Board Certified Coach Continuing Education

This guide outlines the essential requirements and benefits of continuing education for Board Certified Coaches (BCCs). It details the mandatory 70 CE clock hours needed for certification renewal, including specific hours dedicated to coaching ethics and competency areas. The guide provides guidance on identifying qualifying CE activities, effective planning and tracking methods, and tips for finding high-quality opportunities. Additionally, it emphasizes the value of continuing education in enhancing coaching skills, expanding professional networks, and reigniting passion for the profession.

Are you interested in becoming a Board Certified Coach? Check out our BCC training by clicking here!

Continuing Education: What You Need to Know

To maintain your Board Certified Coach (BCC) certification, you are required to complete 70 continuing education (CE) clock hours every five years. These hours are essential to ensure you stay current with industry standards and continue developing professionally. Below is a breakdown of the CE requirements:

• 4 clock hours must be dedicated to coaching ethics.
• 66 clock hours must focus on any of the BCC Competency Areas.
• 10 additional clock hours are required for each optional specialty designation you hold (e.g., executive/corporate/business/leadership coaching, health/wellness coaching, career coaching, personal/life coaching).

This structure ensures that your continuing education efforts align with your practice areas and enhance your skills in both core competencies and specialties. Click here to learn more about the continuing education requirements from the CCE.

Activities that Do Not Qualify for CE Credit

Not all professional activities count toward your BCC continuing education requirements. To avoid confusion, here are some activities that do not qualify for CE credit:

• Consulting work – Offering professional advice or services to clients or organizations does not count as continuing education.
• Supervisory or mentoring meetings – Time spent working with or under a mentor or supervisory coach is not eligible for CE credit.
• Personal self-improvement courses – Courses focused on personal development (e.g., meditation, self-help) that are not tied to coaching competencies do not meet BCC requirements.
• Trade shows – Attendance at trade shows or industry exhibitions, even if coaching-related, is not considered valid continuing education.

Does an Activity Meet BCC Requirements

When planning your continuing education activities, ask yourself the following questions to ensure they meet BCC requirements:

1. Does the content fall into one or more of the BCC competency areas?

2. Is the activity focused on coaching (not counseling or treatment)?
   CE activities must directly support your role as a coach, enhancing your coaching practice rather than focusing on counseling, therapy, or mental health treatment.

3. Will the activity enhance my role as a coach?
   If the knowledge or skills you gain help you grow professionally and improve your coaching effectiveness, the activity qualifies.

4. Can I interact with the instructor or facilitator during or after the session?
   For seminars, self-study programs, or courses, it’s important to have an opportunity to engage with the instructor (e.g., through Q&A sessions, email, or discussion forums).

5. Will the activity be completed during my current five-year certification period?
   Only activities completed within your active certification period count toward your renewal requirements.

6. Does the instructor have relevant expertise, education, or credentials?
   The facilitator or instructor should have formal education, training, or recognized credentials relevant to one or more BCC competency areas.

Examples of Qualifying Continuing Education Activities

Here are some examples of activities that meet the BCC continuing education requirements and align with the core competency areas:

• Webinars and online courses

  • Topics on practice management, such as building a sustainable coaching practice or marketing your services
  • Courses focused on ethics in coaching, including legal guidelines and ethical decision-making

• Workshops on new coaching tools and techniques

  • Hands-on sessions introducing the latest coaching models, strategies, or assessments
  • Workshops on goal-setting frameworks or motivational interviewing techniques adapted for coaching

• Self-study programs with interactive elements and assessments

  • Programs offering online modules with quizzes, case studies, or assignments to solidify learning
  • Courses that allow interaction with facilitators through forums or scheduled Q&A sessions

• Conferences with sessions on BCC competencies and coaching ethics

  • Conferences where expert-led sessions cover key competency areas, such as assessment and coaching applications
  • Opportunities to attend ethics panels or discussions on industry best practices

• Courses on assessment tools used in coaching

  • In-depth training on tools like DISC, MBTI, or StrengthsFinder, with a focus on application in coaching
  • Courses that teach coaches how to integrate client assessments into their practice

How to Plan and Track Your CE Hours Effectively

Staying organized throughout your five-year certification period will help you meet your BCC continuing education requirements smoothly. Here are some tips to help you plan and track your progress:

1. Start early to avoid last-minute stress

   • Spread out your CE activities across the five years to prevent scrambling at the last minute.
   • Prioritize ethics hours early to ensure they are completed without delay.

