The ICF Core Competencies establish excellence benchmarks for professional coaches, defining essential expertise, abilities, and conduct standards. These guidelines form the backbone of the ICF credentialing process and represent must-have qualifications for delivering transformative coaching results.
This resource provides a clear, side-by-side comparison of the 2019 ICF Core Competencies and the newly updated 2025 ICF Core Competencies. Designed as a quick-reference tool, it highlights exactly where changes have been made, allowing coaches to easily scan and understand the updates.
With the 2025 update, ICF conducted global research and gathered feedback from coaches to ensure the model reflects the realities of current coaching practices. While the eight overarching competencies remain unchanged, the update introduces five new sub-competencies, revises 11 existing sub-competencies, provides a refined competency definition, and introduces a new glossary of terms to enhance clarity.
If you are already familiar with the 2019 model, this comparison chart will help you quickly identify what’s new, what has shifted, and where emphasis has evolved. This resource is a time-saving way to stay current.
Explore the full details of the 2019 ICF Core Competencies and the 2025 ICF Core Competencies, and use this chart as a bridge between the two.
Topics
Coaching Competencies, Coaching Essentials, Discover - Your Coaching Career
Resource Type
Tools & Worksheets
Audience Type
Coach Educators, Experienced Coaches, External Coaches, ICF Assessors, ICF Chapter Leaders, Internal Coaches, Mentor Coaches, New Coaches, Professional Coaches
Language
English
Publish Date
September 8, 2025
Revision Date
September 8, 2025
Related Resources
PCC Minimum Skills Requirements
The PCC Minimum Skills Requirements highlight the standards of coaching at the Professional Certified Coach level — where foundational skills evolve into more refined, client-centered practice. Coaches can use this resource to prepare for the PCC performance evaluation or to guide professional development. By outlining both the markers of effective PCC-level coaching and the patterns that may hold you back, it provides clear direction for growth. This document equips you to refine your skills, measure progress, and move confidently toward greater professional impact.
MCC Minimum Skills Requirements
The MCC Minimum Skills Requirements set the standard for coaching mastery at the Master Certified Coach level. This resource details the advanced skills and presence that define MCC-level practice, while also pointing to subtle missteps that can limit effectiveness. Useful for both MCC performance evaluation preparation and ongoing professional growth, it offers a framework for reflection, refinement, and continued growth. Whether you’re striving for the MCC credential or seeking to elevate your craft, this guide inspires and directs your journey toward true coaching excellence.
ACC Minimum Skills Requirements
The ACC Minimum Skills Requirements provide a clear picture of what coaching competence looks like at the Associate Certified Coach level. This resource outlines the key skills and behaviors that assessors listen for in performance evaluations while also identifying common pitfalls that can interfere with effective coaching. Beyond assessment, it’s also a valuable tool for performance reviews, helping early-career coaches reflect on their strengths, identify growth areas, and build confidence. Use this guide as both a mirror and a map to guide your next steps.