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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 is in consistent alignment with the role of a 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 Credentialing Exam." — ICF MCC 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 partners with the client to identify the focus of the session.
3.2Coach explores and clarifies several aspects of the topic.
3.3Coach confirms the mutual understanding of the client's desired session outcome.
3.4Coach notices possible shifts emerging in the conversation and clarifies the desired direction of the session with the client.
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 learning or growth at any moment in the session.
4.2Coach recognizes the client's emotions, strengths, or other unique characteristics.
4.3Coach seeks to understand the client by inviting the client to share more about themselves, their perspectives, or their identity.
4.4Coach demonstrates empathy for what the client has expressed.
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 responds holistically to the client in a manner that keeps the conversation flowing.
5.2Coach partners with the client in ways that support the client's needs.
5.3Coach consistently demonstrates curiosity.
5.4Coach creates space for silence, pause, or reflection.
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 recognizes the nuances of language, emotions, energy, or behaviors in relation to the client and the client's agenda.
6.2Coach's response demonstrates understanding of the client's thinking, feeling, or insight in the moment.
6.3Coach explores what the client communicates in relation to multiple dimensions of the client.
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 partners with the client to explore and expand the client's perspective.
7.2Coach shares insights, sensations, or observations that support the client in creating new or expanded awareness.
7.3Coach stimulates new client insights with succinct, 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 invites the client to reflect on what they have learned about themselves from the coaching conversation.
8.2Coach partners with the client to translate insights or learning into actions.
8.3Coach partners with the client to complete 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 confirmations appear on the official ICF Session Observation Form. They are optional for the local Tandem PDF and required only for 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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Rating scale — MCC BARS Resource Guide
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 MCC standards are under the ⓘ next to its heading (ICF MCC Minimum Skills Requirements). At MCC, the recurring "inconsistent" tell across competencies is a response that is general rather than customized to the client's specific words, concepts, and ways of expressing themselves.
