Transcripts & Recordings: ICF requirements and standards for coaches

We are pleased to share with you an informative and comprehensive guide on how to transcribe for ICF Mentor Coaching or to apply for an ICF Crednetial. Our guide is designed to offer you detailed tips and insights on the transcription process, while also helping you to improve your skills and deliver high-quality work that meets ICF’s standards.

To start with, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the ICF Standards of Ethical Conduct. These guidelines outline the expectations for ethical behavior within the coaching industry, and understanding them will help you to align your transcription work with those standards. Additionally, these guidelines will assist in identifying the type of language and tone commonly used in ICF Mentor Coaching.

Above all, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of the ICF coaching competencies. The ICF recognizes eight core coaching competencies, that you can find at this link.

Remember that ICF Mentor Coaching is highly professional, and as you transcribe for it, ensure that your work meets the high standards required. Consistent practice will undoubtedly help you to deliver quality, accurate transcriptions.

At SunLight Academy, we understand that providing accurate and professional transcripts is a crucial aspect of our clients’ success. To achieve this goal, we follow the requirements and standards set by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), a global organization that represents professional coaches and promotes coaching excellence.

Your transcript(s) must be:

1. Complete: Your transcript should include all statements made during the coaching session, regardless of their relevance or value. This means that you should not omit or modify any part of the conversation, even if it seems repetitive or insignificant. By doing so, you risk distorting the meaning or context of the exchange and undermining the credibility of the transcript itself.
2. Verbatim: Your transcript should reproduce the words and expressions used by the coach and the client as faithfully as possible. This means that you should not add or subtract any words, paraphrase or interpret any passages, or use vague or ambiguous phrases. By doing so, you risk altering the accuracy or clarity of the transcript and introducing errors or misinterpretations.
3. Timely: Your transcript should be delivered to the client as soon as possible after the coaching session, ideally within a few days. This means that you should plan your workflow to allow for sufficient time to transcribe, review, and edit the transcript, and to communicate with the client if there are any issues or questions. By doing so, you demonstrate your professionalism, efficiency, and commitment to quality.

Here you can take a closer look at the ICF guidelines for the recorded coaching session transcript to be submitted for assessment with your Credential application:

• The transcript must be a word-for-word (verbatim) record of the coaching session(s), submitted in the language in which the session is held. NOTE: If ICF does not offer a performance evaluation in your language, you will need to submit a transcript in the language spoken AND an English transcript.   
• The Transcript must indicate who is speaking—the coach or the client—at any time in the conversation. 
• List the coach’s statements and the client’s statements on separate lines of the transcript. 
• Transcript must include timestamps at every change in speaker (coach and client). 
• Transcript must be submitted as a Word document (e.g., .doc, .docx). No other file formats will be accepted. 
• When naming your file(s), ensure that you use only letters and numbers.  Please be sure there are no special characters in your document name (ie. ? / | \ ! @ # = $ % +) in order to avoid issues when uploading your file. 

In addition to these requirements, we also follow the ICF standards for transcripts, which include:

1. Confidentiality: Your transcript should be kept confidential and secure at all times, and should not be shared or disclosed to any third party without the client’s explicit consent. This means that you should use appropriate encryption, storage, and access controls to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the transcript, and should inform the client of your privacy policy and procedures.
2. Objectivity: Your transcript should be written in a neutral and objective tone, without any bias, judgment, or personal opinion. This means that you should avoid using emotive or evaluative language, or making any comments or suggestions that may influence the client’s perception or behavior. By doing so, you enable the client to make their own decisions and empower them to achieve their goals.
3. Accuracy: Your transcript should be accurate and reliable, based on the best of your knowledge and skills. This means that you should use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and should check and verify any technical or specialized terms or concepts. By doing so, you enhance the credibility and trustworthiness of the transcript and your own expertise and professionalism.

At this link you can take a look at an ICF sample of transcription, that is aligned with the ICF requirements.

To summarize, providing high-quality and accurate transcripts requires following the ICF requirements and standards, as well as utilizing your own skills, tools, and methods. By doing so, you can provide a valuable and effective service to your clients and contribute to the growth and success of the coaching industry.

You can work with our Mentors and our Trainer, who are also trained ICF Credentialing Assessors. They can support you in your journey to take your level of coaching to a higher quality, to become a more successful coach and a coach who offers distinctive services in a global coaching market.

Contact us here.