How Do I Find an ICF MCS Mentor Coach for ACC Renewal in 2027?
How Do I Find an ICF MCS Mentor Coach for ACC Renewal in 2027?
If your ACC renewal is coming up, you may already know that the rules around mentor coaching are changing.
Beginning January 1, 2027, new mentor coaching used toward an ICF credential or ACC renewal needs to be provided by someone who holds the appropriate ICF Mentor Coach Specialization (MCS).
So if you’ve been Googling:
How do I find an MCS mentor coach?
or:
How do I know if an ICF mentor coach is actually qualified for my ACC renewal?
you’re asking exactly the right questions.
The simplest place to start is the ICF Mentor Coach Registry.
But I wouldn’t stop at finding someone whose name appears in a directory.
Your mentor coach will be listening closely to your coaching, giving you developmental feedback and working with you over a minimum of three months.
So once you confirm that someone is eligible, the next question is:
Are they the right mentor coach for me?
Here’s how I would approach the search.
Do I Need an MCS Mentor Coach for ACC Renewal in 2027 or 2028?
If you receive new mentor coaching beginning January 1, 2027, yes.
ICF is changing who is eligible to provide mentor coaching.
Through the end of 2026, an appropriately credentialed ICF coach can provide mentor coaching, with additional eligibility requirements for ACC mentor coaches.
Beginning January 1, 2027, however, ICF requires mentor coaching used for credential applications or renewal to be provided by someone who holds the Mentor Coach Specialization at the level at which you are being mentored.
For an ACC renewal candidate, that means you may receive:
ACC-level mentor coaching from an MCS-ACC
or PCC-level mentor coaching from an MCS-PCC
Read more here: MCS-ACC VS. MCS-PCC: WHICH MENTOR COACH DO I NEED FOR ACC RENEWAL IN 2027?
and here: DO I NEED AN MCS MENTOR COACH FOR ACC RENEWAL IN 2027?
So in 2027, checking that someone is an ICF credentialed coach is no longer enough.
You also need to confirm that they hold the appropriate MCS.
Where Can I Find an ICF MCS Mentor Coach?
The best place to start is the ICF Mentor Coach Registry.
ICF created the registry to help coaches connect with eligible mentor coaches.
The registry allows you to search using criteria including:
Mentor Coach Specialization status
credential level
coaching language
country
state or territory
You can also use it to verify a specific mentor coach by entering their first and last name.
Beginning January 1, 2027, eligible MCS holders who have not opted out of the registry will be included along with the level or levels of mentor coaching they are qualified to provide.
That means the registry can be both a discovery tool and a verification tool.
If you’ve already found someone through Google, LinkedIn, an ICF chapter, a recommendation or their own website, you can use the ICF registry to confirm their specialization.
Does My Mentor Coach Have to Be Listed in the ICF Registry?
What matters is whether they hold the appropriate ICF Mentor Coach Specialization.
The registry is an excellent way to find and verify MCS-qualified mentor coaches, but an MCS holder may choose not to have their information publicly displayed.
So I would not assume that someone is unqualified solely because you can’t find them through a broad directory search.
If you are considering a particular coach, ask them directly about their MCS designation and verify their credentials with ICF.
The important requirement beginning in 2027 is the MCS itself.
Should I Look for an MCS-ACC or MCS-PCC?
This depends on the level at which you want to be mentored.
If your goal is primarily:
“I want to complete my ACC renewal and strengthen my coaching at the ACC level,”
an MCS-ACC can meet that need.
If your goal is:
“I’m renewing my ACC now, but PCC is where I want to go next,”
you may decide to work with an MCS-PCC and receive PCC-level mentor coaching.
ICF specifically allows an ACC coach to receive PCC-level mentor coaching from an MCS-PCC and use it toward an ACC credential or renewal.
This can make your required renewal hours part of a longer developmental path rather than something you complete solely for compliance.
You can read more here: CAN I USE MY ACC MENTOR COACHING HOURS TOWARD MY PCC?
Neither specialization is automatically “better.”
The question is which one makes sense for your current coaching and where you want to go next.
What Should I Look for Beyond the MCS Designation?
This is the part I think matters just as much as eligibility.
An MCS tells you that the coach has completed specialized preparation in mentor coaching.
It doesn’t tell you whether you’ll work well together.
You are going to spend at least three months in this relationship.
Your mentor may hear coaching sessions you’re proud of.
They may also hear sessions where you completely missed something, asked a question that went nowhere, jumped in too quickly or walked away wondering what on earth you were doing.
You need enough psychological safety to bring the real work.
So once you’ve confirmed someone’s qualifications, I would start asking questions about how they actually mentor.
Does the Mentor Coach Review Real Coaching Recordings?
This would be one of my first questions.
Mentor coaching is focused on the development of your coaching skills in relation to the ICF Core Competencies.
There is enormous value in working from your actual coaching rather than relying entirely on your memory of what happened in a session.
For example, you might tell me:
“I think I was asking too many questions.”
When I listen to the recording, we may discover that the number of questions wasn’t really the issue.
