Certification
Pursuing certification is worthwhile for those looking to begin practicing mediation or advancing a current career in another field by increasing their credibility, gaining experience and expanding a professional network.
As a Virginia state-certified mediator, you will have completed one of the most rigorous certification processes in the country. Requirements involve intensive skill-building training as well as time spent working with experienced mentor mediators to gain real-case experience.
The Virginia Court Mediator certifications are state-wide certifications which allow mediators to accept court-referred cases of a particular type from any court within the state. For information about other state mediation standards and requirements please see US Mediation Certification Standards.
Virginia has four levels of certification:
- General District Court (Civil)
- Circuit Court Civil (Civil)
- Juvenile and Domestic Relations (Family)
- Circuit Court Family (Family)
Recertification is required every 2 years.
Virginia Court Mediator Certification Requirements (PDF)
All Virginia certification categories require a Bachelor’s degree OR equivalent work experience as a prerequisite. If you have questions, contact the Dispute Resolution service at the Supreme Court of Virginia at (804) 786-6455 for more information.
General District Court (GDC) – Civil Certification
- Typical issues addressed: landlord/tenant, contract, debt, business-to-business, neighborhood.
- Amount in dispute is $5,000 or less
- Includes three courts: Small Claims Court (no attorneys present), Landlord-Tenant Court (attorneys may or may not be present), and General District Court (attorneys may or may not be present)
REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisite: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
| Requirement | NVMS Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | 20-hour basic mediation training | Mediation Skills and Process |
| Step 2 | 4-hour orientation to the Virginia judicial system | Orientation to the Virginia Judicial System |
| Step 3 | Observations: – Option 1: Observe 2 mediations conducted by mentor mediators – Option 2: 8-hour observation training | 8 Hr. GDC Observation Training |
| Step 4 | Co-mediations: – A minimum of 3 cases – A minimum of 5 hours spent in mediation – Scrivener for at least one agreement – Work with a minimum of 2 different mentors | Co-mediation cohort Complete co-mediation requirements as a 4-month cohort program. |
Complete all requirements and apply for certification no later than 2 years from the last day of your basic mediation training.
TOTAL COST: $2,530
Circuit Court Civil (CCC) – Civil Certification
- Typical issues addressed: malpractice, personal injury, contracts, or condemnation.
- Amount in dispute is over $25,000
REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisite: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
| Requirement | NVMS Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | 20-hour basic mediation training | Mediation Skills and Process |
| Step 2 | 4-hour orientation to the Virginia judicial system | Orientation to the Virginia Judicial System |
| Step 3 | 20-hours of advanced mediation training | Facilitation and Group Consensus Building (8 hours) Preparing Memoranda and Agreements (4 hours) Mediating Complex and Multiparty Civil Cases (8 hours) |
| Step 4 | 2 Observations of CCC cases conducted by mentor mediators | Not available at NVMS |
| Step 5 | Co-mediations: – 5 co-mediations totaling at least 10 hours – Scrivener for at least 1 agreement | Not available at NVMS |
Complete all requirements and apply for certification no later than 2 years from the last day of your basic mediation training.
TOTAL COST: $3,145
Juvenile and Domestic Relations (J&DR) – Family Certification
- Typical issues: custody, visitation, co-parenting, child and spousal support.
Family mediation training and mentorship not available at NVMS. For upcoming opportunities around the state click here.
REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisite: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
| Requirement | NVMS Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | 20-hour basic mediation training | Mediation Skills and Process |
| Step 2 | 20-hour basic family mediation training | Not available at NVMS |
| Step 3 | 4-hour orientation to the Virginia judicial system | Orientation to the Virginia Judicial System |
| Step 4 | 8-hour domestic violence assessment training | Not available at NVMS |
| Step 5 | 2 Observations of JDR cases conducted by mentor mediators | Not available at NVMS |
| Step 6 | Co-mediations: – 5 co-mediations totaling at least 10 hours – Scrivener for at least 1 agreement – Completion of at least 1 child support worksheet | Not available at NVMS |
Complete all requirements and apply for certification no later than 2 years from the last day of your basic family mediation training.
TOTAL COST: $5,280 (Training Only)
Circuit Court Family (CCF) – Family Certification
- Typical issues: custody, visitation, co-parenting, child and spousal support and division of property and assets.
Family mediation training and mentorship not available at NVMS. For upcoming opportunities around the state click here.
REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisite: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
| Requirement | NVMS Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | 20-hour basic mediation training | Mediation Skills and Process |
| Step 2 | 20-hour basic family mediation training | Not available at NVMS |
| Step 3 | 4-hour orientation to the Virginia judicial system | Orientation to the Virginia Judicial System |
| Step 4 | 8-hour domestic violence assessment training | Not available at NVMS |
| Step 5 | 12-hour economic issues in divorce training | Not available at NVMS |
| Step 6 | 2 Observations of CCF cases conducted by mentor mediators | Not available at NVMS |
| Step 7 | Co-mediations: – 5 co-mediations totaling at least 10 hours – Scrivener for at least 1 agreement – Completion of at least 1 child support worksheet | Not available at NVMS |
Complete all requirements and apply for certification no later than 2 years from the last day of your basic family mediation training.
TOTAL COST: $5,980 (Training Only)
Recertification
Recertification cycle: Due October 31, every two years.
Requirements
- 10 hours of continuing education training including 2 hours of mediator ethics training
There are multiple avenues to accrue continuing education hours. For additional information, please consult pages 11-13 of the Guidelines For The Training And Certification Of Court-Referred Mediators.
Do you still have questions? Contact us