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How to become a mediator

To become a mediator, you usually complete a mediation training course, then meet the rules of the state and courts where you want to work. Some states certify or register court mediators and require training hours, observed mediations and continuing education; others have no statewide credential. Find your state below.

This is general information, not legal advice. Each state page links to the official rules.

Mediator requirements by state

How to become a mediator in Alabama2 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in AlaskaNo statewide credential foundHow to become a mediator in ArizonaNo statewide credential foundHow to become a mediator in Arkansas4 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in California2 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in Colorado1 court credential or rosterHow to become a mediator in ConnecticutNo statewide credential foundHow to become a mediator in DelawareNo statewide credential foundHow to become a mediator in District of Columbia1 court credential or rosterHow to become a mediator in Florida5 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in Georgia6 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in HawaiiNo statewide credential foundHow to become a mediator in Idaho2 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in Illinois1 court credential or rosterHow to become a mediator in Indiana2 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in IowaNo statewide credential foundHow to become a mediator in Kansas3 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in KentuckyNo statewide credential foundHow to become a mediator in Louisiana3 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in Maine4 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in Maryland4 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in Massachusetts1 court credential or rosterHow to become a mediator in Michigan2 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in Minnesota3 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in Mississippi1 court credential or rosterHow to become a mediator in Missouri2 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in Montana1 court credential or rosterHow to become a mediator in Nebraska2 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in NevadaNo statewide credential foundHow to become a mediator in New Hampshire1 court credential or rosterHow to become a mediator in New Jersey3 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in New MexicoNo statewide credential foundHow to become a mediator in New York1 court credential or rosterHow to become a mediator in North Carolina2 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in North Dakota4 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in Ohio4 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in Oklahoma2 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in Oregon3 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in Pennsylvania2 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in Rhode IslandNo statewide credential foundHow to become a mediator in South Carolina2 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in South Dakota1 court credential or rosterHow to become a mediator in Tennessee2 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in TexasNo statewide credential foundHow to become a mediator in Utah2 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in Vermont1 court credential or rosterHow to become a mediator in Virginia4 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in WashingtonNo statewide credential foundHow to become a mediator in West Virginia2 court credentials or rostersHow to become a mediator in WisconsinNo statewide credential foundHow to become a mediator in WyomingNo statewide credential found

Do you need a license to be a mediator?

Not everywhere. In 14 of the 50 states and DC, we found no statewide mediator credential in official sources; courts or local programs set their own rules. In the others, a state body or the courts certify, register or keep lists of mediators for court cases, each with its own training and other requirements.

Clients ask about this too: do I need a mediator certified in my state?

How long does mediation training take?

Requirements vary widely. Mississippi's court-annexed mediation list requires 14 hours of training, Texas requires 40 classroom hours for court appointments plus 24 more for parent-child cases, and Virginia's juvenile and domestic relations certification requires 60 hours. Some states set no statewide minimum, leaving it to courts or programs.

See Mississippi, Texas and Virginia.

Do mediators need continuing education?

In many states with court rosters, yes. Georgia requires 3 hours each year, Virginia 10 hours every 2 years and Minnesota 18 hours every 3 years. Texas, which sets training hours for court-appointed mediators by statute, has no continuing education requirement for them. Your state page lists what we could confirm.

See Georgia, Virginia and Minnesota.

Do I need a law degree to become a mediator?

Usually not. Most of the state rules we checked set training, education or experience requirements rather than a law degree, though some roster types are limited to lawyers, such as Indiana's civil registered mediators. Some family rosters ask for a college degree, such as Georgia's domestic relations category, which requires a bachelor's degree.

See Indiana and Georgia.

What does a mediator do?

A mediator is a neutral person who helps people in a dispute talk, sort out the issues and reach their own agreement. A mediator doesn't take sides, decide who is right or give either side legal advice. Any agreement is up to the parties, and the mediator helps them write it down.

More in what a mediator does.

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