PCC vs MCC: Choosing the Right ICF Credential for Your Coaching Career

PCC vs MCC: Which Credential Should You Aim for and How We Help You Decide

If you are an aspiring or experienced coach looking to advance your career, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) credentials are considered the gold standard in the industry. Among the three levels of ICF certification—ACC (Associate Certified Coach), PCC (Professional Certified Coach), and MCC (Master Certified Coach)—the two most advanced are PCC and MCC.

Many coaches find themselves at a crossroads: Should you aim for ICF PCC Coach Certification first, or go directly toward the MCC Coach Certification path? The right choice depends on your current experience, career goals, and long-term vision as a coach.

In this guide, we’ll compare PCC vs MCC, explain their requirements, career impact, and help you decide which is right for you. We’ll also show you how DeeKay Excellence supports you at every stage—from choosing the right credential to achieving it.

Understanding ICF Credentials: A Quick Recap

The ICF offers three main credential levels:

• ACC – Associate Certified Coach (Level 1)
• PCC – Professional Certified Coach (Level 2)
• MCC – Master Certified Coach (Level 3)

Each level represents not just more training hours but deeper mastery, richer client impact, and greater recognition in the coaching world.

If you’re new to ICF credentials, your journey often starts with ACC, progresses to PCC, and eventually leads to MCC. But experienced coaches with significant hours and who have completed required training hours might consider aiming directly for PCC OR MCC.

What is PCC?

PCC stands for Professional Certified Coach. It is the second-highest credential offered by ICF, often seen as the professional benchmark for experienced coaches.

ICF PCC Coach Certification Requirements:

• Completion of an ICF Level 2 accredited coach training program (at least 125 hours of training)
• 500 hours of client coaching experience (with at least 25 clients)
• 10 hours of mentor coaching
• Submission of coaching recordings for performance evaluation
• Passing the ICF Credentialing Exam

At DeeKay Excellence, our ICF PCC Professional Certified Coach program is designed to meet all these requirements while equipping you with practical coaching tools, confidence, and real-world exposure.

Who should choose PCC?

• Coaches who already have substantial coaching hours but want formal recognition
• ACC credential holders ready for the next level
• Professionals who want to transition into full-time coaching with strong credibility

What is MCC?

MCC stands for Master Certified Coach, the highest level of coaching credential in the ICF framework. It represents mastery in the coaching profession and is respected worldwide.

ICF MCC Certification Level 3 Requirements:

• Completion of an ICF Level 3 accredited program
• 2,500 hours of client coaching experience (with at least 35 clients)
• Previous PCC credential
• Submission of advanced-level coaching session recordings
• Passing the MCC-level performance evaluation and ICF exam

Our Mentoring for MCC journey is designed for seasoned PCC coaches who have achieved required training hours and now want to step into mastery-level coaching.

Who should choose MCC?

• Experienced PCC coaches with years of client work
• Those aiming to become thought leaders or global authorities in coaching
• Coaches looking to work at the executive or leadership transformation level

PCC vs MCC: Key Differences

Feature	PCC (Professional Certified Coach)	MCC (Master Certified Coach)
ICF Level	Level 2	Level 3
Training Hours	125+ hours	Additional Level 3 training after PCC
Coaching Hours	500+ hours	2,500+ hours
Experience Level	Mid-to-advanced career	Elite / top-tier
Recognition	Strong industry credibility	Global mastery recognition
Purpose	Build strong client base & authority	Influence, legacy, and deep transformation work
Ideal For	Scaling coaching practice	Becoming an industry leader

Career Impact: PCC vs MCC

Both PCC and MCC significantly enhance your market value, but they do so in different ways.

Benefits of PCC Coach Certification

• Strong credibility to attract high-paying clients
• Eligibility to coach in corporate environments and leadership programs
• Solid foundation for a sustainable coaching business
• Opens doors to corporate coaching opportunities

Benefits of MCC Coach Certification

• Positions you as an elite-level coach
• Ability to coach senior executives, boards, and global leaders
• Opportunity to mentor and train other coaches
• Highly competitive global market edge

Which Credential Should You Aim For?

Deciding between PCC and MCC depends on where you stand today and where you want to be in the next 3–5 years.

Choose PCC if:

• You are an ACC holder ready to step up
• You have 500+ hours of coaching but less than 2,500
• You want to solidify your practice before moving to MCC

Choose MCC if:

• You already have a PCC credential
• You have over 2,500 hours of coaching
• You aim to influence coaching at the highest level

At DeeKay Excellence, we guide you through a personalized assessment to help you choose the credential that aligns with your skills, goals, and timeline.

How DeeKay Excellence Helps You Decide and Achieve Your Goal

We understand that every coach’s journey is unique. That’s why our approach is not just about ticking boxes—it’s about preparing you for a thriving coaching career.

1. Comprehensive ICF-Accredited Programs – Our ICF coaching programs cover both ACC and PCC pathways, also offers mentoring for MCC journey , ensuring you meet all ICF requirements while developing practical coaching excellence.
2. Real-World Practice – You get to work with real clients under supervision, enhancing both your confidence and competence.
3. Mentor Coaching – Receive 10+ hours of mentor coaching from ICF-certified Master Coaches to refine your skills and meet credentialing requirements.
4. Exam & Performance Evaluation Preparation – We guide you through recording, reviewing, and improving your coaching sessions, ensuring you’re ready for ICF’s evaluation process.
5. Career and Business Coaching – Our leadership coaching programs and individual coaching sessions help you build a sustainable coaching business or leadership presence.
6. Ongoing Support – Even after certification, we offer networking, workshops, and advanced courses to keep your skills sharp.

How to Get Started

If you’re ready to take your coaching career to the next level, the first step is understanding where you are and where you want to be. We invite you to book a free discovery session where we assess your current coaching stage and recommend the right credential pathway.

Start your journey today by contacting DeeKay Excellence or filling out our online application form.

People Also Asked

1. What is the difference between MCC and PCC coaching?
   PCC (Professional Certified Coach) represents advanced professional-level coaching with at least 500 hours of experience, while MCC (Master Certified Coach) is the highest credential requiring 2,500+ hours and mastery in coaching competencies.
2. What is the PCC credential OR Professional Certified Coach?
   The PCC credential is awarded to coaches who have completed ICF Level 2 training, accumulated 500+ client coaching hours, received mentor coaching, and passed the ICF evaluation.
3. What is PCC and MCC?
   PCC and MCC are two advanced ICF credentials—PCC is Level 2 (professional coach) and MCC is Level 3 (master coach).
4. How do I get a PCC certificate?
   To get a PCC certificate, complete an ICF Level 2 accredited program from ICF accredited coach training organization like that of Deekay Excellence, gain 500+ coaching hours, complete mentor coaching, and pass ICF’s exam and performance evaluation. You can explore programs via our ICF PCC Coach Certification pathway.

Final Thoughts

Whether you aim for PCC Coach Certification or MCC Coach Certification, the decision should align with your current experience and long-term career goals. At DeeKay Excellence, we don’t just prepare you for the credential—we prepare you for a thriving coaching career.

If you’re ready to find out your best next step, book your free consultation now and let’s design your path to becoming an ICF-certified coach.