The biggest changes in decades are coming to mentor coaching. Today’s show walks you through the research behind the new Mentor Coaching Competencies, explains the brand-new Mentor Coach Specialization (MCS) credential, and lays out exactly what mentors and mentees need to do before the January 1, 2027 deadline. We also discuss the bigger shift coming in April 2027, when the portfolio path performance evaluation is retired in favor of documented mentor coaching. If you’re feeling “change anxiety” about these new guidelines, join us for today’s conversation!
Carrie Abner is the VP of ICF Credentials and Standards and a Certified Association Executive (CAE) who has advanced professional associations at the local, state, national, and international levels. With a passion for bringing together diverse communities of practitioners through common purpose and voice, Carrie has more than two decades of experience in communications, domestic and foreign policy, and nonprofit management in her roles at the International Coaching Federation, The Council of State Governments, and the International Council for Voluntary Action.
Show Highlights:
- Maintaining the highest standards requires constant growth and change.
- Mentor coaching: What is it, and why is it important at every level?
- Mentor coaching is a requirement at the ACC level.
- Highlights of the upcoming changes–and the research data behind them
- What the new guidelines mean for mentor coaches and mentees in 2026 and 2027
- Understanding the new Mentor Coach Specialization (MCS) credential– and the two paths to achieve it
- Finding the courses you need (See Resources below for specific links.)
- Requirements for experienced mentor coaches
- Benefits of the new requirements: reduced application fees, faster review times, and the ability to match language/accessibility needs
- Key takeaways from Carrie
- An ideal breakdown of 10 hours of mentor coaching for mentors and mentees
Resources:
Mentor Coach Specialization (MCS) Application
Introduction to Mentor Coach Specialization MCS
What Qualifies as Mentor Coaching Hours?
MCS Standard Sample Application
MCS Credit for Prior Learning Sample Application
Connect with Meg:
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