Professional Mentor Coach Program

Prepare to mentor coaches with structure, rigor, and confidence.

Mentor coaching is no longer just an extension of great coaching. It is becoming a recognized discipline of its own — one that requires skilled observation, developmental feedback, and a deep understanding of how coaching competence grows over time.

What Is the ICF Mentor Coaching Program

Mentor coaching is becoming a global standard of coaching excellence.

As the coaching profession continues to grow worldwide, the need for consistent, transparent, and high-quality mentor coaching has never been greater.

Credential candidates and credentialed coaches rely on mentor coaching to develop their skills, deepen their practice, and prepare for ICF credentialing requirements. But high-quality mentor coaching requires more than experience as a coach.

It requires the ability to observe coaching conversations, recognize demonstrated competence, offer clear and useful feedback, and support the coach’s development over time.

This program helps experienced coaches build the mindset, structure, and skillset needed to provide mentor coaching in alignment with ICF standards and expectations.

You will explore how to evaluate coaching skills, give developmental feedback, and support coaches as they grow toward credential-level competence.

Why Mentor Coaching Matters

Coaches need more than feedback. They need developmental partnership.

Coaches receive meaningful developmental support

Mentor coaches gain recognition for their expertise.

The coaching profession becomes stronger and more trusted.

Clients are better served by coaches who continue to refine their practice.

ICF’s Mentor Coach Specialization represents an important step toward elevating mentor coaching as a distinct professional discipline.

This program supports that shift by helping coaches develop the practical skills needed to provide mentor coaching that is clear, fair, competency-based, and aligned with ICF expectations.

A structured path toward stronger mentor coaching practice.

This program focuses on the core abilities required for effective mentor coaching. You will develop your capacity to observe coaching sessions, identify strengths and skill gaps, provide feedback that supports growth, and help coaches understand what is needed at ACC, PCC, or MCC level.

The program is designed around the belief that mentor coaching should not be a one-time judgment of performance. It should be a formative process: multiple observations, ongoing feedback, reflection, and development over time.

Learn the standards

Understand the evolving ICF expectations for mentor coaching and what quality mentor coaching should look and feel like.

Practice observation and feedback

Develop your ability to observe coaching sessions, identify demonstrated competence, and offer meaningful feedback.

Support coach development

Learn how to guide coaches through a developmental process that supports growth over time, not just preparation for one evaluation.

Strengthen your professional identity

Position yourself as a mentor coach who works with clarity, integrity, and alignment with recognized professional standards.

Frequently asked questions

Is this program only for coaches who already provide mentor coaching?

No. The program is suitable both for coaches who already provide mentor coaching and for experienced coaches who want to begin developing this area of practice.

Do I need to hold an ICF credential to join?

This depends on the exact entry requirements of the program. However, because the program is focused on ICF-aligned mentor coaching, it is most relevant for coaches who are already familiar with ICF standards or are credentialed through ICF.

Is this the same as regular coaching?

No. Mentor coaching is a distinct discipline. It includes coaching skills, but it also requires observation, feedback, competency awareness, and the ability to support another coach’s development in relation to professional standards.

Will this program prepare me for the ICF Mentor Coach Specialization?

The program is designed to support coaches who want to understand and develop mentor coaching skills aligned with the direction of the ICF Mentor Coach Specialization. You should still check the current ICF requirements directly before applying for the specialization.

Why is mentor coaching becoming more important?

ICF is strengthening mentor coaching requirements within the credentialing process. From 2027, mentor coaches with the ICF Mentor Coach Specialization will play a central role in supporting and validating coach development.

What if I am not sure whether this program is right for me?

If you are curious about mentor coaching, want to expand your work with coaches, or want to prepare for changes in the profession, a consultation can help you decide whether this is the right next step.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

Built for experienced coaches who want to support the development of other coaches.

Experienced Coaches

You are already coaching professionally and want to expand your impact by helping other coaches grow. This program helps you develop the observation, feedback, and developmental skills needed to support coaches working toward ICF credentials or higher levels of mastery.

Mentor Coaches

You are already providing mentor coaching and want to strengthen your structure, language, confidence, and alignment with ICF expectations. The program helps you refine your practice and prepare for the increasing professionalization of mentor coaching.

Coach Educators and Trainers

You support coaches inside education programs and want a clearer framework for formative evaluation, feedback, and competency-based development. This program can help you bring more consistency and transparency into the way coaches are supported.

Experience Mentor Coaching Training

Learn how to guide coaches toward stronger practice.

Mentor coaching requires a specific combination of skills: observation, calibration, feedback, ethics, and developmental partnership.

This program gives you a practical framework for working with coaches who are preparing for credentialing, renewing their credential, or simply wanting to improve the quality of their coaching.

You will learn how to support coaches in recognizing what they already do well, where their practice can deepen, and how they can move toward greater competence and confidence.

What is our ICF Level 1 program about

This Level 1 coaching program is designed for professionals who want more than just a certification – it’s for those ready to lead with clarity, confidence, and impact. While it aligns with the highest standards required for the ACC credential, its value lies in the leadership capabilities you’ll develop.

You’ll gain practical tools
to elevate your communication:

Sharpen your ability to listen actively

Ask strategic questions

Foster trust

Lead with a coaching mindset and support others in reaching their goals and quickly navigating complexity.

By the end of the course, you won’t just be eligible to apply for Associate Certified Coach (ACC) status – you’ll be prepared to lead more effectively, coach confidently, and create measurable impact.

Our Level 1 program offers a clear and accessible path toward becoming an Associate Certified Coach (ACC). Designed to simplify your certification journey, it combines structured learning with hands-on experience to ensure you confidently meet all ICF requirements.

The ICF core competencies groups support structure in coaching conversation:

Coaching Foundation

Co-Creating the Relationship

Communicating Effectively

Cultivating Learning and Growth

ICF Level 1 Program structure

Once you’ve completed the program, we’re authorized to support your credentialing process, making it easier to achieve an ACC certificate.

Program includes:

64 hours of coaching education

10 hours of mentor coaching with an ICF Master Certified Coach

Performance evaluation

Mentoring sessions

As a part of our ICF Level 1 (ACC) program, you’ll get:

10 mentoring sessions (3 individual and 7 group), guided by an ICF Mentor and an ICF Master Certified Coach

Personalized feedback on your coaching recordings to improve your coaching skills

Understanding of the ICF minimum skills requirements expected to achieve the ICF ACC certification

Deep understanding of ICF Code of Ethics, ACC markers, and ICF Core Competencies

Coaching Expert Team