Maybe the client repeatedly offered a particular word and you kept moving past it.
Maybe there was a long pause that you filled immediately.
Maybe you created powerful awareness and then moved on before the client had a chance to work with it.
Or maybe you’re being far more critical of yourself than the recording actually supports.
That is why recording review is such an important part of my own mentor coaching process.
You can read more about recordings here: DO I NEED COACHING RECORDINGS FOR ACC RENEWAL IN 2027?
Does the Mentor Coach Review Your Recording Before the Session?
This is a practical question I would ask when comparing mentor coaches.
If recording review is included, find out how it happens.
Does the mentor listen to your recording before you meet?
Do they prepare feedback?
Do they review a transcript?
Or is part of your paid mentor coaching session spent listening to the recording together?
There isn’t necessarily one correct model.
But you should know what you’re paying for.
In my own mentor coaching engagements, I review selected coaching recordings before our session.
I organize my observations and competency-based feedback ahead of time so that when we meet, we can use the live hour to actually work with what happened in your coaching.
The preparation time I spend independently reviewing the recording does not count toward your required 10 mentor coaching hours.
You can read more about pricing here: HOW MUCH DOES ICF ACC RENEWAL MENTOR COACHING COST IN 2027?
That behind-the-scenes work is one of the things I think coaches should understand when comparing mentor coaching packages.
How Does the Mentor Coach Give Feedback?
This would be another important question for me.
Mentor coaching shouldn’t simply feel like receiving a list of everything you did wrong.
Useful feedback should help you understand:
what you’re already doing effectively,
what patterns are showing up,
and
where your next developmental edge might be.
I want a coach to leave a recording review thinking:
“I know what I want to experiment with next.”
Not:
“Apparently I’m terrible at coaching.”
There should be challenge.
But there should also be reflection, partnership and room for you to make meaning of the feedback yourself.
You’re developing your coaching—not learning how to imitate your mentor coach.
Does the Mentor Coach Track Your Development Over Time?
This is one of the biggest advantages of completing mentor coaching over several months.
You aren’t supposed to cram 10 hours of feedback into a weekend.
ICF requires ACC renewal mentor coaching to include 10 hours completed over at least three months, including at least three hours of individual mentor coaching.
You can read more about the ICF requirements here: ICF ACC RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS FOR 2027
That creates an opportunity to do something much more useful than review one recording and move on.
You can identify a developmental edge.
Practise.
Coach real clients.
Come back.
Listen again.
And ask:
What changed?
That developmental arc is something I would ask a prospective mentor coach about.
How will they remember what you were working on two months ago?
How will you know whether you’re progressing?
How do they connect one recording to the next?
Should I Choose Group or Private Mentor Coaching?
You have options.
For ACC renewal, you need 10 total mentor coaching hours.
At least three hours must be one-to-one.
Up to seven hours can be completed in a qualifying group.
You can read more here: CAN I DO MY ACC RENEWAL MENTOR COACHING IN A GROUP?
A combination of seven group hours and three private hours can be a great option if cost is your primary consideration.
You get the shared learning of a group while still completing the required individual portion.
If you want more personalized feedback, you can also complete all 10 hours privately.
That’s the structure I offer in my full ACC Renewal Mentor Coaching package.
I like private mentoring because it allows us to follow your coaching closely over the whole engagement.
But that does not mean 10 private hours are the best choice for everyone.
Choose the format that makes sense for your budget, learning style and development goals.
What If I Already Completed Some of My Mentor Coaching Hours?
You may not need a full 10-hour package.
For example, if you have already completed seven qualifying group mentor coaching hours, you may simply need the three required individual hours.
Or perhaps you have eight or nine qualifying hours from an earlier engagement and only need to finish the remaining hours.
ICF allows mentor coaching to come from more than one qualified mentor as long as your combined experience satisfies the overall requirements.
[INTERNAL LINK: CAN I COMPLETE JUST 1–3 HOURS OF MENTOR COACHING FOR ACC RENEWAL?]
That is why I offer both:
a full 10-Hour Private ACC Renewal Mentor Coaching Package
and
a 3-Hour Private Mentor Coaching Package.
You shouldn’t have to buy 10 hours if you genuinely only need three.
How Much Should an MCS Mentor Coach Cost?
There is no ICF-mandated price for mentor coaching.
Mentor coaches set their own fees.
The price may depend on factors such as:
group vs. private delivery
the mentor coach’s experience
how much recording review is included
preparation completed outside sessions
written feedback
resources and documentation
communication between sessions
and how personalized the engagement is
My own 10-Hour Private ACC Renewal Mentor Coaching package is currently $1,750 USD paid in full or four monthly payments of $450 USD. You can see all the details HERE.
I keep my pricing public because transparency matters to me.
I don’t think you should have to book a sales call just to discover whether a service is within your budget.
Should I Ask an MCS Mentor Coach for References?
I think this is completely reasonable.
You are investing money, time and a minimum of three months into the relationship.
If you’re seriously considering a mentor coach, ask whether you can speak with someone who has worked with them.
