Step by Step Guide
How to Become a Florida
Supreme Court Certified Mediator
To
assist new mediators, the Florida Dispute Resolution Center has
created this guide which contains qualifications for mediator certification, a
list of certified mediation training programs, good moral character
screening procedures, mentorship definitions and eligible activities, and
continuing mediator education requirements.
Revised May 2024
Any discrepancy between the summary and the written certification requirements shall be resolved
in favor of the latter.
Attachment A - Mediator Certification Qualifications
Requirements for County, Family, Circuit, Dependency and Appellate
Mediator Certification
County Minimum Points:
30 certified county mediation training; and
10 education for HS Diploma or GED; and
60 mentorship. [Note: Mentorship points cannot be reduced as a
product of having more than the 10 points in the educational /
mediation experience component.]
= 100 points
Family Minimum Points:
30 certified family mediation training; and
25 educational / mediation experience; and
30 mentorship; and
15 additional points via mentorship, higher education, mediation
experience, or options under miscellaneous points.
= 100 points
Dependency Minimum Points:
30 certified dependency mediation training; and
25 educational / mediation experience; and
40 mentorship; and
5 additional points via mentorship, higher education, mediation
experience, or options under miscellaneous points.
= 100 points
Circuit Minimum Points:
30 certified circuit mediation training; and
25 educational / mediation experience; and
30 mentorship; and
15 additional points via mentorship, higher education, mediation
experience, or options under miscellaneous points.
= 100 points
Appellate
An applicant must be a certified circuit, family or dependency
mediator and successfully complete a certified appellate mediation
training program.
Page 2 of 13
Any discrepancy between the summary and the written certification requirements shall be resolved
in favor of the latter.
Educational & Mediation Experience Points for Family, Circuit, and
Dependency Certification
[Note: County Education Minimum Listed on Previous Page]
40 points Ph.D. from accredited CR Program
30 points Doctorate (e.g., JD, MD, PhD, EdD, LLM)
30 points Master’s Degree in Conflict Resolution
25 points Master’s Degree
25 points Graduate Certificate Conflict Resolution Program AND a Bachelor’s
Degree
25 points Mediated 15 cases (of any type) a year as a Florida certified mediator for
a consecutive 5 year period AND a Bachelor’s Degree
25 points Minimum of 100 mediations (of any type) conducted as mediator over a
consecutive 5 year period AND a Bachelor’s Degree
+ 5 points An additional five points will be awarded for completion of a graduate
level conflict resolution certificate program
Florida certified mediator: 1 point per year in which mediated at least 15 mediations
(any type) OR any mediator: 5 points for minimum of 100 mediations (any type) over
a 5-year period
Mentorship Options: You Choose How to Reach Required Points
[Note: You must work with at least two different certified mediators and must be
completed for the type of certification sought.]
5 points each session Observation
10 points each complete mediation Supervised Mediation
Miscellaneous Options: Helping You Reach 100 Points
5 points
(total)
Licensed to practice law, psychology, accounting, social work, mental
health, health care, education, or mediation in any US jurisdiction
5 points
(total)
Florida Certified Mediator (currently certified)
5 points
(total)
Foreign Language Conversational Ability as demonstrated by
certification by ACTFL Oral Proficiency Test; qualified as a court
interpreter; or accredited by the American Translators Association;
Sign Language Interpreter as demonstrated by approval by the
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
5 points
(total)
Completion of additional mediation training program (minimum 30
hours in length) certified/approved by a state or court other than
Florida
Page 3 of 13
Any discrepancy between the summary and the written certification requirements shall be resolved
in favor of the latter.
All mediators must be at least 21 years of age and be of good moral character.
Rule 10.100. Certification Requirements
(a) General. For certification as a county court, family, circuit court,
dependency, or appellate mediator, a mediator must be at least 21 years of
age and be of good moral character. For certification as a county court,
family, circuit court, or dependency mediator, one must have the required
number of points for the type of certification sought as specifically required
in rule 10.105.
(b) County Court Mediators. For initial certification as a mediator of county
court matters, an applicant must have at least a high school diploma or a
General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and 100 points, which shall include:
(1) 30 points for successful completion of a Florida Supreme Court certified
county court mediation training program;
(2) 10 points for education; and
(3) 60 points for mentorship.
