New ICF Competencies Take Effect in 2021

If you have credential plans for 2021, this quick heads-up is important. There has been a slight shift in the implementation of the new ICF Competencies and you will want to be sure that it doesn’t drop off your radar.

Here’s the quick version of the facts for your reference:

Three Key Documents Were Updated in 2020

The ICF Coach Core Competencies, the ICF Code of Ethics and the PCC Markers were all streamlined and updated in 2020. If you are currently in a coach training program that is aligned with the ICF these new versions have probably been integrated into your training program already, but this will not be the case for all training. Some programs will be making that shift in their content in 2021.

The Original Competencies Are Still in Effect for Assessments

The Coach Knowledge Assessment and the credential Performance Evaluations (coach recording submissions) are all based on the original ICF Coach Core Competencies and ICF Code of Ethics. For PCC candidates, the original PCC Markers are used as well. These assessments will change at some point during the last half of 2021 and will be based on the new versions. From now until that point, all assessments will remain unchanged and will be based on the original versions of this material.

What This Means for You

If you are a coach planning to submit a credential application and will be writing the Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA) in 2021, you will be evaluated based on the original competencies, ethics and markers in the first half of the year, and by the updated competencies, ethics and markers in the last half of the year.

How This Impacts Mentor Coaching

If you have already completed mentor coaching, and you plan to apply for your credential in 2021, you may wish to do so before mid-year so that your preparation will be aligned with the current evaluation process.

How I am Making the Shift as a Mentor Coach

As an ICF Assessor, I will follow the ICF protocol and continue to assess recordings using the original criteria until mid-year 2021.

To assist those of you who want to receive mentor coaching aligned with the original competencies, my next Group Mentor Coaching program, in January, will be based on the original competencies, ethics and markers. This will be important for you if you need mentor coaching and are planning to apply for a credential between January and June 2021, because your evaluations will be based on the original criteria.

Registration Is Now Open

This will be the last group using original ICF material, so you may want to register early to be sure you have a seat.
You can find dates, times, all the information you need to register here.