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WABC Certified Master Business Coach® (CMBC®)

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.

Overview

WABC Certified Master
Business Coach® (CMBC®)

Expand your expertise and tackle a broader range of business and organizational challenges and contribute findings to the business coaching field. Set your extensive experience and skills apart as a master business coach who can serve senior-level clients in a variety of industries. 

WABC Certified Master Business Coach (CMBC) is a highly esteemed, world-class distinction that tells the industry you are at the leading edge of your field in both expertise and training. CMBC enables you to confidently tackle complex goals with non-fixed outcomes that may impact broader business and organizational outcomes. CMBC also affords you the opportunity to contribute your knowledge and research to the business coaching profession and establish yourself as a leader in the business coaching 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, WABC offers different training options via WABC Accredited (Level 3 – CMBC)® programs to become a CMBC, based on your level of experience. 

Once you earn CMBC, 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.

Up NextEligibility
ELIGIBLE CANDIDATEs

CMBC is Designed for Master Business Coaches

CMBC gives you a distinct competitive edge, and tells the market you’ve progressed beyond general coach training to build master-level specialized business coaching skills that support a broad range of non-fixed business-oriented and organizational goals and objectives.

The CMBC credential is for individuals who are very experienced in business coaching, who want to achieve mastery and possibly specialize, and who want to position themselves as a business coaching leader 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.

On average, CMBCs have a minimum of 10-15 years of business coaching experience, and a minimum of 15-20 years of business and organizational experience.

CMBC may be right for you if:

  • You have extensive experience with business coaching and want to position yourself as a high performer in your industry, and
  • You’re a senior leader or manager wishing to engage with leadership coaching, or you are moving to a development role within your organization or to freelance work as a business coach, or
  • You’re an internal business coach who works at senior levels of management and provides the same level of service expected of external coaches within the confines of your own organization (you may have gained experience across a range of organizations), or
  • You’re an external business coach who works across a range of organizations and at senior levels of management, or
  • You’re an external consultant wishing to enhance your coaching offer and often work across a range of organizations and at senior levels of management, and
  • You have a minimum of 5 years business coaching experience, plus a minimum of 7 years of business and organizational experience.
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TOP BENEFITS

Why CMBC

CREDIBILITY

Gain credibility with a specialized and highly esteemed, world-class distinction

CONTRIBUTE

Contribute your knowledge and research to the business coaching profession

COMMUNITY

Establish yourself as a leader in the business coaching community

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LEARNING OUTCOMES

What You’ll Know How to Do

As a CMBC, you can fully explore and contribute to the business coaching dialogue by engaging with current approaches, methodologies and research-informed theories and best practice of business coaching, including that of related disciplines. You will also engage critically with research and design your own evidence-seeking project. 

By engaging your master-level skills and expertise, you may be accountable for critical analysis, diagnosis, design, planning, execution and evaluation of business coaching activities and you may also choose to specialize.

You’ll also be able to provide business coaching to an open client agenda that may have a more indirect impact on business and organizational outcomes.

As a CMBC, among other things, you’ll know how to:

  • Identify, analyze and evaluate broad sources of critical information, concepts and original knowledge
  • Choose appropriate approaches in a wide range of applications
  • Support a broad range of non-fixed business-oriented goals and objectives
  • Collaborate, lead and enhance others’ practices or beliefs with the support of complex action plans
  • Self-evaluate your impact on a client’s organization effectively
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CREDENTIAL PROCESS & PROGRAMS

Your 4 Steps

STEP 1

Ensure CMBC is the Right Credential for You

The credential you choose will be based on your previous coaching experience, skill level, ambition, professional development goals and your client needs. Not sure if CMBC is right for you? See Compare Credentials for further guidance.

STEP 2

Enroll in a WABC Accredited Program

WABC Accredited (Level 3 – CMBC)® programs and options are available for you to earn CMBC. The WABC Accredited program provider will determine your eligibility and suitable program option during an initial screening interview.

Upcoming WABC Accredited Programs

Start Date Provider Program Format Location Language

New program coming in later 2023.
Contact WABC if you would like to be added to a wait-list.