(c) Family Mediators. For initial certification as a mediator of family and
dissolution of marriage issues, an applicant must have at least a bachelor’s
degree and 100 points, which shall include, at a minimum:
(1) 30 points for successful completion of a Florida Supreme Court certified
family mediation training program;
(2) 25 points for education/mediation experience; and
(3) 30 points for mentorship.
Additional points above the minimum requirements may be awarded for
completion of additional education/mediation experience, mentorship, and
miscellaneous activities.
(d) Circuit Court Mediators. For initial certification as a mediator of circuit court
matters, other than family matters, an applicant must have at least a
bachelor’s degree and 100 points, which shall include, at a minimum:
(1) 30 points for successful completion of a Florida Supreme Court certified
circuit mediation training program;
(2) 25 points for education/mediation experience; and
(3) 30 points for mentorship.
Additional points above the minimum requirements may be awarded for
completion of additional education/mediation experience, mentorship, and
miscellaneous activities.
Page 4 of 13
Any discrepancy between the summary and the written certification requirements shall be resolved
in favor of the latter.
(e) Dependency Mediators. For initial certification as a mediator of dependency
matters, as defined in Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.290, an applicant
must have at least a bachelor’s degree and 100 points, which shall include,
at a minimum:
(1) 30 points for successful completion of a Florida Supreme Court certified
dependency mediation training program;
(2) 25 points for education/mediation experience; and
(3) 40 points for mentorship.
Additional points above the minimum requirements may be awarded for
completion of additional education/mediation experience, mentorship, and
miscellaneous activities.
(f) Appellate Mediators. For initial certification as a mediator of appellate
matters, an applicant must be a Florida Supreme Court certified circuit,
family or dependency mediator and successfully complete a Florida Supreme
Court certified appellate mediation training program.
(g) Senior Judges Serving As Mediators. A senior judge may serve as a mediator
in a court-ordered mediation in a circuit in which the senior judge is
presiding over criminal cases or in a circuit in which the senior judge is not
presiding as a judge, or in both, only if certified by the Florida Supreme
Court as a mediator for that type of mediation.
(h) Referral for Discipline. If the certification or licensure necessary for any
person to be certified as a family or circuit mediator is suspended or revoked,
or if the mediator holding such certification or licensure is in any other
manner disciplined, such matter shall be referred to the Mediator
Qualifications Board for appropriate action pursuant to rule 10.800.
(i) Special Conditions. Mediators who are certified prior to August 1, 2006, shall
not be subject to the point requirements for any category of certification in
relation to which continuing certification is maintained.
Rule 10.105. Point System Categories
(a) Education. Points shall be awarded in accordance with the following
schedule (points are only awarded for the highest level of education
completed and honorary degrees are not included):
High School Diploma/GED 10 points
Associate’s Degree 15 points
Bachelor’s Degree 20 points
Master’s Degree 25 points
Master’s Degree in Conflict Resolution 30 points
Doctorate (e.g., Ph.D., J.D., M.D., Ed.D., LL.M) 30 points
Ph.D. from Accredited Conflict Resolution Program 40 points
Page 5 of 13
Any discrepancy between the summary and the written certification requirements shall be resolved
in favor of the latter.
An additional five points will be awarded for completion of a graduate level
conflict resolution certificate program in an institution which has been accredited
by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the New England
Association of Schools and Colleges, the North Central Association of Colleges
and Schools, the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools, the Western Association of Schools and
Colleges, the American Bar Association, or an entity of equal status.
(b) Mediation Experience. One point per year will be awarded to a Florida
Supreme Court certified mediator for each year that mediator has mediated
at least 15 cases of any type. In the alternative, a maximum of five points will
be awarded to any mediator, regardless of Florida Supreme Court
certification, who has conducted a minimum of 100 mediations over a
consecutive five-year period.
(c) Mentorship. Ten points will be awarded for each supervised mediation
completed of the type for which certification is sought and five points will be
awarded for each mediation session of the type for which certification is
sought which is observed.
(d) Miscellaneous Points.
(1) Five points shall be awarded to applicants currently licensed or certified in
any United States jurisdiction in psychology, accounting, social work, mental
health, health care, education, or the practice of law or mediation. Such award
shall not exceed a total of five points regardless of the number of licenses or
certifications obtained.
