ICF Credentials and Certifications Overview

ICF credentials represent a commitment to coaching excellence, offering global recognition and professional growth. Each credential reflects experience, education, and expertise in coaching, helping coaches address complex client needs.

Credential

Experience Level

Coaching Education

Coaching Experience

Mentor Coaching

Evaluation

Exam

Renewal

ACC (Associate Certified Coach)

Beginner

60+ hours

100+ hours

10 hours

1 recording

ACC Exam

Every 3 yrs: 40+ CCE including 10 mentor coaching hrs

PCC (Professional Certified Coach)

Intermediate–Advanced

125+ hours education

500+ hours coaching experience

10 hours

2 recordings

ICF Credentialing Exam

Every 3 yrs: 40+ CCE

MCC (Master Certified Coach)

Expert

200+ hours

2,500+ hours

10 hours

2 recordings

ICF Credentialing Exam

Every 3 yrs: 40+ CCE

ACTC (Advanced Certification in Team Coaching)

Specialized

60+ hours team coaching

5+ team coaching engagements

N/A

N/A

ICF Team Coaching Exam

Every 3 yrs: 20+ CCE & active ICF credential

Credential Highlights

ACC – Associate Certified Coach

• Purpose: Entry-level, for beginners or part-time coaches, leaders using coaching in their role, or career changers.
  
  

• Focus: Building foundational coaching skills and understanding the ICF Core Competencies.
  
  

• Outcome: Demonstrates professionalism and commitment, builds client trust.
  
  

PCC – Professional Certified Coach

• Purpose: Mid-level credential for experienced coaches ready to refine skills and credibility.
  
  

• Focus: Deepens command of ICF Core Competencies, prepares for complex client engagements.
  
  

• Outcome: Recognition for advanced expertise, ability to mentor or lead other coaches.
  
  

MCC – Master Certified Coach

• Purpose: Highest level for expert coaches with extensive experience.
  
  

• Focus: Mastery of coaching techniques, professionalism, transformational impact.
  
  

• Outcome: Global recognition, mentorship opportunities, capacity to handle high-level or complex coaching engagements.
  
  

ACTC – Advanced Certification in Team Coaching

• Purpose: Specialization for coaches focusing on team coaching.
  
  

• Focus: Team dynamics, organizational change, conflict resolution, leadership coaching.
  
  

• Outcome: Validates advanced team coaching expertise, enables work with teams and organizations.
  
  

Choosing the Right Credential

Consider these factors:

1. Career Aspirations:
   
   

   • ACC: Start your coaching journey.
     
     

   • PCC: Work with mid- to senior-level clients, refine expertise.
     
     

   • MCC: Coach executives, lead programs, mentor other coaches.
     
     

   • ACTC: Specialize in team coaching and organizational impact.
     
     

2. Coaching Niche:
   
   

   • Individual vs. team coaching.
     
     

   • Corporate vs. private practice.
     
     

3. Recognition & Market Value:
   
   

   • Regional or industry-specific preferences may affect credential value.
     
     

4. Networking & Growth:
   
   

   • ACC connects to mentors and peers.
     
     

   • MCC and ACTC provide leadership and advanced networking opportunities.
     
     

5. Personal Fulfillment:
   
   

   • Align credential with what brings joy: personal transformation or team/organizational impact.
     
     

 Key Takeaway:
ICF credentials build credibility, expertise, and professional growth. Start with ACC to establish foundations, progress to PCC for advanced skill and recognition, move to MCC for mastery, and choose ACTC if team coaching specialization is your goal.

If you want to become a professional coach, there are four major pathways commonly recognized internationally and in South Africa:

• QCTO
  
  

• COMENSA
  
  

• International Coaching Federation
  
  

• European Mentoring and Coaching Council
  
  

Each pathway has different goals, standards, and recognition levels. Below is a clear overview of how they work and how they compare.

1. QCTO Pathway (South African Occupational Qualification)

QCTO

Purpose

The QCTO is the South African government body responsible for occupational qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

Coaching Qualification

Typical example:

• Occupational Certificate: Coach
  
  

• Usually NQF Level 5
  
  

Structure

The QCTO model uses three components:

1. Knowledge Modules
   
   

   • Coaching theory
     
     

   • Ethics
     
     

   • Psychology basics
     
     

2. Practical Skills Modules
   
   

   • Coaching conversations
     
     

   • Questioning
     
     

   • Feedback
     
     

3. Workplace Experience
   
   

   • Logged coaching hours
     
     

   • Real client practice
     
     

Assessment

Final step:

External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA)
conducted by an independent body.

