Board Certified Coach (BCC): CCE Global's US Coaching Credential

What Is the BCC?

The Board Certified Coach (BCC) is a professional coaching credential issued by CCE Global (Center for Credentialing & Education), a subsidiary of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). It is a well-respected US-based alternative to the ICF credential, particularly popular among coaches who come from counseling, psychology, or mental health backgrounds.

The BCC is widely recognized in the US market, especially in healthcare, government, and organizational settings where CCE/NBCC credentials carry institutional weight.

BCC Requirements

• Coaching training: Completion of a coaching training program approved by CCE (minimum training hours vary by education background)
• Coaching experience: 1,500+ hours for coaches without a related graduate degree; fewer hours required with graduate degrees in related fields
• Supervisor reference: Professional reference from a supervisor or mentor coach
• Written exam: Pass the BCC examination covering coaching theory, ethics, and practice
• Background check: Professional background check required

BCC vs ICF: When to Choose Each

• BCC: Strong choice for coaches in the US with counseling/psychology backgrounds; recognized by EAPs and healthcare systems; accepted for US government coaching programs
• ICF: Stronger global recognition; required by most international corporate coaching programs; the global standard for executive coaching

Some US coaches hold both credentials — BCC for healthcare/government clients and ICF for corporate executive coaching.

CCE and the BCC Renewal

The BCC credential must be renewed every 5 years and requires 40 hours of continuing education (including ethics). The 5-year cycle is longer than ICF's 3-year cycle, which some coaches find advantageous.