The Updated 2025 ICF Core Competencies: Everything You Need to Know

September 26, 2025

By Barefoot Coaching

This month the ICF published its updated Core Competencies for the first time since 2019, and we wanted to share what these developments might mean for you.

Importantly, the update involves incremental developments; it is not an overhaul. Here are some answers to questions you might be asking yourself:

What are the ICF core competencies for?
The ICF core competencies lay out the global standard for professional coaching, defining the essential knowledge, skills, and behaviors for meaningful, results-driven coaching. They offer a practical and deeply reflective guide for delivering excellent coaching.

Why and how are the core competencies updated?
The ICF reviews and updates the core competencies every five to six years to reflect the reality of current coaching practices. Our world is evolving, and so is coaching, so the core competencies need to reflect these changes.

The updates are the result of a rigorous, evidence-based job analysis, involving thousands of coaches worldwide.

I’m working towards my first ICF credential. Do these changes affect the ACC exam?
No. If you are currently due to complete your ICF ACC exam, you should continue to plan for questions based on the 2019 core competencies. Updates to the ACC exam will not occur until the second half of 2026.

I’m about to record and submit my performance evaluation. Is there anything I need to do differently?
No. ICF will give plenty of notice of any changes to the performance evaluation, so for now you can continue to work with the 2019 core competencies.

I’m currently on the Barefoot coach training course. What do these changes mean for me?
As for delegates currently participating in our coach training programme, our training material will be evolving to align with the updated 2025 competencies, so you can expect to be introduced to the updated core competencies soon.

I’m an ICF credential holder (ACC, PCC or MCC). What do I need to do?
As an ICF credential holder you do not need to do anything in particular. However, we’d recommend familiarizing yourself with the updated core competencies to maintain alignment with best practice.

What has changed from 2019 to 2025?
Five new sub competencies have been added, there are revisions to eleven sub competencies, and a glossary of terms has been added. There are no new competencies – the changes involve additions and revisions to the existing framework.

Updates are mostly enhancements, including refined, consistent language, improved clarity, and strengthened relevance.

We have identified six overall themes in the update:

Self-care and development. A strong focus can be seen in the being of coaching, alongside the doing of coaching. This means embodying a coaching mindset, not just in the session, but on a wider professional and personal basis, including through mentor coaching and supervision.
Contemporary context. The contemporary context of coaching is referenced, including the impact of technological advances.
Self-awareness. The new competencies call for awareness of biases, the ability to describe one’s coaching philosophy, awareness of what is showing up for the coach, and the impact of these thoughts and behaviours.
Agreements. The process of contracting as an ongoing partnership throughout the coaching engagement is clarified.
Client-centred partnership. The new competencies reinforce the concept of partnership with the client, with a focus on client autonomy and understanding of the client’s unique context.
Increased clarity. Several sub competencies have been extended for clarity, and a glossary of terms has been added.

For an overview of all changes, visit the ICF Core Competencies 2019 to 2025 comparison chart.

Whatever stage you’re at in your coaching practice – whether you’re just starting out, or looking towards continued professional development – we hope you find this useful.

Curious About Coaching?

Discover our coach training programme and experience coaching in action. Join a free taster session and see what’s possible in a safe, supportive, and no-obligation environment.

Book Your Free Taster

Get to Know Barefoot Coaching

Making the world a brighter place through exceptional coaching.

ABOUT US

Andy Chandler

Chief Executive Office - MBA, PCC

jordan

How Can We Help?

WORKPLACE COACHING

EXISTING COACH COURSES

SHOP FOR TOOLKITS

Most Recent

How Do I Know If Becoming a Coach Is Right for Me?

How Do I Become a Professional Coach? The Honest Answer

How do I Choose the Right Coach Training Programme?

What is Coaching? A Barefoot Guide

How Much Does a Coach Earn?

Two women sat having a coaching conversation during their Barefoot Training

ICF Level 2

ICF Accredited Coach Training

Develop your coaching skills with ICF Level 2 accredited training — blending tools, psychology, and practice, grounded in real coaching experience. Open to all backgrounds, with University of Chester options.

Office environment with trained Barefoot Coaches

Workplace Coaching

Our workplace coaching offer develops leaders and teams through practical tools, psychology, and real coaching expertise — building cultures of trust, resilience, and performance across every organisation.

A woman is sat on a leather back sofa. She is looking over at her colleague who is sitting to the left of her.

Leader as Coach

Our Leader as Coach programme equips leaders with coaching skills to inspire, engage, and empower. Blending theory with practice, it transforms everyday conversations into opportunities for growth.

A team of 6 sit around a table engaged in conversation. The man at the head of the able has his laptop open and one of the women at the table has a table. She is smiling as everyones eyes focus on her.

Team Coaching Practitioner Programme

This dynamic programme blends advanced learning on group and team dynamics with practical coaching experience — empowering you to coach teams confidently. Accredited with 40 ICF CCE points.

