Mentor Coaching for an ICF Credential consists of coaching and feedback in a collaborative, appreciative and dialogued process based on an observed or recorded coaching session to increase the coach’s capability in coaching, in alignment with the ICF Core Competencies.
Mentoring provides professional assistance in achieving and demonstrating the levels of coaching competency and capability demanded by the desired credential level.
Mentor Coaching should take place over an extended time (three-month minimum) in a cycle that allows for listening and feedback from the Mentor Coach while also allowing reflection and practice on the part of the individual being mentored.
Credentialing candidates on the following paths are required to participate in Mentor Coaching prior to submitting their application:
Coaches applying to renew their ACC Credential are required to complete an additional 10 hours of Mentor Coaching above those hours required for their initial credential.
Credentialing candidates on the ACC ACSTH and Portfolio paths must complete 10 hours of Mentor Coaching prior to submitting their application. The Mentor Coaching hours must occur over a three-month period or longer. Example: If the first session is March 14, then the last session must be June 14 or after.
Of the 10 hours of mentoring, three hours must be one-on-one. The remaining seven hours may be one-on-one or in a group.
They are required to partner with a Mentor Coach who holds a valid ACC*, PCC or MCC Credential.
Credential candidates on the ACC Level 1/ Level 2/ ACTP path have completed Mentor Coaching as part of their Coach Education program.
*Associate Certified Coaches must complete at least one full cycle of their credential (with renewal) before they’re eligible to serve as a Mentor Coach for ACC credentialing or credential renewal.
Credentialing candidates on the PCC Level 1 / ACSTH and Portfolio paths must complete 10 hours of Mentor Coaching prior to submitting their application. The Mentor Coaching hours must occur over a three-month period or longer. Example: If the first session is March 14, then the last session must be June 14 or after.
Of the 10 hours of mentoring, three hours must be one-on-one. The remaining seven hours may be one-on-one or in a group.
They are required to partner with a Mentor Coach who holds a valid PCC or MCC Credential.
Credential candidates on the PCC Level 2/ ACTP path have completed Mentor Coaching as part of their Coach Education program.
Credentialing candidates on the MCC Portfolio path must complete 10 hours of Mentor Coaching prior to submitting their application. These must be new hours of Mentor Coaching, and cannot have been used for a prior credential. The Mentor Coaching hours must occur over a three-month period or longer. Example: If the first session is March 14, then the last session must be June 14 or after.
Of the 10 hours of mentoring, three hours must be one-on-one. The remaining seven hours may be one-on-one or in a group.
They are required to partner with a Mentor Coach who holds a valid MCC Credential.
Credential candidates on the MCC Level 3 path have completed Mentor Coaching as part of their Coach Education program.
Coaches applying to renew their ACC Credential are required to complete an additional 10 hours of Mentor Coaching above those hours required for their initial credential. These hours must be completed in the three years since the initial award of the credential or since the last credential renewal. The Mentor Coaching hours must occur over a three-month period or longer. Example: If the first session is March 14, then the last session must be June 14 or after.
Of the 10 hours of mentoring, three hours must be one-on-one. The remaining seven hours may be one-on-one or in a group.
They are required to partner with a Mentor Coach who holds a valid ACC*, PCC or MCC Credential.
*Associate Certified Coaches must complete at least one full cycle of their credential (with renewal) before they’re eligible to serve as a Mentor Coach for ACC credentialing or credential renewal.
The ICF Mentor Coaching Competencies outline six primary areas of expertise that mentor coaches must master beyond standard coaching skills. These competencies were developed through a rigorous process involving research, surveys, and input from experienced mentor coaches.
A minimum of three of the 10 mentoring hours must be one-on-one with the mentor coach. Group mentoring may count for a maximum of seven hours towards the mentoring requirement.
Only groups of 10 or fewer will count.
On the online credential application, you will list the name of each Mentor Coach, the Mentor Coach email address, the credential level of the Mentor Coach, the start and end date of each mentoring relationship, and the number of hours of coaching from each mentor. You are not required to provide documentation from your Mentor Coach, but your Mentor Coach should be able to confirm that the mentoring took place.
The Mentor Coaching requirement must be fulfilled prior to submitting your application. For example, you must have completed a minimum of three months and 10 hours of Mentor Coaching prior to today’s date if you were to submit your application today.
Do not send documentation to ICF Headquarters by mail or email. Only the mentoring log on the online application will be accepted.
Forgot username or password? Click here
