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The ICF Board of Directors chartered the Regulatory Committee in the summer of 2002 with the goal to research, monitor, evaluate and proactively contribute to government and regulatory bodies in order to educate, articulate and develop our growing profession of coaching as a self-regulated profession. The committee researched and discussed as a group and via email, the regulatory activity related to coaching within the United States. The committee chair also had discussions with representatives from Coachville and IACC. In addition, the group was in dialogue with a key individual within the field of Mediation and with professionals in financial planning and executive management.
During the Committee’s initial months, the ICF implemented the Ethical Conduct Review Process; a solid step in the process of self-regulation. In addition, the ICF provided the opportunity for members to participate in a conference call with the ICF Attorney as Colorado coaches encountered mixed messages about the coaching case and regulation in their state.
The 40-page Regulatory Report published in March 2003 compiles the statutes, interpretations, notes and articles related to the key states identified in the ICF Regulatory Committee Purpose and Charter. Colorado, Minnesota, Florida, Washington and California are states where coaching was rumored to be considered part of the mental health field and as such raised concern that coaches may be required to register as unlicensed counselors. It was not our intent to focus only on coaching versus counseling, however, this was the primary area of concern faced by coaches in the key states investigated. The Regulatory Committee expanded to include a liaison group with members appointed by ICF Chapter Leaders. In early 2004, these individuals continued the review of all states and Canada. Currently there are not requirements for coaches to register or be licensed in any state or Canada. There were new Mental Health/Behavioral Health Laws that went into effect in New York, Arizona and Minnesota in 2003 and 2004. In speaking with those responsible for the implementation of these laws, the intent was to tighten up regulation of those performing counseling and therapy services within the states. These laws were not intended to nor should they include coaches. However, if an individual practices counseling or therapy without meeting the proper state licensing requirements and calls him/herself a coach, they would be in violation of the state requirement as well as our standards for a professional coach.
The Colorado Mental Health Law was up for “sunset review” in 2004 where the law would stay the same, be dissolved or be revised. The Colorado coaches formed the Colorado Coalition of Coaches in late 2003 and began work to propose legislation to revise the statute. See www.coloradocoaches.com for more information about the coalition. In the spring of 2004, the Governor of Colorado signed into law the bill which contains the legislation proposed by the coalition. Specifically, the new clause within Colorado’s Mental Health Statutes reads: "The provisions of this article shall not apply to professional coaches who have had coach-specific training and who serve clients exclusively in the capacity of coaches."
More recently we had a concern arise in Ohio where an aspiring coach contacted the Mental Health Board to find out if there were licensure requirements for coaches. As stated above, there are no licensing requirements for coaches at this time. Coaching does not fall under the Mental Health/Behavioral Health realm. Distinctions between Coaching and Therapy or Counseling can be found on the ICF website. Additional documents available for coaches include:
The ICF is committed to maintaining coaching as a distinct profession, and to strengthening our self-governance model. Interested members are welcome to participate as ICF Chapter Regulatory Liaisons. Questions or comments may be sent via email to regulatory@coachingfederation.org. |
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