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New ICF Blog Post

Visit the ICF Blog to read a new post on credentialing by ICF President Giovanna D'Alessio, MCC. Join the conversation at Coachfederation.org/blog.

ICF Foundation Grant

Non-profits that offer pro-bono coaching in the area of education now have the opportunity to apply for an inaugural grant from the ICF Foundation, a nonprofit organization created exclusively for education, research and charitable purposes.

February Coaching World Available

In this issue: ICF President Giovanna D’Alessio, MCC, reports on the January Board Meeting and announces strategic priorities for 2010; Executive Director Gary Boyler discusses strengthening a member-centric culture; Latest credentialing update; Happy Anniversay ICF!; ECC Conference; and features by Darelyn “DJ” Mitsch, MCC (USA); Oleg Kovrikov, ACC (Lithuania); Paulette Rao, MCC (USA); and Michael Cassatly (USA).

ICF Credentialing Summary Report Posted

Read a summary report of responses to proposed enhancements to the ICF Credentialing program and learn more about next steps.

ICF News

Learn what's going on in the ICF. Take a moment to read the latest headlines from the ICF.

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Update on ICF Credentialing Proposed Enhancements

Update on ICF Credentialing Proposed Enhancements

The following are frequently asked questions that the ICF has been receiving regarding potential changes to the ICF Credentialing Program.

There are many more details and specifics to be finalized and probably many more questions to be asked and answered.

Latest Updates

Credentialing Calls Scheduled for November

ICF Blog Launched

Open forum at ICF Conference

ACTO background paper (PDF)

As such, open calls have been scheduled in October (October 9, October 14, October 20 and October 22) and November (November 3, 12, 16 and 23) to allow for a conversation around proposed changes. Visit the ICF Event Calendar for more information. Please note that the bridge line being used holds up to 64 callers to participate, which allows for more conversation and time to answer questions. All calls are being recorded. Information on accessing recordings is available here.

A special e-mail address has been created should you wish to forward a comment to ICF Headquarters regarding this topic. Please use isocomments@coachfederation.org.

Also, the ICF has launched a blog that you may also post comments on. Please visit Coachfederation.org/blog.

Please note that the below information is just a proposal - a concept idea. No final decisions have been made and the Board is currently engaging in conversations with members, credentialed coaches and other stakeholders to collect thoughts, ideas and comments. Comments that have been collected so far are not reflected in the below proposal.

Once all calls are complete, a full report will be posted for all to review the week of November 23. Then, a new e-mail address will be introduced allowing you to provide additional input after having read the report. At that stage, coaches are encouraged to comment on the report, offering if they think there is anything missing, if you feel the summary of what we have heard is correct (or not) and any additional observations and/or suggestions you would like to make.

In December, the Board will meet and review the many comments, questions and ideas that coaches from around the world have shared. After this, the Board will share the collective learnings gathered and engage stakeholders in further dialogue.

On the afternoon of Friday, December 4 at the 2009 ICF Annual International Conference in Orlando, an open meeting is scheduled to continue this discussion in-person. Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend this conference meeting on credentialing, whether they are registered for conference or not. If you do not plan to attend the full conference but would still like to participate at this in-person forum, please confirm your interest in joining us by November 20. Please click here so we can provide lunch and reserve a place for you at the meeting. And of course, all registered conference attendees already have a seat saved for them.

For those unable to join us in Orlando, additional calls will be scheduled through December, and we'll continue to collect your comments.

The input collected from these many calls, e-mails, discussions on the ICF blog and through other channels will be compiled and presented to the global directors in January 2010, where based on your feedback, the Board will deliberate on a path forward.

What will happen to your comments?
Staff is collecting all comments (from conversations and e-mail) and preparing a report for the Board’s review at their December 2009 meeting. Members of the global ICF Board will be present on many calls to hear questions and comments directly from coaches. Additionally, all calls being held around this project are being recorded and the audio files will be posted.

What does this proposal currently include?
The ICF is holding several open calls and conducting additional conversations in order to collect feedback on offering:

1. One professional coach credential that would meet the ISO 17024 standard; and

2. Potentially a senior credential/distinction that would recognize a skill in either application or specialty skills of coaching. This credential/distinction may adopt a different methodology and may or may not be ISO-compliant.

