Definitions
For the purposes of credential designation requirements, the following definitions shall apply:
1. Annual - a calendar year that begins on the first day of January.
2. Basic 40 hour training - completion of a minimum of 40 classroom hours of training pursuant to Chapter 154.052 (a) Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. For those applications submitted after July 1, 2004, all candidates must also attest that their training meets or exceeds the standards of the Texas Mediation Trainer Roundtable.
3. Conducted mediation – a process during which the mediator communicates with the parties to a conflict either together or separately to identify with each known party the issues in dispute and possible solutions, and to encourage and facilitate communication, reconciliation, settlement and understanding between the parties.
4. Mediation or Hours of mediation - refers to ‘conducted mediation’ as defined above.
5. Observation of a mediation - that the person observed all of the work of a mediator during a conducted mediation without having any other role in that mediation.
6. Training or Continuing education - any training or continuing education approved by the TMCA.
CANDIDATE FOR CREDENTIALED MEDIATOR: (Dues $50.00 annually)
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Training – The candidate must have completed a minimum of 40 classroom hours of mediation training pursuant to Chapter 154.052 (a) Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code and the standards of the Texas Mediation Trainer’s Roundtable.
- Experience – Candidates who have completed less than 20 mediations or 125 hours in mediation after the basic 40-hour training are eligible for the designation of candidate for credentialed mediator.
- Adherence to TMCA Standards, Rules and Procedures – All candidates must affirm that they have read, understand and will adhere to the TMCA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics as well as the TMCA Grievance Rules and Procedures.
Maintenance of TMCA Candidate Credentialed Mediator Status – In order to maintain TMCA Candidate Credentialed Mediator status, mediators must meet the following standards on an annual basis:
(1) Complete 10 hours of continuing education annually of which 3 hours must consist of an approved ethics course. This requirement may be partially satisfied by 3 hours of self-study and/or by serving as an instructor for up to 5 hours of mediation training.
The topics of continuing education must relate to the practice of mediation. Each course must involve study of mediation, negotiation, conflict management techniques or theory, or conflict-related topics from communications, psychology and other related disciplines.
(2) Candidate status may be maintained for a maximum of four years in order to allow the candidate time to complete the requirements for TMCA Credentialed Mediator.
(3) Pay the renewal fee of $50.00.
CREDENTIALED MEDIATOR: (Dues $100.00 annually)
Credentialed Mediators must meet the following requirements:
- Training – The candidate must have completed a minimum of 40 classroom hours of training pursuant to Chapter 154.052 (a) Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code and the standards of the Texas Mediator Trainer’s Roundtable.
- Experience – The candidate must have completed 20 mediations or 125 hours in mediation after the basic 40-hour training, which can include observing a Credentialed Mediator for 5 mediations or 30 hours.
- Adherence to Code of Ethics – All candidates must affirm that they have read, understand and will adhere to the TMCA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics as well as the TMCA Grievance Rules and Procedures.
Maintenance of Credentialed Mediator Status – In order to maintain TMCA Credentialed Mediator status, mediators must meet the following standards on an annual basis:
(1) Conduct a minimum of 3 mediations or 15 hours of mediation per year, and
(2) Complete 10 hours of continuing education per year of which 3 hours must consist of
an approved ethics course. This requirement may be partially satisfied by 3 hours of
self-study and/or by serving as an instructor for up to 5 hours of mediation training.
The topics of continuing education must relate to the practice of mediation. Each course must involve study of mediation, negotiation, conflict management techniques or theory, or conflict-related topics from communications, psychology and other related disciplines.
(3) Pay the renewal fee of $100.00.
CREDENTIALED ADVANCED MEDIATOR: (Dues $125.00 annually)
Credentialed Advanced Mediators must meet all requirements for Credentialed Mediator and, in addition, meet the following requirements:
- Training – Candidate must have completed an additional 20 hours advanced course work in mediation theory, practice, or skills building pursuant to the standards for TMCA Credentialed Mediator.
- Experience – Candidate must have conducted an additional minimum of 30 mediations or an additional 175 hours in mediation.
Maintenance of Credentialed Advanced Mediator Status In order to maintain Credentialed Advanced Mediator status, mediators must meet the following standards on an annual basis:
(1) Conduct a minimum of 10 mediations or 60 hours mediation experience per year.
(2) Complete 15 hours continuing education per year pursuant to the standards for TMCA Credentialed Mediator.
(3) Make him/herself available to the courts and/or to the public to conduct 2 pro-bono mediations per year.
(4) Pay the renewal fee of $125.00.
CREDENTIALED DISTINGUISH MEDIATOR: (Dues $150.00 annually)
Credentialed Disinguished Mediators must meet all requirements for TMCA Credentialed Mediator status and, in addition, must meet the following requirements:
- Training – Candidate must have completed an additional 40 hours advanced course work in mediation theory, practice or skills building pursuant to the standards for TMCA Credentialed Mediator.
- Experience – Candidate must have conducted an additional minimum of 180 mediations or an additional 875 hours in mediation.
Maintenance of Credentialed Distinguished Mediator Status – In order to maintain TMCA Credentialed Distinguished Mediator status, mediators must meet the following standards on an annual basis:
(1) Conduct a minimum of 25 mediations or 150 hours mediation experience per year.
(2) Complete 30 hours continuing education per year pursuant to the standards set out for TMCA Credentialed Mediator.
(3) Make him/herself available to the courts and/or to the public to conduct 5 pro-bono mediations per year.
(4) Pay the renewal fee of $150.00.
Volunteer Mediator: (Dues $25.00 annually)
A mediator that meets the definition stated below and signs the certification as a volunteer mediator is entitled to pay a reduced application fee of $25.00 for any credentialing level.
A volunteer mediator is defined as a pro bono mediator who receives NO compensation or consideration of any kind in the form of, but not limited to, fees, salary, trading, barter, gift, exchange of goods or services, benefits, perquisites, tokes, or cash.
