few months, and not everything coaching-adjacent will count.
Every 3 years, ICF-credentialed coaches are invited to renew their ACC, PCC or MCC. The requirement is the completion of 40 hours of continuing professional development. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) calls this Continuing Coach Education (CCE) to encourage coaches to engage in professional development targeted at their coaching skills and practice.
Not every coach knows about what the ICF considers CCE training. Yet it is important to anticipate this as 40 hours can be quite a lot of to commit to if coaches keep them until the very last moment.
In this article we are going to cover the training and developmental activities coaches can do to prepare for their ICF credential.
What is ICF continuing coach education (CCE)?
The ICF defines Continuing Coach Education as structured learning experiences designed to advance coaching knowledge and skills. These activities must be directly related to the coaching profession and aligned with the ICF Core Competencies.
According to the ICF, CCE activities are designed to support coaches in their ongoing professional development and ensure they remain current with evolving coaching practices and standards.
The key here is to understand that CCE is about genuine professional growth that enhances your coaching effectiveness.
Current ICF CCE requirements in 2026
Here are the specific requirements for each credential level:
Associate Certified Coach (ACC)
40 CCE hours over 3 years, including 10 hours of mentor coaching
Minimum 24 CCE Credits in Core Competencies, including 3 In Coaching Ethics
Maximum 16 CCE Credits in Resource Development
Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
40 CCE hours over 3 years
Minimum 24 CCE Credits in Core Competencies, including 3 In Coaching Ethics
Maximum 16 CCE Credits in Resource Development
Master Certified Coach (MCC)
40 CCE hours over 3 years
Minimum 24 CCE Credits in Core Competencies, including 3 In Coaching Ethics
Maximum 16 CCE Credits in Resource Development
Important note: All credential holders must complete their CCE requirements within their three-year renewal cycle. The renewal cycle begins from the date your credential was issued or last renewed.
What activities count as ICF CCE?
The ICF has specific criteria for what qualifies as CCE. Activities must be:
Directly related to coaching
Aligned with ICF Core Competencies
Delivered by approved providers or meet ICF standards
Structured learning experiences (not informal conversations)
Approved CCE activities and credit hours
Here's a comprehensive breakdown of activities that count towards your CCE requirements:
Formal Training Programmes
Coaching Conferences
Webinars/Virtual Training
Mentor Coaching
Reading Coaching Books
Writing Articles
Research Projects
ICF Chapter Events
For each of these activities, 1 hour = 1 CCE credit.
Categories of CCE activities
Category A: Learning Through Study
Attending workshops and seminars
Completing online courses
University coursework
Self-directed learning (reading, research)
Category B: Learning Through Interaction
Mentor coaching sessions
Peer coaching circles
ICF chapter meetings
Professional coaching conversations
Category C: Learning Through Teaching
Delivering coach training
Speaking at coaching events
Writing coaching-related content
Mentoring other coaches
Activities that don't count as CCE
It's equally important to know what doesn't qualify:
General business or leadership training (unless specifically coaching-focused)
Personal development activities for your own growth
Therapy or counselling training
Informal coaching conversations
Activities not directly related to coaching competencies
Expired or non-approved provider programmes
Make sure to verify that any programme you're considering is either ICF-approved or meets their equivalency standards.
Planning your CCE journey
Start early
We recommend beginning your CCE activities immediately after credential renewal rather than waiting until year three. This approach allows you to:
Spread costs over three years
Apply new learning to your coaching practice
Avoid last-minute scrambling
Track everything
Keep detailed records of all CCE activities, including:
Activity name and provider
Dates attended
Number of hours completed
Certificates or completion documentation
How the activity relates to coaching competencies
Mix your activities
Combine different types of CCE activities for a well-rounded development experience:
40% formal training programmes
25% mentor coaching (required minimum)
25% conferences and webinars
10% self-directed learning
Mentor coaching requirements
Every ICF ACC-credentialed coach must complete at least 10 hours of mentor coaching as part of their CCE requirements. It is not mandatory for PCC & MCC-credentialed coaches, but we highly recommend it.
What qualifies as mentor coaching:
One-on-one coaching skill development with an ICF-certified mentor coach
Focus on developing coaching competencies
Includes live coaching observation and feedback
Must be delivered by someone holding the same or higher ICF credential
What doesn't qualify:
Group mentor coaching sessions
General coaching supervision
Business coaching or practice development
Skills training without individual feedback
Renewal timeline and deadlines
Your ICF credential expires exactly three years from the date it was issued or last renewed. The ICF doesn't send renewal reminders, so it's your responsibility to track your deadline.
Renewal Timeline:
36 months before expiry: Credential issued/last renewed
12-6 months before: Begin intensive CCE completion
60 days before: Submit renewal application
30 days before: Final deadline for late applications (with penalty fee)
Cost considerations for CCE
Planning your CCE budget is essential. Here's what to expect:
Typical Costs:
Mentor coaching: €90-150 per hour (€90-1,500 for 10 hours)
Conference attendance: €300-800 per event
Online workshops: €150-500 per programme
University courses: €500-3,000 per course
Books and self-study: €100-300 total
Budget-Friendly Options:
ICF chapter events (often free for members)
Free webinars from coaching organisations
Book reading programmes
Peer learning circles
Online courses during promotional periods
Common CCE mistakes to avoid
From our experience supporting coaches through credential renewals, here are the most frequent mistakes:
Waiting until the last year — Rushed CCE rarely provides quality learning
Not verifying provider approval — Hours from non-approved providers won't count
Poor record keeping — Missing documentation can invalidate completed hours
Focusing only on required minimums — This misses development opportunities
Choosing activities based on cost alone — Quality matters more than price
Assuming all coaching-related activities count — ICF has specific criteria
Tracking your CCE progress
We recommend creating a simple tracking system:
Essential Information to Record:
Activity name and description
Provider name and ICF approval status
Start and end dates
Total hours completed
Core competencies addressed
Documentation received
Cost and payment details
Digital Tools:
Google Sheets or Excel spreadsheet
Professional development apps
Simple note-taking apps with photo storage
Making CCE work for your development
The most effective approach to CCE is viewing it as an investment in your coaching excellence rather than a compliance requirement.
Strategic CCE Planning:
Assess your current strengths and gaps using the ICF Core Competencies
Choose activities that address specific development areas
Seek opportunities to apply new learning immediately
Reflect on how each activity enhances your coaching
Maximising Learning Impact:
Take notes during all CCE activities
Discuss insights with coaching peers
Implement new techniques with clients (where appropriate)
Share learnings with your coaching community
Your next steps
Whether you're approaching your first renewal or maintaining an established credential, the time to act is now.
Immediate Actions:
Check your renewal deadline in the ICF Credential Holder Portal
Audit your completed CCE hours to date
Identify gaps in your professional development
Research approved training providers for upcoming programmes
Schedule your mentor coaching sessions if you haven't started
Feel free to check our CCE-accredited micro-certifications.
