| License Description |
Family Mediators are impartial third persons who, with the consent of the parties to a divorce or other parental rights and responsibilities matters, assist and enable the parties to work together to reach a mutually satisfactory settlement of the issues in a dispute.
Legislation: NH RSA 328-C; Administrative Rules Chapter Fam 100-700
Certification Requirements:
- A Bachelor's degree or higher in any field
- One of the following:
- Core training taken within the three years preceding the date of application which includes:
- At least 48 hours of mediation training, including at least 24 hours of core mediation training given by a New Hampshire certified program or a family mediator training program in another state, provided the trainers are Advanced Practitioner/Educator members of the Association for Conflict Resolution
- At least 16 hours of mediation training specific to New Hampshire, and at least eight hours of domestic violence training given by a currently certified New Hampshire family mediator program
- Core training taken more than three years preceding date of application which includes at least 48 hours of core mediation training, including 24 hours of core mediation, 16 hours of mediation training specific to New Hampshire, and eight hours of domestic violence training given by a New Hampshire certified family mediator training program, plus at least 12 hours of Family Mediator Certification Board approved continuing education taken within one year of the date of the application and including at least three hours focusing on each one of the following topics: recent changes in law and procedure in matters related to divorce and parental rights and responsibilities; ethics for mediators; domestic violence; and mediation skills
- Completion of a 20-hour internship with certified family mediators who qualify as internship supervisors and/or with mediators aproved by the Association for Conflict Resolution as an advanced practitioner/advanced educator member who will then submit intern evaluations and letters of recommendation directly to the Board. (Note: Length of internship is reduced to ten hours for family lawyers or therapists who have practiced for at least seven years.)
- Submission of a completed application
- Submission of a total of three letters of recommendation from internship supervisors, core training providers, or people who have worked with the applicant during the internship, attesting to the applicant's honesty and competence as a mediator
Examination: Not required
Continuing Education: At least 24 hours of Board-approved continuing education is required during each three-year certification period. At least 16 hours must be obtained through attendance at live presentations. Included must be at least four hours in mediation skills and three hours on each of the following topics: recent changes in law and procedure in matters related to divorce and parental rights and responsibilities; ethics for mediators; and domestic violence. Those who serve as intern supervisors and those who present Board-approved continuing education courses are eligible for additional credit hours.
Fees:
- Certification application: $300
- Certification renewal: $300
- Reinstatement fee: $400
- Family Mediator Training Program Certification: $900
- Family Mediator Training Program Certification renewal: $900
Certifications must be renewed every three years
Reciprocity: Not permitted
revised Jan 2018 |