Certification

Family Mediator Certification

Certification Workshops

FAQ

Family Mediator Certification Program

Family Mediation Canada/Médiation Familiale Canada (FMC) is the national association for conflict resolution specifically focused on family mediation. FMC is dedicated to offering Canadian families alternatives to resolving conflicts by supporting the work and efforts of our members. With your membership in FMC and Certification as a mediator, you’ll be joining many professionals from across the nation in their efforts to educate and offer Canadian families effective, alternative forms of conflict resolution. FMC has striven to become the leading body for the field of mediation on an international basis and members only are given the opportunity to seek national FMC mediator certification. FMC’s national certification program is focused on turning out qualified and trained mediators. In light of this, the Family Mediator Certification Program is unique in that there is a rigorous training process and a thorough assessment of the candidate’s mediation skills in keeping with the high standards that FMC lays out for its mediators in its Code of Professional Conduct and guidelines. Our certification program puts strong emphasis on skills assessments for each candidate.

The following are some of the unique features of FMC’s Family Mediator Certification Program, which sets it apart from other forms of mediator recognition/courses:

• A minimum of 80 hours of basic conflict resolution & mediation training and at least an additional 100 hours of further education & training in specific areas of family issues is mandatory.
• An approved mediation practicum is necessary or, in lieu of, two positive peer evaluations from experienced family mediators.
• The candidate must produce a videotaped role-play assessment along with a skills-assessment.
• A written final examination.
• Continuing education hours are required in order to maintaincertification status.

Family Mediator National Certification

Designations Available:

• Family Relations Mediator, FMC Cert. FRM
• Family Financial Mediator, FMC Cert. FFM
• Comprehensive Family Mediator, FMC Cert. CFM

  Certification Prerequisites:

CERTIFIED FAMILY RELATIONS MEDIATOR

• At least 80 hours of basic conflict resolution and mediation theory education and skills training, including intercultural training, AND at least 100 hours of further related education and training including:
• At least 35 hours of training on the family dynamics of separation and divorce
• At least 14 hours relating to family and child law
• At least 21 hours of training including instruction on power imbalances and the dynamics and effects of family abuse on family members
• At least 7 hours training on financial issues relating to separation, divorce and family reorganization
• At least 7 hours of training on ethical issues relating to the mediation process
• At least 7 hours on drafting memoranda of understanding

CERTIFIED FAMILY FINANCIAL MEDIATOR

• At least 80 hours of basic conflict resolution and mediation theory education and skills training, including intercultural training, AND at least 100 hours of further related education and training including:
• At least 14 hours of training on the family dynamics of separation and divorce
• At least 7 hours on child support law
• At least 21 hours of training including instruction on power imbalances and the dynamics and effects of family abuse on family members
• At least 42 hours training on legal and financial issues relating to separation, divorce and family reorganization
• At least 7 hours of training on ethical issues relating to the mediation process
• At least 7 hours on drafting memoranda of understanding

CERTIFIED COMPREHENSIVE FAMILY MEDIATOR

• At least 80 hours of basic conflict resolution and mediation theory education and skills training,including intercultural training AND at least 150 hours of further related education and trainingincluding:
• At least 35 hours of training on the family dynamics of separation and divorce
• At least 21 hours on child law: custody, access, guardianship, support, child protection and abduction law
• At least 21 hours of training including instruction on power imbalances and the dynamics and effects of family abuse on family members
• At least 42 hours training on legal and financial issues relating to separation, divorce and family reorganization
• At least 7 hours of training on ethical issues relating to the mediation process
• At least 7 hours on drafting memoranda of understanding

 

Practicum requirement

Please note that in order to complete the certification process the Practicum Requirement must be met. Candidates are expected to have completed a 30 hour supervised practicum. If the candidate has been a practicing family mediator for at least 2 years, in lieu of a completion of a practicum, they may submit two positive peer evaluations from references who have mediation experience and knowledge of the candidate'smediation practices.

 

Fees

The fees for Certification are as follows:

• Application Form is available for $10.00 by mail or can be downloaded from this website at no cost
• Application Fee - $50.00 (nonrefundable) and…
• Tuition Fee - $400.00, are to be submitted with the application
• Annual Maintenance Fee $100
• Insurance will be quoted by the insurer
• Certification Maintenance
• Certified members are required to renew their FMC membership annually, maintain a minimum number of hours of continuing education in family mediation, and maintain insurance coverage in the amount of $1 million aggregate.

 

What Participants are Saying:

“The FMC Certification is an essential requirement for any family mediation practitioner or anyone pursuing a career in family mediation. The FMC Certification is recognized as the highest standard of family mediationcertification in Canada and as such is an assurance to any referring person or body or member of the public that the ‘FMC’ certified mediator has the skills and professionalism necessary to mediate a family dispute.” Vicki Bennett, Vancouver, BC

“The certification process itself was a tremendous learning experience for me. The rigorous evaluation makes FMCcertification credible in the market place.” June Maresca, Toronto, ON

 

Certification Brochure

Certification Brochure (pdf)

 

Certification Study Guide

The list comprises the subject matter that is covered in the substantive knowledge exam for those applying to become FMC Comprehensive Mediators. Candidates who are applying to become FMC Family Relations Mediators should study the areas outlined in the Family Mediation Canada Practice, Certification and Training Standards.

Certification Study Guide (pdf)

 

Family Mediation Course Offerers

The following list may not be exhaustive nor, due to the ever changing content and presenters, can FMC endorse any course.

Educational Course Listing (pdf)


 

Application for Certification

Download Application (pdf)

Print and complete the application before sending with payment to:

Family Mediation Canada / Médiation Familiale Canada
Suite 180-55 Northfield Dr. E
Waterloo, ON N2K 3T6