Effective April 1, 2027, ICF is removing the recorded performance evaluation as a requirement for the ACC and PCC portfolio paths. In its place comes enhanced mentor coaching, delivered by a mentor coach holding the new Mentor Coach Specialization (MCS). On top of that, from January 1, 2027, all candidates — ACC, PCC and MCC — must complete their mentor coaching with an MCS mentor coach. For MCC, the requirement to submit recorded sessions stays.
In plain terms: the center of gravity shifts from a one-off exam ("record a session, get it graded") to ongoing work with a mentor who actually walks alongside you. ICF is saying that becoming a coach isn't the moment you pass a test — it's a path.
What this means for you
- Going for ACC or PCC and finishing before April 2027? The rules you know today apply — plan for the performance evaluation.
- Applying after April 2027? No recorded exam, but you'll need mentor coaching from an MCS mentor. Choose your mentor with that qualification in mind.
- Going for MCC? Nothing major changes for you — the two recorded sessions for evaluation stay.
Why we think it's good news
A one-off exam tempts you to study "to the test" — rehearse one nice session and hope. Ongoing mentoring rewards genuine improvement over time. That's exactly the principle Practice.coach is built on: not one grade, but whether your coaching measurably moves session after session.
Before you go for a credential you need two things: a lot of reps, and honest feedback on where you still slip up. The first is what practice with an AI client gives you, any time. The second is an evaluation along the ICF competencies that tells you specifically where you led instead of following the client — not just whether you "passed."
A credential isn't the goal. It's proof of something you can already do. The 2027 change just makes that principle louder.
One caveat: ICF rules evolve and details can be refined. Before you build a decision on them, check the current state directly at the source on coachingfederation.org. Treat this post as a signpost, not official guidance.