ChBC is an evidence-based WABC credential held by professionals around the world. As a highly coveted, world-class distinction, ChBC positions you as being among the best of the best in the business coaching profession worldwide. ChBC demonstrates your significant impact and influence with your senior expertise, specialized knowledge and professional competence to take on the most challenging business coaching engagements.
Demonstrate your significant impact and influence with your senior expertise, specialized knowledge and professional competence and take your place among the top of the field as a chartered business coach.
As the first-ever chartered status for business coaching professionals, WABC’s Chartered Business Coach (ChBC) credential is the industry’s most coveted credential designed exclusively for elite business coaches.
Chartered-level business coaches are senior business coaching professionals who have achieved senior expertise, specialized knowledge and professional competence. As a leading member of the business coaching community, ChBC affords you the opportunity to share your learning and confirm your role as an influential thought leader in the field. Regardless of what professional role you have (e.g., leader, manager, internal or external business coach, external consultant), if you’re doing business coaching at this level, WABC offers its Portfolio Pathway as the exclusive route to become a ChBC.
Once you earn ChBC, you will also become part of our global community, where professional business coaches from across the globe come together to enhance their skills, expand their professional networks and influence the business coaching industry more broadly.
ChBC gives you a superior competitive edge, and tells the market you have achieved a very senior level of specialized knowledge and professional competence to apply business coaching in a wide variety of contexts.
The ChBC credential is for individuals who are extremely experienced in business coaching, who support leaders on the most complex business challenges, and who want to position themselves at the top of business coaches in their field.
Because WABC credentials specifically prepare you for coaching to support businesses or organizations, an appropriate professional background from working within businesses and organizations is essential to ground your training in real-world situations. Your professional experience is the foundation for pursuing a WABC credential.
SNAPSHOT: ChBCs tend to have a minimum of 15-20 years of business coaching experience, and a minimum of 20-25 years of business and organizational experience.
As a ChBC, you embody the highest level of professional practice, and contribute significant influence and leadership within organizations and the business coaching industry.
By engaging your specialized knowledge and professional competence, you’re able to apply business coaching in a variety of contexts, the outcomes of which may be unpredictable.
You also exercise substantial personal autonomy along with significant influence, leadership and contribution within your organization, the profession or academic settings.
Choosing your business coaching credential will be based on your previous coaching experience, skill level, ambition, professional development goals and your client needs
Let’s ensure ChBC is right for you:
WABC Portfolio Pathway is the exclusive route to earn ChBC
Achieving our highest credential is not about taking more training, but rather about demonstrating your senior expertise, specialized knowledge and professional competence. Open to eligible professionals, you’ll engage in our Portfolio Pathway, a self-directed process that guides you through your examination and evidence of six ChBC learning outcomes. Your journey culminates in the submission and evaluation of your ChBC Candidate Portfolio, which showcases your professional business coaching performance.
Portfolio Pathway is the right route to explore if you:
Joining WABC: You will join before registration in the Portfolio Pathway, as a WABC Full Member™.
Your Next Step: If you’d like to explore the Portfolio Pathway, see below for guidance and how to contact us. Offered directly by WABC, your eligibility is determined via an exploratory screening stage.
The new WABC Portfolio Pathway was introduced on Oct 17, 2025. We’re fortunate to have an extensive waiting list, so if you’re on it, we’ll be re-connecting with you as soon as possible. Please contact WABC if you’re visiting here for the first time and would like to explore our Portfolio Pathway.
Full length programs are ideally suited for professionals new to business coaching
There are no upcoming programs.
Fast track programs are ideally suited for professionals with some, even if limited, business coaching experience
There are no upcoming programs.
There are no upcoming programs.
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You’ll become a Chartered Business Coach once you:
Earning your ChBC involves the following fees:
*See the WABC Portfolio Pathway information provided to you
**See WABC Full Member
Maintaining your ChBC: Please see “Maintaining Your Credential” below.
Each WABC credential is intended to be a stand-alone credential, which enables business coaches to pursue the credential that is right for their ambition, professional goals and client needs at any point in their careers.
Our non-linear training approach is purposefully designed to suit the diverse needs of business coaches with flexible and responsive learning options and credentials.
