ICF Code of Ethics

rev. 06.25.21
ICF Code of Ethics

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) Code of Ethics is composed

of five (5) main parts:
1. Introduction
2. Key Definitions
3. ICF Core Values and Ethical Principles
4. Ethical Standards
5. Pledge

1. Introduction
The ICF Code of Ethics describes the core values of the International Coaching
Federation (ICF Core Values), ethical principles and ethical standards of behavior
for all ICF Professionals (see definitions). Meeting these ICF ethical standards of
behavior is the first of the ICF core coaching competencies (ICF Core
Competencies) – “Demonstrates ethical practice: understands and consistently
applies coaching ethics and standards.”
The ICF Code of Ethics serves to uphold the integrity of ICF and the global
coaching profession by:
• Setting standards of conduct consistent with ICF Core Values and ethical
principles.
• Guiding ethical reflection, education and decision-making.
• Adjudicating and preserving ICF coach standards through the ICF Ethical
Conduct Review (ECR) process.
• Providing the basis for ICF ethics training in ICF-accredited training
programs.
The ICF Code of Ethics applies when ICF Professionals represent themselves as
such, in any kind of coaching-related interaction. This is regardless of whether a
coaching relationship (see definitions) has been established. This Code articulates
the ethical obligations of ICF Professionals who are acting in their different roles as
coach, coach supervisor, mentor coach, trainer or student coach-in-training, or
serving in an ICF Leadership role, as well as Support Personnel (see definitions).

Although the Ethical Conduct Review (ECR) process is only applicable to ICF
Professionals, as is the Pledge, the ICF Staff are also committed to ethical conduct
and the Core Values and Ethical Principles that underpin this ICF code of ethics.

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The challenge of working ethically means that members will inevitably encounter
situations that require responses to unexpected issues, resolution of dilemmas and
solutions to problems. This Code of Ethics is intended to assist those persons
subject to the Code by directing them to the variety of ethical factors that may
need to be taken into consideration and helping to identify alternative ways of
approaching ethical behavior.
ICF Professionals who accept the Code of Ethics strive to be ethical, even when
doing so involves making difficult decisions or acting courageously.

2. Key Definitions
• Client - the individual or team/group being coached, the coach being
mentored or supervised, or the coach or the student coach being trained.
• Coaching- partnering with Clients in a thought-provoking and creative
process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional
potential.
• Coaching Relationship - a relationship that is established by the ICF
Professional and the Client(s)/Sponsor(s) under an agreement or a contract
that defines the responsibilities and expectations of each party.
• Code - ICF Code of Ethics
• Confidentiality - protection of any information obtained around the
coaching engagement unless consent to release is given.
• Conflict of Interest - a situation in which an ICF Professional is involved in
multiple interests where serving one interest could work against or be in
conflict with another. This could be financial, personal or otherwise.
• Equality - a situation in which all people experience inclusion, access to
resources and opportunity, regardless of their race, ethnicity, national origin,
color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, immigration
status, mental or physical disability, and other areas of human difference.
• ICF Professional - individuals who represent themselves as an ICF Member
or ICF Credential-holder, in roles including but not limited to Coach, Coach
Supervisor, Mentor Coach, Coach Trainer and Student of Coaching
• ICF Staff - the ICF support personnel who are contracted by the managing
company that provides professional management and administrative
services on behalf of ICF.
• Internal Coach - an individual who is employed within an organization and
coaches either part-time or full-time the employees of that organization.
• Sponsor - the entity (including its representatives) paying for and/or
arranging or defining the coaching services to be provided.

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• Support Personnel - the people who work for ICF Professionals in support
of their Clients.
• Systemic equality - gender equality, race equality and other forms of
equality that are institutionalized in the ethics, core values, policies,
structures, and cultures of communities, organizations, nations and society.

3. ICF Core Values and Ethical Principles

The ICF Code of Ethics is based on the ICF Core Values (link) and the actions that
flow from them. All values are equally important and support one another. These
values are aspirational and should be used as a way to understand and interpret
the standards. All ICF Professionals are expected to showcase and propagate these
Values in all their interactions.

4. Ethical Standards
The following ethical standards are applied to the professional activities of ICF
Professionals:

Section I – Responsibility to Clients

As an ICF Professional, I:
1. Explain and ensure that, prior to or at the initial meeting, my coaching
Client(s) and Sponsor(s) understand the nature and potential value of
coaching, the nature and limits of confidentiality, financial arrangements,
and any other terms of the coaching agreement.
2. Create an agreement / contract regarding the roles, responsibilities and
rights of all parties involved with my Client(s) and Sponsor(s) prior to the
commencement of services.
3. Maintain the strictest levels of confidentiality with all parties as agreed
upon. I am aware of and agree to comply with all applicable laws that
pertain to personal data and communications.
4. Have a clear understanding about how information is exchanged among all
parties involved during all coaching interactions.
5. Have a clear understanding with both Clients and Sponsors or interested
parties about the conditions under which information will not be kept
confidential (e.g., illegal activity, if required by law, pursuant to valid court
order or subpoena; imminent of likely risk of danger to self or others; etc.).
Where I reasonably believe one of the above circumstances is applicable, I
may need to inform appropriate authorities.

