01/07/2026
Changes in ICF Mentor Coaching
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is currently introducing significant changes in the field of mentor coaching. At first glance, these changes may appear quite technical, with new abbreviations, updated requirements and revised qualification pathways. However, the core intention is straightforward: ICF aims to make mentor coaching clearer, higher in quality, more structured and directly linked to specific levels of coaching professionalism and mastery.
Until now, many coaching professionals have perceived a mentor coach primarily as a more experienced coach with a higher ICF credential, capable of supporting others in preparing for credentialing. The new ICF direction highlights that experience alone is no longer sufficient for high-quality mentorship.
The Role and Responsibilities of a Mentor Coach
A mentor coach is expected not only to listen to coaching sessions or provide general feedback. They must clearly understand what quality coaching looks like at each ICF credentialing level, i.e., ACC, PCC, or MCC. This includes the ability to:
-Recognize which competencies are demonstrated at a professional level
-Identify gaps in skill development
-Assess how closely a coach’s practice aligns with the standards of a targeted credential level
This shift is closely connected to broader changes in the ICF credentialing process. As ICF evolves its assessment approach, the role of the mentor coach becomes even more critical. Mentor coaches are expected not only to support credentialing readiness but also to intentionally guide the development of coaching competencies, working with level-specific criteria and supporting coaches in progressing toward higher standards of practice.
Minimum Skills Requirements (MSR)
A key concept introduced is Minimum Skills Requirements (MSR). These are defined ICF standards that clarify how coaching competencies must be demonstrated at ACC, PCC, and MCC levels.
In essence, MSR answers the question:
What must a coach explicitly demonstrate in a coaching session to meet a specific ICF credentialing standard?
This is valuable not only for assessors but also for coaches, training providers, and mentor coaches. Without clear standards, conversations about coaching quality can easily become subjective, based on impressions such as “it felt like a good session”, “the client seemed satisfied”, “the session was smooth”. ICF’s direction is clear: coaching quality must be grounded not only in positive impressions but in observable, level-specific competency demonstrations.
Mentor Coach Specialization (MCS)
Alongside MSR, ICF introduces Mentor Coach Specialization (MCS)—a new qualification for mentor coaches.
The principle is simple: if a mentor coach supports others in preparing for ACC, PCC, or MCC credentials, they must be equipped to work at that specific level.
This means a mentor coach should be able to:
-Assess how competencies are demonstrated in practice
-Identify the current level of coaching mastery
-Provide precise, developmental feedback
-Support the coach’s progression toward higher-quality practice
The relationship between MSR and MCS can be summarized as MSR defines the coaching standard and MCS confirms the mentor coach’s ability to work with that standard. Or more simply: MSR defines what is required from the coach and MCS defines what is required from the mentor coach.
This signals a shift toward mentor coaching grounded in professional competence, not just experience.
Changes in the ICF Credentialing Process
From 2027 onwards, these changes will become particularly important for those providing mentor coaching for ICF credentialing purposes.
ICF is moving toward a standard structure where mentor coaches must hold:
-An active ICF credential (ACC, PCC, or MCC), and
-A minimum of 41 hours of mentor coach-specific training, aligned with ICF mentor coaching competencies and level-based assessment criteria (such as MSR)
Important Considerations for Credential Candidates
When selecting a mentor coach in the future, it will no longer be sufficient to evaluate their experience and credential level. It will also be important to consider whether they hold (or are pursuing) a relevant mentor coaching qualification or specialization
Perspective on the Changes
From a professional development perspective, these changes are both necessary and valuable. Coaching mentorship is not merely: “friendly advice” or “discussion about a session”. High-quality mentor coaching requires a clear understanding of competencies, the ability to accurately assess coaching levels, precision in identifying strengths and development areas and the capacity to maintain a developmental, partnership-based relationship with the coach
About L-CON Global
For us at L-CON Global, these changes are not fundamentally new. Mentor coaches have been trained for over 10 years using internally developed and ICF-recognized mentor coaching competencies. In other words, a structured approach to mentor coaching competencies has long been embedded in our programs.
With ICF now formalizing these competencies globally, they will be integrated into existing programs as they closely align with the frameworks already in use.
Currently, final ICF standards are being awaited in order to update and elevate existing programs to the new accreditation level. For those interested in becoming a mentor coach or obtaining ICF mentor coach specialization we can provide further guidance on requirements, pathways and learning options.