 TBA TBA TBA TBA English
All programs are WABC Accredited

Upcoming WABC Accredited Programs

Start Date Provider Program Format Location Language

New program coming in later 2023.
Contact WABC if you would like to be added to a wait-list.

 TBA TBA TBA TBA English
All programs are WABC Accredited

Upcoming WABC Accredited Programs

Start Date Provider Program Format Location Language

New program coming in later 2023.
Contact WABC if you would like to be added to a wait-list.

 TBA TBA TBA TBA English
All programs are WABC Accredited
STEP 3

Earn CMBC

To earn CMBC, you must meet these requirements:

  • Pass a screening interview with a WABC Accredited (Level 3 – CMBC) program instructor, and
  • Have at least five years of business coaching experience, and
  • Meet minimum WABC membership requirements for CMBC (currently WABC Full Member™), and
  • Be a current WABC member in good standing, and
  • Successfully complete a WABC Accredited (Level 3 – CMBC) program. Completion includes passing a written and performance related assessment and submission and acceptance of a self-directed research project.
WABC MEMBERSHIP
  • Learn about CMBC and membership in our FAQS 
  • Learn more about WABC Membership at JOIN WABC
STEP 4

Maintain CMBC

To provide ethically sound and expert guidance, professionals in all areas of practice must keep up to date on the latest research, evidence and opinion on how to effectively serve their clients’ needs.

A clear professional development strategy allows business coaches to stay relevant and innovative in providing the best possible expertise to their clients.

As a professional certification credential, you have a few ongoing requirements to maintain your credential that are designed to complement your coaching practice as an opportunity for learning and growth.

As a CMBC, you must:

  • Maintain your WABC membership: Join and renew your membership every year to remain in continuously good standing, and
  • Re-certify your CMBC: Submit and pass your Professional Development Record (PDR) five years from the date you graduate from your WABC Accredited (Level 3 – CMBC) program, and every five years after that.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Learn Even More

Getting Your Credential

What are all the fees associated with earning my CMBC?

Earning your CMBC involves the following fees:

  • WABC Accredited (Level 3 – CMBC) training program (fees are set by the training provider)
  • WABC membership*
  • Your CMBC certificate*

*These fees may be included in the training program pricing. Otherwise, you can find the WABC fees in JOIN WABC.

Maintaining your CMBC:

Please see “Maintaining Your Credential” below.

What do you mean when you say “no prerequisite credential required?”

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.

I understand that I need to do a self-directed research project as part of my WABC Accredited (Level 3 – CMBC) program. What kind of research projects are accepted?

Your program will offer you a range of options to meet the research project requirements (e.g., a small literature review, a collaborative inquiry or action research, a case study, or an in-depth research project).

You may either: 

  • Submit a previous research project that you completed before enrolling in your program, or  
  • Submit a new research project which you will complete during your program.

For your previous research project to be accepted, it must meet the following criteria: 

  • Be on a business-coaching related topic, and 
  • Conform to the research options and considerations as explained by the training program provider, and
  • Have been completed within the last five years.

While enrolled in your program, you will have access to full guidelines for how to meet the research project requirements.

If the program I completed was recently accredited by WABC, am I eligible for a CMBC credential?

If your WABC Accredited (Level 3 – CMBC) program was recently accredited by WABC, check with your program instructor on your eligibility for CMBC.

How long after completing my WABC Accredited (Level 3 – CMBC) program do I have to join WABC to be granted my CMBC?

You have five years from your graduation date to become a WABC member, as long as you meet the minimum WABC membership requirements for CMBC.

What if my WABC membership expires before I complete my program? Can I still get my CMBC?

If you were already a WABC member while taking an WABC Accredited (Level 3 – CMBC) program but allowed your membership to lapse prior to program completion, you’ll be required to rejoin WABC and pay the associated fees before receiving your CMBC.

Join WABC

Maintaining Your Credential

What is certification?

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.

What is unique about a professional certification credential?

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.

Why do I have to re-certify my CMBC?

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.

Are there fees to maintain my CMBC?

