ChBC—held by professionals around the world—is the first-ever chartered status for professional business coaches and the industry’s most coveted, world-class distinction. Position yourself as being among the best of the best in our profession worldwide as a professional business coach with elite-level expertise, specialized knowledge, coaching skills and professional competence.
ChBC—held by professionals around the world—is the first-ever chartered status for professional business coaches and the industry’s most coveted, world-class distinction. Position yourself as being among the best of the best in our profession worldwide as a professional business coach with elite-level expertise, specialized knowledge, coaching skills and professional competence.
Chartered Business Coach (ChBC), grounded in research-informed best practice, demonstrates you possess specialized knowledge, professional competence and mastery of the competencies as a professional business coach at elite-level. As you support the highest levels of leadership, you’ll be able to apply a wide range of business coaching initiatives and activities to tackle complex business and organizational challenges across a wide diversity of contexts and open agendas, the outcomes of which may be unpredictable. Furthermore, at this highest level of professional practice, you’ll be able to exercise substantial personal autonomy along with your significant influence, leadership and contribution within businesses, organizations and the profession. Being a ChBC means you can provide a substantial professional offering.
As the first-ever chartered status for professional business coaches, you’ll confirm your role as an influential thought leader in the field.
Regardless of what professional role you have (e.g., leader, internal or external business coach), 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’re part of our global community, where professional business coaches from across the world come together to enhance their skills, expand their professional networks and influence our business coaching profession more broadly.
Chartered Business Coach (ChBC), grounded in research-informed best practice, demonstrates you possess specialized knowledge, professional competence and mastery of the competencies as a professional business coach at elite-level.
Mastery comes over time and diverse experiences—simply counting coaching hours doesn’t accurately measure impact.
Because the ChBC credential specifically prepares you for business coaching in any kind of business or organization across sectors and industries, an appropriate professional background is essential to ground your coaching in real-world situations.
No matter your business or organizational context, your professional experience is the foundation for pursuing any WABC credential.
Choosing your credential will be based on your professional role, previous coaching experience, skill level, ambition, goals and client and employer 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.
Our WABC Portfolio Pathway was introduced on October 17, 2025
We’re fortunate to have an extensive waiting list, so if you’re on it, we’ll be re-connecting with you very quickly. Please contact WABC if you’re visiting here for the first time and would like to explore our Portfolio Pathway.
You’ll become a Chartered Business Coach once you:
*To prove your excellence to the world, you’ll receive your personalized ChBC Promo Package (digital package of letter, certificate, badge and personalized verification page (linked to your badge)) enabling you to promote your Chartered Business Coach (ChBC) credential on your website, email signature or social media platforms.
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 you to choose the credential that is right for your professional role, previous coaching experience, skill level, ambition, goals and client and employer needs at any point in your career.
Our non-linear approach is purposefully designed to offer 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.
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 ChBC Promo Package.
Each WABC credential for professional business coaches is intended to be a stand-alone credential—choose the one that matches your professional role, previous coaching experience, skill level, ambition, goals and client and/or employer needs.
| PRACTITIONER RCC™ | ADVANCED CBC™ | MASTER CMBC® | ELITE ChBC® |
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| Credential: About | Credential: About | Credential: About | Credential: About |
| Registered Corporate Coach™ (RCC™)—held by professionals around the world—is a highly respected evidence-based global credential that raises your credibility and positions you as a professional business coach with practitioner-level knowledge and specialized coaching skills. RCC, grounded in research-informed best practice, enables you to access a strong foundation and the competencies and knowledge as a professional business coach at practitioner-level. As you support clients, co-workers and organizations, you’ll be able to apply your specialized skills to a range of fixed agendas that are directly related to business and organizational goals and objectives. Being an RCC means you can provide a professional offering. | WABC Certified Business Coach™ (CBC™)—held by professionals around the world—is a highly respected evidence-based global credential designed for professional business coaches. CBC positions you as a professional business coach with advanced-level knowledge and specialized coaching skills. CBC, grounded in research-informed best practice, enables you to access a broader and deeper range of competencies and knowledge as a professional business coach at advanced-level. As you support clients, co-workers and organizations, you’ll be able to apply your specialized skills to more diverse, although largely fixed, agendas that are directly related to business and organizational goals and objectives. Being a CBC means you can provide a fuller professional offering. | WABC Certified Master Business Coach® (CMBC®)—held by professionals around the world—is a highly esteemed, world-class distinction that positions you at the leading edge of your field with master-level expertise, specialized knowledge and coaching skills. CMBC, grounded in research-informed best practice, demonstrates your mastery of the competencies and knowledge as a professional business coach at master-level. As you support senior levels of leadership, you’ll be able to apply your specialized skills to tackle complex business and organizational challenges with open agendas, the outcomes of which may impact broader business and organizational goals and objectives. Furthermore, you may be accountable for critical analysis, diagnosis, design, planning, execution and evaluation and you may also choose to specialize. Being a CMBC means you can provide a significant professional offering. | Chartered Business Coach® (ChBC®)—held by professionals around the world—is the first-ever chartered status for professional business coaches and the industry’s most coveted, world-class distinction. Position yourself as being among the best of the best in our profession worldwide as a professional business coach with elite-level expertise, specialized knowledge, coaching skills and professional competence. ChBC, grounded in research-informed best practice, demonstrates you possess specialized knowledge, professional competence and mastery of the competencies as a professional business coach at elite-level. As you support the highest levels of leadership, you’ll be able to apply a wide range of business coaching initiatives and activities to tackle complex business and organizational challenges across a wide diversity of contexts and open agendas, the outcomes of which may be unpredictable. Furthermore, at this highest level of professional practice, you’ll be able to exercise substantial personal autonomy along with your significant influence, leadership and contribution within businesses, organizations and the profession. Being a ChBC means you can provide a substantial professional offering. |
| Eligible Candidates | Eligible Candidates | Eligible Candidates | Eligible Candidates |
NOTE: If you have a minimum of 1 year of business coaching experience, you will be able to consider either a WABC Accredited Program or WABC Portfolio Pathway. |
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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®, ChBC®) and for leaders-as-coaches (CLAC™), you’ll enroll in a WABC Accredited Program or WABC Portfolio Pathway. All WABC Accredited Programs undergo rigorous independent initial assessment, and providers are regularly reviewed to ensure they continue to be relevant to the market and meet our exacting global standards of excellence for business coaching or leader-as-coach coaching training programs. The WABC Portfolio Pathway, developed and offered directly by WABC, draws upon our deep insights, knowledge and expertise and offers an alternative, self-directed route for eligible professionals seeking business coaching credentials.
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.
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.
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.
ChBC positions you as being among the best of the best in our profession worldwide as a professional business coach with elite-level expertise, specialized knowledge, coaching skills and professional competence.