(2) Five points shall be awarded for possessing conversational ability in a foreign
language as demonstrated by certification by the American Council on the
Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Test, qualification as a
court interpreter, accreditation by the American Translators Association, or
approval as a sign language interpreter by the Registry of Interpreters for the
Deaf. Such award shall not exceed a total of five points regardless of the number
of languages in which the applicant is proficient.
(3) Five points shall be awarded for the successful completion of a mediation
training program (minimum 30 hours in length) which is certified or approved by
a jurisdiction other than Florida and which may not be the required Florida
Supreme Court certified mediation training program. Such award shall not
exceed five points regardless of the number of training programs completed.
(4) Five points shall be awarded for certification as a mediator by the Florida
Supreme Court. Such award shall not exceed five points per category regardless
of the number of training programs completed or certifications obtained.
Page 6 of 13
Attachment B - Certified Mediation Training Providers
The mediation training programs listed below have been certified by the Supreme Court of Florida.
Once you have completed a certified mediation training program, an application for
certification will be provided to you.
Contact training providers directly for their schedules.
A
ppellate Mediation Training Phone Website
Dunlap Mediation (321) 230-3088 www.dunlapmediation.com
County Mediation Training Phone Website
ADR Masterclass (865)
387
-7269 www.adrmasterclass.com
Matthew L. Cersine, Esquire (407) 592-7326 www.cersinelaw.com
CMEWorks.com (866) 968-8724 www.cmeworks.com
CW Consulting Firm, Inc. (386)
299
-0020 www.cwconsultingfirm.com
Dunlap Mediation (321) 230-3088 www.dunlapmediation.com
Empowering Solutions (413) 862-9669 www.empoweringsolutions.org
Florida Mediation Training (386) 269-0942 www.floridamediationtraining.org
Institute of Conflict Resolution & Communication www.icrc.training.com
Mediation Training Academy (561) 504-8495 www.mediationtrainingacademy.com
Mediation Training Group, Inc. (561)
852
-1633 www.mediationtraining.group
Mediation Training Network (954) 415-5645 www.mediationtrainingnetwork.com
Shulman ADR Law, P.A. (813)
935
-9922 www.shulmanadrlaw.com
Arve Wikstrom, J.D. (407) 538-5509 www.altdispute.com
Circuit Mediation Training Phone Website
ADR Masterclass (865)
387
-7269 www.adrmasterclass.com
ADR Training Collaborative, LLC (954) 261-8600 www.adrctraining.com
Dunlap Mediation (321) 230-3088 www.dunlapmediation.com
Florida Mediation Training (386) 269-0942 www.floridamediationtraining.org
Florida Mediation Training Center (954)
6
34-1786 www.flamedtc.com
Institute of Conflict Resolution & Communication www.icrc.training.com
Matrix Train
ing Institute, LLC (561) 340-3500 www.mtifla.com
Mediation Training Academy (561) 504-8495 www.mediationtrainingacademy.com
Mediation Training Group, Inc. (561) 852-1633 www.mediationtraining.group
Mediation Training Network (954)
415
-5645 www.mediationtrainingnetwork.com
Shulman ADR Law, P.A. (813) 935-9922 www.shulmanadrlaw.com
Dependency Mediation Training Phone Website
My Florida Mediator (813)
494
-7655 www.myfloridamediator.com
David Wolfson (850) 459-5543 NA
Family Mediation Training Phone Website
ADR Masterclass (865) 387-7269 www.adrmasterclass.com
CW Consulting Firm, Inc. (386)
299
-0020 www.cwconsultingfirm.com
Family Mediation Training Florida (954) 476-6687
www.familymediationtrainingflorida.com
Florida Mediation Training (386)
269
-0942 www.floridamediationtraining.org
Florida Mediation Training Center (954) 634-1786 www.flamedtc.com
Institute of Conflict Resolution & Communication www.icrc.training.com
Mediation Training Academy (561) 504-8495 www.mediationtrainingacademy.com
Mediation Training Network (954)
415
-5645 www.mediationtrainingnetwork.com
My Florida Mediator (813) 494-7655 www.myfloridamediator.com
Wikstrom Peterson (407)
53
8-5509 www.altdispute.com
Page 7 of 13
Attachment C - Mentorship Requirements
Mentorship must include observing mediations conducted by certified
mediators and may include conducting mediations under the supervision and
observation of certified mediators. A trainee is not required to participate in
supervised mediations under the certification point system. There is no
requirement that either type of mentorship be conducted in person; both types
of mentorship are permitted to be conducted by remote electronic means,
either by audio or audio-video communication technology.