Outcome

You receive:

• National occupational qualification
  
  

• Registered on the South African NQF
  
  

Strengths

✔ Government recognition
✔ Standardised curriculum
✔ Good for corporate training providers

Limitations

• Less globally recognised than ICF
  
  

• Still evolving in coaching standards. So not recommended at this stage.
  
  

2. COMENSA Pathway (Professional Body – South Africa)

COMENSA

COMENSA is the professional body regulating coaching and mentoring in South Africa.

It focuses on professional standards and ethics, not training itself.

Role

COMENSA:

• Accredits training programmes
  
  

• Certifies coaches
  
  

• Maintains ethical standards
  
  

Coaching Levels

Candidate Coach

Entry level.

Requirements:

• Coaching training
  
  

• Some practice hours
  
  

Certified Coach

Professional recognition.

Requirements typically include:

• Training hours
  
  

• Coaching logbook
  
  

• Portfolio of evidence
  
  

• Recorded coaching sessions
  
  

Master Coach

Highest level.

Requirements include:

• Extensive coaching hours
  
  

• Professional contribution
  
  

• Supervision
  
  

• Advanced evaluation
  
  

Evaluation Components

Typical COMENSA evaluation includes:

• Portfolio of evidence
  
  

• Recorded coaching sessions
  
  

• Reflective journal
  
  

• Competency assessment
  
  

Strengths

✔ Recognised across South Africa
✔ Aligns with SAQA and NQF
✔ Strong ethical framework

Limitations

• Less internationally recognised than ICF
  
  

3. ICF Pathway (Global Coaching Standard)

International Coaching Federation

ICF is the largest and most globally recognised coaching body.

Many multinational companies require ICF coaches.

Three Levels

ACC – Associate Certified Coach

Requirements:

• 60 hours coach training
  
  

• 100 coaching hours
  
  

• Mentor coaching
  
  

• Recorded session evaluation
  
  

PCC – Professional Certified Coach

Requirements:

• 125 hours training
  
  

• 500 coaching hours
  
  

• Performance evaluation
  
  

• ICF credential exam
  
  

MCC – Master Certified Coach

Requirements:

• 200 hours training
  
  

• 2500 coaching hours
  
  

• Advanced evaluation
  
  

Key Framework

ICF uses 8 Core Coaching Competencies

Examples:

• Establish trust
  
  

• Maintain presence
  
  

• Active listening
  
  

• Powerful questioning
  
  

• Evoke awareness
  
  

Assessment

Includes:

• Recorded coaching session
  
  

• ICF Credentialing Exam
  
  

• Mentor coaching
  
  

Strengths

✔ Global recognition
✔ Corporate credibility
✔ Highly structured competencies

Limitations

• Expensive
  
  

• Time intensive
  
  

4. EMCC Pathway (European Coaching & Mentoring Standard)

European Mentoring and Coaching Council

EMCC focuses strongly on reflection, supervision, and development.

It is popular in:

• Europe
  
  

• UK
  
  

• Leadership coaching environments
  
  

Four Levels

Foundation

Basic coaching capability.

Practitioner

Professional coach level.

Requirements include:

• Coaching training
  
  

• Client work
  
  

• Reflective practice
  
  

Senior Practitioner

Experienced coach level.

Requirements:

• Advanced hours
  
  

• Supervision
  
  

• Reflective essays
  
  

Master Practitioner

Highest level.

Requires:

• Major coaching experience
  
  

• Deep reflective practice
  
  

• Thought leadership
  
  

Assessment Model

EMCC uses:

• Reflective essays
  
  

• Recorded sessions
  
  

• Client feedback
  
  

• Supervision logs
  
  

Strengths

✔ Strong reflective practice
✔ Academic rigour
✔ Widely respected in Europe

Limitations

• Less recognised in US corporate environments
  
  

Comparison of the Four Pathways

Pathway

Type

Recognition

QCTO

Government qualification

South Africa

COMENSA

Professional body

South Africa

ICF

Global coaching federation

Worldwide

EMCC

Professional coaching council

Europe/global

Typical Coaching Career Path (Example)

Many coaches combine these:

1. Coach Training Programme
   
   

2. ICF Level 1 / EMCC Foundation
   
   

3. COMENSA Candidate Coach
   
   

4. ICF ACC
   
   

5. COMENSA Certified Coach
   
   

6. ICF PCC
   
   

Simple Pathway Example (South Africa)

Step 1
Complete a coach training programme

Step 2
Register with COMENSA

Step 3
Log coaching hours

Step 4
Apply for International Coaching Federation credential

Step 5
Work toward advanced levels

Strategic Insight

Most elite coaches combine systems:

• ICF → global credibility
  
  

• COMENSA → South African recognition
  
  

• EMCC → reflective practice depth
  
  

• QCTO → formal qualification
  
  

If your goal is to build a serious coaching practice, the strongest combination is:

ICF + COMENSA alignment

The 4 Main Pathways to Becoming a Professional Coach (QCTO, COMENSA, ICF, EMCC)

The coaching profession is growing rapidly across the world, yet many aspiring coaches are confused about which pathway to follow and how many hours are actually required.

In South Africa and internationally, four major frameworks shape the coaching profession:

• Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)
• Coaches and Mentors of South Africa (COMENSA)
• International Coaching Federation (ICF)
• European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC)

Each pathway has specific training hours, coaching experience requirements, and assessment methods. Understanding these differences is essential before investing in a coaching programme.

1. QCTO Pathway (South African Occupational Qualification)

The QCTO provides government-recognised occupational qualifications aligned with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

Typical coaching qualification:

Occupational Certificate: Coach (NQF Level 5)

Approximate training structure:

• Knowledge modules: 120–180 hours
• Practical coaching skills training: 120–150 hours
• Workplace coaching practice: 200–300 hours
• Portfolio of evidence: required
• External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA): final national exam

Total learning and practice commitment:
~450–600 hours

Outcome:
A nationally recognised qualification registered on the NQF.

⚠️ There is currently no single QCTO qualification called “Coach”.

Instead, coaching is usually embedded inside learning-and-development or mentoring roles. The closest QCTO occupational qualification relevant to coaching is:

• Quality Council for Trades and Occupations Occupational Certificate: Work-Based Learning and Development Practitioner
  
  

This qualification replaced many of the older ETDP unit-standard trainer / coach programmes.

2. COMENSA Pathway (Professional Recognition in South Africa)

COMENSA does not primarily provide training. Instead, it recognises coaches who meet professional competency standards.

Typical pathway:

Candidate Coach

Requirements may include:

• 60–120 hours coach training
• 25–50 coaching hours
• Membership registration

Certified Coach

Typical requirements:

• 120+ coach training hours
• 150–200 coaching hours
• Portfolio of Evidence (PoE)
• Recorded coaching sessions
• Reflective practice journal
• Client feedback

Master Coach

Requirements typically include:

• 500+ coaching hours
• Advanced portfolio submission
• Evidence of supervision
• Professional contribution to coaching

3. ICF Pathway (Global Coaching Credential)

The ICF remains the most internationally recognised coaching credential.

Credential levels and requirements:

Associate Certified Coach (ACC)

• 60 hours coach-specific training
• 100 coaching hours with clients
• 10 hours mentor coaching
• Recorded coaching session assessment
• ICF credential exam

Professional Certified Coach (PCC)

• 125 hours coach training
• 500 coaching hours
• 10 hours mentor coaching
• Performance evaluation
• ICF credential exam

Master Certified Coach (MCC)

• 200 hours coach training
• 2,500 coaching hours
• 10 hours mentor coaching
• Advanced performance evaluation

4. EMCC Pathway (Reflective Professional Development Model)

EMCC emphasises reflection, supervision, and evidence-based coaching practice.

Credential levels:

Foundation

• 40–60 hours coach training
• Reflective practice submission

Practitioner

• 120 hours coach training
• 100 coaching hours
• Reflective essays
• Recorded coaching session
• Client feedback

Senior Practitioner

• 250+ coaching hours
• Supervision hours required
• Reflective case studies

Master Practitioner

• 500–1000+ coaching hours
• Extensive reflective practice
• Evidence of thought leadership

A Simple Comparison

Framework

Training Hours

Coaching Hours

Recognition

QCTO

240–330

200–300

South Africa

COMENSA

120+

150–200

South Africa

ICF ACC

60

100

Global

ICF PCC

125

500

Global

EMCC Practitioner

120

100

Europe/Global

What Most Successful Coaches Actually Do

In practice, many professional coaches combine these pathways.

