The coaching profession is built on change, and that certainly seems to be true of the International Coach Federation (ICF). ICF has announced updates to its mentor coaching requirements that will impact ICF credentialing beginning in 2027.

The good news is that if you are already enrolled in The Institute for Life Coach Training (ILCT) program, you can still complete the credential pathway you began. The primary change is that beginning January 1, 2027, Mentor Coaches must hold the new Mentor Coaching Qualification (MCQ) credential. Our Mentor Coaches will be completing this training, so your mentor coaching hours with us will continue to meet ICF requirements.

Here is what these changes mean for you.

Mentor Coaching Requirements

The requirement of 10 hours of mentor coaching remains the same for both the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credentials. This can include:

• 7 hours of group mentor coaching
• 3 hours of individual mentor coaching

Beginning January 1, 2027, those individual mentoring hours must be completed with an MCQ Mentor Coach. At ILCT, mentoring completed through Foundations, ICF Core Competencies, Coaching Skills Practicum, and our Mentor Coaching class will continue to count toward your credential.

If You Have Already Completed Level 1 (ACC)

If you have already completed your Level 1 program (60 hours of training, 10 hours of mentoring, and your performance evaluation), nothing changes. Once you have accumulated your required 100 coaching experience hours, you may apply for your ACC credential whenever you are ready, submitting the Certificate of Completion.

If You Are Completing Level 1 During 2027

The 2027 transition year gives you two options:

• Complete the credential requirements under the current pathway (60 hours of training, 10 hours of mentoring, and a performance evaluation), or
• Complete your mentoring under the new MCQ requirements, including 3 individual mentoring hours with an MCQ Mentor Coach. If you choose this option, you will submit a Competency Review Form instead of a performance evaluation.

After the transition period, all ACC candidates will follow the new mentor coaching requirements.

If You Are Pursuing the Level 2 (PCC) Certificate

If you complete your Level 2 training during 2026, you may finish under the current requirements (130 hours of training, written essays, and a performance evaluation). You do not need to have all 500 coaching experience hours completed before January 1, 2027—only your Level 2 Certificate of Completion.

During the transition period and afterward, you may still complete the credential pathway you began under. However, you will need to complete the Mentor Coaching class so your three individual mentoring hours are completed with an MCQ Mentor Coach earning you a Competency Review Form rather than a performance evaluation.

If You Are Following the Portfolio Path

If you are pursuing either the ACC or PCC through the Portfolio Path, recordings may no longer be submitted after April 1, 2027.

Instead, you will submit a Competency Review Form. This means you must complete at least three individual mentor coaching hours with an MCQ Mentor Coach, who will prepare the required form—even if you have already completed 10 mentor coaching hours.

Planning to Complete Your ICF Credential Soon?

If your goal is to complete your coaching credential this year, please let Kelly and me know by taking this brief one-minute survey. Your response will help us ensure we schedule enough mentor coaching classes over the next few months.

As always, if you're unsure which pathway applies to you or have questions about these changes, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're happy to help you determine the best path forward.

Ellen Neiley Ritter, Ph.D., BCC

888-267-1206 ext. 101

ellen@lifecoachtraining.com

P.S. None of these changes apply if you are pursuing a BCC