In order to maintain your CMBC credential, there are two ongoing requirements which both require fees:

As a CMBC, you must:

  • Maintain your WABC membership: Join and renew your membership every year to remain in continuously good standing (fees depend on member level), and
  • Re-certify your CMBC: Submit and pass your Professional Development Record (PDR) five years from the date you graduate from your WABC Accredited (Level 3 – CMBC) program, and every five years after that. There are fees associated with reviewing your PDR.
Join WABC
What if I plan to take a sabbatical?

Taking a sabbatical during your career may affect your CMBC credential.

CMBC STANDARDS
Can my CMBC credential be revoked?

Yes, your CMBC credential can be revoked under certain circumstances.

CMBC STANDARDS

Promoting Your Credential

How should I list my CMBC credential?

CMBC may be listed in several ways. Please log in to your dashboard for further guidance and access to applicable WABC logos.

How can I promote my CMBC credential?

After you become a CMBC, you’ll get access to a digital badge to easily verify and promote your credential on websites, email signatures and other marketing materials.

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COMPARE CREDENTIALS

All WABC Credentials

Each WABC 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
  • You have no business coaching experience and are looking to start your career in coaching, or
  • You have some business coaching experience but have never taken a formal evidence-based business coach training program and now wish to consolidate your practice fully with best practice, or
  • You’re a senior leader or manager wishing to engage with leadership coaching, or you are moving to a development role within your organization or to freelance work as a business coach, or
  • You’re an internal business coach developing your practice, or
  • You’re an external business coach who works with clients within limited areas of service, or
  • You’re an external consultant wishing to enhance your coaching offer, and
  • You have a minimum of 7 years of business and organizational experience.
  • You have some business coaching experience and want to enhance your client services, and
  • You’re a senior leader or manager wishing to engage with leadership coaching, or you are moving to a development role within your organization or to freelance work as a business coach, or
  • You’re an internal business coach who works beyond the level of manager-ascoach and provides the same level of service expected of external coaches within the confines of your own organization (e.g., coaching to key areas of the organization outside your own line management responsibility), or
  • You’re an external business coach who works with clients within limited areas of service, or
  • You’re an external consultant wishing to enhance your coaching offer, and
  • You have a minimum of 7 years of business and organizational experience.
  • You have extensive experience with business coaching and want to position yourself as a high performer in your industry, and
  • You’re a senior leader or manager wishing to engage with leadership coaching, or you are moving to a development role within your organization or to freelance work as a business coach, or
  • You’re an internal business coach who works at senior levels of management and provides the same level of service expected of external coaches within the confines of your own organization (you may have gained experience across a range of organizations), or
  • You’re an external business coach who works across a range of organizations and at senior levels of management, or
  • You’re an external consultant wishing to enhance your coaching offer and often work across a range of organizations and at senior levels of management, and
  • You have a minimum of 5 years business coaching experience, plus a minimum of 7 years of business and organizational experience.
  • You want to take your place among the very top business coaches in the world today, and
  • You’re a senior leader or manager heavily utilizing business coaching, or
  • You’re an internal business coach who works at senior levels of management and provides the same level of expertise expected of senior external coaches within the confines of your own organization (you may have gained experience across a range of organizations), or
  • You’re an external business coach who works across a range of organizations and at senior levels of management, and
  • You have a minimum of 5 years of senior and intensive business coaching experience, plus a minimum of 7 years of business and organizational experience, and
  • You also possess:
    • The ability to demonstrate an indepth knowledge of business coaching, professionalism, leadership and significant achievements in the field, and a commitment to contributing to your and others’ professional development
    • The ability to evidence significant profile within the field
    • A reflective ability to meet the high assessment standards.
Program Duration & Hours (approx.)Program Duration & Hours (approx.)Program Duration & Hours (approx.)Program Duration & Hours (approx.)
DURATION
1.5–3 months

