Important Update: New 2026 ICF logo and Badge Design Changes – Your Credential Remains the Same

Dear Valued Clients,

We wanted to reach out with an important but reassuring update about the new 2026 ICF logo and the  changes you’ll be seeing across our platform. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) has updated the visual design of their credential badges and branding. Don’t worry – this is purely a cosmetic change. Your trusted ICF credentials remain exactly the same in terms of their value, rigor, and global recognition.

A Brief History of ICF Badges

The ICF has evolved its visual identity over the years to reflect the growth and professionalization of the coaching industry.

The Early Days In its early years, ICF used simpler badge designs that established the foundation of what coaching credentials meant to the profession. These original badges served their purpose well, helping to distinguish credentialed coaches in a growing field.

The 2021 Rebrand About four years ago, in January 2021, ICF underwent a significant visual rebrand following their 25th anniversary. This rebrand marked ICF’s transformation into six unique family organizations (ICF Professional Coaches, ICF Credentials and Standards, ICF Coach Training, ICF Foundation, ICF Coaching in Organizations, and ICF Thought Leadership Institute).

The 2021 logo redesign featured:

• A more open and inviting visual aesthetic
• A distinctive stylization that highlighted each family organization’s unique purpose
• A reflection of ICF’s core values: integrity, excellence, collaboration, and respect
• A modern design that positioned ICF for continued growth (the coaching profession had grown by 33% globally at that time)

 

The 2026 ICF Brand Update Now, ICF has refined their badge designs once again. The new badges maintain the professional standards you know and trust while presenting a fresh, contemporary look that reflects the future of the coaching profession.

What’s Actually Changed?

The Design Only

• Updated visual aesthetics and styling
• Modernized color schemes and layouts
• Refreshed digital badge formats

What Hasn’t Changed (Everything That Matters)

✓ The rigorous credential requirements (ACC, PCC, MCC)
✓ The verification and security of your credentials
✓ The global recognition and respect for ICF credentials
✓ The ethical standards and competencies required
✓ The value and credibility of your credential
✓ Your credential status, expiration dates, and renewal requirements

Why the Visual Update?

Organizations update their visual identity for several important reasons:

• To stay current and relevant in an evolving professional landscape
• To improve clarity and accessibility across digital platforms
• To reflect growth and innovation while maintaining core values
• To ensure consistency across all their materials and platforms

The ICF continues to lead the global advancement of professional coaching, and these visual updates help ensure that their branding reflects their position as the world’s largest and most respected coaching organization, serving over 50,000 credentialed coaches in more than 140 countries.

What You’ll See on Our Platform

Over the coming weeks and months, you’ll notice the new badge designs appearing gradually across our platform:

Learning Materials Course content, presentations, and downloadable resources will feature the updated ICF badges as materials are refreshed.

Community Space Member profiles, discussion forums, and collaboration areas will display the new badge designs.

Work Boards & Progress Tracking Your personal dashboard, achievement displays, and progress trackers will showcase the modernized badges.

Certificates & Credentials Official documentation will transition to the new badge designs, though your existing certificates remain valid.

Rest Assured: Your Achievement Stands Strong

Whether you earned your ACC, PCC, or MCC credential last month or many years ago, your credential represents the same level of:

• Dedication – The hours of training and coaching experience you completed
• Competency – Your demonstrated mastery of the ICF Core Competencies
• Ethics – Your commitment to the ICF Code of Ethics
• Excellence – The rigorous assessment and evaluation you passed

The ICF credential badge you see – whether old or new – carries the same weight, the same recognition, and the same trust from clients and organizations worldwide.

Looking Forward

We’re committed to keeping you informed as these visual changes roll out. If you have any questions or concerns about how these updates affect your credential display, our learning materials, or any aspect of our platform, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team.

Remember: A fresh coat of paint doesn’t change the foundation of a building. Similarly, these design updates don’t change the foundation of your hard-earned ICF credential. Your dedication to excellence in coaching remains beautifully intact.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership in your coaching journey.