Guidance for ACC Applicants Who Complete Mentor Coaching Prior to January 1

Guidance for ACC Applicants Who Complete Mentor Coaching Prior to January 1, 2027—Under the Current Mentor Coaching Requirements

Will your mentor coaching be completed prior to January 1 and you are curious about how to apply with the upcoming changes to mentor coaching and the performance evaluation? 

The mentor coaching you have already completed—or will complete this year—under the current requirements (mentor who holds an ACC who has renewed at least once, or is a PCC or MCC) will continue to be accepted, regardless of when it was done. However, depending on when you submit your application, you might need to take some extra steps. 

Applying before April 1, 2027, you will submit your 10 hours of mentor coaching along with a performance evaluation. In other words—you’d be applying with the original mentor coaching and performance evaluation requirements. 

Applying April 1, 2027, and after, you can still use your original hours of mentor coaching, but must work with an MCQ-ACC or MCQ-PCC (if you wish to use towards a PCC in the future), too. You’ll need to submit a competency review form completed by the MCQ as part of your application. 

Let’s take a closer look.

Option 1: Applying Before April1, 2027

If you have already completed your mentor coaching or will be completing them prior to January 1, 2027, under the current requirements and plan to apply before April 1, 2027:

•    No changes are required.

•    You may apply using the current Portfolio Application pathway and upload a recorded coaching session of yours to be assessed.

Option 2: Applying After March 31, 2027

If you apply after March 31, 2027, you can still use your original mentor coaching, but must bridge it with a qualified mentor coach

•    You must work with an MCQ-ACC or MCQ-PCC (if you had been mentored by a PCC to the PCC level) to receive a completed Competency Review Form, validating that you meet the minimum skills required for credential application.

•    You’ll upload the Competency Review Form to your ACC application. The performance evaluation is no longer an option. 

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Resources

Current Mentor Coaching Requirement 

Current Performance Evaluation Requirement 

ACC & PCC Performance Evaluation Changes 

New ICF Mentor Coach Qualification