What is ISO?
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). Organizations such as ISO have developed industry accepted standards and best practices that provide guidance and direction for credentialing programs.

An examination of other credentialing bodies indicates that the credibility of their credential is enhanced through the adoption of objective, valid, reliable, and secure testing systems. The adoption of respected standards and best practices, such as those of ISO, has the potential to add credibility and improve the strategic position of the ICF Credential.

How would the ISO standard be used to enhance the ICF Credentialing program?
For the purposes of the International Coach Federation, the ISO standard 17024 serves as a framework for a credentialing program that meets globally recognized standards and procedures of operation. It does not dictate the specific content or prerequisites required to be granted a credential; rather it provides guidance which promotes the operation of a consistent, objective, and credible program.

ISO is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies and sees credentialing as a means to measure competency around a body of knowledge, not skill level. As such, aligning with the ISO 17024 standard would affect the testing or validating of a coach's competency of our body of knowledge. The standard would not affect the content of our body of knowledge.

In order to be eligible to sit for this test of knowledge, a coach would have to have demonstrated their skill to coach at a professional level by way of an oral exam.

ISO 17024 relates to general requirements for bodies operating certification of persons. This standard provides a benchmark for bodies offering certification of individuals applicable to any occupation. It has been adopted by over 80 countries and accepted by national certification bodies.

ISO 17024 provides a framework for accreditation and certification programs for individuals and as the standard against which a third party (any credentialing provider, such as ICF) can validate the management system for certification of persons. The standard itself requires that competence is demonstrated, and which includes education, knowledge, skills and experience requirements that a certified person needs and would be expected to meet.

This international standard provides the general requirements for a management system. It describes conditions for application, examinations, surveillance and re-certification of individuals. Biding to regulatory requirements as well as the international standard itself it specifies the requisites eluding conflict of interest including certification, confidentiality of information, competence of staff and contractors, and the need for stakeholder input into certification schemes.

All decision regarding specifics of the program: criteria, content and requirements remain a sole decision of the ICF.

As coaching is still a young profession, there are numerous organizations offering certificates and certifications. So having a credentialing process that adheres to the internationally recognized standard indeed would add an instant credibility and recognition to this ICF's offering and to the coaching profession.

Who has the ICF been working with on this project?
The global ICF Board recognized the importance of partnering with a reputable industry expert to develop testing processes for a best-in-class credentialing program. With nearly 50 years of experience as a provider of valid and legally-defensible certification examinations, Prometric was selected to assist the ICF with this project.

In addition to the experts at Prometric, a number of ICF members have volunteered for various task forces during parts of this work. ICF members and non-member coaches have also supported this effort by participating in surveys, including the over 2,000 responses collected for the Role Delineation/Job Task Analysis Survey in 2008.

What is the purpose for a credential?
Typically, the purpose of credentialing programs should be based on efforts to improve the profession and/or to protect the public and that the specific purpose of the credential offered should be clear. The standards focus on the importance of having a credential that objectively identifies competent professionals working in the field based on a body of knowledge.

How did we arrive at the current proposal?
In the majority of cases, organizations and professions offer one foundational or benchmark credential. Organizations that offer additional credentials base them on an existing body of knowledge as well as specific tasks and skills that are significantly unique from the foundational knowledge of a benchmark credential.

Originally, the task was to develop a program that would still offer multiple credentials under the ISO framework. However, analysis of our body of knowledge, as identified in the Role Delineation Study, indicates that there is insufficient differentiation between the knowledge, task and skills among the current three ICF Credentials to justify the existence of three levels of credentials. Support for this conclusion comes from the work of the Test Specifications Task Force which developed three test specifications–one for each existing ICF Credential–which are nearly identical.

Based on advice and counsel from credentialing and testing experts, the general consensus is that the ICF has a body of knowledge sufficient to support one professional credential.

However, additional credentials could be justified if a clear purpose and standards for multiple credentials could be determined and a significantly unique body of knowledge developed or identified.

