How do you become a mediator in Georgia?

Georgia does not certify mediators. Instead, you register with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution (GODR) in the category of cases you want to mediate. For general civil mediation, that means a background check, 28 hours of GODR-approved training, and either a 12-hour practicum or five observed civil mediations. Family (domestic relations) mediation requires more, including a bachelor's degree and 42 more hours of training. Registered neutrals renew every year and complete 3 hours of continuing education each calendar year.

This is general information, not legal advice. It covers Georgia only. Rules and fees can change, so check GODR before you enroll in a course.

Registration, not certification

GODR says: "The State of Georgia offers no real 'certification' for neutrals." People who complete proper training and get their application approved are added to a registry of those eligible to act as a neutral in court-connected cases.¹ "Neutral" is the word Georgia uses for the people it registers, including mediators, arbitrators, and early neutral evaluators.²

The Georgia Supreme Court's ADR rules say all neutrals practicing in court programs and in court-ordered mediation must be registered with GODR, in the category for the type of case they want to handle.²

Registration categories and training hours

Appendix B of the Georgia Supreme Court ADR Rules lists the categories.² General civil mediation is the prerequisite for every category except non-binding arbitration.²

General civil mediation

To register, you must:²

• Consent to, cooperate with, and pass a background check
• Complete 28 hours of GODR-approved general civil mediation training
• Then either complete a 12-hour GODR-approved practicum, or observe five civil (non-domestic, non-juvenile) mediation sessions totaling at least ten hours

If you choose observations, you need both five sessions and ten hours, even if one is reached first. You must observe at least two different registered mediators, and the observations must be live, in person or remote. Pre-recorded videos don't count.² GODR adds that the mediator you observe must be actively registered with GODR, and it provides a form to report observations.³

Domestic relations mediation

Domestic relations means family cases such as divorce. To register, you must:²

• Meet all requirements for general civil mediation
• Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Complete 42 hours of GODR-approved domestic relations mediation training
• Then either complete a 12-hour GODR-approved domestic relations practicum, or observe at least one domestic relations mediation and take part in at least two domestic relations co-mediations

Observations and co-mediations must be in cases currently filed in a Georgia court, held live, and done with a mediator who is registered in domestic relations mediation and in Active status.²

Specialized domestic violence mediation

You must first register in both general civil and domestic relations mediation. Then you complete 14 hours of GODR-approved specialized domestic violence mediation training.²

Other categories

• Probate mediation: meet the general civil requirements and complete 16 hours of GODR-approved combined probate training and practicum.²
• Delinquency mediation: register in general civil mediation and complete 21 hours of GODR-approved delinquency training.²
• Dependency mediation: register in general civil mediation, complete 21 hours of delinquency training first, hold a bachelor's degree, and complete GODR-approved dependency training. That training must be at least 21 hours if you're registered in domestic relations, or at least 28 hours if you're registered in delinquency but not domestic relations.²
• Non-binding arbitration: 6 hours of GODR-approved arbitration training and a background check.²
• Early neutral evaluation: be a registered neutral, have at least eight years practicing law or serving as a judge, have five years of relevant experience in the subject area, complete 6 hours of approved training, and have served as an arbitrator or mediator in at least ten ADR sessions.²

Choosing a training course

GODR pre-approves training courses for each category and posts them on its Find a Training page.³ GODR says pre-approved trainings are not required but are "strongly encouraged." It also says online trainings are never accepted, except pre-approved trainings held in a live, real-time virtual format.³

If you trained somewhere other than a GODR-approved course, you can ask for a training waiver. You must pass a Georgia ethics test with a score of at least 80%. Waivers are not available for specialized domestic violence, delinquency, dependency, or probate mediation.² GODR says there is no formal reciprocity with other states and that out-of-state training is reviewed case by case.³

The application steps

GODR lists these steps after training:¹

1. Create an account in the Georgia Courts Registrar, the online system used for applications, continuing education, and renewals.⁴
2. Complete an ethics check. This includes criminal history questions and a consent form for background checks. GODR says consent is implied for periodic background checks during registration.⁵
3. Attest to lawful presence with a notarized affidavit.⁶
4. Provide a secure and verifiable document, which is a form of government-issued ID from GODR's approved list.⁷
5. Submit your application and fee. GODR says your application will not be received until payment is complete.⁸

Apply on time. Under Appendix B, you must apply within 18 months of completing the GODR-approved training for the category.²

Fees

GODR links to an administrative fee schedule from its application page. That schedule, effective July 1, 2021, lists:⁹

• $200 for a standard new neutral application
• $150 for a standard on-time renewal (a flat fee for any or all categories)
• $200 for a late renewal from January 1 to February 28/29

If you're unsure whether your criminal history will block registration, GODR offers an ethics "pre-certification of fitness to register" review before you train, for $100.⁵ Check with GODR for current amounts before you pay.

Staying registered

Registration lasts one year at a time.² You must file a renewal application by noon on December 31 each year and pay a renewal fee.²

• Continuing education: You must complete 3 hours of continuing education each calendar year, no matter how many categories you hold. You can carry over 3 extra hours to the next year only. The requirement starts the year after your first year of registration.²
• Missed deadlines: If you miss the December 31 deadline, you are in lapsed status and can still renew through the last day of February with a late fee. On March 1, lapsed neutrals become inactive and may not serve in court programs or court-connected cases.²
• Deregistration: After five years in inactive status, you are deregistered and must meet all initial requirements again, including training.²

Getting court cases

Registration makes you eligible to serve in court-connected cases, but it doesn't guarantee referrals. GODR says each court ADR program keeps its own requirements for neutrals on its roster, and you must contact those programs directly.¹⁰ GODR also says registered neutrals are encouraged to market their own practice.¹⁰

For how Georgia compares with Florida and Texas, see how to become a mediator, or read the state guides on becoming a mediator in Florida and becoming a mediator in Texas. For what registration means to the people you will serve, see do I need a mediator certified in my state?

To find a mediator, browse our Florida directory or get matched.