I’m happy to provide references to coaches who are considering working with me.
Testimonials are useful.
But talking directly with someone who has experienced the process can tell you things that a paragraph on a website cannot.
You can ask:
What was the recording feedback like?
Did you feel challenged?
Did the mentor prepare?
Did you become a better coach?
Did the engagement feel worth the investment?
Those are useful questions.
What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring an MCS Mentor Coach?
Before making a decision, I would want answers to questions like:
Do you hold an active MCS at the level at which you’ll mentor me?
Will we work at the ACC or PCC level?
Do you review real coaching recordings?
How often?
Do you listen before the session or during our live time?
What kind of feedback will I receive?
How do you track my development across the engagement?
Do you provide written feedback?
What happens between sessions?
Are all 10 hours private or is this a group/private combination?
What is included in the price?
Can I speak with a previous mentor coaching client?
What happens if I realize we aren’t a good fit?
In fact, this is important enough that I’ve written a separate guide about it.
Does Being in the ICF Mentor Coach Registry Guarantee Someone Is a Good Mentor?
No.
The registry helps you identify people who meet ICF’s eligibility requirements.
That’s incredibly useful.
But ICF itself notes that choosing someone from the registry does not guarantee that you will earn a credential.
And I wouldn’t expect a directory to tell you whether someone is the right developmental partner for you.
Think of MCS status as your first filter, not your final decision.
First:
Are they qualified?
Then:
How do they work?
Then:
Do I want this person listening closely to my coaching for the next several months?
That final question matters.
Can I Find an MCS Mentor Coach Through Google or LinkedIn Instead?
Absolutely.
You do not have to begin your search inside the ICF directory.
You might find someone through:
Google
LinkedIn
your coach training school
an ICF chapter
another coach’s recommendation
a professional community
or an article like this one
But wherever you find them, verify their eligibility with ICF before beginning your 2027 mentor coaching.
This is especially important because being an ACC, PCC or MCC on its own will no longer automatically make someone eligible to provide new mentor coaching in 2027.
When Should I Start Looking for My MCS Mentor Coach?
Earlier than you think.
Your 10 hours of ACC renewal mentor coaching need to span a minimum of three months.
That means mentor coaching isn’t something you want to discover you still need a few weeks before your credential expires.
And personally, I think there is much more value in giving yourself longer than the absolute minimum.
You want enough time to:
receive feedback,
experiment with something,
coach real clients,
reflect,
and bring new coaching back into the process.
If you want to think about timing read more here: WHEN SHOULD I START MY 10 MENTOR COACHING HOURS FOR ACC RENEWAL?
If your renewal is approaching in 2027, I would start researching mentor coaches now rather than waiting until you’re under deadline pressure.
So, How Do I Find an ICF MCS Mentor Coach for ACC Renewal?
Here’s the simplest process:
1. Start with the ICF Mentor Coach Registry.
Search for an MCS-qualified mentor at the level you want.
2. Decide whether you want ACC-level or PCC-level mentoring.
If PCC is in your future, consider whether working with an MCS-PCC now makes sense.
3. Look beyond the designation.
Read the mentor coach’s website.
Look at how they describe their process.
Find out whether they work with actual recordings.
4. Ask questions.
Understand what happens before, during and after your sessions.
5. Compare what is included—not just the hourly price.
Ten mentor coaching hours can look very different from one provider to another.
6. Ask for references if you want them.
A good mentor coach should be comfortable with you doing your due diligence.
7. Verify their MCS status before you begin.
Especially if your mentoring will happen in 2027.
And then pay attention to something less measurable:
Do you want this person in your corner while you examine your coaching honestly?
Credentials matter.
Fit matters too.
Looking for an MCS Mentor Coach for Your ACC Renewal?
I offer private ACC Renewal Mentor Coaching and hold the ICF Mentor Coach Specialization at both the ACC and PCC levels, along with my ICF PCC credential and PCC Marker Assessor training.
That means we can choose the level of mentoring based on what makes sense for your development.
If your focus is ACC-level growth and renewal, we can work there.
If you are renewing your ACC but already know PCC is where you’re heading, we can intentionally look at your coaching through a PCC-level lens.
My full package includes 10 private 60-minute mentor coaching sessions completed over the required minimum three-month period.
My approach is built around your actual coaching.
You’ll send me recordings before selected sessions.
I review them ahead of time, organize competency-based feedback and bring that preparation into our conversation so that our live time can focus on helping you see your coaching more clearly.
If you’ve already completed seven qualifying group hours and only need the required individual portion, I also offer a:
3-Hour Private Mentor Coaching Package
And if you’re seriously considering working with me and would like to speak with a previous client first, ask me for references. I’m happy to provide them.
If you’re ready to explore whether we might be a good fit:
This article reflects International Coaching Federation guidance available as of November 2026. Beginning January 1, 2027, new mentor coaching used for ICF credential applications and renewals must be provided by an appropriately qualified Mentor Coach Specialization holder. ICF requirements can change, so always verify the requirements applicable to your credential directly with ICF.