Sim Chen Xing

After months of preparation, reflection, and practice, I finally passed my ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) exam. And while the sense of accomplishment is real, what stood out most was how much this process deepened my understanding of what it truly means to coach. This wasn’t just about passing an exam—it was about becoming the kind of coach who brings presence, ethics, and professionalism into every conversation.

If you’re preparing for the ACC exam or simply want to become a better coach, here are a few hard-earned lessons and key takeaways that made all the difference for me.

Mastering the Core Competencies Is Non-Negotiable

The ICF Core Competencies aren’t just theory—they’re the DNA of great coaching.

• Demonstrates Ethical Practice means upholding confidentiality, knowing when to refer, and being aware of boundaries and dual relationships.
• Embodies a Coaching Mindset is about being curious, non-judgmental, and reflective—continually growing in self-awareness and learning.
• Establishes and Maintains Agreements taught me how important clear coaching contracts are. What’s the coaching relationship about? What’s off-limits?
• Cultivates Trust and Safety reminded me that a safe space empowers clients to explore without fear. Confidentiality, presence, and transparency matter.
• Maintains Presence is about being with the client. It’s when you’re not planning your next question, but really noticing their tone, energy, and body language.
• Listens Actively means tuning in not just to words but to patterns, pauses, and what’s not said. Great listening includes reflecting back, not advising.
• Evokes Awareness was a big one—it’s about asking powerful questions that unlock insight, not giving the client your best advice.
• Facilitates Client Growth reminds us: the coaching session doesn’t end when the Zoom call does. Action, accountability, and forward movement are key.

If you want to pass the exam, don’t just memorize the competencies—embody them. You need to understand how a great coach would demonstrate these competencies individually. One good starting point is to watch the Core Competencies playlist by the ICF. In it, they go into great detail about how core competencies are demonstrated and even assessed. You may access them here: ICF Core Competencies (2021) Playlist

The Code of Ethics Is Your North Star

Understanding the ICF Code of Ethics was crucial. It’s the foundation of professional, responsible coaching. A few key responsibilities I internalized:

• To the Client: Maintain confidentiality. Respect their autonomy. Ensure they understand the coaching process and limitations.

• To Society: Promote fairness, inclusion, and the dignity of all people. Be mindful of cultural sensitivity and systemic issues.

• To the Practice and Profession: Stay within your scope. Refer when necessary. Engage in continuous development. Avoid misleading marketing or inflated claims.

Note: ICF is revising their code of ethics with effect from 1 April 2025. You may get the updated ICF code of ethics here: Revised ICF Code of Ethics 2025.

In the revised code of ethics, ICF has included their core values—Professionalism, Collaboration, Humanity, and Equity—into the Code of Ethics. This integration emphasizes the importance of these values in guiding ethical behavior and decision-making in coaching practices.  

Five New Sections of the Revised Ethical Standard

The new 2025 ICF ethical standard is restructured into 5 sections to enhance clarity and application.

• Agreements for Client and/or Sponsor Engagement: Focusing on establishing clear agreements and understanding with clients and sponsors.
• Confidentiality and Legal Compliance: Emphasizing the importance of maintaining confidentiality and adhering to legal requirements.
• Professional Conduct and Conflicts of Interest: Addressing expected professional behavior and the management of conflicts of interest.
• Commitment to Delivering Consistent Value: Ensuring that coaches provide consistent and valuable services to clients.
• Professional Integrity and Accountability: Highlighting the necessity of integrity and accountability in all professional interactions.

For more information, you may review the set of key changes made by the ICF for the revised code of ethics here.

Know the Difference: Coaching vs. Counselling vs. Therapy vs. Mentoring

This distinction is examinable in the exam:

• Coaching is future-oriented, goal-driven, and based on the belief that clients are whole, resourceful, and capable of finding their own solutions.

• Counselling often deals with unresolved trauma, emotional healing, and the past.

• Therapy is more clinical, with mental health diagnoses and treatment plans.

• Mentoring involves guiding someone based on your own experience and expertise—very different from coaching’s non-directive approach.

Being clear about these boundaries keeps both you and your client safe—and helps uphold the integrity of coaching as a profession.

