WABC: Setting the Standards for Business Coaching WABC is committed to the highest international standards of practice, ethics, integrity and professional responsibility for members.
Our high standards are informed by our membership, by the clients we serve and by experts from business coaching and other industries around the world. This broad stakeholder involvement ensures that our standards are always cutting-edge and relevant. High standards benefit coaches, their clients and the public at large, and are critical to the evolution of business coaching as a profession.
The following is a summary of WABC's standards-related achievements.
WABC Business Coaching Definition What is it? A working definition of business coaching that WABC members adhere to.
Why refer to it? You'd like a succinct statement of what business coaching is and how it's distinct from other types of coaching.
WABC Professional Standards for Business Coaches What are they? A descriptive list of the core knowledge and models of practice that WABC members adhere to in order to practice as effective business coaches.
Why refer to them? You'd like a listing of what business coaches are expected to know and do in order to work effectively with clients and client organizations.
WABC Code of Business Coaching Ethics and Integrity What is it? A set of ethical principles that WABC members adhere to in order to practice as responsible business coaches.
Why refer to it? You'd like to know the standards of ethics and integrity that WABC members must uphold. You need guidance in a conflict or uncertain situation.
WABC Business Coaching Competencies What are they? A detailed list of the professional competencies of master business coaches, applied (at the appropriate level) in WABC's professional certification and accreditation programs.
Why refer to them? You'd like to know the skills and abilities of a master business coach. You'd like to measure and develop your own skills against master-level proficiency. You'd like to know the competencies that WABC certification and accreditation programs draw upon.
Credentials for Business Coaches Designations Non-Certification What is it? A non-certification credential for those newer to business coaching.
Why refer to it? You'd like to learn about or apply for this stand-alone credential: Registered Corporate Coach (RCC).
Professional Certification What are they? A suite of rigorous professional certification credentials for business coaches. These credentials follow industry best practices: they require validation and renewal and can be revoked.
Why refer to them? You'd like to learn about or apply for one of these credentials: WABC Certified Business Coach (CBC) for practitioner coaches, WABC Certified Master Business Coach (CMBC) for experienced coaches, Chartered Business Coach (ChBC) for senior coaches.
Credentials for Trainers of Business Coaches Designations
Professional Accreditation What are they? A suite of rigorous professional accreditation credentials for business coach training providers. These credentials follow industry best practices: they require validation and renewal and can be revoked.
Why refer to them? You'd like to learn about or apply for one of these credentials: WABC Accredited (Practitioner Level), WABC Accredited (Master Level), WABC Accredited (Chartered Level).
Professional Development Record
What is it? A record of professional development, including client input, that holders of WABC's CBC, CMBC and ChBC must submit for approval every five years to maintain these certification credentials. This record may, in the future, become a requirement for certain levels of WABC membership.
Why refer to it? You hold a WABC certification credential and would like to submit your PD record.
Membership Standards What are they? Advanced standards for qualifying and requalifying for WABC membership, based on business experience, coaching experience and references.
Why refer to them? You'd like to know what's required to become a WABC Affiliate Member (for newer and part-time business coaches) or a WABC Full Member (for experienced business coaches).
Credential Verification What is it? A policy that requires WABC members to provide proof of their educational degrees and professional designations before listing those credentials in any material that displays a WABC trademark.
Why refer to it? You'd like to list your credentials in material that displays a WABC trademark. You'd like to know more about WABC's credential verification requirements.
