Introducing Advanced Accreditations in Mentor Coaching and Coaching Supervision

Last Updated: April 13, 2026
First Published: April 13, 2026

How we develop coaches matters. So does how we develop those who support them.

Mentor coaching and coaching supervision shape how coaches learn, grow, and refine their practice. But across the profession, standards for how these disciplines are taught have often varied.

The result? Inconsistent expectations for learners and uneven standards across the marketplace.

We’ve been working to change that. In recent years, we introduced the ICF Mentor Coaching Competencies and ICF Coaching Supervision Competencies to help bring greater clarity to these important areas of coach development.

Now we’re taking the next step.

To better support you, and the learners you serve, we’re introducing two new advanced accreditations:

• Advanced Accreditation in Mentor Coaching. 
• Advanced Accreditation in Coaching Supervision.

These accreditations help you align with clear standards while creating direct pathways for individuals pursuing new qualifications for mentor coaching and coaching supervision.

The result? Greater confidence for your learners. Sustainable growth for your programs. Stronger credibility for the global coaching profession.

As these elements become part of a coach’s development journey, more learners will be seeking qualified providers who can guide them through the full process. For programs that choose to pursue advanced accreditation, this creates an opportunity to meet a growing need, offering deeper learning experiences while opening the door to new program offerings.

Applications for these advanced accreditations will open in the coming months. Be among the first to know when they launch.

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Why ICF Is Introducing These Advanced Accreditations Now

Coaching continues to evolve, and the systems that support coach development are evolving with it.

We are introducing new qualifications for mentor coaches and coaching supervisors:

• Mentor Coach Qualification (MCQ).
• Coaching Supervision Qualification (CSQ). 

These qualifications are part of a broader effort to strengthen how coaches are assessed and supported throughout their professional journey.  And in turn, this creates an opportunity to bring greater clarity and consistency to the education that prepares mentor coaches and coaching supervisors.

That’s where advanced accreditations come in. The Advanced Accreditation in Mentor Coaching and Advanced Accreditation in Coaching Supervision establish clear standards for education programs in these specialized areas, helping you design programs aligned with ICF requirements while preparing learners to pursue the MCQ and CSQ.

A Stronger Foundation for Coach Education

Support mentor coaches and coach supervisors. Strengthen coaches. Advance the profession.

These advanced accreditations are designed to support this work. They provide clearer guidance for education providers while creating stronger pathways for learners pursuing the Mentor Coach Qualification (MCQ) and Coaching Supervision Qualification (CSQ).

For coach educators, advanced accreditation helps you:

• Align your programs with ICF standards and competencies.
• Prepare learners for new professional qualifications.
• Demonstrate the rigor and credibility of your education programs.
• Differentiate your offerings in a growing coaching education marketplace.
• Expand revenue opportunities as demand for specialized education grows.
• Strengthen trust in mentor coaching and coaching supervision education.

By supporting mentor coaches and coaching supervisors, these accreditations strengthen the development of coaches — and the impact of coaching worldwide.

Advanced Accreditation in Mentor Coaching

Mentor coaching plays a critical role in developing confident, capable coaches. It’s where learning deepens, feedback becomes insight, and coaches refine how they show up in practice.

And demand for mentor coaching education is growing. In a recent survey of mentor coach practitioners, 57% of respondents said mentor coaches should complete formal education to hold or maintain mentor coach status.

For coach educators, that demand represents a meaningful opportunity. Yet across the profession, mentor coaching education has often lacked consistent standards and clear recognition. As a result:

• Training opportunities can be limited or inconsistent.
• Mentor coaching education varies widely in approach and rigor.
• Programs lack a widely recognized designation to signal quality.

The Advanced Accreditation in Mentor Coaching helps address these challenges by:

• Demonstrating high-quality mentor coaching education.
• Aligning with ICF Mentor Coaching Competencies.
• Preparing individuals to earn the Mentor Coach Qualification (MCQ).

Application Details

Specific requirements are coming soon. Check this page periodically for updates and/or you may also sign up for email notifications. 

Advanced Accreditation in Coaching Supervision

Coaching supervision creates a powerful space for coaches to reflect, learn, and deepen their practice.

While the ICF Coaching Supervision Competencies have helped establish a foundation for the field, there has not previously been a clear ICF accreditation pathway for coaching supervision education.

Until now.

The Advanced Accreditation in Coaching Supervision establishes robust standards for coaching supervision education programs and recognizes programs that meet them.

Programs with this accreditation:

• Build trust in the quality of coaching supervision education.
• Align with ICF Coaching Supervision Competencies.
• Prepare individuals to earn the Coaching Supervision Qualification (CSQ).

Application Details

Specific requirements are coming soon. Check this page periodically for updates and/or you may also sign up for email notifications.

CCE Programs

We will still review submitted CCE programs for mentor coaching and coaching supervision, and individuals will be able to count the CCE programs toward the MCQ and CSQ.

However, advanced accreditation provides additional benefits like:

• Alignment with robust ICF standards.
• Greater differentiation in a saturated marketplace.
• A direct pathway for learners pursuing MCQ or CSQ.

As demand grows for trusted, standards-aligned education, these advanced accreditations help position your program at the forefront of the profession.

Shape the Next Chapter of Coach Development

Coaching continues to evolve — and coach educators are at the center of that evolution.

Through advanced accreditations in mentor coaching and coaching supervision, ICF is strengthening the standards that support how coaches develop and deepen their practice.

For education providers, these accreditations offer an opportunity to align with evolving ICF standards, prepare learners for new professional qualifications, and demonstrate the quality and credibility of your programs.

For learners, they create clearer pathways toward specialized roles in the coaching profession.

And for the coaching community as a whole, they help build greater consistency, trust, and impact worldwide.

Applications for Advanced Accreditation in Mentor Coaching and Advanced Accreditation in Coaching Supervision will open in the coming months.

Sign up to receive updates and be among the first to learn when applications launch.

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Resources

• ICF Mentor Coaching Competencies 
• ICF Coaching Supervision Competencies