Know When to Refer: Warning Signs Coaches Should Never Ignore

One of the most important responsibilities of a coach is knowing when to refer out. You are not a therapist, counselor, or crisis worker—and there are moments where continuing a coaching relationship without referral can do more harm than good.

Here are some situations and red flags where referral is not just recommended, but necessary:

1. Immediate Risk of Harm to Self or Others

The client expresses suicidal ideation, violent thoughts, or harm-related plans.

What should a coach do?

• Remain calm, present, and compassionate.
• Do not try to “coach” through the crisis.
• If the client is in immediate danger, you have an ethical duty to break confidentiality and alert appropriate authorities or emergency services.
• If it’s not an emergency but still a serious concern, pause coaching and refer to a licensed mental health professional.

2. Signs of Underlying Mental Health Issues

If the client is experiencing something that is interfering with daily life, or if you as a coach sense something is severely wrong with the client, then it is our ethical responsibility to refer. Some signs and symptoms may include:

• Repetitive sessions circling around emotional pain, trauma, or dysfunction.
• The client is not action-oriented but stuck in past wounds or irrational fears.
• You sense disassociation, paranoia, delusional thinking, or manic energy.

Coaches are not trained to diagnose or treat mental illness. Continuing without referral is unethical and potentially dangerous.

3. Substance Abuse or Addiction

If a client shares they are struggling with alcohol, drugs, or addictive behaviors that interfere with daily life, they need specialized support.

Referral is needed when:

• The client uses coaching sessions while under the influence.
• Their ability to take action is impaired.
• The addiction poses a risk to health, safety, or relationships.

4. Coaching Is Not the Right Fit for Their Goal

Sometimes, it’s not a crisis—but the client’s goal is better served elsewhere. For example:

• They want expert advice or training (better suited for mentoring).
• They’re looking to heal from childhood trauma (best handled by therapy).
• They are exploring deep emotional wounds without a forward focus.

Your role as a coach is to be honest: If what the client needs falls outside the scope of coaching, refer them. It’s not failure—it’s ethical practice.

For more information about referral, you may refer to ICF’s white-paper on referring clients to therapy.

Breaking Confidentiality: When It’s Ethical (and Required)

Confidentiality is sacred in coaching—but it’s not absolute. Situations where you may be obligated to break it include:

• If the client expresses intent to harm themselves or others.
• If there is abuse or neglect of vulnerable individuals (e.g., children, elderly).
• If legally required by a court order or subpoena.
• If the client is in an organizational coaching setting where confidentiality agreements include exceptions (always clarify this upfront!).

As a coach, you must balance confidentiality with your duty to protect life and uphold the law.

Managing Conflicts of Interest

Another exam area that tests integrity is how you handle dual roles or perceived biases.

Golden rule: Be transparent, clarify expectations, and prioritize the client’s best interests.

Use AI tools to help you

Okay, I admit I was a skeptic at first. But over time, with the encouragement of my many PCC peers and my mentor coach, I took their advice and started using GPT to aid my studies. And boy was I amazed.

With the correct prompts, I was able to train tools like ChatGPT to study ICF code of ethics, core competencies, and the many white papers ICF published to generate question formats that resembles the actual exam (See this link for the exam format: https://coachingfederation.org/credentials-and-standards/acc-exam).

The result was an unlimited amount of practice! I was able to test myself and challenge my understanding of various core competencies and code of ethics, which enhances my understanding of coaching.

Some of the practice questions I have generated can be found in this blog post: https://simchenxing.com/2025/03/07/preparing-for-the-icf-acc-exam-a-guide-with-sample-tests/). Feel free to attempt them!

Final Thoughts

Passing the ICF ACC exam isn’t just about ticking off an accomplishment—it’s a shift in how you see your role as a coach. The process trained me not just in competencies but in character—to be present, ethical, and client-centered in every interaction.

Whether you’re preparing for the exam or growing in your coaching journey, remember this:

• Great coaches don’t give answers—they draw them out.
• Great coaches don’t rescue—they empower.
• Great coaches don’t operate in isolation—they partner with clients in a co-created journey.

And most of all—great coaches never stop learning.

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Want to connect or have questions about the ACC journey? I’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment or message, and let’s keep growing together.