For example:

1. Complete 120 hours of coach training

2. Accumulate 100–200 coaching hours

3. Apply for ICF ACC

4. Register with COMENSA

5. Continue toward ICF PCC

This combination offers:

• Global credibility
• Local professional recognition
• Structured competency development

Final Thought

The coaching profession is no longer unregulated or informal.

Becoming a credible coach today requires structured training, supervised practice, reflective development, and real client hours.

If you're considering entering the profession, the most important question is not:

"Which certificate is easiest?"

But rather:

"Which pathway will develop me into the coach my clients truly need?"

If you're exploring the coaching profession, I’d be curious to know:

Which pathway are you considering — QCTO, COMENSA, ICF, or EMCC?

1. The Actual QCTO Qualification Related to Coaching

Occupational Certificate: Work-Based Learning and Development Practitioner

(NQF Level 5)

Typical specification:

• SAQA ID: 101321
  
  

• Credits: 190
  
  

Under the South African system:

1 credit = 10 notional learning hours

Therefore:

190 credits ≈ 1,900 notional learning hours

These hours include:

• Classroom learning
• Workplace practice
• Assignments
• Assessment preparation
• Coaching / facilitation practice

Typical Structure

QCTO occupational qualifications always include three components:

1️ Knowledge Modules
Learning theory, adult learning, facilitation methods

2️ Practical Skills Modules
Facilitating learning, mentoring, coaching, assessment

3️ Workplace Experience Modules
Real workplace learning facilitation and coaching

Plus:

4️ External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA)
National external exam.

This is how all QCTO occupational qualifications are structured.

2. QCTO Skills Programme Often Confused With Coaching

A shorter programme that includes coaching is:

Work-Based Learning & Development Practitioner (Part Qualification)

Example structure:

• Credits: 30
  
  

• NQF Level: 5
  
  

30 credits = 300 notional hours

These programmes teach:

• mentoring
• workplace coaching
• facilitation
• workplace learning design

But they do not certify someone as a professional coach.

3. Verified ICF Credential Requirements (Current)

For International Coaching Federation

ACC – Associate Certified Coach

Requirements:

• 60 hours coach-specific training
• 100 hours coaching experience
• 10 hours mentor coaching
• recorded session evaluation
• credentialing exam

PCC – Professional Certified Coach

Requirements:

• 125 hours coach training
• 500 coaching hours
• 10 mentor coaching hours
• performance evaluation
• exam

MCC – Master Certified Coach

Requirements:

• 200 hours coach training
• 2500 coaching hours
• 10 mentor coaching hours

4. Verified EMCC Training Expectations

For European Mentoring and Coaching Council

Typical guidance:

Level

Training Hours

Coaching Experience

Foundation

~20–60

~50

Practitioner

~150

~100

Senior Practitioner

~150+ training + supervision

~250

Master Practitioner

~1800+ development hours

~500

5. Key Insight 

There are three very different categories of certification:

Occupational Qualification

Government qualification

Example:

• QCTO Work-Based Learning & Development Practitioner
  
  

• 190 credits ≈ 1900 hours
  
  

Purpose:
Training / facilitation / workplace learning.

Professional Coaching Credential

Example:

• ICF ACC / PCC / MCC
  
  

Purpose:
Professional coaching practice.

Professional Body Membership

Example:

• Coaches and Mentors of South Africa
  
  

Purpose:

• ethics
• supervision
• professional recognition

The Big Misunderstanding in the Coaching Industry

Many people believe:

“Coaching qualification = coaching training course”

But in reality there are three different systems:

System

What it certifies

QCTO

occupational trainer / learning practitioner

ICF

professional coach

EMCC

professional coach

COMENSA

professional recognition

 Short answer to your question

The QCTO qualification:

Occupational Certificate: Work-Based Learning & Development Practitioner (NQF 5, 190 credits ≈ 1900 hours)

Not a “coach qualification”.

The Real Pathways to Becoming a Professional Coach (QCTO, COMENSA, ICF, EMCC) — With the Actual Hours

The coaching industry has exploded over the past decade. But one thing is still incredibly confusing for aspiring coaches:

Which credentialing pathway should you follow?

