Not all professional development is created equal.
Sometimes you need someone to critique your skills and push you to improve. Other times, you just need room to step back and reflect on your practice, your clients, and yourself.
That distinction is at the core of the ICF’s upcoming updates to Mentor Coaching and Coaching Supervision starting in 2027. These changes are important for Mentor Coaches and Supervisors, but also will impact on Coaches seeking mentoring and/or supervision.
Having worked as a coach, mentor coach, and supervisor, I’ve seen how these different types of support complement each other. For me, it’s never been about simply logging hours—it’s about the value of the conversations happening within those hours.
Mentor Coaching: Sharpening Your Skills Starting January 1, 2027, anyone using Mentor Coaching to apply for or renew an ICF credential must work with a mentor coach who holds the new Mentor Coach Specialization (MCS).
For coaches taking the Portfolio path for an ACC or PCC, the ICF is replacing the standard Performance Evaluation with an upgraded Mentor Coaching process on April 1, 2027. This shift puts a bigger focus on continuous growth, feedback, and competency-based evaluation over time.
Since 2019, I’ve mentored over 30 coaches through the credentialing process. Group Mentor Coaching has been one of my favorite parts of this work—it gives coaches a collaborative space to practice, observe others, and get practical feedback. You don’t just learn from critiques of your own work; you learn by hearing different styles and spotting ICF competencies in real time. It turns a basic requirement into a true community of practice. And with one to one mentoring, you get to do a deep dive into specific competencies you want to work on, so that you can have an even greater impact for your coaching clients.
Supervision: Gaining a New Perspective Supervision serves a different purpose. While Mentor Coaching targets specific skills, supervision gives you the room to look at the bigger picture—your well-being, your client relationships, and the broader systems you operate in.
In 2027, the ICF is introducing the Coaching Supervisor Specialization (CSS). If you want to use supervision toward Continuing Coach Education (CCE) units, your supervisor will need to meet these updated ICF standards or hold equivalent credentials from a recognized professional body.
My own supervisor training completely shifted how I view systemic awareness and creative problem-solving. It changed how I supervise and how I coach. Often, simply changing your perspective is far more useful than rushing to find an immediate answer. And participating regularly in Supervision both one to one and groups has shown me many new perspectives and approaches in coaching.
Making Intentional Choices These 2027 updates aren’t just administrative changes—they are a chance to ask yourself:
What kind of support do I actually need right now, and who is the right person to help me?
- Planning a credential? Double-check the new Mentor Coaching requirements well ahead of time.
- Looking for supervision? Verify your supervisor’s qualifications before you sign on if you plan to use those hours for CCEs.
Above all, don’t pick a path just to tick a box. Choose the right conversation. The right mentor coach or supervisor won’t just help you meet a standard—they’ll help you see your practice in a whole new light.
Liz is currently working towards completing the ICF Mentor Coaching requirements well in advance of the January 1st deadline, and is ready to go with the Coach Supervision application when it launches.
Check out Liz’s upcoming in person & online Coach Supervision events this year https://www.ticketsource.com/realize-liz-barron
Liz Barron - Realize Coaching 