You must be a current WABC Full Member before registration in the Pathway. If you have allowed your membership to lapse, you have one year from your ChBC Candidate Portfolio pass date to meet all applicable requirements (e.g., re-join as a WABC Full Member, complete the final administrative needs).
Being a current WABC Full Member™ is among requirements to enroll in the WABC Portfolio Pathway, so you’re expected to keep your membership in good standing at all times. If you allow your membership to lapse prior to your Portfolio Pathway completion, you’ll be required to rejoin WABC at the required level and pay the associated fees before receiving your ChBC.
Certification is a voluntary process by which a nongovernmental body recognizes an individual who has successfully met predetermined qualifications. As an advanced, evidence-based credential, ChBC falls within this type of qualification
It is the most rigorous level of professional credentialing available for individuals. Professional certification credentials that follow industry best practice require validation, carry re-certification requirements and are subject to revocation. ChBC adheres to these best practices.
ChBC is a professional certification which means it is a “working or applied” credential. Unlike certificates and degrees which transfer knowledge and skills, professional certifications measure how an individual uses knowledge and skills in real-life situations. By certifying that the holder is able to currently practice at a certain level, certification maintains public trust in the delivery of service.
For a professional certification credential to remain valid, the holder must stay relevant with current practice and theories. That’s why it’s a certification best practice for holders to meet ongoing requirements, such as continuing professional development, to maintain their certified credentials.
Yes, to maintain your ChBC, there are two ongoing requirements which both require fees:
Taking a sabbatical during your career may affect your ChBC credential.
Yes, your ChBC credential can be revoked under certain circumstances.
As a Chartered Business Coach, you’ll receive your personalized WABC ChBC Promo Package (digital package including a letter, certificate, badge and personalized verification page) enabling you to promote your credential on websites, email signatures and other marketing materials.
The Chartered Business Coach (ChBC) credential must be listed in a specific way. Please log in to your dashboard for further guidance and access to your WABC ChBC Promo Package.
Each WABC business coaching credential is intended to be a stand-alone credential. The credential you choose will be based on your previous coaching experience, skill level, ambition, professional development goals and your client needs.
| PRACTITIONER RCC™ | ADVANCED CBC™ | MASTER CMBC® | ELITE ChBC® |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level of Credential | Level of Credential | Level of Credential | Level of Credential |
| RCC is an evidence-based WABC credential held by professionals around the world. As a highly respected global credential, RCC raises your credibility and positions you as a practitioner business coach with specialized business coaching skills. RCC enables you to support a range of business-oriented and organizational goals and objectives. | CBC is an evidence-based WABC credential held by professionals around the world. As a highly respected global credential, CBC positions you as an advanced business coach with specialized business coaching skills. CBC enables you to support a wider range of business-oriented and organizational goals and objectives. | CMBC is an evidence-based WABC credential held by professionals around the world. As a highly esteemed, world-class distinction, CMBC positions you at the leading edge of your field in both expertise and training. CMBC enables you to confidently tackle complex goals that may impact broader business and organizational outcomes. | ChBC is an evidence-based WABC credential held by professionals around the world. As a highly coveted, world-class distinction, ChBC positions you as being among the best of the best in the business coaching profession worldwide. ChBC demonstrates your significant impact and influence with your senior expertise, specialized knowledge and professional competence to take on the most challenging business coaching engagements. |
| Eligible Candidates | Eligible Candidates | Eligible Candidates | Eligible Candidates |
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| Routes Available (Options, Duration & Hours) | Routes Available (Options, Duration & Hours) | Routes Available (Options, Duration & Hours) | Routes Available (Options, Duration & Hours) |
