Maryland Mediation Blog

My private mediation practice is based in the State of Maryland.

I often receive calls from people who visit my mediation website, www.mdmediator.com and/or view one of the mediation pages of my legal website, www.levianlegal.com and ask, "how do I become a mediator?"

Currently, to be a mediator in private practice here in the State of Maryland does not require any certification.

However, if as a mediator you want to be referred cases from the circuit court, you must meet the requirements prescribed by the State of Maryland. You must be over the age of 21, or convince the court to waive the age requirement, and have a Bachelor's Degree, or convince the court that your mediation experience, work history, and/or community activities make you "uniquely qualified to handle particular types of circuit court cases."

In addition you must have completed a 40-hour mediation training program that is in compliance with the "requirements of Maryland Rule 17-106(a), including training in (1) conflict resolution and mediation theory, (2) mediation skills and techniques, (3) mediator conduct, (4) rules, statutes and practice governing circuit court mediation, and (5) simulations and role-playing."

If as a mediator you want to receive child custody and visitation cases for mediation from the circuit court, you must meet the general requirements above, and in addition to the 40-hour mediation training program required by Maryland Rule 17-106(a), have completed a 20-hour family mediation training program that meets the requirements of Maryland Rule 17-106(b), "including training in (1) Maryland law relating to separation, divorce, annulment, child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, (2) the emotional aspects of separation and divorce on adults and children, (3) screening for and addressing domestic violence, (4) family systems and child development theory, and (5) the inter-relationship of custody and child support."

Furthermore, in addition to the 20-hour family mediation training program you must have observed two or more custody or visitation mediation sessions conducted by a person approved by the county administrative judge, or have conducted two or more custody or visitation mediation sessions for cases in Maryland circuit courts.