Standards and Compliance Updates

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

You play a vital role in shaping the future of the coaching profession. The programs you design help coaches build the skills, awareness, and confidence they bring to every coaching relationship.

Because your role is so important, ICF regularly reviews standards to support you and the advancement of the profession. As part of this work, ICF conducts a comprehensive review of accreditation standards every five years. These evaluations strengthen program quality, increase clarity, and ensure accredited education aligns with the competencies required of professional coaches.

We recognize that coach educators have navigated a number of updates in recent years. These changes are part of a broader effort to create clearer, more consistent standards that better support your work and your learners.

The latest updates focus on three key goals:

• Strengthening the quality and credibility of coaching education.
• Simplifying processes and reducing administrative burden.
• Aligning program assessment with how coaches actually develop their skills.

These changes are designed to support coach educators while helping accredited programs remain competitive, relevant, and impactful in a growing global coaching marketplace.

To maintain accreditation, coaching education providers will need to align with these updates by April 1, 2027.

Overview of Key Updates by Standard

To support greater clarity and consistency, several standards have been updated or expanded.

Standard 2 – Administration & Operations

Programs are now required to maintain a Business Closure and Teach-Out Policy.

This policy ensures that, in the event a program closes, learners are supported in completing their education or transitioning to another provider. This strengthens learner protection and reinforces program accountability.

What you need to do: Organizations will be required to submit a Business Closure and Teach-Out Policy.

Standard 3 – Ethics, Integrity & Transparency

Programs must now include a minimum of three (3) hours of coaching ethics education.

This requirement reinforces the importance of ethical practice and ensures that all learners develop a strong foundation in ethical decision-making aligned with professional coaching standards. Organizations may choose to build their own ethics curriculum or may use the free ICF Ethics course to satisfy this requirement.

What you need to do: Organizations will be required to submit an updated course list or curriculum outline demonstrating required three (3) ethics hours.

Standard 4 – Education & Training

Several important updates strengthen how learning and assessment are delivered:

• Removal of the Final Performance Evaluation (FPE) requirement for Level 1 and Level 2 programs.
• Implementation of a Formative Evaluation process across the learner journey.
• Enhanced Mentor Coaching requirements to support deeper skill development.

These updates reflect a shift from summative evaluation toward continuous learning, feedback, and real-world skill application.

Removing the Performance Evaluation Requirement

Level 1 and Level 2 programs will no longer be required to include a Final Performance Evaluation beginning April 1, 2027:

You may still choose to include a final evaluation as one element of your assessment strategy. However, you must also demonstrate how learners develop coaching competencies through ongoing formative assessment throughout their learning journey.

This change aligns coaching education with how professional skills are most effectively developed: through repeated practice, feedback, and reflection over time.

Note: The Final Performance Evaluation requirement will remain in place for MCC credential applications.

Introducing a Formative Evaluation Approach

Assess growth. Not just performance. With the removal of the Final Performance Evaluation requirement, programs will move toward a formative evaluation model.

Formative evaluation helps educators and learners understand:

• What skills are being mastered.
• Where additional development is needed.
• How teaching and learning strategies can be adjusted to support growth.

Rather than evaluating coaching ability at a single point in time, this approach allows learners to demonstrate competency across multiple interactions and learning experiences. The result is a more accurate, developmental view of coaching competence and stronger support for student success.

Enhancing the Mentor Coaching Process

As part of the shift to formative evaluation, ICF is introducing an enhanced Mentor Coaching process. This new approach to mentor coaching is an evolution of the current mentor coaching model designed to strengthen developmental rigor, increase consistency, and elevate quality across accredited coaching education programs. This updated process reinforces mentor coaching as a structured, competency-based developmental experience that supports learner growth and readiness for credentialing.

Enhanced Mentor Coaching introduces clearer expectations, standardized documentation, and expanded accountability for qualified mentor coaches, while preserving the developmental intent of the process.