| WABC Accredited Program Option: Full Length Duration: 6–12 months* Hours: 150* Option: Fast Track Duration: 4–8 months* Hours: 75* *Expect some variability based on participants’ experience-level and program’s approach WABC Portfolio Pathway Option: Full Length Duration: 6–12 months* Hours: Highly variable* *Self-directed | WABC Accredited Program Option: Full Length Duration: 9–18 months* Hours: 400* Option: Fast Track Duration: 6–12 months* Hours: 200* *Expect some variability based on participants’ experience-level and program’s approach WABC Portfolio Pathway Option: Full Length Duration: 6–12 months* Hours: Highly variable* *Self-directed | WABC Accredited Program Option: Full Length Duration: 18–24 months* Hours: 1200* Option: Fast Track Duration: 12–18 months* Hours: 600* *Expect some variability based on participants’ experience-level and program’s approach WABC Portfolio Pathway Option: Full Length Duration: 6–12 months* Hours: Highly variable* *Self-directed |
WABC Portfolio Pathway Option: Full Length Duration: 6–12 months* Hours: Highly variable* *Self-directed |
| Routes Available (Formats) | Routes Available (Formats) | Routes Available (Formats) | Routes Available (Formats) |
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WABC Accredited Program Each program chooses from a range of formats–In-person, virtual or blended. WABC Portfolio Pathway Virtual self-directed |
WABC Accredited Program Each program chooses from a range of formats–In-person, virtual or blended. WABC Portfolio Pathway Virtual self-directed |
WABC Accredited Program Each program chooses from a range of formats–In-person, virtual or blended. WABC Portfolio Pathway Virtual self-directed | WABC Portfolio Pathway Virtual self-directed |
| Routes Available (Supervision) | Routes Available (Supervision) | Routes Available (Supervision) | Routes Available (Supervision) |
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WABC Accredited Program Appropriate supervision is provided WABC Portfolio Pathway Not applicable |
WABC Accredited Program Appropriate supervision is provided WABC Portfolio Pathway Not applicable |
WABC Accredited Program Appropriate supervision is provided WABC Portfolio Pathway Not applicable | WABC Portfolio Pathway Not applicable |
| Routes Available (Completion Deliverables) | Routes Available (Completion Deliverables) | Routes Available (Completion Deliverables) | Routes Available (Completion Deliverables) |
| WABC Accredited Program Pass a written and performance related assessment WABC Portfolio Pathway Submit and pass your RCC Candidate Portfolio representing your professional business coaching performance | WABC Accredited Program Pass a written and performance related assessment WABC Portfolio Pathway Submit and pass your CBC Candidate Portfolio representing your professional business coaching performance | WABC Accredited Program Pass a written and performance related assessment WABC Portfolio Pathway Submit and pass your CMBC Candidate Portfolio representing your professional business coaching performance | WABC Portfolio Pathway Submit and pass your ChBC Candidate Portfolio representing your professional business coaching performance |
| Credential (Ongoing Requirements) | Credential (Ongoing Requirements) | Credential (Ongoing Requirements) | Credential (Ongoing Requirements) |
| There are no requirements to maintain your RCC credential |
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| WABC Standards | WABC Standards | WABC Standards | WABC Standards |
| Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| WABC reserves all rights in connection with the Registered Corporate Coach (RCC) credential and its requirements, including the right to change, replace or discontinue. | WABC reserves all rights in connection with the WABC Certified Business Coach (CBC) credential and its requirements, including the right to change, replace or discontinue. | WABC reserves all rights in connection with the WABC Certified Master Business Coach (CMBC) credential and its requirements, including the right to change, replace or discontinue. | WABC reserves all rights in connection with the Chartered Business Coach (ChBC) credential and its requirements, including the right to change, replace or discontinue. |
When you earn any of WABC’s credentials for business coaches—RCC™, CBC™, CMBC® or ChBC®—you will enroll in a WABC Accredited program. All WABC Accredited programs undergo rigorous independent initial assessment, and providers are regularly reviewed to ensure they continue to meet our standards of excellence. This ensures their programs continue to be relevant to the market and meet our exacting global standards for business coach training programs.
WABC is the longest standing worldwide organization that focuses exclusively on business coaching. Other coaching associations bundle life coaching and business coaching together in a rather confused stew.
Business coaching is a unique and distinct offering, requiring specific competencies, ethical considerations and approaches. WABC has not only understood this from the start, but has built a framework of accreditation that recognizes those working in this way accordingly.
I have been associated with WABC since 2010 when I chose to pursue the Registered Corporate Coach™ credential. A WABC credential best suits my needs because this association continues to stand out as the leading global authority on business coaching, complete with evidence-based standards and best practices.
