Practising Mediator (PM) Requirements and Application

Requirements for Practising Mediator Status

All Practising Mediators (PMs) must meet all of the following criteria (A – D):

A. Education and Experience

All PMs must meet one of the following four education and experience descriptions:

1. A Law degree or a Master-level degree in one of the following: Psychology, Social Work, Education, Mediation, Conflict Resolution or other related field (such as Sociology, Criminology, Nursing,); or

2. Bachelor-level degree in one of the following: Psychology, Social Work, Education, Mediation, Conflict Resolution or other related field (such as Sociology, Criminology, Nursing)
plus
minimum 100-hour Conflict Resolution Training with Skills Assessment* and/or two reference letters**; or

3. Bachelor-level degree (any discipline) or related Diploma (Social Work, Education, Corrections, Paralegal)
plus Minimum 200-hour Conflict Resolution Training with Skills Assessment and/or two reference letters from a professional in a related field
plus
10 hours of mediation experience (co-mediating, shadowing a qualified mediator, volunteer mediation, mentorship); or

4. 250-hour Conflict Resolution Training with Skills Assessment* and/or two reference letters**
plus
20 hours of mediation experience (co-mediating, shadowing a qualified mediator, volunteer mediation, mentorship).

*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.

B. Basic Mediation Training

In addition to, or as part of, the above qualifications, all Practicing Mediators must have completed generic conflict resolutions courses, totalling a minimum of 40 hours, which have covered all of the following areas:

*Conflict Resolution
*Negotiation
*Communication
*Interest-based Mediation
*Mediation Skills

(Please note that AFMS puts on a 40-hour Basic Mediation course but courses from many other institutions are 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 Training" often used for the Registered Family Mediator (RFM) membership qualifications. All levels of mediator members with AFMS require a Basic Mediation course.)

C. Malpractice Liability Insurance

PMs must submit evidence of applicable malpractice insurance coverage for Alberta.

D. Ongoing Activity and Education

PMs must complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education in mediation related topic areas every two years.

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.

Application Form

Click through each bullet below to review the requirements again and/or how to submit your relevant information. You do not have to fill out each page to review it.