The mentorship requirements for those seeking certification must be
performed in a manner consistent with the following requirements. The
responsibility of structuring a mentorship rests with each trainee. The trainee
must not receive any fees for any case which the trainee utilizes to complete
the required mentorship.
All duly certified mediators are required to allow, upon request, a
minimum of two mediation observations or supervised mediations per year.
The certified mediator must not charge the trainee any fees to observe
mediation conducted by the certified mediator. The certified mediator may
charge a reasonable fee for supervising a trainee while the trainee conducts
mediation. In addition, the certified mediator must be entitled to any
compensation paid for the mediation.
The certified mediator must remain in control of the case.
For an applicant to be awarded mentorship points the applicant must
work with at least two different certified mediators and the mediations involved
must be of the type for which certification is sought.
State-funded trial court mediation programs must assist trainees in
completing their mentorship requirements.
Applicants must provide original or verified electronic signatures of all
mentors in relation to all mentorship activity claimed. In lieu of original or
electronic signatures, the Center will accept an email from the mentor verifying
mentorship activities. Such email verification must be addressed to the
applicant or the Center.
Page 8 of 13
A trainee must not fulfill any of the mentorship requirements completed
before beginning the certified mediation training program; however, a trainee
may be awarded points for observations completed after the commencement
but prior to the conclusion of the certified mediation training program. A
supervised mediation must only be conducted by a trainee after the completion
of a certified mediation training program.
Mediation Observations
For each observation required for certification, the trainee must observe
an entire session of the type of mediation for which certification is sought,
conducted by a certified mediator in the same category for which certification is
sought. The observation requirement must not be satisfied by any individual
who is a party, participant, or representative in the mediation. An appellate or
pre-suit mediation may be utilized for observation purposes if (1) it is or would
have been the type of mediation for which certification is sought if it had been
filed in a trial court and (2) if it is conducted by a certified mediator of the type
for which certification is sought. A federal court mediation conducted by a
certified circuit court mediator may be utilized to fulfill a circuit court
mentorship. In addition, pre-suit homeowner association (HOA) disputes,
within the jurisdiction of the circuit court, mediated by a certified circuit court
mediator may be utilized to fulfill a circuit court mentorship. Administrative
agency mediations conducted under rules and procedures other than those of
the state trial courts may not be utilized to fulfill the mentorship requirements.
Supervised Mediations
A supervised mediation is defined as one in which the trainee conducts a
mediation under the supervision and observation of a certified mediator, or the
trainee co-mediates with a certified mediator. At the conclusion of the
mediation, the mentor must determine if the trainee made a substantial
contribution to the mediation. If so, the case may qualify as a supervised
mediation. If not, the case will qualify only as an observation.
For purposes of conducting supervised mediations, mediation is defined
as a complete case, which may consist of multiple sessions. The entire
mediation must be co-mediated or observed by a certified mediator of the type
for which certification is sought. In the event the trainee is only able to
participate in a single session of a multi-session mediation, such participation
qualifies as an observation regardless of the trainee’s level of participation. An
appellate or pre-suit mediation may be utilized for the requirements to conduct
mediations under supervision and observation if (1) it is or would have been
the type of mediation for which certification is sought if it had been filed in a
trial court, and (2) it is conducted by a certified mediator of the type for which
Page 9 of 13
certification is sought. A federal court mediation conducted by a certified
circuit court mediator may be utilized to fulfill a circuit court mentorship. In
addition, pre-suit homeowner association (HOA) disputes, within the
jurisdiction of the circuit court, mediated by a certified circuit court mediator
may be utilized to fulfill a circuit court mentorship. Administrative agency
mediation conducted under rules and procedures other than those of the state
trial courts may not be utilized to fulfill the mentorship requirements.
Page 10 of 13
Attachment D - Criminal Background Screening Process
The Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators require mediators
to have good moral character. All applicants for mediator certification and
certified mediators adding additional areas of certification are required to
complete a criminal background screening conducted by the Florida Department
of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Mediators seeking renewal are not required to
complete this requirement. Any vendor fee and state and federal processing fees
associated with the criminal background screening are to be borne by the
applicant.