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6. When working as an Internal Coach, manage conflicts of interest or

potential conflicts of interest with my coaching Client(s) and Sponsor(s)
through coaching agreement(s) and ongoing dialogue. This should include
addressing organizational roles, responsibilities, relationships, records,
confidentiality and other reporting requirements.
7. Maintain, store and dispose of any records, including electronic files and
communications, created during my professional interactions in a manner
that promotes confidentiality, security and privacy, and complies with any
applicable laws and agreements. Furthermore, I see to make proper use of
emerging and growing technological developments that are being used in
coaching services (technology-assisted coaching services) and to be aware
of how various ethical standards apply to them.
8. Remain alert to indications that there might be a shift in the value received
from the coaching relationship. If so, make a change in the relationship or
encourage the Client(s) / Sponsor(s) to seek another coach, seek another
professional or use a different resource.
9. Respect all parties’ right to terminate the coaching relationship at any point
for any reason during the coaching process subject to the provisions of the
agreement.
10. Am sensitive to the implications of having multiple contracts and
relationships with the same Client(s) and Sponsor(s) at the same time in
order to avoid conflict of interest situations.
11. Am aware of and actively manage any power or status difference between
the Client and me that may be caused by cultural, relational, psychological
or contextual issues.
12. Disclose to my Clients the potential receipt of compensation and other
benefits I may receive for referring my Clients to third parties.
13. Assure consistent quality of coaching regardless of the amount or form of
agreed compensation in any relationship.

Section II – Responsibility to Practice and Performance

As an ICF Professional, I:
14. Adhere to the ICF Code of Ethics in all my interactions. When I become
aware of a possible breach of the Code by myself or I recognize unethical
behavior in another ICF Professional, I respectfully raise the matter with
those involved. If this does not resolve the matter, I refer to a formal
authority (e.g., ICF Staff) for resolution.
15. Require adherence to the ICF Code of Ethics by all Support Personnel.
16. Commit to excellence through continued personal, professional and ethical
development.

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17. Recognize my personal limitations or circumstances that may impair,

conflict with or interfere with my coaching performance or my professional
coaching relationships. I will reach out for support to determine the action
to be taken and, if necessary, promptly seek relevant professional guidance.
This may include suspending or terminating my coaching relationship(s).
18. Resolve any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest by working
through the issue with relevant parties, seeking professional assistance, or
suspending temporarily or ending the professional relationship.
19. Maintain the privacy of ICF Members and use the ICF Member contact
information (email addresses, telephone numbers, and so on) only as
authorized by ICF or the ICF Member.

Section III – Responsibility to Professionalism

As an ICF Professional, I:
20. Identify accurately my coaching qualifications, my level of coaching
competency, expertise, experience, training, certifications and ICF
Credentials.
21. 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.
22. Communicate and create awareness with those who need to be informed
of the ethical responsibilities established by this Code.
23. Hold responsibility for being aware of and setting clear, appropriate and
culturally sensitive boundaries that govern interactions, physical or
otherwise.
24. Do not participate in any sexual or romantic engagement with Client(s) or
Sponsor(s). I will be ever mindful of the level of intimacy appropriate for the
relationship. I take the appropriate action to address the issue or cancel the
engagement.

Section IV – Responsibility to Society

As an ICF Professional, I:
25. Avoid discrimination by maintaining fairness and equality in all activities
and operations, while respecting local rules and cultural practices. This
includes, but is not limited to, discrimination on the basis of age, race,
gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin,
disability or military status.
26. Recognize and honor the contributions and intellectual property of others,
only claiming ownership of my own material. I understand that a breach of
this standard may subject me to legal remedy by a third party.

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27. Am honest and work within recognized scientific standards, applicable

subject guidelines and boundaries of my competence when conducting
and reporting research.
28. Am aware of my and my clients’ impact on society. I adhere to the
philosophy of “doing good” versus “avoiding bad.”

5. The Pledge of Ethics of the ICF Professional

As an ICF Professional, in accordance with the Standards of the ICF Code of Ethics,
I acknowledge and agree to fulfill my ethical and legal obligations to my coaching
Client(s), Sponsor(s), colleagues and to the public at large.
If I breach any part of the ICF Code of Ethics, I agree that ICF in its sole discretion
may hold me accountable for so doing. I further agree that my accountability to
ICF for any breach may include sanctions, such as mandatory additional coach
training or other education, or loss of my ICF Membership and / or my ICF
Credential.

For more information on the Ethical Conduct Review (ECR) process, including the
links to file a complaint, please visit coachingfederation.org/ethics.

Adopted by the ICF Global Board of Directors September 2019

© 2021 International Coaching Federation

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