Coaching Ethics
30%of exam
Code of EthicsConfidentialityConflicts of InterestProfessional ConductReferral Duty
Definition + Boundaries
30%of exam
Competencies, Strategies + Techniques
40%of exam
ACC Credential Path
Not publishedof exam
Training HoursMentor CoachingExperience HoursCCE Renewal
Quick Facts
- Exam
- ICF Credentialing Exam
- Credential
- Associate Certified Coach
- Questions
- 60 multiple-choice
- Time
- 90 minutes (2x39)
- Pass Score
- 460 of 200-600
- Format
- Pearson VUE proctored
- Level
- Entry-level credential
- Basis
- 8 competencies + ethics
- Renewal
- 3 years, 40 CCEUs
Ethics Standards Sections
Five sections; two and three largest
Section 1: agreementsSection 2: confidentialitySection 3: conductSections 4-5: value, integrity
Code of Ethics Parts
- Purpose
- Frames ICF's ethical mission
- Core Values
- Four guiding ethical values
- Commitments
- Universal ecosystem-wide obligations
- Ethical Standards
- 5 sections, 22 standards
- Pledge of Ethics
- Signed commitment statement
- Appendix
- Definitions and glossary terms
Ethical Standards Sections
- Section 1
- Agreements (2 standards)
- Section 2
- Confidentiality/legal (8 standards)
- Section 3
- Conduct/conflicts (8 standards)
- Section 4
- Consistent value (3 standards)
- Section 5
- Integrity/accountability (3 standards)
ICF Core Values
- Professionalism
- High standards and competence
- Collaboration
- Value relationships and partnership
- Humanity
- Care, respect, wellbeing focus
- Equity
- Fair, inclusive coaching practice
Common Ethics Scenarios
- Dual relationship
- Disclose, manage, or decline
- Gift from client
- Assess value and transparency
- Confidentiality limit
- Harm to self or others
- Conflict of interest
- Disclose immediately to client
- Referral needed
- Mental health concern signal
- Sponsor vs client
- Clarify who is client
Coaching vs Mentoring
Coaching
- Client generates answers
- Present-future focus
- No expert advice
Mentoring
- Expert shares experience
- Advice + guidance
- Field-specific expertise
Client answers vs expert shares
Scope Of Practice Picker
- Client wants advice→Ask powerful question(Not consulting)
- Client needs past healing→Refer to therapist
- Client wants skill training→Refer to trainer
- Client wants expert modeling→Refer to mentor coach
- Client stable, wants growth→Proceed with coaching
ICF Coaching Definition
- Partnering
- With client, not for
- Thought-provoking
- Sparks creative, reflective process
- Maximize potential
- Personal and professional growth
- Client-centered
- Client sets the agenda
- Co-created
- Not directed by coach
Coaching vs Consulting
Coaching
- Client owns solution
- Process expert not content
- Powerful questions
Consulting
- Consultant diagnoses problem
- Prescribes solution
- Content expert
Client solves vs expert solves
Coaching vs Therapy
Coaching
- Present + future focused
- Functioning clients
- Action + growth
Therapy
- Past + healing focused
- Diagnosed conditions
- Licensed treatment
Growth vs healing
Referral Red Flags
- Persistent depression
- Refer to mental health
- Trauma disclosure
- Refer licensed professional promptly
- Suicidal ideation
- Refer immediately, follow protocol
- Substance dependency
- Refer to specialist provider
- Beyond scope
- Refer, do not diagnose
Competency Cluster Order
Foundation -> Co-Create -> Communicate -> Cultivate
Foundation: ethics+mindsetCo-Create: agreements+trust+presenceCommunicate: listen+evokeCultivate: growth+action
PCC Markers vs ACC MSR
PCC Markers
- Behavior indicators
- PCC recordings only
- Unchanged since 2019
ACC MSR
- Behaviors Consistent checklist
- ACC evaluations
- Updated January 2026
Assessor tool by level
Exam Domain Picker
- Ethics/confidentiality/conflict question→Coaching Ethics domain(30%)
- What is/isn't coaching→Definition/Boundaries domain(30%)
- Which competency applies→Competencies domain(40%)
- Client refuses referral→Ethics + boundaries overlap
- Session structure question→Co-Creating cluster
- Fee/gift boundary question→Coaching Ethics domain(Conflict of interest)
Foundation Cluster
- Demonstrates Ethical Practice
