8 Tips for Getting Ready to Renew Your ICF Credential

December 31st is the annual renewal date for all ICF credential holders. Here’s how to prepare the easy way!

If you have held your ICF credential for three years, it will be time for you to renew this year. You’ll be using the new platform! ICF recently launched a newapplication platform designed to make theICF Credentialing application and renewal process easier for coaches. I explained some of the features in my last post.

It may seem a long way off now, but leaving your planning to the last minute could mean that you will not meet the requirements when it comes time to submit your application.

Here are my top 8 tips that will have you renewal ready in no time.

Tip #1 Download the 2019 ICF Credential Renewal Sample form from the ICF website. There is a new automated system this year, so you will want to take a look early. Log in and look around to get familiar with how it operates. The ICF website is your most up-to-date source of key information about renewal requirements, submission information, and accepted sources of Continuing Coach Education (CCE) units. Find the link to instructions for using the new platform here.

Tip #2 Calendar your critical deadlines. Working backwards from the December 31st deadline, block time on your schedule for completing any mentoring or training that you still need, gathering necessary documentation, tracking your coaching hours and filling out a draft application.

Tip #3 Research training options. If you have not yet accumulated 40 hours of continuing coach education, you will need to get moving on this now. Of the 40 hours, 24 hours must be focused on the ICF Core Competencies and Ethics. The remaining 16 hours can be comprised of resource development. A recent change to the requirements now allows you to use 10 hours of mentor coaching as 10 hours of CCE also. Choose training programs that will help you round out your skills and fill gaps in your coach education. The ICF website provides a search tool to help you find the right training. Don’t forget to include any self-study training that you have completed. These hours will qualify as resource development hours. My ebook series “The Really Competent Coach” is a good example of this. Each book counts as one CCE unit. Coaches who purchase and read this material can contact me for a letter of verification.

If you haven’t already heard, WBECS is one of the most cost-effective providers of quality training for coaches. You can download a complete list of available WBECS ICF CCEU’s here.

Tip #4 Locate and file CCEU certificates and letters of completion. You will need to upload these for your application, so it is important that you have all of the documents handy. In another recent change to the ICF credentialing system, you can upload the CCE documents as you get them so you can keep an up-to-date record of your training right 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 be sure that you have all of the hours that you need.

Tip #5 Start working with a mentor coachif you have not yet participated in 10 hours of mentor coaching. For those of you with an ACC credential, these hours are inaddition to the 10 hours required to apply for your ICF credential initially. This is a good time to double-check that you have what you need. Take a look at the ICF Mentor Coaching Registry for mentoring providers. It is not necessary to choose a mentor from this list, but it is a good place to start in your search for a qualified professional. I run several Group Mentor Coaching programs each year that provide 10 hours of mentor coaching AND 10 CCE units. You can get more information on my next mentor coaching program here. Special note: ICF requires that your mentor coaching take place over no less than 3 months. You’ll want to keep that in mind as you are scheduling your sessions.

Tip #6 Complete the ICF CCE Ethics course. This is a requirement for ICF credential renewal and I think it is an absolutely essential step to take for anyone who is coaching. You will earn 3 CCE’s and gain some fresh insights into situations that may cross ethical boundaries in coaching. Find the Ethics Training course here.

Tip #7 Systemize your tracking process. You can trigger a five-alarm panic attack trying to dig through your files and calendar to backtrack and record the details of your coaching, mentoring and training (I know I did). I found this so stressful while earning my early credentials, that I developed the Easy Tracking Form for Coaches so that I could capture the necessary information in real time and have it on hand when I needed it. Whew! You are welcome to download a copy. Or, create your own system. Whatever you decide, do it now! Save yourself the frustration and stress of last-minute tracking.

Tip #8 Research and prepare for your next credential. Since you will already be knee-deep in the process, why not start getting ready for your next ICF credential application? Download the requirements from the ICF website, and plug away at meeting them. Schedule your mentoring time, sign up for training, track your coaching hours. All of this will contribute to helping you be the best coach that you can be whether you apply for your next credential or not, right?

I am a big fan of ICF credentialing. I think it really ratchets up the professionalism of our field. I encourage you to take steps now to be sure you are ready for December 31st. You can do this!

Don’t forget to download the Easy Tracking Form for Coaches before you go!

Find out more about my approach to Mentor Coaching here.

Interested in WBECS? Find out more here.