Enhanced Mentor Coaching builds on the existing mentor coaching framework by introducing:

• Use of Mentor Coach Qualified (MCQ) coaches.
• Structured documentation of learner skill development over time.
• Formal observation and feedback processes.
• A documented overall skill evaluation at the conclusion of mentor coaching.

Under this model, mentor coaching remains developmental in nature. However, it now includes required documentation to ensure that feedback, progression, and competency alignment are consistently captured and maintained.

What you need to do: Organizations will provide a confirmation that the FPE is not represented as an ICF requirement for accreditation or individual credentialing. They will also provide a description of their updated mentor coaching structure, documentation, and methodology in alignment with the new enhanced mentor coaching process. Lastly, organizations must provide a description of formative evaluation process implemented in place of the Final Performance Evaluation.

Standard 5 – Teaching & Instruction

With the removal of the Final Performance Evaluation (FPE) and the transition to an enhanced formative mentor coaching evaluation model, mentor coaching becomes a primary quality assurance mechanism within ICF-accredited programs.

To strengthen instructional quality and consistency:

• Mentor coaches within accredited programs must meet Mentor Coach Qualification (MCQ) requirements.
• Faculty development aligned with the ICF Coach Educator Competencies is strongly recommended.

Mentor Coaching Qualification (MCQ)

Mentor coaching can play an important role in the formative evaluation process. To ensure consistency and quality in mentor coaching practices, mentor coaches employed by accredited organizations will be expected to earn the Mentor Coach Qualification (MCQ) as part of the evolving credentialing model.

Upskilling with the ICF Coach Educator Competencies

High-quality coaching education depends on skilled, well-prepared faculty. Aligning faculty development with the ICF Coach Educator Competencies ensures that instructors are equipped to deliver engaging, effective learning experiences that support meaningful skill development. To support this, ICF is introducing a new Coach Educator Competency Program — a self-paced learning experience designed to strengthen the capabilities of coach educators at every stage of their journey. The program includes eight core modules, plus a bonus module focused on the role of artificial intelligence in coaching education.

As a benefit of accreditation, this program will be available at no cost to accredited providers, helping you invest in faculty excellence while maintaining alignment with evolving professional standards.

Supporting Mentor Coach Education

In addition to these updates, we will be launching an Advanced Accreditation in Mentor Coaching.  This new accreditation will help ensure that education programs preparing mentor coaches align with globally recognized standards. This accreditation is optional and not required for maintaining your current accreditation status.

These updates support high-quality instruction and ensure educators are equipped to guide learner development effectively.

What you need to do: Organizations will need to update your faculty roster identifying ICF credential status and MCQ compliance. You will also have the opportunity to share how your faculty development aligns with the ICF Coach Educator Competencies.

Curriculum Alignment Requirements

In 2025, ICF introduced an updated Core Competency framework along with revised Minimum Skills Requirements. These updates reflect current leading practices in the coaching profession and help ensure that coaches at all levels demonstrate consistent, high-quality performance. To remain aligned with these standards, all accredited programs will need to review and update their curriculum accordingly.

Required updates include:

• Aligning curriculum with the 2025 ICF Core Competencies.
• Updating all references to the 2025 Minimum Skills Requirements (MSRs).

Recommended (Level 1 programs):

• Aligning curriculum with the updated ACC Behavioral Anchored Rating Scales (BARS).

These updates ensure that program content reflects the most current expectations for coaching knowledge and skill development.

What you need to do: Confirm that curriculum has been updated to align with the 2025 ICF Core Competencies and Minimum Skills Requirements. Level 1 programs should also confirm alignment of program evaluations with the updated ACC Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scales (BARS).

Brand Compliance

In January 2026, we unveiled a new visual identity that captures the essence of coaching: connection, transformation, and trust. This update included new versions of the ICF accreditation marks (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, CCE, and AATC).

All ICF-accredited providers will be required to transition to the new marks across materials where accreditation status is referenced by April 1, 2027. This includes any and all materials representing ICF, your accredited programs, or your relationship with ICF use the correct visual identity.

What you need to do: Ensure all branding reflects the updated ICF Brand Guidelines and accreditation marks.

