Florida Mediator Certification & Training Overview

1. Mediator Certification & Training Overview by the Florida Dispute Resolution Center

2. The Florida Supreme Court certifies mediators in five areas: county, family, circuit, dependency, and appellate mediation. Successfully completing a certified mediation training program is one of the first steps to becoming a certified mediator. This presentation overviews the training and certification process in accordance with the Operating Procedures Governing Certified Mediation Training Programs and the Rules for Certified and Court- Appointed Mediators. Florida Supreme Court Mediator Certification

3. County Mediation Training • Minimum of 24 hours over no less than 3 days Operating Procedures Governing Certified Mediation Training Family, Circuit, and Dependency Mediation Trainings • Minimum of 40 hours over no less than 5 days Appellate Mediation Training • Minimum of 7 hours

4. Training Materials & Agreement Writing Materials You will receive a written set of materials which contains applicable statutes and court rules governing mediation. Agreement Writing You will participate in at least one exercise on memorializing an agreement in writing.

5. Training programs must review with participants Parts II and III, Florida Rules for Certified and Court- Appointed Mediators for at least 90 minutes, in blocks of time of at least 30 minutes, which must include application of ethical standards to specific scenarios and discuss common ethical grievances faced by mediators. Mediator Ethics & Grievances

6. Role Play Requirements Prior to your role play experience as a mediator, you will watch a live or recorded simulation of a mock mediation in the area in which you are being trained. You are required to participate in a minimum of two role plays, one as the sole mediator and one as a party to the dispute. For the role play as mediator, you will be observed by a trainer.

7. At the conclusion of the role play in which you are the mediator, the trainer who observed you will spend time with you and the mock parties discussing your role as mediator. You will also receive a written critique form. This form is for you to keep. Role Plays – Feedback

8. Evaluation, Audit & Training Certificate At the conclusion of the training, you must complete an evaluation and audit form on the required components for this certified mediation training program. Upon successful completion of the training program, you will receive a certificate of completion of training. A copy of this certificate must be included with your application for mediator certification. You must submit an application within two years to use the training to satisfy the training requirement for certification.

9. Application For Mediator Certification Instructions to complete the national background screening will be sent with the notice that the DRC has received your application. Please accept all future emails from DRCmail@flcourts.org. Your application will establish to the Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) that you have earned the 100 points required for mediator certification and are ready to proceed with the required criminal background screening.

10. Requirements for Mediator Certification County, family, circuit, and dependency mediator certification requires 100 points for each area of certification with minimum point levels for training, education, and mentorship categories. All mediators are required to be 21 years of age and demonstrate good moral character.

11. For each item you are claiming points, you must attach written verification of those points to your application. Points for advanced degrees require a copy of your diploma and receipt of your transcript mailed directly from the educational institution conferring your highest degree. Miscellaneous points for licensure to practice law, psychology, accounting, social work, mental health, health care, education or mediation, require a copy of your license. Points Verification

12. • County Mediation: Minimum of a high school diploma or GED • Family, Circuit, and Dependency Mediation: • Master’s degree or Doctorate (JD, Ph.D. MD, EdD., LLM); or • Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of mediation experience (certified mediator: 1 point per year in which mediated 15 mediation (any type) or any mediator: 5 points for minimum of 100 mediations (any type) over a 5-year period; or • Bachelor’s degree and a graduate certificate in a conflict resolution program. • A Bachelor’s degree, without mediation experience or a graduate certificate, is insufficient to meet the educational requirements. Education Minimums

13. You may elect any combination of observations and supervised mediations to reach the required point level for mentorship in the area of certification you are seeking, but note, you must work with at least two different mentors. Mentorship Points You may begin observing cases only after starting a certified mediation training program – even if the program has not concluded. You may only participate in supervised cases after the conclusion of the entire program. You must structure your mentorship for yourself. You should contact certified mediators to request their assistance in serving as your mentor.

14. Mentorship – Eligible Cases To fulfill your mentorship requirements, you may use pre-suit disputes that are eligible to be filed with the court in the area you are seeking certification. In addition, a federal court mediation conducted by a certified circuit civil mediator may be utilized to fulfill the circuit mentorship. A case does not count toward mentorship points if it is not conducted under rules and procedures of the state trial court. Examples of cases that DO NOT count include Workers’ Compensation, Department of Financial Services, and Federal EEOC cases.

15. • All applicants must pay a non- refundable $20 application fee in addition to the certification fee for the type of certification sought. • Certification fees: • County = $40 • Circuit or Family = $150 each • Dependency or Appellate = $100 each Application & Certification Fees

16. Application Errors An incomplete application may only remain pending with the DRC for a maximum of one year from the date of initial filing. If there are any issues with your application, you will be notified and given an opportunity to correct or amend the application.

17. • You will be notified by email when you have been certified and your name will automatically appear on the list of certified mediators. • This notification will contain your mediator certificate along with your certification number and dates of certification. • Certification is for a two-year period. Mediator Certification Granted

18. Successfully complete this training course Fulfill your mentorship requirements Review: Steps for Mediator Certification Complete your application and submit it to the DRC Complete your background screening when prompted by the DRC Keep your email address current with the DRC

19. Florida Dispute Resolution Center 500 South Duval Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399 850-291-2910 DRC Contact Information Questions: www.flcourts.org Select Alternative Dispute Resolution under Resources & Services DRCmail@flcourts.org