NACE Coaching Certification Program: Program Overview

Program Description

The NACE Coaching Certification Program (CCP) is a training program designed for career services members wishing to demonstrate their success as a career coach using proven ethical and professional standards in their pursuit of the Board Certified Coach (BCC) credential offered through the Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc. (CCE).

The BCC credential is a mark of distinction for credential holders and a source of credibility for their clients. A BCC has met professional coaching competency standards established by CCE and subject matter experts.

The BCC certification demonstrates to the public that a professional coach has:

• Met educational and training requirements.
• Passed a psychometrically sound coach-specific examination.
• Obtained experience in the field of coaching.
• Professional peer references.
• Accountability to an enforceable ethics code.
• Commitment to continuing education.

The achievement of the BCC credential solidifies the professional identity of the coach. The BCC credential is attractive to professionals who would like to provide independent third-party verification that they have achieved certain coaching competency standards.

Board Certified Coach Certification Prerequisites

Candidates must meet all prerequisites as established and mandated by the CCE.

30-Hour Coaching Certification Program

BCC Certification Prerequisites for completion of the 30-hour training program: Candidates must meet all prerequisites to sit for certification exam through the CCE.

• Have obtained a master’s degree or higher in counseling and have 30 hours of coaching experience; or
• Have obtained a master’s degree or higher, hold the National Certified Counselor credential or full professional counseling licensure, and have 30 hours of coaching experience; or
• Have obtained a doctoral degree or higher in Social or Behavioral Sciences and have 30 hours of coaching experience; or
• Have a bachelor’s degree or higher in any field/concentration and have 2,500 hours of coach experience over a period of five years or more.

60-Hour Coaching Certification Program

BCC Certification Prerequisites for completion of the 60-hour training program: Candidates must meet all prerequisites to sit for certification exam through the CCE.

• Have obtained a master’s degree or higher in Social or Behavior Sciences*; and
• Have completed of a minimum of 60 hours of professional coach training; and
• Have obtained 30 hours of post-degree coaching experience working with individuals, groups, or organizations.

*Automatically accepted fields are business, management, social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology, medicine, health and wellness, education, and law. Other related fields will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Questions regarding the BCC Certification Prerequisites are to be directed to cce@cce-global.org or 336.482.2856.

Program Formats

Formats vary by module and can include: direct instruction, virtual learning, roundtable discussions, and case study reviews.

Program Frequency

On-demand virtual offerings are available for purchase on the NACE website for all of the virtual components of the 30-hour program. Each live workshop will be held at least once each calendar year at designated locations throughout the US.

Facilitator Information

NACE Coaching faculty have completed a stringent application and training process. All coaching faculty meet the following requirements:

• Hold an advanced degree which aligns with their professional acumen for career coaching;
• Have at least 10 years of coaching experience;
• Are certified career coaches or are seeking approval through CCE;
• Have successfully completed the NACE Train-the-Trainer program; and
• Have demonstrated advancement of the coaching profession through writing, projects, and/or professional collaborations.

NACE CCP Assessment and Criteria

Upon successful completion of each module, the named registrant will be provided instructions post event to complete the NACE Knowledge Assessment. Candidates must score 88% or better to receive the designated NACE CCP certificate of completion for the appropriate module. Candidates may test up to three times per module. If the candidate is unsuccessful following three attempts, the candidate must retake the module in its entirety.

The 30-hour CCP candidate must complete each of the seven (7) modules and the 60-hour candidate must complete each of the thirteen (13) modules, successfully pass each module’s NACE Knowledge Assessment with 88 percent accuracy, and have obtained each NACE CCP certificate of completion prior to submitting his/her application for the Board Certified Coach to the Center for Credentialing & Education, Inc.

ADA Statement

NACE and its testing vendor comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act in accommodating disabled candidates who require special accommodations to complete assessment. Candidates requiring special accommodations must notify NACE of their request prior to testing.

The process for notification is as follows:

1. Notify the NACE Professional Development Department at events@naceweb.org of your intent to request an accommodation. Please write “ADA Request” in the subject line.
2. Once your request is received, a copy of the Request for Special Accommodations Form will be provided to you.
3. The completed Request for Special Accommodations Form should be returned to NACE at events@naceweb.org. If reasonable accommodations can be made, NACE will notify candidate within five business days to determine the testing date.
4. There are no fees associated with accommodation requests.

Continuing Education Hours

NACE is an approved provider by the Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc. for the Board Certified Coach Credentialing.

NACE is also an approved provider for Continuing Coach Education clock hours through the International Coaching Federation.