Supporting Coach Educators Through the Transition

These updates are designed to better support you by providing clearer standards, stronger assessment practices, and more streamlined accreditation processes. Together, they help ensure accredited programs remain high quality, relevant, and aligned with the evolving needs of the coaching profession.

The updated standards help you:

• Align assessment practices with how coaches actually develop their skills.
• Strengthen the credibility and quality of your programs.
• Keep your programs aligned with evolving global coaching expectations.
• Remain competitive and relevant in a growing coaching education marketplace.

To support you through this transition, we’ve developed a comprehensive Accreditation Alignment and Compliance Guide. This resource walks you through each update, explains the rationale behind the changes, and provides practical checklists to help you stay on track.

What This Means for Different Roles

Directors of Education and Program Owners

Your leadership ensures that coaching education programs remain credible, impactful, and aligned with professional standards.

To support this continued excellence, you will need to align your program with the updated accreditation standards by April 1, 2027, to maintain ICF accreditation.

Although these updates may require adjustments to program design, curriculum alignment, and evaluation practices, they should help to reduce overall administrative burden. Updates such as aligning your curriculum with the 2025 ICF Core Competencies and Minimum Skills Requirements, implementing a Business Closure and Teach-Out Policy, and meeting updated ethics education requirements help create clearer, more consistent program structures that are easier to manage and maintain.

The shift to formative evaluation allows you to assess learner development more effectively while simplifying long-term evaluation and operational processes. At the same time, enhancements to the Accreditation Portal and clearer branding requirements provide more streamlined tools and guidance to support ongoing compliance.

With the introduction of the Mentor Coach Qualification (MCQ), you will also have a clearer, more consistent way to identify qualified mentor coaches who support learner development and competency evaluation, strengthening both the quality and credibility of your program.

Together, these updates provide a more integrated and supportive framework that enables you to deliver high-quality programs with greater clarity, consistency, and confidence.

Program Assessors

Your expertise has long helped uphold the standards of coaching practice. As the evaluation model evolves, you now have the opportunity to transition into the role of mentor coach, continuing to support learner development through feedback, reflection, and skill refinement.

The introduction of the MCQ brings clearer recognition for this important role. For the first time, mentor coaching expertise will be formally defined and aligned with globally consistent standards.

If you wish to continue supporting assessment within accredited programs, you will need to earn the Mentor Coach Qualification (MCQ) by April 1, 2027.

Mentor Coaches within Accredited Organization

Your guidance elevates the skills and confidence of every coach you mentor. As the profession evolves, your experience is more valuable than ever.

The introduction of the MCQ provides a way to formally recognize mentor coaching expertise and align practices with globally consistent standards. Plus, it will help you support stronger developmental outcomes for your coaching students.

If you wish to continue serving as a mentor coach within an accredited organization, you will need to earn the Mentor Coach Qualification (MCQ) by April 1, 2027.

Faculty/Instructors

Your teaching transforms students into coaches who create real change. These updates strengthen your ability to support meaningful learning by emphasizing ongoing practice, feedback, and real-world application of coaching skills rather than relying on a single evaluation event. With curriculum now aligned to the 2025 ICF Core Competencies and Minimum Skills Requirements, you can teach with greater clarity and confidence, knowing your content reflects the most current expectations of the profession. Enhanced mentor coaching and a stronger focus on faculty development further support your effectiveness, helping you create richer learning experiences and deepen your impact in every classroom and learning environment.

Resources

• Accreditation Alignment & Compliance Guide
• ICF Coaching Education Town Hall Q1 2026
• Mentor Coaching Handbook 
• 2025 ICF Core Competencies
• 2025 ICF Minimum Skills Requirements
• Global Knowledge Community on ICF Engage

Looking Ahead

You are the foundation of the coaching profession’s future. These updates are designed to support your continued leadership by strengthening standards, improving clarity, and aligning coaching education with the evolving needs of the profession.

Together, we can continue elevating coaching education and preparing the next generation of professional coaches.