Virginia State Mediator Certification

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:

  1. General District Court (Civil)
  2. Circuit Court Civil (Civil)
  3. Juvenile and Domestic Relations (Family)
  4. 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

RequirementNVMS Course
Step 120-hour basic mediation training
Mediation Skills and Process
Step 24-hour orientation to the Virginia judicial systemOrientation to the Virginia Judicial System
Step 3Observations:
– Option 1: Observe 2 mediations conducted by mentor mediators
– Option 2: 8-hour observation training
8 Hr. GDC Observation Training
Step 4Co-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

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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

RequirementNVMS Course
Step 120-hour basic mediation trainingMediation Skills and Process
Step 24-hour orientation to the Virginia judicial systemOrientation to the Virginia Judicial System
Step 320-hours of advanced mediation trainingFacilitation and Group Consensus Building (8 hours)
Preparing Memoranda and Agreements (4 hours)
Mediating Complex and Multiparty Civil Cases (8 hours)
Step 42 Observations of CCC cases conducted by mentor mediatorsNot available at NVMS
Step 5Co-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

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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

RequirementNVMS Course
Step 120-hour basic mediation trainingMediation Skills and Process
Step 220-hour basic family mediation trainingNot available at NVMS
Step 34-hour orientation to the Virginia judicial systemOrientation to the Virginia Judicial System
Step 48-hour domestic violence assessment trainingNot available at NVMS
Step 52 Observations of JDR cases conducted by mentor mediatorsNot available at NVMS
Step 6Co-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)

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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

RequirementNVMS Course
Step 120-hour basic mediation trainingMediation Skills and Process
Step 220-hour basic family mediation trainingNot available at NVMS
Step 34-hour orientation to the Virginia judicial systemOrientation to the Virginia Judicial System
Step 48-hour domestic violence assessment trainingNot available at NVMS
Step 512-hour economic issues in divorce trainingNot available at NVMS
Step 62 Observations of CCF cases conducted by mentor mediatorsNot available at NVMS
Step 7Co-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)

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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

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