Is an ICF Credential in your future?

Throughout 2012, ICF Global is offering quarterly webinars on the process of earning an ICF Credential. The subject of these webinars will be two-fold: 1) the process of applying for an ICF Credential using the online application (learn which application type you should apply for and how you can upload the required documents); and 2) a review of skills expectations (this part of the webinar will be led by a current ICF Assessor and will include information on what Assessors are listening for during the ICF portfolio live or recorded exams and will include a review of ICF Core Competencies).

The first of these webinars took place on Friday, March 16 (access audio here and the presentation here). 

If applying for an ICF Credential is in your future, be sure to mark one of the below dates in your calendar:

• Friday, June 15
• Friday, September 14
• Friday, December 14
  

ICF Definition of a Mentor Coach

Greetings Colleagues,

In the April edition of Coaching World, ICF announced the approval of an improved ICF definition of Mentor Coach. As we continue on our journey toward improving the ICF Credential Program it is important that I provide the full context for this board decision.

Based upon the Credentialing and Program Accreditation Committee (CPAC) research, the following points are important and were considered in developing this policy change:

• Engaging with a qualified mentor coach for the purpose of core coaching competency, skill and behavior development is recognized globally as an effective professional development activity;
• The absence of a definition for "qualified" mentor coach has created inconsistency in the experience of being mentored everywhere in the world;
• The brevity of the current definition does not provide guidance for a person to select a suitable mentor coach for professional development and/ or preparation for a credential exam;
• That an ICF Credential is evidence of being a "qualified" mentor is valuable, it is not sufficient;
• Outside of North America, no credential is required to be a "qualified" mentor coach;
• Membership growth is higher outside of North America, e.g. during the first two quarters of 2011 the ratio is 39 percent North American to 61 percent in all other countries; and
• The creation of specific competencies (skills and behaviors) of a qualified mentor coach is recommended along with a training requirement and an assessment process to demonstrate qualification.

CPAC recommended a three-phase approach. The global ICF Board of Directors endorsed and approved Phase I for immediate implementation in order to:

• Improve access to higher quality mentor coaching outside of North America;
• Create a clear, simple policy that is easy to understand everywhere in the world;
• Provide guidance for an individual to select a qualified mentor coach that supports their professional development based upon their known needs and learning preferences; and
• Establish a basis from which to develop Phases 2 and 3 without perpetuating known inconsistencies around the globe.

The announcement in the April edition of Coaching World introduced the rationale for Phase I and can be viewed at http://www.coachfederation.org/includes/docs/April-2011.pdf. The policy change provides guidance for selecting a suitable mentor coach based upon experience and skills. The criteria were developed through dialogue with our large community of ICF Assessors and Faculty in ICF recognized training programs that currently provide mentor coach services. A waiting period is being established to respect individuals who are in the process of working with a mentor coach to complete a credential application process.

The committee is now working on Phase 2, to develop mentor coach competencies and will then proceed to Phase 3, to develop training and assessment processes and provide a globally consistent policy.

ICF is in the process of having the improved ICF definition of Mentor Coach policy translated into Spanish, French, German and Portuguese, which will be posted on Coachfederation.org as soon as it is available. In June, ICF will begin distributing a quarterly Credentialing Newsletter to provide continual updates on the work and accomplishments of the various CPAC Workgroups.

Sincerely,
Janet M. Harvey, MCC
Global ICF President-Elect

Applying for an ICF Credential? Enhanced application coming soon.

Early next month, the enhanced online credentialing application* will be unveiled at Coachfederation.org.

This enhancement project has been a long time coming—ICF Credential applicants have long noted that the application process was not user-friendly. Staff and volunteer leaders took this feedback and are ready to share the new online credentialing application.

Most notably, the new application process will make applying for (and renewing) an ICF Credential much more streamlined and simple for applicant use—everything will be broken into logical steps and applicants will be guided through the process like never before.

A recent letter that went out to all ICF members said that the new online application will:

• Streamline applying for an ICF Credential;

• Have easy-to-follow instructions;
• Allow coaches to create an application and complete forms incrementally before submitting their work for review (and payment) when complete;
• Show coaches their current application status when they access their credentialing record;
• Send an automated e-mail to coaches when their credentialing application status changes, as well as provide reminders for tasks needing to be performed;
• Track correspondence between applicants and ICF staff in one location for easy reference; and
• Make renewing an ICF Credential easier.

