Coaching Supervision vs Mentor Coaching: What Counts for Your ICF Credential

Mentor coaching and coaching supervision serve different purposes within the International Coaching Federation (ICF) credentialing system.

Mentor coaching is required when applying for an ACC, PCC or MCC credential. It is also required for ACC renewal. Coaching supervision is not required for these credentials, although up to 10 hours can count toward renewal credits.

Starting January 1, 2027, mentor coaching and supervision hours must meet new ICF specialization requirements. The mentor coach or supervisor you work with must hold the appropriate qualification for the hours to count.

What Mentor Coaching Is

ICF describes mentor coaching as a collaborative process in which coaches receive feedback based on observed coaching sessions.

The purpose is to help you improve your coaching skills and style in line with the ICF Core Competencies.

For an ICF credential application, you must complete 10 hours of mentor coaching over at least three months.

At least 3 of those hours must be one-on-one sessions. The remaining 7 hours can be completed individually or in a group of no more than 10 people.

If you completed a Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 coaching education program, mentor coaching is already included in your training. Candidates applying through the Portfolio pathway must arrange their own mentor coaching.

Your mentor coach must hold an ICF credential at the same level as the credential you are pursuing or higher.

Our guides to the ICF ACC credential requirements, ICF PCC credential requirements and ICF MCC credential requirements explain who is eligible to mentor you at each level.

For MCC applicants, the 10 mentor coaching hours must be new hours that have not been used for a previous credential.

What Coaching Supervision Is

ICF describes coaching supervision as a collaborative process involving reflective dialogue with a trained supervisor.

Mentor coaching focuses on developing your technical coaching skills in line with the Core Competencies. Coaching supervision looks more broadly at your practice, including what you do as a coach, who you are and how you show up in your work.

The 2025 definition of the competency Embodies a Coaching Mindset refers to working with coaching supervisors or mentor coaches. Our guide to Embodying a Coaching Mindset explains how this supports coaching practice.

For an initial ACC, PCC or MCC credential, ICF requires mentor coaching. Coaching supervision is not a requirement, and only mentor coaching counts toward the credential.

There is one exception for another ICF certification. The Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC) requires five hours of coaching supervision or guided reflective practice.

Mentor Coaching and Coaching Supervision Compared

Mentor Coaching and Supervision at Renewal

ICF credentials must be renewed every three years. Each renewal requires 40 Continuing Coach Education (CCE) credits.

At least 24 credits must be in the Core Competencies, including at least 3 credits in coaching ethics. The remaining 16 credits can come from Resource Development or Core Competencies.

For ACC renewal, mentor coaching is mandatory.

You must complete 10 hours with an eligible mentor coach over at least three months. These hours count as 10 of the 24 required Core Competency credits.

ICF gives a specific example of how to calculate the three-month period. If your first mentor coaching session takes place on March 14, your final session must be on June 14 or later.

For PCC and MCC renewal, mentor coaching is optional. You can count up to 10 hours of mentor coaching that you have received or delivered toward your Core Competency credits.

Coaching supervision is also optional at all three levels. You can count up to 10 hours of supervision as Core Competency credits, whether you received it, delivered it or did both.

When reporting supervision you received, ICF asks for the supervisor’s name and email address, the start and end dates of the engagement, and the total number of hours.

What Changes on January 1, 2027

The ICF Credential Renewal Guide introduces new qualification requirements for mentor coaching and coaching supervision used toward credential renewal.

The rules depend on your credential level:

• ACC renewal: Complete mentor coaching to the ACC level with an MCS-ACC mentor coach, or to the PCC level with an MCS-PCC mentor coach.
• PCC renewal: If you choose to use mentor coaching, your mentor coach must hold an MCS-PCC or MCS-MCC.
• MCC renewal: If you choose to use mentor coaching, your mentor coach must hold an MCS-MCC.
• Supervision for ACC, PCC and MCC renewal: Work with a supervisor who holds the Coaching Supervisor Specialization (CSS) or a supervision accreditation from another coaching or coaching supervision professional body.

These changes also affect credential applications.

ICF states that from January 1, 2027, all ICF credential candidates must work with a mentor coach who has earned the MCS.

Another change takes effect on April 1, 2027. ICF will remove the performance evaluation requirement for ACC and PCC Portfolio applications. Mentor coaching with an MCS mentor coach will take its place.

According to ICF, candidates applying through Level 1 and Level 2 programs do not need to do anything differently.

Mentor coaching and supervision hours completed on or before December 31, 2026 will follow the current requirements. For those hours, your mentor coach or supervisor does not need to hold the MCS or CSS qualification.

ICF also plans to introduce a Mentor Coach Registry and a Coaching Supervisor Registry to help candidates find qualified professionals. The Coaching Supervisor Registry is expected to launch in late 2026.

FAQs About Coaching Supervision and Mentor Coaching

What is the difference between mentor coaching and coaching supervision?

The difference between mentor coaching and coaching supervision is the focus of each activity. ICF defines mentor coaching as a collaborative process in which coaches receive feedback based on observed coaching sessions, in line with the ICF Core Competencies. Coaching supervision involves reflective dialogue with a trained supervisor about your coaching practice, including what you do as a coach, who you are and how you show up in your work.

Does ICF require coaching supervision for a credential?

ICF does not require coaching supervision for an initial ACC, PCC or MCC credential, and supervision is optional during renewal. Only mentor coaching counts toward the initial credential. The Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC) has a different requirement: five hours of coaching supervision or guided reflective practice.

How many coaching supervision hours count toward ICF credential renewal?

Up to 10 hours of coaching supervision count toward ICF credential renewal during each three-year cycle. You can count hours you received, delivered or a combination of both. These hours count toward your Core Competency Continuing Coach Education (CCE) credits.

Is mentor coaching required for ICF credential renewal?

Mentor coaching is required for every ACC credential renewal. You must complete 10 hours over at least three months, and these count as 10 of the 24 required Core Competency credits. For PCC and MCC renewal, mentor coaching is optional. Up to 10 hours of mentor coaching, given or received, can count toward Core Competency credits.

What changes for mentor coaching and coaching supervision on January 1, 2027?

The changes for mentor coaching and coaching supervision on January 1, 2027 introduce new qualification requirements. New mentor coaching hours must be completed with a coach who holds the ICF Mentor Coach Specialization (MCS). New supervision hours used for renewal must be completed with a supervisor who holds the ICF Coaching Supervisor Specialization (CSS) or a supervision accreditation from another coaching or coaching supervision professional body. Hours completed on or before December 31, 2026 remain subject to the current requirements.