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Code of Ethics

Professional standards that protect clients, build trust, and uphold the integrity of performance coaching and facilitation.

All IAPCF members — from Affiliate to Fellow — are bound by this Code of Ethics. It is not a formality; it is the foundation of trust between practitioners, clients, and the public.

Our Code is adapted from established frameworks (including ICF's Code of Ethics) with IAPCF-specific clauses addressing the unique responsibilities of mental toughness, mental wellness, and performance coaching practitioners.

Core Ethical Principles

1

Client Welfare

The wellbeing and best interests of the client take priority in all professional interactions. Practitioners must recognise the boundaries of their competence and refer clients to qualified professionals when needs exceed their scope of practice.

2

Professional Integrity

Members must represent their qualifications, credentials, and experience honestly. They must not claim expertise they do not possess or misrepresent the outcomes that coaching or facilitation can deliver.

3

Confidentiality

All information shared by clients in the coaching relationship is confidential. Practitioners must protect client data and only disclose information with explicit consent, or when required by law to prevent harm.

4

Competence & Scope

Members must practise within the boundaries of their training and credential. Mental toughness coaching, mental wellness facilitation, and performance coaching each have distinct scopes — practitioners must not operate outside their credentialed domains without appropriate qualification.

5

Respect & Non-Discrimination

Practitioners must treat all clients, colleagues, and stakeholders with dignity and respect regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or socioeconomic status.

6

Conflict of Interest

Members must identify and disclose any conflicts of interest that could compromise the coaching relationship. They must avoid situations where personal, financial, or other interests could influence professional judgement.

7

Continued Professional Development

Members have a responsibility to maintain and develop their competence through ongoing learning, supervision, and reflective practice. Credentials must be renewed every 3 years with evidence of continued development.

IAPCF-Specific Provisions

Use of MyZone Mindset

Practitioners using MyZone Mindset must ensure that client data entered into the platform is handled in accordance with the platform's privacy policy and relevant data protection laws. Exercise assignments and evaluation data must serve the client's developmental goals, not be used for purposes beyond the agreed coaching scope.

Psychometric Instruments

Members using psychometric profiling tools must be appropriately trained in their administration and interpretation. Results must be communicated to clients in a constructive, developmentally-focused manner, and never used to label, rank, or discriminate.

Contact Hour Documentation

Contact hours logged for credentialing purposes must accurately reflect genuine client-facing work. Inflating or fabricating hours is a serious ethical breach that may result in credential revocation and membership termination.

Accountability & Conduct Review

IAPCF takes ethical conduct seriously. Any individual — client, colleague, or member of the public — may raise an ethical concern about an IAPCF member.

Ethical Conduct Review Process

  1. Submission: A written concern is submitted to the IAPCF Ethics Committee.
  2. Initial Review: The committee assesses whether the concern falls within the scope of the Code.
  3. Investigation: If warranted, a formal investigation is conducted with opportunity for the member to respond.
  4. Determination: The committee issues a finding — no breach, advisory, formal warning, or sanctions.
  5. Sanctions: May include mandatory remedial education, credential suspension, credential revocation, or membership termination.

To report an ethical concern, contact ethics@iapcf.org.

Ethics is a feature, not a footnote

Our commitment to ethical practice is what makes an IAPCF credential meaningful. When you see the IAPCF badge, you know the practitioner is held to a standard.

View Credentials