 | Members Log In |
Take the Next Step in Your Mediation Practice
Your experience matters. Your professional growth does, too.
You’ve completed your mediation training.
You’ve gained experience at the table (we recommend at least 30 cases).
Now, consider taking the next step in your professional journey. by becoming an
MCDR Certified Mediator
MCDR Certification is unique: It is performance-based.
- Through a role play based on the type of mediation you practice, you will have the opportunity to have your mediation skills evaluated by experienced peers. You will receive detailed feedback that highlights your strengths and promotes areas of improvement. A passing score means you become certified.
- We invite you to challenge yourself, invest in your practice, and demonstrate your commitment to ethical practice and excellence in mediation.
Certification isn't about being a perfect mediator.
It is about demonstrating competence
Being open to professional feedback
Growing your craft
What Does the Certification Session Look Like?
- A one-hour videotaped role-play mediation observed by two trained MCDR assessors.
- Using MCDR's nine core competencies, observers, including role players, provide detailed oral and written feedback.
Ready to Invest in Yourself?
- The first step is completing the MCDR Certification Application and Self-Statement.
- Once your materials have been reviewed and accepted, you will be invited to submit your certification fee and move into assessment scheduling.
Certification Fee: MCDR Members: $325 Non-Members: $395
Certifications are scheduled whenever MCDR receives an application.
What's the Process?
The MCDR process is considered to be a national assessment and certification process. MCDR is one of eight (8) Qualifying Assessment Programs in the United States recognized by the International Mediation Institute (IMI) as a pre-requisite for application to IMI. Once a mediator has been certified by MCDR that mediator may apply for IMI certification. MCDR has four (4) certified mediators who are also certified IMI mediators.
What are the Requirements?
You can make payments through the Join or Renew link.
How the candidate manages the process of mediation,
How the candidate manages the content of the mediation and
How the candidate manages the relationships of the participants.
Upon completion of the role play, the candidate is given verbal feedback, first from the role players (once the role players have given feedback they are excused) and then from the assessors.
The assessors will score the assessment scale and write a short narrative about the candidate’s performance, both of which are provided to the candidate within two (2) weeks from the date of the assessment along with a copy of the video.
The entire process is videotaped for two (2) reasons:
1.) To provide the candidate with the opportunity to view his/her performance in relation to the verbal and written feedback; and,
2.) To provide the opportunity for the candidate’s performance to be viewed by additional assessors if one assessor passes the person, and one does not.
How Do I Get Certified?
In order to be certified through MCDR, the candidate must receive passing scores from both assessors. Two scores of 3.0 or above are required for the candidate to become an MCDR Certified Mediator. A split score, with one reviewer assigning a score of less than 3.0 and the other a score of 3.0 or above, does not enable the candidate to become certified. In this case, the candidate may request an appeal. An appeal consists of two additional "reviewer mediators" reviewing the videotaped role-play and using the same scoring instrument. Two scores of 3.0 or above must be awarded by the reviewers for the candidate to become certified. In the case that neither of the original reviewers assigns a score of 3.0 or above, there is no appeal option.
Once a candidate satisfies the criteria for certification (a passing score), he/she will be given a certificate from MCDR stating he/she is a MCDR Certified Mediator.
If a candidate has not satisfied the criteria for certification, the candidate will be offered a mentoring opportunity with a certified MCDR mediator and invited to participate in the assessment process again within one year at no additional cost.
Unsure if you are Ready?
Mediators who are interested in discussing the assessment process are welcome to contact Committee Co-Chairs Ramona Buck at 443-418-0392 or Danette Ross Watson, solomonsway@yahoo.com.
Interested in Being a Role Player?
Participating as a role player is a great way to observe how the process works before becoming a candidate. If you are interested in volunteering as a role player for an assessment day or if you would like additional information, contact, Ramona Buck at 443-418-0392.
How Do I Apply?
Submit a completed application along with the one-page self-statement and application fee of $325.00 for MCDR members and $395.00 for non-members (click here for information on membership) to: Certification, Attn: Ramona Buck, 512 Scott Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20904. Payment for your certification can be made by check made out to Maryland Council for Dispute Resolution, or credit card by clicking on the "Registration" tab.
MCDR is a Certification Agency of the IMI
MCDR is committed to promoting only the highest standards of integrity, quality and competence among our practitioners. Achieving this goal is a part of our stated mission. To that end MCDR is proud to have been approved in 2012 as a Certification Agency by the International Mediation Institute (IMI). The IMI is a non-profit foundation and public service initiative established to promote high competency standards and transparency in the practice of mediation.
MCDR members who are IMI Certified Mediators