REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A CERTIFIED MEDIATOR IN VIRGINIA

Since 1993, only Virginia Supreme Court certified mediators are eligible to receive referrals from judges in the Virginia Court system. A Directory of Court Mediators is maintained in every clerk's office in every court in the state. As of March 1996, there are two types of mediator certification in Virginia (a third type, certification in mediating complex issues and cases, is under consideration):

A. General Mediation:

An applicant for certification as a General Mediator must submit evidence of successful completion of 20 hours of training in basic mediation skills offered by a certified training program. In addtion, an applicant for certification as a General Mediator must also submit evidence of successful completion of at least four hours of additional training, study or experience with Virginia's judicial system.

B. Family Mediation:

In addition to meeting the requirements for certification as a General Mediator, an applicant for certification as a Family Mediator (to mediate cases filed in Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court and / or to mediate domestic relations cases in Circuit Court) must also demonstrate successful completion of 20 hours of additional mediation training in family-related matters (including issues of domestic violence and the best interest of the child), provided by a certified training prgoram. The training may also be received in one 40-hour certified family mediation course. Also, an applicant for certification as a Family Mediator must have four hours of training or education screening for and dealing with domestic violence. This requirement can not be met through the first 40 hours of training.

C. In addition to meeting the training requirements set forth above, General Mediator applicants must submit evidence of successful completion of:

1. observation of at least two entire mediations conducted by certifed mediators; or

2. where applicants are unable to meet the requirement of two observations, successful completion of additional certified training in mediation practice during which the applicant is evaluated by at least one certified mediator in at least two role plays simulating possible mediation scenarios;and

3. supervised co-mediation of at least three entire mediations, evaluated by certified mediators.

D. When the application is for certification as a Family Mediator, applicants must submit evidence of successful completion of:

1. observation of at least two entire domestic relations mediations conducted by certified mediators; or

2. where applicants are unable to meet the requirement of two observations, successful completion of additional certified training in domestic relations mediation practice during which the applicant is evaluated by at least one certified mediator in at least two role plays simulating possible mediation scenarios; and

3. supervised co-mediation of at least five entire domestic relations mediations, evaluated by certified mediators.