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Here’s a clear side‑by‑side summary of CPD / continuing professional development requirements for:
Coaches and Mentors of South Africa (COMENSA) (South African professional body) and
International Coaching Federation (ICF) (global coach credentialing federation)
(*Credentialed coaches & mentors only — over a 3‑year cycle)
Total Required: 72 CPD points in 3 years AND at least 4 supervision points per year (≈12 total).
Activity
Points
Post‑graduate degree/diploma/professional certification recognized in coaching & mentoring (per year)
20
Shorter course/experiential training (min 35 hrs with assessment)
15
Activity
Points
Self‑study (e‑learning, MOOCs, webinars)
1/hr
Coaching‑related TED‑talks
1/hr
Reading relevant books/articles/journals
1/hr
Note: There is a 30 point cap on this category in a 3‑year cycle.
Activity
Points
COMENSA chapter events, breakfast presentations, case discussions, peer groups, formal lectures
1 per event
Committee membership of a professional body
3 per yr
Office bearer on committee
5 per yr
Faculty member of a training provider
5 per yr
COMENSA short courses & personal development courses
1/hr (+ bonus 1)
Any coaching refresher/short course
1 academic hr
Non‑coaching courses that inform coaching
1 academic hr
Self‑study with certification
1/hr
For ICF credential holders (ACC, PCC, MCC) every 3 years.
ICF divides CCE credits into two major categories (and a sub‑focus on ethics):
Category
Purpose
Core Competencies
Directly expands on ICF Core Competencies ● foundational coaching skills
Resource Development
Supplemental professional development (tools, business skills, personal growth)
Ethics (within Core Competencies)
Minimum required coaching ethics learning
The three categories are sometimes described as:
✔ Core Competencies CCE
✔ Resource Development CCE
✔ Coaching Ethics CCE (subset of Core Competencies)
Requirement
Credits
Total CCE credits required
40 credits in 3 yrs
Core Competencies (min)
24 credits
— of these, Coaching Ethics
3 credits (must be included)
Resource Development (max)
16 credits
Mentor coaching (counts toward Core)
up to 10 credits
Key Notes:
Mentor coaching (receiving or giving) can count toward Core Competencies CCEs.
For ICF team coaching advanced credential (ACTC), a separate minimum of 20 CCE credits focused on team coaching competencies applies.
Aspect
COMENSA CPD
ICF CCE
Renewal cycle
3 years
3 years
Total required
72 CPD points
40 CCE credits
Supervision requirement
4 pts per year (at least)
Mentor coaching optional but counts
Core categories
Structured, Non‑verifiable, Verifiable
Core Competencies, Resource Development, Ethics
Ethics minimum
Ethics pledge & can include ethics learning
3 credits in coaching ethics
Self‑study cap
Max 30 points in Non‑verifiable category
Self‑directed count as Resource Dev if aligned
Mentoring/supervision
Included as CPD activities
Mentor coaching counts as Core (up to credit limit)
COMENSA has a broader points system with multiple activity categories and specific event participation points.
ICF focuses on CCE hours tied to core coaching skills and professional development, with minimums in core competencies and ethics.
Cycle: 3 years (72 points required, plus supervision minimum)
Categories: Structured Learning, Verifiable Learning, Non-Verifiable Learning
Activities that are formal, assessed, or recognized in coaching/mentoring.
Activity
Points
Notes
Post-grad degree, diploma, professional certification in coaching/mentoring
20/year
Recognized by COMENSA
Short courses / workshops (≥35 hrs)
15
Must include assessment or evaluation
Coaching conferences
1 per day
Must be relevant and verifiable
Activities where attendance or participation can be proven
Activity
Points
Notes
COMENSA chapter meetings, peer groups, case discussions
1 per event
Must have proof of attendance
Formal lectures / guest speaker events
1 per event
Focused on coaching or mentoring
Committee membership in a coaching body
3/yr
Active contribution
Office bearer of professional committee
5/yr
Leadership role recognized
Faculty / trainer role
5/yr
Teaching or facilitating coaching programs
Short coaching courses or refreshers
1 academic hour
Documented attendance or certificate
Activities self-directed, without formal proof. Max 30 points per 3 years
Activity
Points
Notes
Reading coaching books, journals, articles
1/hr
Must relate to coaching/mentoring
Webinars, online learning, e-courses
1/hr
Non-assessed, self-study
TED Talks / podcasts relevant to coaching
1/hr
Self-study, reflective notes recommended
Reflective practice or journaling
1/hr
Documented evidence suggested
Minimum 4 points per year (12 points in 3 years)
Examples:
One-on-one mentor coaching
Group supervision sessions
Observed coaching sessions with feedback
Cycle: 3 years (40 CCE credits required)
Categories: Core Competencies, Resource Development, Ethics
Learning that directly improves coaching skill/technique
Activity
Credits
Notes
Attending coaching skills workshops
1 hr = 1 credit
Focused on ICF Core Competencies
Mentor coaching (receiving)
1 hr = 1 credit
Max 10 credits per 3 years
Mentor coaching (giving)
1 hr = 1 credit
Counts toward Core Competencies
Practicum / peer coaching sessions
1 hr = 1 credit
Must focus on Core Competency development
Coaching supervision
1 hr = 1 credit
Can also satisfy ethics/competency requirement
Professional development that enhances knowledge, business, or personal growth, not strictly coaching skills
Activity
Credits
Notes
Attending leadership or management courses
1 hr = 1 credit
Must be relevant to coaching practice
Reading professional development books/articles
1 hr = 0.5–1 credit
Optional documentation suggested
Online courses / MOOCs
1 hr = 1 credit
Must relate to coaching practice or business development
Seminars/conferences not directly on Core Competencies
1 hr = 1 credit
Counted as Resource Development
Minimum 3 credits required, can overlap with Core Competencies
Activity
Credits
Notes
Coaching ethics workshops
1 hr = 1 credit
ICF-approved programs only
Case studies / ethics discussions
1 hr = 1 credit
Documented participation needed
Webinars on ethical practice
1 hr = 1 credit
Must explicitly address ethics in coaching
Feature
COMENSA
ICF
Max self-directed learning
30 points
Flexible under Resource Development
Supervision / mentor coaching
Required (4 pts/year)
Optional but counts toward Core Competencies (max 10)
Minimum ethics requirement
No strict CPD points, ethical pledge
3 CCE credits in ethics required
Recognition of teaching / faculty role
Yes, points awarded
Mentor coaching counts; teaching other courses may count as Resource Dev
Documentation
Proof recommended for all verifiable activities
Proof required for all CCE activitie