Development of Coaching Competency Framework

This technical report describes a comprehensive job analysis process that informed the 2024–2025 update to the existing coaching competency model. Approximately 2,800 coaches from around the world contributed to the job analysis through semi-structured focus groups, a large-scale survey, and multiple workshops.

This large-scale research initiative confirmed that the content of the 2019 ICF Core Competencies remains highly relevant to the practice of coaching today, while also identifying important refinements and enhancements based on developments in the profession and advances in technology.

The updates include an increased emphasis on coach self-care, self-awareness, and ongoing professional development, as well as responsiveness to technological change. Additional refinements highlight the importance of between-session activities, clearly communicating the coach’s philosophy during contracting, judiciously using domain knowledge, and strengthening presence, curiosity, and awareness within the coaching relationship.

These updates resulted in a refined model that preserves the strengths of the 2019 competencies while integrating emerging practices and evolving professional expectations. In the coming years and beyond, this model will continue to strengthen and support critical aspects of coaching, including training, development, assessment, and credentialing.

This report is recommended reading for anyone who wants to learn more about the process that led to the 2025 update to ICF’s coaching competencies. It is also useful as a general resource for individuals interested in the process of conducting a job analysis and validating a professional competency model in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Explore Past Reports

Development of a Coaching Competency Framework (2019)