HolacracyOne uses a multi-level certification structure to recognize different degrees of expertise with the Holacracy system. Certifications are granted after an individual completes relevant training and/or gains certain experience, and then demonstrates associated new capacities via an assessment process.

Before embarking on HolacracyOne’s certification path, individuals must first attend an Introductory Holacracy Workshop offered by HolacracyOne or another licensed provider. This starting-point offers a cognitive overview of the Holacracy operating system along with an experiential taste of its key processes, and the certification program builds upon this foundation.

Note:  HolacracyOne's individual certifications do not grant a license to use the Holacracy™ trademark and intellectual property to market, sell, or deliver professional consulting services.  Licenses to do that are available to organizations; candidate organizations must include at least two members and must organize themselves using the Holacracy operating system.  Licensed organizations must use certified individuals to deliver Holacracy services, in alignment with the requirements summarized below.  For more information about our licensing program, see our Licensing page or contact us.

There are currently three successive levels of Holacracy credential available to individuals:

Level 1: Certified Holacracy Practitioner

This credential conveys that an individual knows how to practice Holacracy - to participate effectively in an organization’s usage of the system and operate within its rules and processes. This level of credential does not yet certify that an individual has the capacity to lead or coach an organization’s Holacracy implementation, although Certified Practitioners are well-equipped to become supportive participants who can help stabilize and embed the new approach.

This credential is granted upon (a) completion of HolacracyOne’s 5-day Holacracy Practitioner Certification Training; and (b) demonstrated retention of the core rules of Holacracy and key facilitation techniques via successful completion of a follow-up online assessment.

When acting within HolacracyOne's Licensing program, a Certified Holacracy Practitioner may deliver meeting facilitation services as part of an overall Holacracy engagement when under the guidance of a Certified Holacracy Coach.

Level 2: Certified Holacracy Coach

This credential conveys that an individual (a) has first-hand experience working within an organization running with the Holacracy operating system, and (b) has personally faced and integrated many of its unique paradigm shifts, and (c) has demonstrated the capacity to coach others through such a transformation. A Certified Holacracy Coach™ is thus well-equipped to facilitate an organization’s Holacracy implementation.

The Certified Holacracy Coach credential is given after (a) practicing Holacracy first-hand on a team within an organization as a team-member, thus personally experiencing the transition from old habits to new; and (b) completing an advanced Coach Certification Training following the Practitioner Certification Training; and (c) completing a multi-part customized assessment process.

Someone with this level of credential is required to act as the primary consultant/catalyst in any paid engagement to deliver Holacracy services as an external agent/consultant.

Level 3: Certified Holacracy Master Practitioner

This credential conveys that an individual has the demonstrated capacity to catalyze complex organizational transformations using Holacracy practices and principles, including adapting ancillary organizational processes to better align with the Holacracy operating system.

The Certified Holacracy Master Practitioner credential is given at the judgment and discretion of a HolacracyOne representative, after working closely with a candidate Certified Holacracy Coach over many months of actual Holacracy practice and implementation.

Someone with this level of credential is required to be involved in a coach-the-coaches capacity whenever a Certified Holacracy Coach™ is delivering an implementation engagement as part of a Licensed Holacracy Provider™ firm (HolacracyOne provides this resource for Licensed Providers until the capacity is developed internally).