ICF CCEU COVID-19 Updates for Credential Renewal 2020

In response to the impact of COVID-19 on the coaching community, ICF has made some adjustments to the ICF CCEU requirements. If this is your renewal year, you may still be looking for sources of ICF CCEU’s and this update will be important.

First, let’s start with an ICF CCEU refresher

Credentialed coaches must renew their ICF credential every three years and are required to get forty hours of continuing coach education units (ICF CCEU) over that time. Even though thirty-six months can seem like plenty of time to get forty hours of coach education. Many coaches leave their learning to the last minute.

With a deadline looming, they begin the furious search to figure out where to get ICF CCEUs for coach credential renewal. Fortunately, with a little bit of planning and a clear understanding of exactly what is needed to meet the continuing coach education requirement, you can avoid a late-game panic attack and be ‘credential renewal ready’ with time to spare.

It’s important to understand how the CCEUs break down

24 CCEU hours must be in what the ICF calls the Core Competency category. This means that the learning is primarily based on the ICF Coach Core Competencies. In order to be designated as a Core Competency CCEU offering, the organization providing the training will have applied to the ICF and had their material reviewed to ensure that it is compliant. They will also provide you with a CCEU Core Competency certificate verifying that you have completed the learning and earned the credits.

Up to 10 hours of mentor coaching will count as 10 Core Competency CCEUs provided that your mentor coach is qualified, follows the ICF mentor coaching guidelines, and holds a valid designation at, or higher, than the one you are renewing. For ACC mentor coaches, the designation must have been held for at least one renewal term. You can earn 10 CCEUs at my next group mentor coaching program.

So, if you need 40 hours of CCEUs, and you have received 10 hours of mentor coaching, you will have acquired 10 ICF Core Competency CCEUs.

Now, you need 30 more CCEUs, 14 of which must be Core Competency CCEUs. (24 minus 10). But, all 30 can be ICF Core Competency CCEUs if you wish.

However, what many coaches don’t realize is that 16 CCEUs can be earned in a category that ICF calls Resource Development CCEUs. There are lots of ways to earn these units. In fact, if you are an avid lifetime learner (and I hope you are), you may already have accumulated many of these hours without realizing it. It’s a bit like finding buried treasure!

Adjustments to ICF CCEU requirements due to COVID-19

In acknowledgement of the impact of COVID-19, the ICF has made some adjustments to CCEU requirements. Here is a statement directly from the ICF website on this:

For coaches with a December 31, 2020, credential expiration date who do not submit a renewal application by year end, CCE requirements will be capped at 41.2 CCE units through December 31, 2021.

This change supports coaches who have experienced cancellations of CCE opportunities in 2020 by limiting the penalty for additional CCE requirements. This new measure is an extension of the action ICF took in April for coaches whose ICF Credentials expired December 31, 2019.

Here are some valid sources of Resource Development CCEUs

Non-coach specific training. Courses on business development, communication, negotiating, writing, or other topics that have contributed to your skill-building in coaching.

Reading. You know I am a big fan of this one. Reading coaching books, white papers, research documents, or self-study materials that have helped you grow as a coach. If you’ve read any of my Really Competent Coach books, each one will provide you with one Resource Development CCEU.

Writing. Workshops, presentations, articles, or documents that you have written on topics related to coaching or coach development.

Research. Formal academic research that you have conducted relative to coaching or coach related topics.

Archived Virtual Education or Live Attendance at ICF Chapter and Global events. Recordings of ICF events, presentations, and webinars. ICF members have access to a robust catalogue of rich coach learning through the ICF website. You can listen to numerous recorded audio and video sessions that will count for ICF Resource Development CCEUs.

ICF Approved training designated as self-study. Components of a formal and approved coaching training program that you are not required to attend in real-time but that you complete on a self-paced, individual basis.

There are varying documentation requirements for each of these options. As I always recommend, see the ICF website for your most official and up-to-date information.

I hope I’ve been able to clear the fog a little bit around the CCEU requirements. I know it can feel like a bit of a math puzzle, but it’s not really, once you commit to doing a little planning.

This whole process is not about numbers. It is about learning. You have invested a lot in your coach education already. Accumulating coach CCEUs is a solid way to keep your skills up to date and to take your coaching to the next level.

I would encourage you to set aside time each month for learning, whether you are in your renewal year or not.

If you are looking ahead to 2021, WBECS is always a great option. The Accelerating Coaching Excellence program is a great option. David Peterson and David Goldsmith are offering a free masterclass in November as an introduction to their program.

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