ABOUT CHARTERED BUSINESS COACH (ChBC)

WABC’s Chartered Business Coach (ChBC) – the first-ever chartered status for professional business coaches – is the industry’s most coveted credential designed exclusively for professional business coaches at the elite-level.

Those pursuing ChBC already have a minimum of ten years of business coaching experience.

Professional business coaches at this level possess specialized knowledge, professional competence and mastery of the competencies to support the highest levels of leadership and apply a range of business coaching initiatives and activities across a wide diversity of contexts, the outcomes of which may be unpredictable. Furthermore, at this highest level of professional practice, they’re able to exercise substantial personal autonomy along with their significant influence, leadership and contribution within businesses, organizations and the profession.

Being a ChBC means they can provide a substantial professional offering.

PURPOSE OF CREDENTIAL

ChBC:

• Sets global standards for professional business coaches at elite-level, and clearly identifies these standards for buyers of business coaching
• Provides an independent, robust and transparent assessment process that recognizes appropriate levels of education and continuing professional development for the highest standards of professionalism in business coaching
• Promotes high-caliber leadership in business coaching services for the benefit of clients
• Contributes to the definition, development and self-regulation of the business coaching profession

TYPE OF CREDENTIAL

ChBC is an independent, evidence-based credential that carries re-certification requirements (no prerequisite credential required*). 

*NOTE: 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.

GRANTING INSTITUTION

ChBC is awarded by WABC, a global accrediting body headquartered in Canada.

ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES

You are an ideal candidate for ChBC if:

• You’re an internal business coach working at the highest levels of leadership providing the same level of service expected of external coaches within the confines of your own organization, or
• You’re an external business coach providing services across a range of organizations and at the highest levels of leadership, and
• You have a minimum of 10 years of business coaching experience (15 years or more is ideal), plus a minimum of 20 years of business and organizational experience, and
• You also possess:
  • The ability to demonstrate an in-depth 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, and
  • A reflective ability to meet the WABC Portfolio Pathway high assessment standards.

HOW TO EARN ChBC

To earn ChBC, you must meet all these requirements:

• Have at least 10 years of business coaching experience, plus a minimum of 20 years of business and organizational experience,
• Be a current WABC Member (at the minimum required level which is WABC Full Member^™) in good standing, 
• Successfully complete the WABC Portfolio Pathway (Portfolio completion requires submitting and passing your ChBC Candidate Portfolio representing your professional business coaching performance. NOTE: WABC Full Membership is a requirement before registration in the Portfolio Pathway.), and
• Meet the final administrative needs (e.g., agree to these standards, purchase your ChBC Promo Package) by the required deadline.

HOW TO MAINTAIN ChBC

To provide ethically sound and expert guidance, professionals in all areas of practice must keep up to date on the latest research and evidence 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 senior-level professional 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 ChBC, you must:

• Maintain your WABC membership: Join and renew your membership every year to remain in continuously good standing, and
• Re-certify your ChBC: Submit and pass your Professional Development (PD) Record five years from the date you successfully completed your WABC Accredited Program or WABC Portfolio Pathway, and every five years after that.

TAKING A SABBATICAL

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

• If you offer business coaching services during your sabbatical, you will retain your ChBC as long as you continue to meet the requirements (see “How to Maintain ChBC” above). If you do not meet those requirements, your ChBC will be revoked (see “When ChBC Can Be Revoked” below).
• If you do not offer business coaching services during your sabbatical, you are no longer eligible for WABC membership. You must resign your membership as specified in the Terms of Membership, and your ChBC will be revoked (see “When ChBC Can Be Revoked” below).

WHEN CHBC CAN BE REVOKED

ChBC can be revoked under certain circumstances. Examples include not meeting the credential verification or re-certification requirements or being cited for a legal or ethical violation. If your ChBC credential is revoked, you will no longer be able to use the credential and you must remove all references to it, including logos and badges, from marketing, promotional and other materials in your control (e.g., your website, résumé, signature block, LinkedIn).

HOW TO LIST ChBC

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.