And that’s just a start. ICF staff members are investigating the possibility of adding additional features at a later date, including the ability to allow applicants to track continuing coach education units (CCEUs) as earned and credentialing exam scheduling functionality.

If you recently submitted an application that is being reviewed, waiting for an exam opportunity, have started an application but have not yet submitted it or are getting ready to apply for the ICF Credential, visit the full article at Coachfederation.org for further direction on what you need to know.

Look for updates on the launch of the new online application at Coachfederation.org in the ICF News section (on the home page of Coachfederation.org). Should you have any questions regarding these enhancements or the new application (once it is available), contact the ICF Credentialing staff via e-mail at icfcredentialing@coachfederation.org.

*Enhancements were only made to the online application process, NOT to the actual credential requirements.

Get up-to-date with ICF Credentialing

Interested in the current work of the Credentialing and Program Accreditation Committee? You will want to listen to this recent 60-minute call recording.

It’s easy to listen: first, click here. Login: coachcredentialing; Password: suzee. After you log in, choose “Recordings” from the menu across the top. The recording you will want to listen to is #2411.

Next week: learn more about the enhanced online credentialing application, to be introduced this month at Coachfederation.org.*

*Note: Enhancements were made to the application, not to the credentialing requirements.

Credentialed or certified? Your clients may be more satisfied.

Across the board, it seems that most everyone, from those who have never heard of coaching to former coaching clients, agrees that certification/credentials are important for professional coaches. And not only are they important, but they contribute to higher consumer satisfaction.

These findings stem from ICF’s latest research initiative, the ICF Global Consumer Awareness Study. Some 15,000 participants aged 25 and older, in 20 countries, took part in this independent study by PwC.

It found that 84 percent of respondents, who had been in a coaching relationship, considered certification/credentials important or very important. Despite being on the opposite end of the spectrum, the percentage was still high—at 73 percent—for those with no prior experience with coaching.

Perhaps the best illustration of this is the immense growth of the ICF Credential…currently held by more than 6,800 coaching professionals in over 70 countries around the globe. In fiscal year 2010 (which ended March 31, 2010), ICF Credentialing experienced a 24 percent increase in credential holders!

Not only that but applications constantly pour in for all three credentials—more than 1,570 applications have been received to date (a 25 percent increase over this time last year). And it’s no wonder: the ICF offers the world’s only globally recognized, independent credentialing program. ICF Credential holders have received coach-specific training, achieved a designated number of experience hours and have been coached by a mentor coach.

The study also found that consumer satisfaction with coaching is very high, especially for those who had an ICF Credentialed coach. Eighty-three percent of the general public who have been involved in a coaching relationship were either satisfied or very satisfied. The level of satisfaction rises even higher to 92 percent among those with an ICF Credentialed coach, 55 percent of which were very satisfied.

So what does this mean to you? If you haven’t already, look into coach specific training. There are training programs and courses of all shapes and sizes—begin your search in the Training Program Search Service, here.) Interested in learning more about the ICF Credential? Begin your search here.

If you are interested in learning more about the findings of this study, visit Coachfederation.org/works. Nation specific data will be released very shortly—check the website often for updates!

Do your clients ask if you are credentialed or certified?

Message to ICF members relative to credential enhancements and the Board meeting of March 18

On March 18, the ICF Board of Directors met for its second Board meeting of 2010. The agenda was very rich and allowed for fruitful conversations. The most relevant agenda items were: 1) Credentialing work plan approval, 2) Proposed change of criteria and process for the Nominating Committee, 3) fiscal 2011 budget approval, and 4) Minimum eligibility criteria for ICF membership.

1) Credentialing work plan approval
As you are aware from previous communications, the ICF Credentialing & Program Accreditation Committee has been charged with developing standards to meet the objective determined by the Board of enhancing our credentialing program to best protect and serve consumers of coaching services, measure and certify competence of individuals, and inspire pursuit of continuous development. The first step was developing a plan of action to be presented to the Board at our March 18 meeting. The Board approved the 17-page two-year work plan presented by the Committee. Several working groups will review the following:

• The current system;
• Governance of the credentialing process;
• Assessment process of applicants; and
• Qualifications of credential applicants.

Obviously, this is a large task and we need your help. Some of you have already contacted ICF about getting involved and others have yet to step up and identify yourselves. There will be various levels of commitment to choose from. For instance, some of you may want to:

• Participate on a work group for several months, which may take four to six hours a month;
• Review and comment on selected drafts, which may take one to two hours a month;
• Give your opinions when asked, which will take an hour here or there; and
• Some of you may be open to any level of commitment described above.