HOURS
Up to 75–150 total learning hours		DURATION
4.5–9 months

HOURS
Up to 300–600 total learning hours		DURATION
12–24 months

HOURS
Up to 1200–1800 total learning hours		DURATION
3–12 months

HOURS
Up to 900 total learning hours
Program Options AvailableProgram Options AvailableProgram Options AvailableProgram Options Available
  • Full length
  • Fast track
  • Assessment only (this will be less than the duration and hours shown above)
  • Full length
  • Fast track
  • Assessment only (this will be less than the duration and hours shown above)
  • Full length
  • Fast track
  • Assessment only (this will be less than the duration and hours shown above)
  • Full length
  • Assessment only (this will be less than the duration and hours shown above)
Program Modes Available Program Modes Available Program Modes Available Program Modes Available
Many modes available depending on program enrolled in (e.g. in-person, virtual, blended)Many modes available depending on program enrolled in (e.g. in-person, virtual, blended)Many modes available depending on program enrolled in (e.g. in-person, virtual, blended)Many modes available depending on program enrolled in (e.g. in-person, virtual, blended)
Program Supervision Program Supervision Program Supervision Program Supervision
Appropriate supervision is providedAppropriate supervision is providedAppropriate supervision is providedAppropriate supervision is provided
Program Completion DeliverablesProgram Completion DeliverablesProgram Completion DeliverablesProgram Completion Deliverables
  • Written assessment
  • Performance assessment
  • Written assessment
  • Performance assessment
  • Written assessment
  • Performance assessment
  • Self-directed research project
  • Self-directed portfolio project (or other suitable deliverable)
  • Final examination by an Assessment Board
Re-certification RequirementsRe-certification RequirementsRe-certification RequirementsRe-certification Requirements
There are no requirements to maintain your RCC credential
  • Remain a WABC member in good standing as, at least, a WABC Affiliate Member™ and
  • Submit your Professional Development Record (PDR), including client input, for approval five years from the date you graduate from your WABC Accredited® program option, and every five years thereafter
  • Remain a WABC member in good standing as, at least, a WABC Full Member™ and
  • Submit your Professional Development Record (PDR), including client input, for approval five years from the date you graduate from your WABC Accredited® program option, and every five years thereafter
  • Remain a WABC member in good standing as, at least, a WABC Full Member™ and
  • Submit your Professional Development Record (PDR), including client input, for approval five years from the date you graduate from your WABC Accredited® program option, and every five years thereafter
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, including the right to change the requirements of RCC credential, and to replace RCC credential.WABC reserves all rights in connection with the WABC Certified Business Coach (CBC) credential, including the right to change the requirements of CBC credential, and to replace CBC credential.WABC reserves all rights in connection with the WABC Certified Master Business Coach (CMBC) credential, including the right to change the requirements of CMBC credential, and to replace CMBC credential.WABC reserves all rights in connection with the Chartered Business Coach (ChBC) credential, including the right to change the requirements of ChBC credential, and to replace ChBC credential.
Go BackFAQS
THE MARK OF DISTINCTION

WABC Accredited® Means Better Business Coaching

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.

CMBC Testimonials

In Their Own Words

WABC’s exclusivity and high standards set the bar for meaningful credentials which can help others through coaching.

— Kevin McGarry, CBC™, CMBC®

United States

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.

WABC holds their members to a very high level of standards, education and development that differentiate them in the business coaching industry.

— Brian Kelley, RCC™, CBC™, CMBC®

United States

Since 2010, I’ve had the honor of being a member of the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches. As a result of this relationship, I have earned credentials that have greatly enhanced my business coaching career. 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.

WABC holds me accountable for continuous learning and professional development.

— Namara Dafney, RCC™, CBC™, CMBC®

United States

I am fortunate to be employed by a Fortune 100 company that places a high value on coaching. The Worldwide Association of Business Coaches provides our leaders who hold the Registered Corporate Coach™ (RCC™), WABC Certified Business Coach™ (CBC™) and WABC Certified Master Business Coach® (CMBC®) credentials with a standard of excellence and credibility in the coaching industry. The CMBC® credential has brought value to my own coaching practice as well as to the customers I support. Intrinsic to that value is the five-year re-certification requirement because it holds me accountable for continuous learning and professional development.

YOUR NEXT STEPS

WABC Certified Master Business Coach®

CMBC® positions you at the leading edge of your field in both expertise and training.

Become a CMBC®

Let’s get started!

Find a listing of our programs below or reach out to us if you’d like some further guidance.

NEED SOME MORE GUIDANCE?CONTACT WABC
Ready to start?Enroll in a Program

Explore All WABC Credentials

If CMBC® 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.

ExploreChoose Your Credential