ICF PCC Markers, 2026 – Competency and Credentialing
Study Material
Competency 1: Demonstrates Ethical Practice - correct answer ✔✔ Familiarity with the ICF Code
of Ethics and its application is required for all levels of coaching.
Successful PCC candidates will demonstrate coaching that is aligned with the ICF Code of Ethics
and will remain consistent in the role of coach.
Competency 2: Embodies a Coaching Mindset - correct answer ✔✔ Embodying a coaching
mindset—a mindset that is open, curious, flexible and client-centered—is a process that
requires ongoing learning and development, establishing a reflective practice, and preparing for
sessions.
These elements take place over the course of a coach's professional journey and cannot be fully
captured in a single moment in time.
However, certain elements of this Competency may be demonstrated within a coaching
conversation.
These particular behaviours are articulated and assessed through the following PCC Markers:
4.1, 4.3, 4.4, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.5, 7.1, and 7.5.
As with other Competency areas, a minimum number of these markers will need to be
demonstrated to pass the PCC performance evaluation.
All elements of this Competency will also be evaluated in the written assessment for ICF
Credentials (Coach Knowledge Assessment).
, Competency 3: Establishes and Maintains Agreements - correct answer ✔✔ 3.1 Coach partners
with the client to identify or reconfirm what the client wants to accomplish in this session.
3.2 Coach partners with the client to define or reconfirm measure(s) of success for what the
client wants to accomplish in this session.
3.3 Coach inquires about or explores what is important or meaningful to the client about what
they want to accomplish in this session.
3.4 Coach partners with the client to define what the client believes they need to address to
achieve what they want to accomplish in this session.
Competency 4: Cultivates Trust and Safety - correct answer ✔✔ 4.1 Coach acknowledges and
respects the client's unique talents, insights and work in the coaching process.
4.2 Coach shows support, empathy or concern for the client.
4.3 Coach acknowledges and supports the client's expression of feelings, perceptions, concerns,
beliefs or suggestions.
4.4 Coach partners with the client by inviting the client to respond in any way to the coach's
contributions and accepts the client's response.
Competency 5: Maintains Presence - correct answer ✔✔ 5.1 Coach acts in response to the
whole person of the client (the who).
5.2 Coach acts in response to what the client wants to accomplish throughout this session (the
what).
Study Material
Competency 1: Demonstrates Ethical Practice - correct answer ✔✔ Familiarity with the ICF Code
of Ethics and its application is required for all levels of coaching.
Successful PCC candidates will demonstrate coaching that is aligned with the ICF Code of Ethics
and will remain consistent in the role of coach.
Competency 2: Embodies a Coaching Mindset - correct answer ✔✔ Embodying a coaching
mindset—a mindset that is open, curious, flexible and client-centered—is a process that
requires ongoing learning and development, establishing a reflective practice, and preparing for
sessions.
These elements take place over the course of a coach's professional journey and cannot be fully
captured in a single moment in time.
However, certain elements of this Competency may be demonstrated within a coaching
conversation.
These particular behaviours are articulated and assessed through the following PCC Markers:
4.1, 4.3, 4.4, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.5, 7.1, and 7.5.
As with other Competency areas, a minimum number of these markers will need to be
demonstrated to pass the PCC performance evaluation.
All elements of this Competency will also be evaluated in the written assessment for ICF
Credentials (Coach Knowledge Assessment).
, Competency 3: Establishes and Maintains Agreements - correct answer ✔✔ 3.1 Coach partners
with the client to identify or reconfirm what the client wants to accomplish in this session.
3.2 Coach partners with the client to define or reconfirm measure(s) of success for what the
client wants to accomplish in this session.
3.3 Coach inquires about or explores what is important or meaningful to the client about what
they want to accomplish in this session.
3.4 Coach partners with the client to define what the client believes they need to address to
achieve what they want to accomplish in this session.
Competency 4: Cultivates Trust and Safety - correct answer ✔✔ 4.1 Coach acknowledges and
respects the client's unique talents, insights and work in the coaching process.
4.2 Coach shows support, empathy or concern for the client.
4.3 Coach acknowledges and supports the client's expression of feelings, perceptions, concerns,
beliefs or suggestions.
4.4 Coach partners with the client by inviting the client to respond in any way to the coach's
contributions and accepts the client's response.
Competency 5: Maintains Presence - correct answer ✔✔ 5.1 Coach acts in response to the
whole person of the client (the who).
5.2 Coach acts in response to what the client wants to accomplish throughout this session (the
what).
