Mediation certification in the state of Florida has two tracks: certification that private firms may approve and certification that is acceptable to the judicial system.  Only mediation attorneys in the latter group are eligible to receive referrals from the state court system.

Several Types of Mediation Certification

Family mediation specialists are required to have 40 or more hours of training in a program designed to teach skills in working with issues related to the dissolution of a marriage.  This program must be certified by the Florida Supreme Court.  In addition, these mediation attorneys must have advanced educational qualifications such as a master's degree or doctorate in a related field such as mental health or social work; there are several ways to meet this requirement.  Other requirements include observations of mediation sessions.

To work mediating matters that occur in county courts, a candidate must either already be a family mediation attorney or must meet an alternate set of requirements including 20 hours of training in a Florida Supreme Court-approved program and a minimum of four observations of mediation conferences conducted by a court-certified mediation attorney.

Another option is to work as a mediation attorney with the circuit court.  When working with any issues other than family disputes, these candidates must have completed 40 hours in a training program.  These mediation attorneys must also conduct two circuit court mediation observations and be members in good standing, including five years of practice, of the Florida Bar Association.