10-Hour Mentor Coaching is an Essential Part of Earning or Renewing your ICF ACC, PCC or MCC Credential
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the most reputable organization that provides coach credentialing services globally. Coaches who desire to develop their coaching competencies to become professionals can earn their ICF credential. There are three ICF credentialing levels, and each level is designed to assess the coach's experience, education, and coaching skills, based on the globally recognized coaching competencies.
Requirements for Associate Certified Coach
The first credentialing level is the Associate Certified Coach (ACC). To earn this credential, a coach must have a minimum of 60 hours of coach specific training, which must be delivered by an ICF accredited program or an ICF Continuing Coach Education CCE provider. In addition, a coach must have a minimum of 100 hours of coaching experience, of which 70 hours should be paid coaching hours. The coach must also undergo 10 hours of mentor coaching and pass the ICF credentialing exam. At least 3 hours of mentor coaching must be delivered on a one-on-one basis, while the remaining seven hours can be either in a group or one-on-one. To qualify as a mentor coach for an ACC candidate, the mentor coach must hold a current ICF credential in good standing at the PCC or MCC level or be at the ACC level in good standing and have renewed their credential at least once. For the ACC credential renewal, a coach must complete 40 hours of CCE, 10 hours of mentor coaching, and at least 24 hours in core competencies.
Requirements for Professional Certified Coach
The second credentialing level is the Professional Certified Coach (PCC). To earn this credential, a coach must have a minimum of 125 hours of coach specific training, 500 hours of coaching experience, and 10 hours of mentor coaching. Similar to the ACC credentialing process, at least 3 hours of mentor coaching must be delivered on a one-on-one basis, while the remaining 7 hours can be either in a group or one-on-one. The coach must also pass the ICF credentialing exam. To qualify as a mentor coach for a PCC candidate, the mentor coach must hold a current ICF credential at the PCC or MCC level in good standing. For the PCC credential renewal, a coach must complete 40 hours of CCE, 10 hours of mentor coaching, and at least 24 hours in Core Competencies.
Requirements for Master Certified Coach
The highest credentialing level is the Master Certified Coach (MCC). To earn this credential, a coach must have a minimum of 200 hours of Coach specific training, 2,500 hours of coaching experience, and 10 hours of mentor coaching. Similar to the other two credentialing levels, at least 3 hours of mentor coaching must be delivered on a one-on-one basis, while the remaining 7 hours can be either in a group or one-on-one. The coach must also pass the ICF credentialing exam. To qualify as a mentor coach for an MCC candidate, the mentor coach must hold a current ICF credential at the MCC level in good standing. For the MCC credential renewal, a coach must complete 40 hours of CCE, 10 hours of mentor coaching, and at least 24 hours in core competencies.
It is important to note that mentor coaching is an essential component of the ICF credentialing process, and it is required for all credential renewal cycles. Mentor coaching involves a coach receiving coaching and feedback on their coaching competencies from a qualified and an experienced mentor coach. Mentor coaching helps a coach to develop their coaching skills, increase their self-awareness, and align their coaching with the ICF core competencies.