International Coaching Federation -- Ethical Standards for I

 While fulfilling any role within the ICF ecosystem, I promise to uphold my ethical obligations by adhering to the ICF Code of Ethics in all my professional interactions. I commit to doing my best to represent the integrity and professional reputation of coaching and the ICF.

Meeting these ICF ethical standards of conduct is the first of the ICF core coaching

competencies (ICF Core Competencies): “Demonstrates Ethical Practice: understands and

consistently applies coaching ethics and standards.”

The following ethical standards are applied to the professional activities of ICF Professionals – regardless of an existing formal coaching relationship (see definitions) or not. 

These ethical standards are divided into five sections:

1. Agreements for Client and/or Sponsor Engagement.

2. Confidentiality and Legal Compliance.

3. Professional Conduct and Conflicts of Interest.

4. Commitment to Delivering Consistent Value.

5. Professional Integrity and Accountability.

 As an ICF Professional, I:

1.1 Communicate (before coaching begins) with coaching client(s), sponsor(s), and/or other

involved parties that the coach is in a direct relationship with to explain the nature

of coaching and to co-create a coaching agreement regarding roles, responsibilities,

confidentiality, financial arrangements, and other aspects of the coaching engagement.

1.2 Respect all parties’ right to terminate the coaching relationship at any point for any

reason during the coaching engagement, subject to the provisions of the agreement.

As an ICF Professional, I:

2.1 Maintain the strictest level of confidentiality with all parties involved, regardless of the

role I am fulfilling.

2.2 Have a clear agreement about what information is exchanged and how it is exchanged

among all parties involved during all coaching engagements.

2.3 Have a clear agreement with client(s), sponsor(s), and other involved parties about

what confidential information may need to be disclosed to the appropriate authorities,

e.g., illegal activity, required by law, valid court order or subpoena; or imminent/likely

risk of danger to self or to others.

2.4 Maintain, store, and dispose of any records, including electronic files and

communications, in a manner that promotes confidentiality, security, and privacy, and

complies with applicable laws and agreements.

2.5 Fulfill my ethical and legal obligations to my coaching client(s), sponsor(s), colleagues,

and to the public at large directly and through any technology systems I may utilize

(i.e. technology-assisted coaching tools, databases, platforms, software, and artificial

intelligence).

2.6 Am responsible for my support personnel’s adherence to the relevant standards of the

Code of Ethics.

2.7 Maintain the privacy of ICF professionals and use of their contact information (email

addresses, telephone numbers, and so on) only as authorized by ICF or the ICF

professional.

2.8 Comply with copyright laws and recognize and honor the contributions and

intellectual property of others, only claiming ownership of my own material.

As an ICF Professional, I:

3.1 Am aware of and discuss with all involved parties the implications of having multiple

agreements and relationships, and the potential for conflicts of interest.

3.2 Manage conflicts of interest and potential conflicts of interest with coaching client(s)

and sponsor(s) through self-reflection, coaching agreement(s), and ongoing dialogue.

This includes addressing organizational roles, responsibilities, relationships, records,

confidentiality, and other reporting requirements.

3.3 Resolve any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest by working through the

issue with relevant parties, seeking professional assistance, or suspending or ending

the professional relationship.

3.4 Hold responsibility for being aware of and setting clear, appropriate, and culturally

sensitive boundaries that govern professional interactions, physical or otherwise.

3.5 Maintain fairness by being aware of my biases and addressing them so that I do not

discriminate toward others based on race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation,

socio-economic status, age, spiritual practice, ability, and other groups, classes, and

categories of human differences.

3.6 Am mindful of the level of intimacy in the coaching relationship. I do not

participate in any sexual or romantic relationship with client(s) or sponsor(s). If I

detect a shift in the relationship, I take appropriate action to address the issue or

cancel the coaching engagement.

3.7 Understand that ICF professionals often serve in multiple professional roles based on

prior training and/or experience (i.e. mentor, therapist, HR specialist, assessor), and it is

my responsibility to disclose to the client when I am acting in a capacity other than the

role of an ICF professional.

3.8 Disclose to Client(s) the information of compensation and benefits that have been

paid/received or will be paid/received for referrals.

As an ICF Professional, I:

4.1 Am aware of and, in partnership with my client, actively manage any power or status

differential between us that may be caused by cultural, relational, psychological, or

contextual issues.

4.2 Recognize my personal limitations or circumstances that may impair my coaching

performance or professional commitments. I will seek support if necessary, including

relevant professional guidance. This may require suspending or terminating my

coaching relationship(s).

4.3 Remain alert to indications that there might be a shift in the value received from the

coaching relationship and discuss this with the client. If appropriate, explore changes

in the coaching relationship and/or the potential for a different coach, professional,

or resource.

As an ICF Professional, I:

5.1 Accurately identify my coaching qualifications and work within the boundaries of my

level of coaching competency, expertise, experience, training, certifications, and my

ICF credential.

5.2 Make verbal and written statements that are true and accurate about what I offer as

an ICF professional, what is offered by ICF, the coaching profession, and the potential

value of coaching.

5.3 Adhere to the philosophy of “doing good” versus “avoiding bad,” recognizing the

impact of my professional conduct on my clients, stakeholders, the coaching

profession, and society.

 I understand that ICF may, at its discretion and according to the ECR process, hold

me accountable for violations of the ICF Code of Ethics. I further agree that my

accountability to ICF may include sanctions for any violation, such as mandatory

additional coach education, mentoring, supervision, or loss of my ICF membership and/

or ICF credentials.