Two routes to the ICF Mentor Coach Specialization, and how to tell which one is yours

From 1 January 2027, anyone providing mentor coaching towards an ICF ACC, PCC or MCC credential will need to hold the ICF Mentor Coach Specialization (MCS). From the same date, only MCS holders will be listed on the ICF Mentor Coach Registry.

For many experienced mentor coaches, the practical questions are; what do they need to do? And how much of this they have already done?

The ICF has answered this by offering two routes to the specialization. Which one applies to you depends on how much mentor coaching you have already done, and whether you can evidence it.

Standard vs Credit for Prior Learning

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Mentor coaching asks for a distinct set of capabilities to regular coaching as is vital for coaches seeking credentialing. The capabilities include:

observing a coaching conversation closely
evaluating it formatively against the ICF competencies
grounding judgements in observable behaviour rather than impression or judgements
offering feedback that helps a coach to develop their own practice and coaching style

The MCS gives these capabilities a formal, recognisable standard and benchmark. It is available at ACC, PCC and MCC credential levels, subject to the ICF's credential and education requirement for each credential level.

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The two ICF MCS credentialing pathways

The Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) path recognises that many coaches have been mentoring other coaches for years. It builds on that experience rather than asking them to start again. Applicants must:

hold an active PCC or MCC credential, or a renewed ACC
complete at least 10 hours of mentor coaching education aligned with the ICF Mentor Coaching Competencies, which may be synchronous or asynchronous
complete the relevant ICF evaluation training for each level sought
evidence their prior mentor coaching. This means either five mentor coaching clients who earned an ICF credential within the past three years, or a letter from an ICF-accredited coach education provider confirming that you mentored at least five of its students in that period.

The Standard path is for credentialed coaches who are building their mentor coaching expertise and need to complete the full education requirement. Applicants must:

hold an active PCC or MCC credential, or a renewed ACC in good standing
complete at least 41 hours of mentor coaching education aligned with the ICF Mentor Coaching Competencies, at least half of it synchronous (live, with an instructor)
complete the relevant ICF evaluation training (ACC BARS, PCC Markers or MCC BARS, or an equivalent) for each level sought. On this path, the evaluation training can count towards the asynchronous education hours.

Write your awesome label here.

Time to complete

Standard pathway: Follow the full learning sequence of 41 hours at the set pace and complete all modules.

CPL pathway: Move faster by proving what you already know through 10 hours of education to evidence and consolidate your knowledge and experience.

Learning experience

Standard pathway: at least 50% live, guided teaching, with interactive practice activities, group interactions, and step-by-step support from start to finish.

CPL pathway: You still get support, but learning time can be fully self-paced without live teaching.

Evaluation training requirements

Standard pathway: Yes, you'll need to complete the relevant evaluation training at each level you want to mentor coach at. These hours can be part of the overall 41 required.

CPL pathway: Yes, you'll need to complete the relevant evaluation training at each level you want to mentor coach at. This is in addition to the 10+ hours and must be completed prior to ICF MCS submission

Prior Mentor Coach experience

Standard pathway: You do not need to have any prior mentor coach experience.

CPL pathway: You must have at least 5 successfully credentialed mentor coachees prior to MCS submission. You will need to evidence this.

Best fit for you

Standard pathway: Are new to mentor coaching, want a clearly structured course with live teaching and group interactions.

CPL pathway: Have real-world experience of mentor coaching already, hold the necessary ICF credentials already, and want recognition for what you already can do.
You just want to keep doing what you have been doing - and know you're doing it right.

Who should choose which pathway?

Pick the ICF MCS pathway that matches your starting point.

Standard pathway is best if you are starting from scratch and want tp become a credentialed mentor coach with the ICF.
Standard pathway is best if you want step-by-step teaching and practice, with live elements and group interactions.
Credit for Prior Learning fits better if you already have relevant mentor coach experience
Credit for Prior Learning fits better if you have past mentor coachees - with proof you can share

Do you still have a question about ICF Mentor Coach Specialization credentialing?

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Rebecca brings extensive experience and deep expertise to her work facilitating learning with leaders and professionals across a wide range of roles, sectors, career stages, and cultural contexts. Her approach is highly adaptable, grounded in a strong evidence base, and carefully shaped around the goals, challenges, and realities of those she works with.

Those who work with Rebecca value her ability to create thoughtful, psychologically safe learning spaces that invite honest reflection, dialogue, and deep self awareness. She combines academic rigour with real world relevance, offering supportive challenge while remaining approachable and grounded in her style. Her facilitation is characterised by curiosity and humility, enabling participants to engage openly with complex issues without feeling judged or directed.

Rebecca is particularly skilled at guiding individuals and groups to notice patterns in their thinking, behaviour, and interactions that are often taken for granted. By helping people slow down and make sense of their experiences, she supports meaningful insight and learning that can be translated into purposeful action and sustained change.

Rebecca is a Professor in Coaching and Behaviour Change and is internationally recognised for her research on learning and development in coaching and leadership contexts. She has published extensively in leading academic journals on coaching effectiveness, alongside a second stream of research focused on equality, diversity, and inclusion, including inclusive leadership, group based learning for women in leadership, and menopause at work.

She is the author of three books, Coaching with Research in Mind, Key Topics in Coaching Psychology, and Simplifying Inclusive Leadership, which translate research evidence into practical insight for leaders, practitioners, and organisations. Outside work, Rebecca enjoys countryside walks, weightlifting, and time with her two sons. She also serves on the Advisory Board of a non profit CIC dedicated to making high quality coaching and development accessible to all.