Why are we proposing to change the existing process?
Credentialing is about achieving professional status, ensuring ongoing education, and professional coaches making a commitment to staying current with knowledge and practice. Our current system was developed over 10 years ago by visionary coaches and educators when ICF and coaching were both in their infancy. It is now time to build on the excellent foundation we have to ensure that our credential is globally consistent, fair and administered in a timely fashion for our worldwide membership.

Over the past several years, we have heard concerns from members about our current credentialing system related to fairness, consistency and capacity. Our work using the ISO standards as a framework over the past two years has allowed us to validate our competencies, begin to better articulate the knowledge base that supports the competencies, improve our current processes and more clearly understand the requirements and credential for the future.

How did this proposed plan come about?
The Board used a wealth of research and information obtained from subject matter experts, including ICF Credentialed members, Committees, assessors, consultants and research, to consider various scenarios for enhancing the program. The action proposed here seeks to develop a credentialing program that will truly maintain global credibility and provide permanent value; be a cutting-edge, competitive and robust system capable of handling a growing demand; and operate utilizing globally recognized standards for objectivity, validity, reliability and security.

The move toward a single professional credential that meets ISO standards, along with additional specialty credentials/distinctions would place the ICF on the path to creating a credentialing program that: Has a clear purpose for all offered credentials; Supports and advances the ICF brand throughout the world; Establishes and administers minimum standards for credentialing professional coaches; Assures the public that participating coaches meet or exceed established standards; Simplifies our messages to the public about credentialing; Makes use of legally defensible assessment processes that accurately measure competence thereby instilling confidence in the public regarding the skills of credential holders; and Clearly differentiates coaching as a profession that is distinct from other professions and that has processes in place that guide and regulate practitioners.

The creation of such a credential is invaluable.

What would change? What might the requirements for this new credential include?
Discussions are still ongoing as far as specifics of the requirements are concerned. The current thinking includes:
- 180 hours of coach-specific training;
- 500 hours of coach experience obtained AFTER completing at least 60 hours of training;
- 20 hours of mentor coaching;
- Successful passing of an oral examination; and
- Successful passing of a written exam administered in a proctored environment.

When could changes to the credentialing program launch?
Depending on when changes are approved, some changes could be possible as early as the beginning of 2011.

What does this proposal mean to ICF members and ICF Credentialed coaches as stated?
There would be ample time allowed for a transition from the current structure to the new system. For such a complex undertaking, we anticipate the transition would require at least 18 to 24 months beginning when the final decision is made by the Board.

What about current credential holders? Would everything change?
It is important to understand that many things would not change for the holders of current credentials. All credentials (ACC, PCC and MCC) would remain in place and be fully supported by the ICF for several years; they will be eligible for renewal as they currently are; additionally, a simple transition path would be developed for PCC and MCC coaches who would like to also hold this new credential. PCC and MCC credential holders have already demonstrated meeting coach-specific training requirements and are engaged in obtaining 40 hours of ongoing professional development as a coach for renewal purposes.

What could the transition path look like?
Naturally the answer will be more specific after this comment period is complete and criteria for the new credential are fully established. For our most senior coaches, MCCs, it may be just a simple matter of requesting the new credential, or depending on final criteria, MCCs and PCCs may be asked for additional elements as part of the process of renewals. Again, as details become available, we will involve you in developing the final plan.

What about the ACC coaches?
This credential would also remain in place for several years. Over that time many coaches who hold the ACC will continue on the journey of professional growth and will meet the requirements of the new credential before their credential sunsets. ICF would also provide incentives for those who would like to transition sooner. For those who, for a variety of reasons, decide not to pursue the new credential, a special register or listing would be created so they can be recognized and acknowledged as individuals who completed at least 60 hours of coach-specific training and were evaluated by their peers.

What about coaches who are just about ready to apply for an ICF Credential?
As mentioned before, we anticipate the transition period would take at least 18 to 24 months. During that time, the current system would be fully functional and individuals would be able to apply for the existing three credentials. Some may choose to wait for the full launch of the new credential, while some may elect to gain one of the existing ones and later transition to the new credential. Students and recent graduates of ICF accredited schools would be accepted under the current conditions for an extended time as well.

Download background paper prepared for ACTO (PDF). Please note that this paper was prepared in August 2009 and does not reflect any knowledge captured during the open comment period.

Download overview of ISO 17024 elements (Word.doc).