On October 9, 2025, ICF publicly released on their website, 2025 versions of ACC, PCC and MCC Minimum Skills Requirements (MSR) documents, which describe the Coaching Behaviors to be demonstrated at each credential level. Last updates of these documents for ACC and MCC were June, 2022. More on the PCC document below, including how to access each document.
This article can be read in conjunction with the September 8, 2025 article, ICF releases 2025 updates to their Core Competencies. Information in the MSRs aligns with the Core Competencies.
In each MSR document, ICF refers to “Behaviors Consistent” and “Behaviors Inconsistent” with ICF Standards, for each credential level. These documents are great support for coaches and coach educators seeking to understand what ICF is currently defining as the three credential skill levels. And excellent support for all coaches preparing for their first or next ICF credential, to use in conjunction with their mentor coaches.
There were no changes to the PCC Markers (behavior statements), last updated 2019. However the PCC MSR document is new, and a great support document.
The ACC and MCC Behavior statements have been updated (and are the “Behaviors Consistent” named in each MSR document).
The intent of updates to ACC and MCC Behavior Statements was to simplify, and align, to provide more flow and continuity along the Path of Coach Development – from ACC to PCC to MCC skill level.
ICF have stated ACC and MCC applications received from January 1, 2026 will use these behavior statements for ICF assessing purposes.
ICF ACC page, Criteria for Assessing Coaching at the ACC Credential Level (up to December 31, 2025, and from January 1, 2026)
ICF MCC page, Criteria for Assessing Coaching at the MCC Credential Level (up to December 31, 2025, and from January 1, 2026)
ICF PCC page, Criteria for Assessing Coaching at the PCC Credential Level (ongoing, nothing has changed in the assessing process)
For ease of finding, here are the new MSR documents:
- ICF 2025 ACC Minimum Skills Requirement (MSR) document access here
- ICF 2025 PCC Minimum Skills Requirement (MSR) document access here
- ICF 2025 MCC Minimum Skills Requirement (MSR) document access here
If you have any questions about these updates, ICF support email is support@coachingfederation.org
Prepared by Carly Anderson, MCC
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