Certificate in Coaching for Grief & Loss

This pioneering programme builds the skills, insight, and empathy to coach clients through grief and loss in all its forms. Accredited with 40 ICF CCE points.

Coach running an online coach supervision session

Certificate in Coaching Supervision

This university approved programme equips experienced coaches to become professional supervisors, guiding others with reflective, ethical, and practice-based methods. Accredited with 40 ICF CCE points.

A woman is sat across from another woman at a small round table. They are having a conversation.

Coaching Supervision

Our open group supervision offers practising coaches a reflective, structured space to refresh, align ethically, and gain perspective. Put 10 hours of Coaching Supervision towards ICF Core Competencies.

Two woman are sat at an office table surrounded by large windows. They are deep in conversation.

121 Coaching

Our bespoke one-to-one coaching unlocks personal and professional potential, fostering lasting transformation through a trusting, confidential relationship — far beyond a transactional experience.

Women in Life and Leadership

This transformative programme supports women in organisations to thrive professionally and personally, overcoming barriers like people-pleasing and impostor syndrome while challenging norms and unlocking growth.

Leader as Coach

Our Leader as Coach programme equips leaders with coaching skills to inspire, engage, and empower. Blending theory with practice, it transforms everyday conversations into opportunities for growth.

Group Coaching

This dynamic short course equips accredited coaches to facilitate group coaching, supporting shared learning in safe, confidential environments. Accredited with 14 ICF CCE points.

Team & Group Coaching

Our team and group coaching programmes help organisations unlock collective potential, fostering collaboration, challenge, and shared learning — complementing one-to-one coaching for systemic impact.

A woman is sat at a desk with her laptop open. She is writing at a notebook with a pen. She is wearing large thick framed glassed and a denim shirt.

Coaching Skills Foundation Programme

A welcoming, foundation-level course introducing coaching techniques for personal and professional growth. No prior experience needed — open to anyone curious to explore coaching.

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Chris Goldson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Barefoot more than lived up to its fantastic reputation when I experienced the course. My 5 months with them was one of the most significant and meaningful things I have done in my career of over 30 years. Solid and well planned content, exceptional tutors, and the chance to grow and learn alongside my wonderful cohort of fellow Barefooters. I've been able to bring valuable new skills to my business. Thank you!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Carolyn Deveney 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I knew as soon as I found Barefoot that it was the organisation for me to train with. They share my values and ethos. They did not disappoint! The course was one of the most positive experiences of my life. The tutors, the integrity and care woven through like a golden thread, the approach, methods and thoroughness, amount of practice time, the cohort - all perfect. I left feeling well equipped to go out into the world to coach with a great range of tools and techniques under my belt, and a desire to develop more of my own. I have built lasting connections and relationships with some wonderful people. I enrolled on the post-grad certificate to further develop and fine tune my skills. I cannot recommend Barefoot enough. Thank you!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Alison B 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have just found my ‘Barefoot Coaching’ coaching cards from 2012, they are so valuable even after 9 years!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Duncan S 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. An amazing 12 days with the Barefoot Team working on Personal and Business Coaching. The tutors are incredibly knowledgeable, the theory wide-ranging and the practical sessions varied and valuable. I'd recommend this course and the Barefoot Team to anyone.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Sandra Whiles 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I chose Barefoot to consolidate my training as a coach in 2016.  Everyone I spoke to beforehand about coach training providers said that Barefoot was the only choice - and they were so right Great tutors and course materials. Brilliant challenge and support. Excellent venues. You are made to feel part of Barefoot from day one . Lots of folk have said it, but life changing is the only way I can describe my experiences with Barefoot.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Andy Follows 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently completed the taught modules of the Postgraduate Certificate in Business and Personal Coaching with Barefoot. I wanted to be exposed to a broad range of coaching ideas, to have plenty of time to practice coaching and receive feedback and to meet like minded people who shared my passion. I was not disappointed. I loved every minute of the modules and was sad when the programme finally came to an end. Our cohort has been amazing and we continue to engage with each other via webinars and get togethers organised by ourselves. At no point in the process did I have any feeling that Barefoot was interested in selling places on this or other programmes. It was all about getting a good fit between you as a coach and their offerings. Great people. Very professionally run. Great materials. A good range of tutors from different backgrounds. All delivered with wonderful warmth and passion. Can't recommend highly enough.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Emma Kearin 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What an amazing program, it has changed my life, I didn't know what I was going to use the training for or how it would change things for me or the people around me.  It has proved the best decision yet 😁
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Teresa Roberts 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I trained with Barefoot Coaching and can highly recommend the course. The breadth of learning and approaches, together with the great tutors and a very supportive cohort of students allowed me to challenge my existing thinking and develop as a coach in a way that was authentic to me. Completing the essays for Chester University also offered the opportunity to underpin the experiential learning with some academic rigor. The Barefoot team are all warm, friendly people and a pleasure to be around.
  
 
  
  
 
 
      Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

ICF Level 2