We have a commitment to reflect the diversity of our membership through all levels of participation around these charges. The Committee is now engaged in developing a brief application form to build the pool of members who are interested in this work. You will be able to indicate your level of interest on this form.

If you want to be a part of the biggest undertaking in our current year at ICF, look for, and take a few minutes to complete the brief application form which will be made available this month. The application form is the first step in beginning the selection process for participation in this important work.

Message Concerning ICF Credential Enhancements

On January 21 to 23, the ICF Board of Directors met for its annual strategic meeting. I invite you to read this month’s Coaching World newsletter, which will feature an article that will give you a better understanding of our commitment to the membership and organizational wholeness, and the organization’s strategic focus, including 2010 priorities.

Among the various topics on the agenda, the Board addressed the proposed changes to the current ICF Credentialing program. The Board reviewed all the comments received from members and stakeholders in the period from October to December 2009, including the input of the Lunch & Learn forum held in Orlando during the ICF Annual International Conference. We acknowledge that all the input received helped us realize that there are areas of concern that have to be addressed including two fundamental questions: 1) what is the purpose for the credentialing system and 2) whose task shall it be to develop a proposal to enhance our current credentialing system?

To summarize, the Board discussed and decided the following:

Challenges in the New Year

Hello,

This new year starts with a number of challenges for the ICF Board of Directors to tackle. The most topical one regards the future of our credentialing program. While we are witnessing several other organizations offer credentials, an increasing number of universities launching their BAs in coaching, and starting to smell the strong odor of regulation temptation in several areas of the world, we feel a huge responsibility. We are accountable for balancing the legitimate expectations and worries of our diverse membership with the challenge of pioneering the future of coaching. We understand the importance that the enhancements of our current credentialing program will have. Doing this well will ensure that ICF continues to be healthy and that the coaching profession prospers to a greater consideration and reputation.

An Open Letter in Response to Questions Regarding the ICF Credentialing Program

An Open Letter in Response to Questions Regarding the ICF Credentialing Program

Thank you for expressing your thoughts and concerns about the proposed enhancements to the ICF Credentialing process. We appreciate your dedication to the credentialing program and welcome your engagement in an open, collaborative dialogue moving forward.

To provide clarify and updated information, we have organized this letter as follows:

• Board Actions Regarding the ICF Credentialing Proposal and the Transition Process
• Status of the Existing Three Levels of ICF Certification: ACC, PCC and MCC
• The Process for Open Discussion and Feedback
• Credentialing Forum – An Open Discussion at the ICF Annual International Conference
• The Coaching Knowledge Base Advisory Board
• ICF Leadership: Moving Forward

Additional Calls Scheduled

Have questions or comments regarding proposed enhancements to the ICF Credentialing Program? Additional calls have been scheduled during November. Calls, which will be approximately 60 minutes long, are scheduled for:

• November 3: 9 a.m. (New York), 3 p.m. (Paris), 10 p.m. (Hong Kong);
• November 12: 4 p.m. (New York), 10 p.m. (Paris); Friday, November 13: 5 a.m. (Hong Kong);
• November 16: 9 a.m. (New York), 3 p.m. (Paris), 10 p.m. (Hong Kong); and
• November 23: 4 p.m. (New York) , 10 p.m. (Paris); Tuesday, November 24: 5 a.m. (Hong Kong);

ICF Credentialing Call Recordings Available

Several calls around proposed changes to the ICF Credentialing program have been scheduled for the month of October. Each call is being recorded and will be made available. View links after the jump.

Thoughts on Proposed Changes?

The ICF Board of Directors sincerely regrets any confusion and concern that has resulted from our communication regarding work on the credentialing program that many member volunteers have been doing since 2007.

First of all, let me apologize for not clearly communicating what is happening around our credentialing work and the purpose behind it. And secondly, let me assure you that no final decisions have been made or will be made in December. All we are learning in this input phase will be shared with you in further open conversations and provide additional opportunities for member input.

Join an Upcoming ICF Credentialing Call

Have questions or comments regarding proposed enhancements to the ICF Credentialing Program? Join one of several calls scheduled for October.

Calls, which will be approximately 60 minutes long, are scheduled for:

• October 9: 10 a.m. (New York), 14:00 (UTC/GMT)
• October 14: 5 p.m. (New York), 21:00 (UTC/GMT)
• October 20: 10 a.m. (New York), 14:00 (UTC/GMT)
• October 22: 5 p.m. (New York), 21:00 (UTC/GMT)