ABOUT WABC CERTIFIED BUSINESS COACH (CBC)

WABC Certified Business Coach (CBC) is a highly respected global credential designed for professional business coaches at advanced-level.

Those pursuing CBC already have a minimum of three years of business coaching experience.

Professional business coaches at this level can access a broader and deeper range of competencies and knowledge to apply their specialized skills to support clients, co-workers and organizations on more diverse, although largely fixed, agendas that are directly related to business and organizational goals and objectives.

Being a CBC means they can provide a fuller professional offering.

PURPOSE OF CREDENTIAL

CBC:

• Sets global standards for professional business coaches at advanced-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 professional business coaches at this level
• Contributes to the definition, development and self-regulation of the business coaching profession

TYPE OF CREDENTIAL

CBC 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

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

ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES

You are an ideal candidate for CBC if:

• You’re an internal business coach 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 an increasingly diverse range of clients, or
• You’re an external consultant providing multiple services including business coaching across an increasingly diverse range of clients, and
• You have a minimum of 3 years of business coaching experience, plus a minimum of 7 years of business and organizational experience.

HOW TO EARN CBC

To earn CBC, you must meet all these requirements:

• Have at least 3 years of business coaching experience, plus a minimum of 7 years of business and organizational experience,
• Meet minimum WABC membership requirements for CBC (currently WABC Affiliate Member^™), 
• Be a current WABC member in good standing,
• Successfully complete either a WABC Accredited (Level 2 – CBC)^® Program or the WABC Portfolio Pathway (Program completion includes passing a written and performance related assessment. Portfolio completion requires submitting and passing your CBC Candidate Portfolio representing your professional business coaching performance. NOTE: WABC Membership is a requirement before registration in the Portfolio Pathway.), and
• Meet the final administrative needs (e.g., agree to these standards, purchase your CBC Promo Package) by the required deadline.

HOW TO MAINTAIN CBC

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 an advanced-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 CBC, you must:

• Maintain your WABC membership: Join and renew your membership every year to remain in continuously good standing, and
• Re-certify your CBC: Submit and pass your Professional Development (PD) Record five years from the date you successfully completed your WABC Accredited (Level 2 – CBC) Program or WABC Portfolio Pathway, and every five years after that.

TAKING A SABBATICAL

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

• If you offer business coaching services during your sabbatical, you will retain your CBC as long as you continue to meet the requirements (see “How to Maintain CBC” above). If you do not meet those requirements, your CBC will be revoked (see “When CBC 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 CBC will be revoked (see “When CBC Can Be Revoked” below).

WHEN CBC CAN BE REVOKED

CBC 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 CBC 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 CBC

The WABC Certified Business Coach (CBC) credential must be listed in a specific way. Please log in to your dashboard for further guidance and access to your WABC CBC Promo Package.