Help, I need ICF CCE Units! It’s a phrase I hear a lot from coaches at the end of every year.
I completely understand. Year end is a busy time for me too. It’s when my best intentions come back to haunt me as undone items on my to-do list.
At the beginning of the year, I vow to keep my receipts in order, stay on top of my coaching log, schedule my downtime, write more, read more, exercise more, and eat less. The list goes on.
I’m not always as successful as I intend to be. Maybe you are like that too.
At this time of year, I often hear from frantic coaches racing to their credential renewal deadline and realizing they are not entirely as organized as they thought. Sound familiar?
As we close in on the end of 2022, I wanted to share a quick list of tips that can help you with your ICF CCE unit roundup for year-end.
Step 1 – Start an ICF Credential Application or Renewal Form
Yes, you can start before you have everything organized. It is one of the best ways to keep your CCE units in order and on track. You can complete the application in several sittings, adding information as you have it ready. Because the form self-calculates, it is a super easy way to quickly see what you have and still need.
Log in and look around to get familiar with the application platform, then start uploading the CCE units and requirements you have already completed.
You can do this a bit at a time.
Step 2 – Locate CCE Documentation
You can upload the CCE documents as you get them to keep an up-to-date record of your training in the application on the system. If you don’t have the documents, contact your training provider. This step will also help you cross-check to ensure you have the CCE units you need.
Step 3 – Complete the ICF Complementary Ethics CCE Course
Ethics education is required for every ICF credential application and renewal. The ICF complementary ethics course is a good way to meet this requirement. You will earn 3 CCEs and gain fresh insights into situations that may cross ethical boundaries in coaching.
Once you’ve completed the course, you can add it to your application and upload your certificate.
Step 4 – Calendar Your Critical Deadlines
You may be surprised to learn that many coaches who approach me with questions at this time of year don’t know their credential renewal date.
Although most credentials renew on December 31st, that is not the case for all renewals. Find your renewal date in your ICF profile and put it on your calendar.
Block time on your schedule to complete any mentoring or training you still need, working backward from your renewal date. This is critical if you require mentor coaching for your renewal or application and have not yet started.
Many coaches do not realize that mentor coaching must take at least three months. Unfortunately, they leave it too late and scramble at the last minute.
Step 5 – Research Additional CCE Unit Options
If you are short on CCE units, do some research and plan to find options that fit into your schedule.
The ICF Learning Portal is a great place to start.
Remember, of the 40 CCE units needed, 24 hours must be focused on the ICF Core Competencies (CC). The remaining 16 hours can be other types of training like webinars, self-study, and books. These are resource development (RD) units. Mentor coaching also counts for 10 (CC) CCE units.
Many of my coach clients attend mentor coaching groups to learn the new eight competencies. Choose training programs to help you round out your skills and fill gaps in your coach education.
Step 6 – Systemize Your Tracking Process
I’m a bit of a checklist and tracking form fanatic. I created the Easy Tracking Form for Coaches when I applied for my first credential, and I still use it today. I want to capture the necessary information in real time and have it on hand when I need it. Many of you who are subscribers already have this form. If you don’t, you can download a copy now. In case you missed it, you might also find the ICF Resource Development Tracking Form I created this year.
I hope these steps will help you get credential and renewal ready for year-end and beyond.
If mentor coaching is on your radar for 2023, here is a full schedule for my 2023 Mentor Groups.
Register here now for MCC Prep Groups or Register here now for ACC/PCC Groups.

Author: Cathy Shaughnessy
Cathy Shaughnessy is an ICF Assessor and PRISM award-winning ICF Master Certified Coach. Cathy mentors credentialed coaches and she creates tools and programs to assist coaches to successfully earn their ICF Credentials. Get more information on Cathy’s group mentor coaching programs here. Check out the latest resource for coaches, How to Learn the ICF Competencies – 32 Fun Activities to Get You Started.
Click the image below to download the Free Easy Tracking Form for Coaches and get tools and resources from Cathy!

Cathy Shaughnessy is an ICF Assessor and PRISM award-winning ICF Master Certified Coach. Cathy mentors credentialed coaches and she creates tools and programs to assist coaches to successfully earn their ICF Credentials. Get more information on Cathy’s group mentor coaching programs here. Check out the latest resource for coaches, How to Learn the ICF Competencies – 32 Fun Activities to Get You Started.
Click the image below to download the Free Easy Tracking Form for Coaches and get tools and resources from Cathy!