At this point, I'm hoping that most of you have heard about the new Membership Eligibility Requirement (MER)...but what does it mean for your membership with the ICF?

What it says: Beginning April 1, 2013 all ICF members will be required to have completed at least 60 hours of coach specific training to be a member (or maintain membership) with the ICF. To allow adequate time for all current ICF members who have not completed the required training, ICF has developed a Provisional Member category. Current members will have one year to obtain 60 hours of coach specific training prior to the policy taking full effect on April 1, 2013.

What it means: Officially beginning April 1, 2013, all ICF members will be required to have completed at least 60 hours of coach specific training to be a member of the ICF.

ICF members who hold a valid ICF Credential will automatically fulfill this requirement and will retain Credentialed Coach Member status. You will renew your membership as you normally would. Note: to maintain an active ICF Credential, be sure to renew it every three years.   

Members who have obtained 60 or more hours of coach specific training* will fulfill this requirement and retain ICF Coach Member status. You will renew your membership as you normally would.

ICF members who have not yet completed 60 hours of coach specific training* will be considered an ICF Provisional Member, upon renewal, for a maximum of one year (until April 1, 2013) or until the membership eligibility requirements are fulfilled (if completed before April 1, 2013).

Understand each of these membership categories by clicking on the appropriate link below:

ICF Credentialed Member
ICF Coach Member
ICF Provisional Member

*Definition of Training that is accepted as coach specific training:?

  (These are aligned with the requirements for the ACC Portfolio Application credential path.)  

Training from an Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) or a program that has received the ICF Approved Coach Specific Training Hours (ACSTH) designation.

Training from a Continuing Coach Education (CCE) Provider, subject to these limitations:?   - All hours approved in Core Competencies will be accepted.?   - A maximum of 12 hours outside of the Core Competencies will be accepted.

Training that is specifically marketed as teaching coaching skills, that teaches coaching skills or teaches how to apply technical skills in a coach-like manner and teaches coaching skills in accordance with the ICF Core Competencies.

Requirement for 60 hours: At least 48 of the hours must be:

Direct interaction with a trainer (voice-to-voice or in-person training; not cyber courses, mail-in courses, or self-study).

From a program other than ICF conference, SIG, Virtual Education, or chapter events.

Teaching the ICF Core Competencies (all Core Competencies must be covered).

The remaining hours may be self-study, from an ICF event, teaching coaching-related topics, or a combination. However, all hours must be part of a program with the purpose of training coaches.

Questions about MER? Download the Frequently Asked Questions document and bookmark Coachfederation.org/mer as it is updated with new information when available.

For further information on this topic email Pat Marum.