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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.
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. 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.
Yes. ICF has announced significant changes to the Mentor Coaching and credentialing process that will take effect beginning in 2027.
These changes are designed to place greater emphasis on developmental feedback, ongoing learning, and demonstrated coaching competence through Mentor Coaching rather than relying primarily on a final performance evaluation.
Beginning January 1, 2027, any new Mentor Coaching hours completed toward an ICF credential or credential renewal must be completed with a Mentor Coach who holds the new ICF Mentor Coach Specialization (MCS) at the appropriate credential level. For example:
Coaches pursuing ACC must work with an MCS-qualified Mentor Coach at the ACC level or higher. Coaches pursuing PCC must work with an MCS-qualified Mentor Coach at the PCC level or higher. Coaches pursuing MCC must work with an MCS-qualified Mentor Coach at the MCC level.
The Mentor Coach Specialization (MCS) is a new ICF designation created to recognize coaches who have been specifically trained and qualified to provide Mentor Coaching.
The MCS establishes clearer standards for reviewing coaching sessions, assessing coaching competencies, providing developmental feedback, and supporting coaches through the credentialing journey. This change is intended to improve consistency and quality across Mentor Coaching globally.
For ACC and PCC Portfolio pathway applicants, yes. Beginning April 1, 2027, the traditional Performance Evaluation requirement (submission of a coaching recording and transcript for assessment by ICF) will be replaced by an enhanced Mentor Coaching process.
Instead of submitting recordings directly to ICF for performance evaluation, coaches will demonstrate competence through a structured Mentor Coaching review process conducted by a qualified Mentor Coach holding the MCS.
Under the new process, Mentor Coaches will provide structured documentation and competency-based reviews as part of the credentialing process.
The focus shifts from a single final assessment to a more developmental and formative evaluation process that occurs throughout the Mentor Coaching journey.
At present, the Performance Evaluation requirement remains in place for MCC applicants.
However, beginning January 1, 2027, any new Mentor Coaching hours used toward an MCC application must also be completed with an MCS-qualified Mentor Coach.
Mentor Coaching hours completed before January 1, 2027 remain valid under the existing requirements.
However, if you plan to apply on or after April 1, 2027, additional requirements related to the new enhanced Mentor Coaching process may apply depending on your credential pathway. It is important to review the latest ICF guidance before submitting your application.
The biggest shift is that Mentor Coaching becomes even more important. Rather than being one requirement alongside a separate performance evaluation, Mentor Coaching will play a central role in demonstrating coaching competence.
This means choosing the right Mentor Coach, engaging deeply with feedback, and allowing sufficient time for development will become even more critical to the credentialing journey.
Confirm whether your Mentor Coach holds the MCS at the level you need, and map your timeline against the January 1 and April 1, 2027 dates, since each affects your pathway differently.
Where possible, start hours early to stay under the existing requirements, choose your Mentor Coach deliberately, and keep an eye on ICF's official updates as 2027 approaches.
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