• Applicants are required to go to a Live Scan service provider to be
fingerprinted. A list of Live Scan providers throughout the state is found at here.
Applicants may want to contact more than one vendor. The cost of the criminal
background screening varies depending on the Live Scan provider.
• Applicants are required to provide the Florida Dispute Resolution Center’s
(DRC) Originating Agency Identification (ORI) number to the Live Scan provider
so that the criminal background screening results are sent directly to the DRC.
The DRC will provide the ORI to applicants via email upon the DRC’s receipt of
the application for certification. Applicants should not submit fingerprints for a
criminal background screening before filing an application with the DRC.
• Mediator certification applications will not be considered complete and
processed until the results of the criminal background screening have been
received by the DRC.
• If a certified mediator submitted fingerprints for a criminal background
screening on or after July 1, 2023, and subsequently applies for another type of
certification within two years of initial certification, additional criminal
background screenings will not be required for the additional certification(s).
Page 11 of 13
Attachment E - Continuing Mediator Education (CME)
The purpose of CME is to enhance the participant's professional
competence as a mediator. The requirement of CME and the reporting thereof
applies to all certified mediators seeking renewal and must be fulfilled in
accordance with the following procedures.
To qualify as CME, a course or activity must have significant, current
intellectual or practical content and must constitute an organized program of
learning directly related to the practice of mediation. To qualify as CME, a
course must be conducted by an individual or group qualified by practical or
academic experience. CME credit is based on a 50-minute hour.
All mediators must complete 16 hours of CME, which must include a
minimum of four hours of mediator ethics, a minimum of two hours of
interpersonal violence education, and a minimum of one hour of
diversity/cultural awareness education in each two-year renewal cycle,
including the two years following initial certification.
Family and dependency mediators must complete an additional two
hours of the required 16 hours in interpersonal violence education each
renewal cycle, for a total of four hours in interpersonal violence.
Mediators who are certified in more than one area are only required to
obtain 16 hours of CME regardless of the number of certifications held.
Mediator certification may not be renewed until all CME requirements are
completed.
A. Continuing Education from Other Professions
Continuing education completed for another profession's continuing
education requirement may be used as CME if the material bears directly
on the mediator's mediation practice and complies with the CME guidelines
set forth in these operating procedures.
B. Educational Formats
CME may be completed by any of the following educational formats:
(1) attendance at a live lecture or seminar; or
(2) attendance at an internet based presentation; or
(3) participation as a lecturer, presenter, or panel member in
a CME program; or
(4) serving as a mentor under rule 10.100, Florida Rules for
Page 12 of 13
Certified and Court- Appointed Mediators. Mentorship hours are
limited to eight hours. Mentoring hours cannot be applied toward the
required ethics, cultural diversity, or interpersonal violence
education (IPV) CME components; or
(5) attendance at court alternative dispute resolution
committee and board meetings for the time spent on mediation
topics; or listening to or viewing previously recorded
presentations; or
(6) authoring or editing written materials submitted for
publication that have significant intellectual or practical content
directly related to the practice of mediation; or
(7) successfully completing a self-directed program that is
qualified for continuing education credit by a governmental
licensing board.
C. Reporting Requirements
Mediators must maintain proof of attendance at CME programs or other
appropriate documentation and must report their CME at the end of each
two-year renewal cycle on the DRC's renewal form. Each mediator is
responsible for maintaining all records relating to CME, which records are
subject to audit by the DRC.
Any CME hours completed may be utilized for only one renewal cycle.
Hours in excess of the minimum requirement may not be carried forward
to the next renewal cycle. A mediator may begin earning CME hours for
the next renewal cycle upon submission of the mediator’s completed
renewal form, renewal fees, and required CME hours.
Attending and lecturing or teaching at the same CME presentation will not
entitle a mediator to additional credit. This prohibition against repeat
attendance will not apply to annual conferences and yearly updates of a
previously attended session.
If all other qualifications for renewal are satisfied and all fees are paid or
waived, but a mediator is deficient in CME credits, the mediator will be
notified in writing and certification will be continued for 90 days from the
mediator’s renewal date. During those 90 days, the mediator must complete
all remaining CME requirements in order to be eligible for renewal without
penalty.
Page 13 of 13