- Understands, applies coaching ethics
- Embodies Coaching Mindset
- Open, curious, flexible, client-centered
- Reflective practice
- Ongoing self-development habit
- Ethical awareness
- Recognizes and discloses conflicts
Competency Cluster Picker
- Setting up session goals→Co-Creating Relationship
- Deep listening moment→Communicating Effectively
- Client designs next action→Cultivating Learning/Growth
- Weighing an ethical dilemma→Foundation cluster
- Building trust early→Co-Creating Relationship
- Silence after question→Communicating Effectively
- Client stuck, insight needed→Communicating Effectively(Evoke awareness)
Co-Creating the Relationship
- Establishes/Maintains Agreements
- Clarifies goals, process, plans
- Cultivates Trust and Safety
- Safe, supportive, respectful space
- Maintains Presence
- Fully conscious, flexible, grounded
- Session agreement
- Sets each-session outcome, focus
Communicating Effectively
- Listens Actively
- Hears said and unsaid
- Evokes Awareness
- Uses questions, silence, metaphor
- Powerful question
- Open, evocative, client-focused
- Silence use
- Allows client processing time
Cultivating Learning and Growth
- Facilitates Client Growth
- Turns insight into action
- Client autonomy
- Client owns next steps
- Accountability
- Client-designed follow-through structure
- Celebrate progress
- Reinforces client learning gains
PCC Markers + ACC MSR
- PCC Markers
- Behavior indicators for PCC
- ACC MSR
- Behaviors Consistent checklist for ACC
- Both cover
- All eight core competencies
- MSR updated
- January 2026 refresh cycle
ACC Path Order
Train -> Coach -> Mentor -> Evaluate -> Exam
Train: 60+ hrs firstCoach: 100+ hrs clientsMentor: 10+ hrs feedbackExam: pass Credentialing Exam
Training Hours vs Mentor Coaching
Training
- 60+ hrs coursework
- ICF-accredited program
- Knowledge + skills
Mentor Coaching
- 10+ hrs feedback
- PCC/MCC mentor
- Applied skill review
Learn vs get feedback
ACC Path Requirements
- Training
- 60+ ICF-accredited training hours
- Experience
- 100+ hours coaching clients
- Paid hours
- 75+ of the 100
- Clients
- At least 8 clients
- Mentor coaching
- 10+ hours over 3 months
- Mentor coach level
- Must be PCC or MCC
- Performance evaluation
- Recording plus transcript review
- Exam
- Pass the ICF Credentialing Exam
Renewal CCE Formula
24 Core + 3 Ethics + up to 16 Resource = 40
24 credits: core competency3 credits: ethics required16 credits: resource development maxTotal: 40 CCEUs per cycle
ACC vs PCC Credential
ACC
- 100 hrs experience
- 10 hrs mentor coaching
- Entry-level markers
PCC
- 500 hrs experience
- More mentor hours
- Deeper nuanced markers
Foundational vs advanced
Renewal + CCE Units
- Cycle
- Renew every 3 years
- Total CCEUs
- 40 credits required total
- Core Competency
- 24 credits minimum required
- Ethics
- 3 credits minimum required
- Resource Development
- Up to 16 credits
- Ethics course
- Free ICF online option
Common Traps
Coaching ≠ Mentoring
Coaching: client finds answer ≠ Mentoring: expert shares answer
Coaching ≠ Consulting
Coaching: process expert only ≠ Consulting: content expert advises
Coaching ≠ Therapy
Coaching: growth, present/future ≠ Therapy: healing, diagnosed past
PCC Markers ≠ ACC MSR
PCC Markers: PCC recordings only ≠ ACC MSR: ACC evaluation checklist
Training Hours ≠ Mentor Hours
Training: coursework knowledge hours ≠ Mentor coaching: applied feedback hours
ICF Exam ≠ Old CKA Name
Now: ICF Credentialing Exam ≠ Formerly called: Coach Knowledge Assessment
Ethics Standards ≠ Core Values
Core Values: 4 guiding principles ≠ Ethical Standards: 22 specific rules
Last Minute
- 1.60 questions, 90 minutes total
- 2.Pass score: 460 of 600
- 3.Two sections: 30 questions each
- 4.8 competencies in 4 clusters
- 5.Ethics = 30%, Boundaries = 30%
- 6.Competencies/Strategies = 40% of exam
- 7.Coaching ≠ mentoring, consulting, therapy
- 8.Refer when beyond coaching scope
- 9.ACC needs 60+ training hours
- 10.ACC needs 100+ coaching hours
- 11.Mentor coaching: 10+ hours required
- 12.Renewal: 40 CCEUs every 3 years
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