How to become a mediator in Massachusetts
Who certifies or lists mediators in Massachusetts?
No individual statewide mediator certification was identified. Court-connected mediation is provided through alternative dispute resolution programs approved by the Trial Court departments; each approved program certifies that the neutrals on its roster meet the qualification standards of Rule 8 of the Uniform Rules on Dispute Resolution (Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:18).
This is general information, not legal advice. It covers Massachusetts only. Rules change, so check the official source before you enroll in a course.
What training and continuing education does Massachusetts require?
These are the court mediator credentials and rosters we could confirm from Massachusetts’s official sources. Where a detail isn’t confirmed, we say so instead of guessing.
| Credential or roster | Initial training | Continuing education |
|---|---|---|
| Court-connected mediator in SJC-approved ADR programs (SJC Rule 1:18, Uniform Rules on Dispute Resolution, Rule 8) Trial Court departments approve ADR programs; mediators affiliate with approved programs (no individual state certification) | Not confirmed from the official source | Not confirmed from the official source |
Do I need a state credential to mediate in Massachusetts?
State credentials and court rosters mainly matter for court-ordered or court-connected cases, where a court may require a mediator from its own list. If you plan to mediate cases that people bring to you privately, check whether Massachusetts or your profession has any rule that applies. See do I need a mediator certified in my state?
Official sources
- Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration (state dispute resolution office)
- Trial Court list of court-connected approved ADR programs (mass.gov)
- G.L. c. 233, § 23C – Mediator confidentiality
- G.L. c. 75, § 46 – Office of dispute resolution
- Probate and Family Court approved ADR programs (mass.gov)
- District Court approved ADR programs (mass.gov)
- Superior Court list of court-connected approved programs for ADR services (2025-2027)
- mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/uniform-dispute-resolution-rule-8-qualifications-sta
Checked Oct 8, 2026. Found an error or a newer rule? Email hello@mediationlist.com.
See the 20 mediators on Massachusetts’s official rosters →
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We’re building online mediation training and continuing education courses. No dates yet. Join the waitlist and we’ll tell you when courses open for Massachusetts and which requirements each one is approved for.