2. Mix formats to stay engaged

   • Combine various learning formats such as live webinars, in-person workshops, and self-study programs to maintain variety and interest.
   • Attend conferences or panel discussions to network and learn from industry experts.

3. Track your progress with a spreadsheet or tracking app

   • Use tools like Excel, Google Sheets, or specialized tracking apps to log each CE activity, including the date, topic, and clock hours earned.
   • Monitor your progress toward the 70-hour requirement and specialty designations, if applicable.

4. Keep certificates of completion for documentation

   • Maintain digital or physical copies of certificates from all qualifying activities as proof for your renewal application.
   • Create a dedicated folder for easy access when it's time to renew your BCC certification.

Tips for Finding High-Quality CE Opportunities

Finding the right continuing education (CE) activities can enhance your coaching skills and meet BCC requirements. Here are some tips for identifying high-quality CE opportunities:

1. Look for programs offered by accredited coaching organizations

   • Prioritize courses and workshops approved by organizations such as the CCE (Center for Credentialing & Education).
   • These programs ensure content quality and alignment with industry standards.

2. Attend coaching conferences that offer CE hours

   • Conferences are a great way to earn CE hours while staying up-to-date with the latest trends and tools in coaching.
   • Look for events that include sessions or workshops on core BCC competencies like ethics, assessment, and practice management.

3. Consider specialized courses aligned with your coaching niche

   • Explore courses that fit your focus, such as executive coaching, wellness coaching, or career coaching.
   • Niche-specific courses provide deeper insights and tools that enhance your effectiveness in your area of expertise.

4. Read course reviews and research instructors

   • Check for reviews or testimonials to gauge the program’s value.
   • Ensure the instructor has relevant expertise, education, or experience in the BCC competency areas.

The Value of Continuing Education

Continuing education is not just about meeting certification requirements—it’s an investment in your personal and professional growth. Here are some key benefits:

1. Stay competitive by updating your skills and knowledge regularly

   • The coaching industry evolves quickly, and staying current ensures you remain relevant and effective in your practice.
   • Learning new tools, techniques, and approaches helps you meet client needs more effectively.

2. Enhance your practice management skills to grow your coaching business

   • CE activities focused on practice management provide strategies for marketing, client retention, and scaling your services.
   • Well-managed coaching businesses attract more clients and offer a better work-life balance.

3. Expand your network by engaging with other professionals during CE events

   • Conferences, webinars, and workshops are excellent opportunities to connect with other coaches, mentors, and industry leaders.
   • Building a network can lead to new partnerships, referrals, and collaborative projects.

4. Renew your passion for coaching through exposure to new ideas and methods

   • Continuing education introduces fresh perspectives that keep you inspired and motivated.
   • Exploring innovative approaches can rekindle your enthusiasm for coaching and help prevent burnout.

Our Continuing Education

Ready to fulfill your BCC continuing education requirements? Explore our BCC-approved CE trainings designed to help you meet your renewal needs with ease. Our trainings cover key competency areas and offer learning with expert facilitators. Don't wait—stay ahead, grow your coaching skills, and renew your passion for coaching today!

Ready to become a Board Certified Coach? Check out our training! Click here to learn more.

Ready to get your Board Certified Coach continuing education? Click here to learn more.

Have your coaching hours but need them verified for your BCC application? Click here to learn about our verification of experience package.

Don't have any coaching experience for your BCC application? Click here to learn more about our coaching supervision.

More Resources

If you are interested in learning more, click here. For more information on this topic, we recommend the following:

• What is a Board Certified Coach?
• How to Become a Board Certified Coach
• Board Certified Coach Personal Endorsement
• Board Certified Coach Supervision
• Board Certified Coach Verification of Experience
• Board Certified Coach Exam Study Guide

About the Author

Jessica Taylor is a licensed therapist and board certified coach who contributes to the promotion of mental health and addiction awareness by providing educational resources and information.