In South Africa and internationally, four frameworks often get mentioned together:

• Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)
• Coaches and Mentors of South Africa (COMENSA)
• International Coaching Federation (ICF)
• European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC)

But here’s the truth:

These are not equivalent systems.
They certify different things, require different hours, and serve different purposes.

Let’s look at the reality.

1. QCTO – Government Occupational Qualifications

The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations is responsible for occupational qualifications on South Africa’s National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

Here is the key fact many people miss:

QCTO does NOT currently offer a dedicated occupational qualification titled “Coach”.

Instead, coaching appears as a skill within broader learning and development roles.

The closest relevant qualification is:

Occupational Certificate: Work-Based Learning and Development Practitioner

Typical specification:

• NQF Level: 5
• Credits: 190
• Notional learning hours: ~1,900 hours

In South Africa’s qualification framework:

1 credit = 10 notional learning hours

These hours include:

• formal training
• workplace practice
• assignments
• assessment preparation

The qualification prepares people to:

• facilitate learning
• design training programmes
• mentor employees
• support workplace coaching

It is not a professional coaching credential in the same sense as ICF or EMCC.

2. COMENSA – Professional Body in South Africa

Coaches and Mentors of South Africa is the professional body for coaches and mentors in South Africa.

Important point:

COMENSA does not primarily train coaches.
It recognises coaches who meet professional standards.

Typical progression:

Candidate Coach

Usually requires:

• recognised coach training
• initial coaching experience
• professional membership

Training hours are determined by the training provider.

Most recognised programmes fall between:

60–125 hours of coach training

Certified Coach

Typical expectations:

• recognised training programme
• coaching logbook
• recorded coaching session
• reflective portfolio of evidence
• client feedback

Many applicants have:

150–300 coaching hours when applying.

Master Coach

Typical profile:

• extensive coaching experience
• professional supervision
• contribution to the coaching profession

Often 500+ coaching hours or more.

3. ICF – The Most Recognised Global Credential

The International Coaching Federation is the largest coaching credentialing body in the world.

Its credentials are widely recognised by:

• multinational companies
• executive coaching firms
• leadership development programmes

Current credential requirements:

Associate Certified Coach (ACC)

Minimum requirements:

• 60 hours coach-specific training
• 100 coaching hours with clients
• 10 hours mentor coaching
• recorded coaching session evaluation
• ICF credential exam

Professional Certified Coach (PCC)

Requirements:

• 125 hours coach training
• 500 coaching hours
• 10 hours mentor coaching
• performance evaluation
• credentialing exam

Master Certified Coach (MCC)

Requirements:

• 200 hours coach training
• 2,500 coaching hours
• 10 hours mentor coaching
• advanced performance evaluation

4. EMCC – A Developmental European Model

The European Mentoring and Coaching Council is another respected international body.

EMCC places strong emphasis on:

• reflective practice
• supervision
• professional development

Typical expectations:

Foundation

• about 20–60 hours coach training

Practitioner

• about 100–150 hours coach training
• ~100 coaching hours

Senior Practitioner

• ~250 coaching hours
• supervision required
• reflective case studies

Master Practitioner

• 500+ coaching hours
• extensive reflective portfolio
• evidence of professional contribution

So What Are You Actually Comparing?

The reason people get confused is that these organisations serve completely different roles.

Organisation

What it actually does

QCTO

Government occupational qualifications

COMENSA

Professional body recognition

ICF

Global coaching credential

EMCC

Coaching and mentoring professional credential

They are not competing certifications.

They operate in different layers of the profession.

What Many Professional Coaches Actually Do

In practice, many serious coaches combine these systems.

A common pathway looks like this:

1. Complete 60–125 hours of coach training

2. Accumulate 100+ coaching hours

3. Apply for ICF ACC

4. Register with COMENSA as a professional coach

5. Continue toward ICF PCC

This combination provides:

• global credibility
• local professional recognition
• clear competency standards

Final Thought

If you're entering the coaching profession, it's important to understand something clearly:

A weekend coaching certificate does not make someone a professional coach.

Serious coaching credentials require:

• structured training
• real coaching hours
• supervision or mentor coaching
• competency evaluation

And that is a good thing.

Because coaching is not just a conversation skill.

It’s a professional discipline.

If you’re a coach or thinking of becoming one:

Which pathway are you following — ICF, EMCC, COMENSA, or something else?