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How do you become a mediator in Texas?

Legal facts checked against Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code · Edited by Jeff Zorn

Last reviewed Oct 7, 2026Updated Oct 7, 2026 5 min readEditorial policy

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To be appointed as a mediator by a Texas court, you must complete at least 40 classroom hours of dispute resolution training in a course run by an organization the appointing court approves. For cases about the parent-child relationship, such as custody, you need 24 more hours in family dynamics, child development, and family law, including at least four hours on family violence. The statute sets training hours rather than a state license, so the next step is getting on the mediator lists that local courts keep.

This is general information, not legal advice. It covers Texas only. Local courts can have their own requirements, so check with the courts where you plan to work.

What Texas law requires

Texas sets mediator qualifications for court appointments in Chapter 154 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, titled "Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures." The law calls a court-appointed mediator an "impartial third party."1

The 40-hour basic training

To qualify for a court appointment, a person "must have completed a minimum of 40 classroom hours of training in dispute resolution techniques." The course must be conducted by an alternative dispute resolution system or other dispute resolution organization approved by the court making the appointment.1

Two points stand out. The statute says "classroom hours." And the approval comes from the appointing court, not a statewide office. Before you sign up for a course, ask the courts where you hope to serve whether they accept it.

The extra 24 hours for family cases

For a dispute "relating to the parent-child relationship," you must complete the 40 hours plus an additional 24 hours of training in family dynamics, child development, and family law. That must include at least four hours of family violence dynamics training developed with a statewide family violence advocacy organization.1 The four-hour family violence piece was added by a 2017 amendment effective September 1, 2017.1

The exception for experience

In appropriate circumstances, a court may appoint someone who doesn't meet the training hours if it bases the appointment on legal or other professional training or experience in particular dispute resolution processes.1 This is the court's choice, not a right you can claim.

Is there a Texas mediator certification?

The statute that sets qualifications for court-appointed mediators lists training hours. It does not set up a state certificate or license.1

The Supreme Court of Texas has also addressed the question. In a June 2005 order, it explained that some practitioners had pushed for mediator licensing or credentialing. Its advisory committee found no consensus in the Texas mediation profession on whether the Court should get involved in credentialing or registration of mediators, and it "recommended that the Court take no action with regard to credentialing." The Court instead adopted Ethical Guidelines for Mediators.2

Because of this, be careful with marketing that implies a state credential. Ask any training provider exactly what its certificate means and who issues it.

Getting appointed: court mediator lists

Training qualifies you. Appointments come from courts.

  • Agreed mediators. When a court refers a case to mediation, it may appoint a mediator the parties agree on, if that person qualifies under the statute.3
  • Court lists. Courts in counties with 25,000 or more people must keep a list of all persons who are registered with the court to serve as a mediator.4 A court may keep more than one list, sorted by type of case and qualifications.4
  • Rotation. When the parties can't agree on a mediator, a court using a rotation system appoints the person whose name is first on its mediator list. After an appointment, that person's name goes to the end of the list.4
  • Exceptions. These appointment rules don't apply to mediations run by a county alternative dispute resolution system under Chapter 152, or to mediators who serve without pay or as volunteers for certain nonprofit legal aid groups.5

Each court sets its own process for registering on its list, so contact the courts or court administrators in your area.

Your duties as a mediator

Texas law and the Supreme Court's guidelines set out what a mediator must do.

  • No pressure to settle. A court-appointed mediator must "encourage and assist the parties in reaching a settlement" but may not compel or coerce them to agree.6 The mediator may not impose their own judgment on the issues.7
  • Confidentiality. The mediator may not share information one party gave in confidence unless that party allows it, and must keep communications about the dispute confidential.6 Communications in an alternative dispute resolution procedure are generally confidential and can't be used as evidence against a participant, with some exceptions.8
  • Reporting abuse. Confidentiality does not cancel the duty to report abuse or neglect under the Texas Family Code, or abuse, exploitation, or neglect under the Human Resources Code.68
  • Disclose your qualifications. The Supreme Court's guidelines say a mediator should tell participants about their qualifications and experience, and should decline to serve if they feel unqualified.2

The 2005 order calls these guidelines "aspirational." Compliance depends mainly on voluntary compliance, then peer pressure and public opinion, and finally, when needed, enforcement by the courts through their inherent powers and existing rules.2

Getting paid

A court may set a reasonable fee for a mediator it appoints. Unless the parties agree on how to pay, the court taxes the fee as a cost of the lawsuit.9 Texas law also gives volunteer mediators, meaning those paid no more than expense reimbursement, immunity from civil liability for acts within their duties unless they act with wanton and willful disregard of others' rights, safety, or property.10

A simple path

  1. Take a 40-hour dispute resolution course the courts in your area accept.1
  2. If you want family cases, add the 24 hours of family training, including family violence dynamics.1
  3. Ask local courts how to register on their mediator lists.4
  4. Read the Supreme Court's Ethical Guidelines for Mediators.2

For how Texas compares with Florida and Georgia, see how to become a mediator, or read the state guides on becoming a mediator in Florida and becoming a mediator in Georgia. For the family-law side of Texas mediation, see the Texas divorce mediation guide.

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

Frequently asked questions

How many hours of training do Texas mediators need?

To qualify for a court appointment, Texas law requires at least 40 classroom hours of dispute resolution training. Cases about the parent-child relationship require 24 more hours in family dynamics, child development, and family law, including at least four hours on family violence dynamics.

Does Texas certify or license mediators?

The Texas statute on court-appointed mediators sets training hours, not a state certificate or license. In 2005 the Supreme Court of Texas noted that its advisory committee recommended no action on mediator credentialing, and the Court adopted ethical guidelines instead.

Can a judge appoint someone without the 40 hours?

Yes, in appropriate circumstances. Texas law lets a court appoint a person who doesn't meet the training hours if the appointment is based on legal or other professional training or experience in particular dispute resolution processes.

How do courts choose mediators?

Parties can agree on a qualified mediator. In counties with 25,000 or more people, courts must keep a list of persons registered with the court to serve as mediators, and a court using a rotation system appoints the next person on the list when the parties can't agree.

Are mediation discussions confidential in Texas?

Generally, yes. Texas law makes communications in an alternative dispute resolution procedure confidential, with some exceptions, such as the duty to report child abuse or neglect.

Sources

  1. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 154.052 (2025), as amended by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 195 (S.B. 539) — https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.154.htm#154.052 ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8

  2. Supreme Court of Texas, Misc. Docket No. 05-9107, Approval of Ethical Guidelines for Mediators (June 2005), including Guideline 5 — https://www.txcourts.gov/All_Archived_Documents/SupremeCourt/AdministrativeOrders/miscdocket/05/05910700.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  3. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 154.051 (2025) — https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.154.htm#154.051 ↩

  4. Tex. Gov't Code §§ 37.001, 37.003, 37.004(b), (f) (2025) — https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.37.htm ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  5. Tex. Gov't Code § 37.002 (2025) — https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.37.htm#37.002 ↩

  6. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 154.053 (2025) — https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.154.htm#154.053 ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  7. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 154.023(b) (2025) — https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.154.htm#154.023 ↩

  8. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 154.073 (2025) — https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.154.htm#154.073 ↩ ↩2

  9. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 154.054 (2025) — https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.154.htm#154.054 ↩

  10. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 154.055 (2025) — https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.154.htm#154.055 ↩

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