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Ratings:Exceeds the standardMeets the standardBelow the standard (partial)Does not meet the standardN/A — no opportunityHow it works: log what you hear as observation rows (the row rating is an informal note), then make one rating call per statement in each competency's list — those calls drive the read. Click a statement number (e.g. 3.1) to add a row for it.
Competency 1 — Demonstrates Ethical Practice
Understands and consistently applies coaching ethics and standards of coaching. Both qualifiers must be Observed — a "Not observed" cannot be offset by the C3–C8 read.
Q1.1Coach demonstrates alignment with the ICF Code of Ethics.
Q1.2Coach demonstrates consistent alignment with the role of “coach.”
Competency 2 — Embodies a Coaching Mindset
Develops and maintains a mindset that is open, curious, flexible and client-centered.
"Embodying a coaching mindset — a mindset that is open, curious, flexible, and client-centered — is a process that requires ongoing personal and professional learning and development as a coach. These elements take place over the course of a coach's professional journey and cannot be fully captured in a single moment in time. Your understanding of this competency is evaluated in the ICF ACC Exam." — ICF ACC Minimum Skills Requirements, rev. 1.26.2026
Competency 3 — Establishes and Maintains Agreements
Partners with the client and relevant stakeholders to create clear agreements about the coaching relationship, process, plans, and goals. Establishes agreements for the overall coaching engagement as well as those for each coaching session.
3.1Coach explores the client's topic with the client.
3.2Coach and client reach agreement on what the client wants to accomplish as a session outcome.
3.3Coach explores the significance of the coaching outcome to the client.
3.4Coach attends to the agreed upon agenda throughout the session.
Time ↕
Statement ↕
Behavior exhibited
Rating ↕
Competency 4 — Cultivates Trust and Safety
Partners with the client to create a safe, supportive environment that allows the client to share freely. Maintains a relationship of mutual respect and trust.
4.1Coach acknowledges the client's work in the session.
4.2Coach expresses respect, support, or concern for the client.
4.3Coach supports the client's expression of feelings, perceptions, concerns, or beliefs.
Time ↕
Statement ↕
Behavior exhibited
Rating ↕
Competency 5 — Maintains Presence
Is fully conscious and present with the client, employing a style that is open, flexible, grounded, and confident.
5.1Coach is observant and responsive to the client.
5.2Coach demonstrates curiosity about the client, or their agenda, or both.
5.3Coach provides space for the client to lead during the session.
5.4Coach is silent to allow time for the client to reflect.
Time ↕
Statement ↕
Behavior exhibited
Rating ↕
Competency 6 — Listens Actively
Focuses on what the client is and is not saying to fully understand what is being communicated in the context of the client systems and to support client self-expression.
6.1Coach listens by recognizing feelings, perceptions, challenges, or beliefs.
6.2Coach inquires about, explores, or includes the client's use of language.
6.3Coach summarizes or paraphrases what the client communicates to confirm the coach's understanding.
Time ↕
Statement ↕
Behavior exhibited
Rating ↕
Competency 7 — Evokes Awareness
Facilitates client insight and learning by using tools and techniques such as powerful questioning, silence, metaphor, or analogy.
7.1Coach supports the client in viewing the situation from different perspectives.
7.2Coach inquires about the client's feelings, perceptions, behaviors, or beliefs.
7.3Coach asks clear, open-ended questions, one at a time.
Time ↕
Statement ↕
Behavior exhibited
Rating ↕
Competency 8 — Facilitates Client Growth
Partners with the client to transform learning and insight into action. Promotes client autonomy in the coaching process.
8.1Coach asks questions about what the client has learned during the session.
8.2Coach supports the client to use their learning to plan next steps.
8.3Coach supports the client to close the session.
Time ↕
Statement ↕
Behavior exhibited
Rating ↕
C3 Agreements
C4 Trust & Safety
C5 Presence
C6 Active Listening
C7 Evokes Awareness
C8 Client Growth
Rate items above — the assessment updates automatically
Strengths Observed
Tag each entry to a competency — aim for at least two.
Areas for Development
Tag each entry to a competency — aim for at least two.
Client reflections
Provide before the mentor coaching session, allowing time to respond in advance. — Prior to reviewing this session with your mentor coach, listen to the recording of your coaching and reflect on your demonstration of coaching skills in this session. What skills did you demonstrate proficiently, based on your reflection? What areas do you believe you have opportunities for improvement or growth?
Provide after the mentor coaching session, allowing time to respond. — Following the review of your observed coaching session and demonstration of coaching skills with your specialized mentor coach, reflect on specific areas of your coaching where you demonstrated proficiency and growth, as well as 2-3 skills for your continued development.
Mentor coach attestation & signature
By signing, I attest that: I have observed my client's coaching session and provided a full, accurate, documented evaluation of their demonstrated coaching skills in this session, based on the ICF Minimum Skills Requirements for the credential level · I have reviewed the completed form in real time with my mentor coaching client and discussed their skill demonstration, areas of strength, and opportunities for continued development · I have reviewed and discussed their self-reflections completed prior to this session and after receiving my feedback · I grant permission to my mentor coaching client to share this completed form with the ICF, if required for credentialing or credential-renewal purposes.
Awaiting the client’s post-review reflection. Everything else on this form can be finished now. The attestation above covers the reflection completed after your feedback, so sign once you have received and discussed it — commonly at the top of the next mentor coaching session, where it doubles as the “how did the plan land” opener. Nothing requires this form to be signed the same day.
For the official ICF PDF export
These three confirmations appear on the official ICF Session Observation Form. They are optional for the local Tandem PDF and required only when you export the official ICF PDF.
In the print dialog, choose "Save as PDF" to create a file you can send to the coach.
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Exceeds the Standard (exemplary demonstration): The coach demonstrates the behavior as described by the statement with a higher level of coaching performance than would be expected for an entry-level coach at the level being assessed.
Meets the Standard (proficient demonstration): The coach demonstrates the behavior clearly and with some consistency as described by the statement.
Below the Standard (partial demonstration): The coach demonstrates part of the behavior as described by the statement.
Does Not Meet the Standard (not demonstrated): The coach did not demonstrate the behavior as described by the statement.
N/A — Not Applicable: To be used in rare cases in which the behavior as described by the statement was not relevant to the conversation or there were no opportunities for the coach to demonstrate the behavior.
Each competency's ACC standards are under the ⓘ next to its heading (ICF ACC Minimum Skills Requirements).
