CPD Continuing Professional Development

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)
  
  

1) COMENSA CPD Categories & Point Values

(*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).

✔ Structured Learning

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

✔ Non‑Verifiable Learning (max 30 points per 3 yrs)

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.

✔ Verifiable Learning

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

 2) ICF (International Coaching Federation) CPD — CCE Units

For ICF credential holders (ACC, PCC, MCC) every 3 years.

Total Required: 40 Continuing Coach Education (CCE) credits in 3 years.

Categories of CCE Credits

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)

ICF Breakdown & Minimums

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.
  
  

 Quick Comparison

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)

Takeaway

• 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.
  
  

1️ COMENSA CPD – Qualifying Activities

Cycle: 3 years (72 points required, plus supervision minimum)
Categories: Structured Learning, Verifiable Learning, Non-Verifiable Learning

A. Structured 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

B. Verifiable Learning

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

C. Non-Verifiable Learning

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

D. Supervision

• Minimum 4 points per year (12 points in 3 years)
  
  

• Examples:
  
  

  • One-on-one mentor coaching
    
    

  • Group supervision sessions
    
    

  • Observed coaching sessions with feedback
    
    

2️ ICF CCE – Qualifying Activities

Cycle: 3 years (40 CCE credits required)
Categories: Core Competencies, Resource Development, Ethics

A. Core Competencies CCE

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

B. Resource Development CCE

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

C. Ethics CCE

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

Key Takeaways / Differences

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