Having a formal, globally recognized business coaching credential is important to me since I use business coaching practices daily within my international association. With the variety of credentials available through WABC, I can continue my professional development at every stage of my career. I’ve now also achieved WABC’s highest credential, Chartered Business Coach®, which reflects the high level of coaching and client engagement that I now practice.
My relationship with WABC is enhanced by my relationship with its founder, Wendy Johnson. She lives the values embodied within the WABC ethics, integrity and competencies. Her guidance, wisdom and perspective are anchors for my continuous growth as a member, and I am inspired to think bigger and better while always pursuing excellence. Wendy is a trusted colleague and I am so grateful to know her through WABC.
Earning WABC’s Chartered Business Coach® (ChBC®) involved the opportunity to consider my practice in a safe physical and mental space where I could take stock of my life and explore my agenda. This is a crucial aspect of a leadership development program that incorporates self-discovery principles while capturing emerging awareness. The combination of thorough research, theory linked to practice and a reiterative writing process deeply reinforced my bridge-builder identity in various disciplines (coaching, consulting, counseling and psychoanalysis) and my identity as a business coach able to deal with change at both personal and organizational levels. Even more, the ChBC® process offers a virtual work-based learning methodology that is at the forefront of adult learning and now, more than ever before, this is a strength of this credential.
WABC’s ChBC® grants clients that I have the specialized expertise and knowledge required to be at the pinnacle of my profession. The re-certification process every five years also allows coaches to demonstrate they have kept their learning and practice up to date.
WABC is the only coaching association to set standards exclusively for business coaching throughout the world, and it has been my go-to source for consideration of best practice in my business coaching endeavors. I appreciate the exquisite attention to detail, singular focus and evidence-based rigor this association provides to its practitioners. Although there are many fine associations in the coaching industry, for my professional needs, WABC is the best source for me.
That excellence is due primarily to its founder, Wendy Johnson. Wendy is passionate about ‘good business’ in every form and business coaching in particular. She knows more about coaching than most of us in the industry ever will, and yet makes it her goal to continue to learn more each day. Aside from the outstanding association she’s built, I enjoy working with Wendy because she exemplifies the qualities I admire most—integrity, trustworthiness, commitment to excellence and a kind heart. I recommend her unreservedly, both as a businesswoman and as a person.
Having been in the coaching business for nearly 20 years, I have seen the coaching sector grow exponentially and witnessed the rise of many professional bodies. I am an advocate for WABC as there is a beautiful clarity that sits at the essence of all they do—they serve the needs of business coaches. This is in a large part to the clarity of leadership provided by Wendy Johnson, unwavering in her vision and boundaries about WABC’s place in the coaching world.
As a professional business coach, I can tell my clients that I am a member of a credible business coach professional body which acknowledges and recognizes the needs of coaches working in their sector. I have found the experience of re-certification a rigorous and provocative activity which has had me reflect meaningfully on my coaching practice. The benefit of this is being able to tell my clients, with integrity, that I have earned the right and provided the evidence to retain my WABC certification which is additive to my business coaching credentials.
WABC represents the highest quality programs and credentials in the industry. As the coaching profession, business, and life in general continue to grow and change at a rapid pace, the need for ongoing professional standards, ethical practices, and robust learning have never been more important. WABC is the premier service provider in the field and, having earned my Chartered Business Coach® (ChBC®) credential, I can attest to their rigor and validity. WABC’s ChBC® is recognized as the leading credential for business coaching and has opened doors for me with organizational and individual clients alike. WABC’s re-certification process offers the same rigor as the intensive initial certification, and ensures those who hold the credential continue to meet the highest standards in the field, ensuring practitioners align with current best practice, engage in meaningful initiatives, and deliver expected results. If you are looking for a professional organization and supporting credentials that reflect the highest standards, look no further than WABC.
ChBC® positions you as being among the best of the best in the business coaching profession worldwide.
Let’s get started!
Find a listing of our programs below or reach out to us if you’d like some further guidance.
If ChBC® isn’t quite the right fit for you, we’ll have a WABC credential that is.
Whether you are beginning your coaching journey (RCC™), enhancing your professional services (CBC™), mastering coaching specialties (CMBC®) or taking on the most demanding coaching assignments in the market (ChBC®), WABC has a credential to suit your ambition, professional goals and client needs.
