22 April 2026
The introduction of the ICF Mentor Coach Qualification (MCQ) has generated considerable discussion across the coaching community, including a wide range of questions, perspectives and reactions.
As the ICF continues to release information in stages, there are still areas where further clarification is emerging. Many coaches are considering what these changes mean for their current practice, training and future plans.
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We have shared our current understanding of the MCQ, and what it means for both ReciproCoach and non-ReciproCoach mentor coaches, on our MCQ information page. Please read this before posting a question below, as it is likely that many common questions have already been addressed. We also encourage coaches to refer to official ICF documentation for confirmation of requirements as they continue to evolve. |
This page is intended as a space for coaches to share questions, comments and experiences as we collectively navigate the shift toward the MCQ, particularly for those who have completed or are considering completing the ReciproCoach MCQ Mentor Coach Training.
If you have a question, comment or experience to share in relation to these changes, we invite you to add it below and open it up for broader discussion.
ReciproCoach will continue to monitor developments and share relevant updates here as further information is released by the ICF.
2 Replies to “ICF MCQ: Questions, Comments and Ongoing Discussion”
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Thanks for all the research and information! You’re tackling so much.
My big questions:
– for ReciproCoach: for the recommended mentors, will the proposed rate change?
– for ICF: what do we know about use of an AI assist (eg RaeNotes) for completing assessments?
– for ReciproCoach: can ReciproCoach generate a transcript of completed training sessions for its mentors?
– for ICF: the PCC Markers training was 40+ hours, does that qualify as training for the standard pathway?
I’m also wondering what they mean about helping clients attain credentials (for the “credit for prior learning” pathway) . That’s a rather vague indication.
I’m also curious if your training program is geared towards those of us who are experienced mentors! I’m not clear what I’d be registering for.
Great questions!
* Yes, undoubtedly, the rate for individual mentor coaching will increase across the world, including at ReciproCoach. MCS mentor coaching requires mentors to listen to recordings before the session and prepare written feedback based on those observations. This means mentees will need to pay not only for the actual mentor coaching session itself, but also for the preparation time beforehand.
* I expect we’ll also see increased use of AI to assist with written feedback, though it remains to be seen exactly how and to what degree.
* ReciproCoach does provide completed transcripts of mentoring sessions to mentors. If you haven’t accessed those yet, just email us.
* My understanding is that you need to complete PCC Markers training in order to obtain the MCS designation. In addition, you need either 10 hours of mentor coach training if you are applying via the Credit for Prior Learning Pathway, or 20.5 synchronous training hours if you are taking the standard route.
A lot of things are still a little vague! Hopefully, the ICF will release further clarifications soon.
The Mentor Coach Training that ReciproCoach offers now and in the past aligns with the ICF Mentor Coaching Competencies. If you completed the updated 2025 version, it was actually structured directly around those competencies. Earlier versions of our training were also explicitly aligned with the ICF Core Competencies, and when the ICF Mentor Coaching Competencies were later released, they strongly reflected the mentor coaching processes and approaches we had already been training coaches in for years. Because the competencies themselves did not yet formally exist at the time, there were no direct references to them within the earlier training versions. However, the foundational mentoring processes, reflective practices and developmental approaches were already embedded throughout the training.