Mentor Coaching Guidance for PCC Applicants Who Plan to Apply in 2027

Are you on the journey towards the PCC and were planning on starting your mentor coaching this year?   Are you wondering about the best time to get your mentor coaching completed with the changes that are coming?

Before we look at your options for moving forward with your mentor coaching, here are some key things to know:

• Any mentoring coaching done on or after January 1, 2027, must be done with an MCS – PCC
  
  
• Any PCC Portfolio application submitted on or after April 1, 2027, must include a Competency Review Form(s) completed by an MCS–PCC based on the coaching session(s) your mentor coach observed.

• Later this year the Mentor Coach Registry will be updated to include individuals who hold an MCS. Soon you will have the option to find and work with an Specialized Mentor Coach.

• From January 1 – March 31, 2027, you have the option to submit your PCC portfolio
  with either recorded coaching sessions to be reviewed by ICF Assessors or to submit with the MCS Competency Review Form.

Options for Receiving Mentor Coaching in 2026 to apply in 2027 and beyond:

• Option 1: If you know or feel strongly that it will be April 1 or after before you submit your PCC application, then do your mentor coaching after July with an MCS- PCC.
  
  
• Option 2: If you know you will be submitting after January 1 but before April 1, and you want your mentor coaching to be completed before January 1, then you have options:

• Complete current mentor coaching and submit your application with 2 recorded coaching sessions

OR

• Wait until July to begin your mentor coaching with an MCS – PCC
• Submit through the new Portfolio application and upload your Competency Review Form(s) completed by your mentor coach(es)
• Pay a lower application fee (as the cost of assessment will not need to be included) and have quicker review time of your application

• Option 3: If you are unsure about if you will be submitting prior to or after April 1, you still have both mentor coaching requirements options available to you.
  
  However, if you do not do mentor coaching with an MCS – PCC at the time of mentoring and you submit after March 31, you would need to engage an MCS – PCC to complete a Competency Review of your coaching to submit the application.