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—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.
WABC Certified Master Business Coach (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.
Set your extensive experience and skills apart and establish yourself as a leader in the business coaching global community.
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 different routes via WABC Accredited (Level 3 – CMBC)® Programs or the WABC Portfolio Pathway to become a CMBC, based on your experience.
Once you earn CMBC, 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.
WABC Certified Master Business Coach (CMBC), grounded in research-informed best practice, demonstrates your mastery of the competencies and knowledge as a professional business coach at master-level.
Mastery comes over time and diverse experiences—simply counting coaching hours doesn’t accurately measure impact.
Because the CMBC 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 CMBC is right for you:
WABC Accredited (Level 3 – CMBC)® Programs and WABC Portfolio Pathway are routes to earn CMBC
WABC Accredited (Level 3 – CMBC) Programs are third-party programs that have undertaken WABC’s rigorous assessment and committed to ongoing re-evaluation* to ensure they are delivering high quality, evidence-based business coaching training rooted in real-world organizational and business needs.
All WABC Accredited (Level 3 – CMBC) Programs engage in a continuous five-year process lifecycle to ensure they meet our standards of excellence—from initial accreditation through annual monitoring to re-accreditation. This continuous lifecycle ensures the providers’ programs remain relevant in the market and continue to meet our exacting, evidence-based global standards for business coach training programs.
Training is the right route to explore if you:
Joining WABC: You may join before, during or after the Program as a WABC Full Member™:
Your Next Step: If you’d like to explore training***, see the calendar below where you can select a provider and contact them to learn about their program and fee. Your eligibility is determined during their initial screening interview.
WABC Portfolio Pathway is an alternative to a training program. Open to eligible professionals, you’ll engage in a self-directed process that guides you through your examination and evidence of six CMBC learning outcomes. Your journey culminates in the submission and evaluation of your CMBC 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 Pathway, as a WABC Full Member.
Your Next Step: If you’d like to explore the Portfolio Pathway, see the calendar below for guidance and how to contact us. Offered directly by WABC, your eligibility is determined via an exploratory screening stage.
Calendar is frequently updated, so please check back anytime.
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.
No programs are currently available — please check back anytime as our calendar is frequently updated.
No programs are currently available — please check back anytime as our calendar is frequently updated.
Full length programs are ideally suited for professionals with business coaching experience
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Fast-track programs are ideally suited for professionals with business coaching experience
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You’ll become a WABC Certified Master Business Coach once you:
*To prove your excellence to the world, you’ll receive your personalized CMBC Promo Package (digital package of letter, certificate, badge and personalized verification page (linked to your badge)) enabling you to promote your WABC Certified Master Business Coach (CMBC) credential on your website, email signature or social media platforms.
Earning your CMBC involves the following fees:
*Fee set by the training provider
**See the WABC Portfolio Pathway information provided to you
***See WABC Full Member
Maintaining your CMBC: 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.
Generally yes. Once a Program earns the “WABC Accredited (Level 3 – CMBC)” mark, then you would be eligible to earn CMBC assuming you have successfully completed all Program requirements and met all WABC requirements within applicable deadlines.
For WABC Accredited (Level 3 – CMBC) Program: You must be a current WABC Full Member to earn CMBC. You have one year from your Program pass date to meet all applicable requirements (e.g., upgrade to, or join/re-join as, a WABC Full Member, complete the final administrative needs).
For WABC Portfolio Pathway: 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 CMBC Candidate Portfolio pass date to meet all applicable requirements (e.g., re-join as a WABC Full Member, complete the final administrative needs).
For WABC Accredited (Level 3 – CMBC) Program: If you were already a WABC Member while taking your Program but allowed your membership to lapse prior to Program completion, you’ll be required to re-join as a WABC Full Member and pay the associated fees before receiving your CMBC. Also see FAQ above.
For WABC Portfolio Pathway: 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 CMBC. Also see FAQ above.
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, CMBC 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. CMBC adheres to these best practices.
CMBC 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 CMBC, there are two ongoing requirements which both require fees:
Taking a sabbatical during your career may affect your CMBC credential.
Yes, your CMBC credential can be revoked under certain circumstances.
The WABC Certified Master Business Coach (CMBC) credential must be listed in a specific way. Please log in to your dashboard for further guidance and access to your CMBC 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® |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 that raises your credibility and 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 |
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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.
Over the course of my career I have continued my education with numerous credential and professional licenses within the financial services industry, including with a Fortune 100 company. WABC is a rigorous association that keeps high standards on the same level as Investment and Wealth Institute, which offers the CIMA.
I appreciate the in-depth knowledge required to attain the WABC Certified Business Coach™ (CBC™) and the WABC Certified Master Business Coach® (CMBC®) credentials, as the WABC Accredited® programs that lead to these credentials are structured to develop participants into excellent business coaches. WABC’s exclusivity and high standards set the bar for meaningful credentials which can help others through coaching.
My credentials have been extremely rewarding to me and my career. The training and continued focus on business coaching has benefited the teams I have led and their overall success. With the processes and structure of coaching, I have helped individuals identify goals and action plans that help them accomplish more than they thought they could ever accomplish. Coaching has enabled me to communicate more effectively, enhance my recruiting and retention of top talent and increase overall engagement from my teams.
There are many associations that offer credentials for a few hour or weekend course and provide a certificate or credential. This “weekend designation” is detrimental to the industry, as clients may not be certain of the level of knowledge achieved. WABC does a great job on sharing the value, knowledge and overall worth of the credentials that so many great coaches have achieved.
The WABC Certified Business Coach™ (CBC™) and especially the WABC Certified Master Business Coach® (CMBC®) have set my coaching practice on a much higher plane of professionalism and utility. WABC holds their members to a very high level of standards, education and development that differentiate them in the business coaching industry.
As a former athlete, coach and 25-year executive, I worked with high achievers and world-class teams to transform the way in which thousands of athletes, coaches and organizations prepare for and perform at the Olympic Games. For this, I was privileged and humbled to have received Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and named 5-time recipient of Canada’s most influential women in sport and physical activity. That passion led me to the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches (WABC).
From my first touchpoint with the WABC website, to the phenomenal guidance of its Founder, Wendy Johnson, I knew that the WABC was a values-driven, services-focused organization with uncompromising quality of its accredited programs. I found an organization as dedicated to human performance excellence as I was.
The Registered Corporate Coach™ (RCC™) credential provided me with the confidence, knowledge, structure and evidence to guide and support my clients from various industries, from medical to management consulting to telecommunications. The learnings from the WABC Accredited® program were so valuable that I decided to also earn the WABC Certified Business Coach™ (CBC™) and WABC Certified Master Business Coach® (CMBC®) credentials which have allowed me to support my clients even more extensively.
I could not be more thankful to Wendy and WABC for leading and raising the profile of business coaches around the world.
CMBC positions you at the leading edge of your field with master-level expertise, specialized knowledge and coaching skills.
