The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” This definition is part of the ICF ACC exam, under the Definition and Boundaries of Coaching domain, which accounts for 30% of the exam. You will also find the same wording in the ICF Code of Ethics. Two of ICF’s published ACC sample questions test your understanding of this definition.
Key Takeaways
- ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.
- The definition uses the same wording in the 2020 and 2025 ICF Code of Ethics.
- Definition and Boundaries of Coaching accounts for 30% of the ICF ACC exam. ICF includes “mastery of the definition of coaching” in this domain.
- The Core Competencies require coaches to explain what coaching is and is not, and to keep coaching distinct from consulting and psychotherapy.
- Two of ICF’s ACC sample questions test this understanding through comparisons with consulting and facilitation.
The ICF Definition of Coaching
ICF defines coaching as:
“partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”
You can find this definition in three ICF resources:
- The About ICF page, under “Who Is ICF?”.
- The Key Definitions section of the 2020 ICF Code of Ethics, which is the version used for the ACC exam. The 2025 ICF Code of Ethics uses the same definition.
- ICF’s Referring a Client to Therapy guide, which includes the definition before explaining the differences between coaching and psychotherapy.
How the Core Competencies and Code Address Coaching
The ICF Core Competencies and Code of Ethics require coaches to explain coaching clearly and respect the boundaries of their profession.
The 2019 ICF Core Competencies are the version used for the ACC exam. In its introduction to the model, ICF identifies “the criticality of partnership between coach and client” as one of its themes.
The following competencies and standards address how coaches explain their work and maintain professional boundaries.
| ICF source | Wording |
|---|---|
| Competency 3, Establishes and Maintains Agreements, definition | “Partners with the client and relevant stakeholders to create clear agreements about the coaching relationship, process, plans and goals.” |
| Competency 3, marker 1 | “Explains what coaching is and is not and describes the process to the client and relevant stakeholders.” |
| Competency 1, Demonstrates Ethical Practice, marker 6 | “Maintains the distinctions between coaching, consulting, psychotherapy and other support professions.” |
| Competency 1, Demonstrates Ethical Practice, marker 7 | “Refers clients to other support professionals, as appropriate.” |
| 2020 Code of Ethics, Standard 1 | Coaches ensure that, prior to or at the initial meeting, clients and sponsors “understand the nature and potential value of coaching.” |
The Code requires coaches to provide this explanation before or during the initial meeting. Our article on the Establishes and Maintains Agreements competency explains how this conversation forms part of the coaching agreement.
How the ICF ACC Exam Tests the Definition
According to the ICF ACC exam page, the exam covers three domains:
| ACC exam domain | Share of the exam |
|---|---|
| Coaching Ethics | 30% |
| Definition and Boundaries of Coaching | 30% |
| Coaching Competencies, Strategies, and Techniques | 40% |
ICF specifically includes “mastery of the definition of coaching” in the Definition and Boundaries of Coaching domain.
The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, each with four answer options. You have 90 minutes, including an optional 10-minute break. The passing score is 460 on a scale of 200 to 600.
Our ICF ACC exam guide explains the booking process, exam format and scoring.
The definition is also relevant to the PCC and MCC exams. The ICF PCC and MCC exam page states that the exam evaluates “your ability to apply the ICF definition of coaching, the ICF Core Competencies, and the ICF Code of Ethics.”
ICF Sample Questions About the Definition
Two of ICF’s published ACC sample questions address the definition of coaching and its differences from other professional activities.
Here are the questions and the answers identified as correct by ICF.
What is a key difference between coaching and facilitation?
- A) Coaching involves giving direct advice, while facilitation focuses on asking questions.
- B) Coaching is primarily for personal development, while facilitation is only for professional settings.
- C) Coaching is a thought-provoking and creative process to support a client to meet their full potential, while facilitation is about guiding group discussions.
- D) Coaching requires a license to practice, while facilitation does not.
The correct answer uses the phrase “a thought-provoking and creative process” from the ICF definition.
A client asks a coach for advice about how to carry out a new, challenging assignment. What is the best action for the coach to take?
- A) Give the client the requested advice.
- B) Suggest that the client ask their supervisor for advice.
- C) Send the client an email after the coaching session with several strategies the client could consider.
- D) Explain the distinction between coaching and consulting and invite the client to identify strategies they could explore together.
The correct answer reflects the partnership described in the ICF definition. The coach explains the distinction between coaching and consulting, then invites the client to explore possible strategies.
This also relates to Competency 3, marker 1, which requires the coach to explain what coaching is and is not.
Coaching and Other Support Professions
ICF names this exam domain Definition and Boundaries of Coaching.
Under Competency 1, markers 6 and 7, coaches must distinguish coaching from consulting, psychotherapy and other support professions. They must also refer clients to other professionals when appropriate.
ICF provides further guidance in Referring a Client to Therapy, which explains when a client’s needs fall outside the scope of coaching.
Study Resources for This Domain
These are among the resources ICF lists on its ACC exam page:
- The 2019 ICF Core Competencies
- The Criteria for Assessing Coaching at the ACC Credential Level (ICF ACC Minimum Skills Requirements)
- The 2020 ICF Code of Ethics
- ICF’s guidelines on referring coaching clients to therapy
- The free ACC Exam Tutorial from Pearson VUE
You can also practice with our free ICF ACC practice test. It includes ten questions in the current knowledge-based format, with an explanation of the reasoning behind each answer.
For more structured preparation, our ICF ACC exam prep course covers all ICF Core Competencies and the Code of Ethics in detail. It also includes 176 smart flashcards and four full practice tests with 240 questions.
FAQs About the ICF Definition of Coaching
What is the ICF definition of coaching?
The ICF definition of coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.
What is coaching?
Coaching, according to the International Coaching Federation (ICF), is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. ICF tests credential candidates on their understanding of this definition.
Is the definition of coaching on the ICF ACC exam?
The definition of coaching is included in the ICF ACC exam. ICF lists mastery of the definition under Definition and Boundaries of Coaching, which accounts for 30% of the exam.
Did the ICF definition of coaching change in the 2025 Code of Ethics?
The ICF definition of coaching did not change in the 2025 Code of Ethics. Both the 2020 and 2025 versions use the same wording. The ACC exam uses the 2020 Code.
Where does ICF publish its definition of coaching?
ICF publishes its definition of coaching in three resources: its About page, the Key Definitions section of the ICF Code of Ethics, and its guide on referring a client to therapy.
About the author
ExpertCoach.Co Team
This guide was written and reviewed by ICF-credentialed coaches on the ExpertCoach.Co team. ExpertCoach.Co helps thousands of coaches from more than 60 countries prepare for their ACC, PCC, and MCC credentials with clarity and confidence.
