In order to meet the RPCA or RFMA mandatory qualifications, an applicant must fulfill all of the following requirements: (A-G)
Please attach copies of all degrees, certificates, etc. and demonstrate how you meet each requirement. Label all attachments to indicate which requirement they fulfill.
A. Education and Experience
All RPCA or RFMA applicants must demonstrate how they fulfill the following education and experience descriptions:
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B. Basic Mediation, Arbitration and Other Training Requirements
1. In addition to, or as part of, the above qualifications, all RPCA/RFMA applicants must have completed basic mediation course(s), totaling a minimum of 40 hours, which have covered all of the following areas:
Please note that the AFMS 40-hour Basic Mediation course (offered in partnership with Family Mediation Canada) qualifies but courses from many other institutions may also be suitable. The Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA) course "Mediation of Family & Divorce Conflicts" is NOT a Basic Mediation course but is instead considered "Specialized Mediation Training" for C. below. All AFMS designations require a 40-hour Basic Mediation course.
2. In addition to, or as part of, the above qualifications, all RPCA/RFMA applicants must submit evidence of the following:
C. Specialized Mediation and Arbitration Training
Education and Experience Requirement
2. All RPCA/RFMA applicants must complete an additional 40 hours of specialized training in Arbitration that covers the list below:
*A program with Skills Assessment would be a role play, exam and/or evaluation.
**From a professional in a related field; must use provided form.
D. Documentation
RPCA or RFMA applicants must submit copies of three (3) mediation agreements or family med/arb consent awards and three (3) arbitration awards (with identifying details omitted). These awards may consist of the following: at least one must be a real award and up to 2 may be based on role plays from a course where the role-played awards have been graded by the instructor and received a passing grade^^.
At least one of the consent awards and arbitration awards must demonstrate the management or documentation of high conflict parenting during mediation and/or arbitration (involving complex family matters: including but not limited to substance misuse, mental health, parent/child contact problems). These awards should, between them, demonstrate a knowledge and competency in dealing with common issues arising in family mediation and arbitration.
^^(An applicant who has been a Registered Family Mediator (RFM) in good standing for 2 years or more and who does not yet have a real Arbitration Award to submit with their application, may still be granted their RFMA status, as long as all other parts of their application are complete and satisfactory. Submission of the real Arbitration Award must occur within one year of the granting of the RFMA designation or RFMA status may be revoked.)
Please note that the results of Collaborative Law files do not qualify as Mediation Agreements or Arbitration Awards.
E. Malpractice Liability Insurance
F. Professional Body Membership
As a member of a regulated professional body (i.e. Alberta College of Social Workers, the Law Society of Alberta, the College of Alberta Psychologists), the holder of the Arbitration Hybrid Designation must be in good standing and maintain that membership.
G. Ongoing Activity and Education
All RPCA/RFMAs must complete a minimum of 50 hours of mediation and/or arbitration per year.
In addition, RPCA/RFMAs must complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education in mediation or arbitration, or related topic areas, (e.g. child development, domestic violence, family law issues related to parenting) every two years.
Check this box to indicate that you acknowledge the Ongoing Activity and Education requirement.
Alternative Qualifications
Applicants who do not meet the above qualifications may submit a letter titled ‘Request’ which details how their relevant experience and educational qualifications alternatively meet the above requirements. The onus is on the applicant to outline where they believe the equivalencies lie for each requirement.
**Letter of Reference form: If your submission includes a Letter of Reference you must use the following document: [Download and complete this document]
