FMC Certification Application

The Certified Family Relations Mediator Standard certification includes all the requirements listed in the Family Relations Mediation Advanced Certification application form, excluding the requirement of completing a video role play, self-assessment, and written exam. This certification level is considered an entry level of Family Mediation certification for those newly entering the field and those family mediators currently offering a Family Mediation service who would benefit from additional education and training specific to Family Mediation.  The expectation is that once applicants have experienced the Standard Certification, they will then aspire to continue to move forward to the Cert.FRM Advanced level. The advanced level is that which includes the video role play, self-assessment and written exam. Family Mediators who wish to offer Family Mediation training will be required to hold the Cert.FRM Advanced level of certification.

All currently certified Family Mediators – those who have already completed a role play, self-assessment, and written exam as part of their certification & were previously designated “Cert.FRM” – will move to the advanced level and be entitled to use the “Cert.FRM Advanced” designation.

The Cert.FRM Advanced designation reflects the highest standards in education, training, and experience for Family Relations Mediators in Canada. Our Certification Program embodies a comprehensive training process as well as a rigorous assessment of each Family Mediation candidate. FMC’s Certification Program also requires on-going training.

With the two tracks for achieving the “Cert.FRM Advanced” designation, (Part A and B), candidates can opt to complete the entry level of certification (Cert.FRM Standard) (Part A) first, and then at some later date complete the remaining requirements (Part B) to attain the advanced designation (Cert.FRM Advanced). OR a candidate can move directly to the Cert.FRM Advanced process from the outset. (Direct Process). The requirements for the latter – called the Direct route in the table below – are as follows:

CERTIFIED FAMILY RELATIONS MEDIATOR STANDARD

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 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 7 hours of 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 RELATIONS MEDIATOR ADVANCED

The second level of certification (Advanced) requires the applicant to pass a written exam and a role play which is then assessed by qualified mediator assessors.  This Advanced level allows the applicant to display the knowledge of the skills required of a mediator and obtain feedback for self-assessment and improvement. The rigorous evaluation makes FMC certification credible in the marketplace.

The newly introduced Standard Elder Mediator certification includes all the requirements listed in the Elder Mediation Advanced Certification application form, excluding the requirement of completing a video role play, self-assessment and written exam. The new certification level is considered an entry level of Elder Mediation certification for both those newly entering the field and those family mediators currently offering an Elder Mediation service who would benefit from additional education and training specific to Elder Mediation. The expectation is that once applicants have experienced the Standard certification they will then aspire to continue to move forward to the Cert.EM Advanced level. The advanced level is that which includes the video role play, self-assessment and written exam. Elder Mediators who wish to offer Elder Mediation training will be required to hold the Cert.EM Advanced level of certification.

All currently certified Elder Mediators – those who have already completed a role play, self-assessment and written exam as part of their certification & were previously designated “Cert.EM” – will move to the advanced level and be entitled to use the “Cert.EM Advanced” designation.

The Cert.EM Advanced designation reflects the highest standards in education, training and experience for elder mediators. Our Certification Program embodies a comprehensive training process as well as a rigorous assessment of each Elder Mediation candidate. FMC’s Certification Program also requires on-going training.

The Elder Mediation International Network’s Code of Ethics was developed with input from around the world and continues to be the ‘gold standard’ for elder mediators. It serves as the basis for FMC’s Certification Program. This Code has been adapted to meet the unique requirements of elder mediators in Canada and throughout the world.

With the two tracks for achieving the “Cert.EM Advanced” designation, (Part A and B), candidates can opt to complete the entry level of certification (Cert.EM Standard) (Part A) first, and then at some later date complete the remaining requirements (Part B) to attain the advanced designation (Cert.EM Advanced). OR a candidate can move directly to the Cert.EM Advanced process from the outset. (Direct Process). The requirements for the latter – called the Direct route in the table below – are as follows:

• Current, formal certification in basic conflict resolution and family mediation.
• Registered as a member of Family Mediation Canada
• Complete 100 hours of age-related Elder Mediation education and training in the following subject areas:
  • Intergenerational dynamics, current and future profiles of seniors in Canada; family life cycle; family dynamics
  • recognizing and responding to elder abuse & neglect
  • knowledge of legislation relevant to elder mediation, capacity and elder abuse
  • identifying and dealing with power dynamics involving and affecting older people with and without capacity
  • the nature and impact of bereavement, grief and loss
  • the impact of ageism, sexism and cultural diversity
  • understanding dementia & age-related diseases and how to assess, manage and accommodate capacity issues
  • financial & estate issues for identifying areas of concern
  • ethics and ethical issues
  • facilitating and writing agreements
  • Advance Care Directives – Power of Attorney & Guardianship
• Experience – 5 role plays and/or actual Elder Mediation cases
• Role play recording & self-assessment (guidelines provided)
• Pass 3 hour invigilated exam

The Certified Comprehensive Family Mediator Standard Mediator includes all the requirements listed in the Comprehensive Family Mediation Advanced Certification application form, excluding the requirement of completing a video role play, self-assessment, and written exam. This certification level is considered an entry level of Comprehensive Family Mediation certification both for those newly entering the field, and those Family Mediators currently offering a Comprehensive Family Mediation service who would benefit from additional education and training specific to Family Comprehensive Mediation.   The expectation is that once applicants have experienced the Standard Family Comprehensive Mediator Certification, they will then aspire to continue to move forward to the Cert.CFM Advanced level. The advanced level is that which includes the video role play, self-assessment and written exam. Comprehensive Family Mediators who wish to offer Family Mediation training will be required to hold the Cert.CFM Advanced level of certification.

All currently Certified Comprehensive Family Mediators – those who have already completed a role play, self-assessment and written exam as part of their certification & were previously designated “Cert.CFM” – will move to the advanced level and be entitled to use the “Cert.CFM Advanced” designation.

The Cert.CFM Advanced designation reflects the highest standards in education, training, and experience for Family Mediators in Canada. Our Certification Program embodies a comprehensive training process as well as a rigorous assessment of each Comprehensive Family Mediation candidate. FMC’s Certification Program also requires on-going training.

With the two tracks for achieving the “Cert.CFM Advanced” designation, (Part A and B), candidates can opt to complete the entry level of certification (Cert.CFM Standard) (Part A) first, and then at some later date complete the remaining requirements (Part B) to attain the advanced designation (Cert.CFM Advanced). OR a candidate can move directly to the Cert.CFM Advanced process from the outset. (Direct Process). The requirements for the latter – called the Direct route in the table below – are as follows:

CERTIFIED COMPREHENSIVE FAMILY MEDIATOR STANDARD

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 training including:

• At least 35 hours of training on the family dynamics of separation and divorce
• At least 14 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

CERTIFIED COMPREHENSIVE FAMILY MEDIATOR ADVANCED

The second level of certification (Advanced) requires the applicant to pass a written exam and a role play which is then assessed by qualified mediator assessors.  This Advanced level allows the applicant to display the knowledge of the skills required of a mediator and obtain feedback for self-assessment and improvement. The rigorous evaluation makes FMC certification credible in the marketplace.

The Child Protection Mediation designation requires a deeper understanding of the complex needs found by parents in a state of high conflict and by children whose care providers need to reach a conciliation about the permanency plan.

The two levels of certification with Child Protection Mediation (CPM) are Standard and Advanced. The CPM- Standard certification includes all the requirements listed below. The Advanced level includes everything listed in the Standard level, plus specialized reference material, a role play demonstration of skills and an exam.

Mediators currently practicing Child Protection Mediation in a supervised setting and having provided ‘proof of supervision’ in 3 cases, may request equivalency for the role play requirement.

The path to achieving “Cert.CPM Advanced” can vary. Candidates can opt to complete the entry level certification (Cert.CPM Standard) first, and then at a later date complete the advanced certification (Cert.CPM Advanced). OR a candidate can apply directly to the advanced certification (Cert.CPM Advanced).

Prerequisite

Certification applicant must be a current FMC member in good standing.

Certified Child Protection Mediator – Standard

There is a total of 200 hours of training required to attain the Standard level of
certification:

• 100 hours of family mediation training or a relevant professional
  designation or relevant public designation deemed to be equivalent to 100
  hours of family mediation training. (The other FMC Certifications fulfill this
  requirement.)
• Another 100 hours of training specific to child protection mediation is
  required as follows:
  • The FMC 40-hour introductory course: Foundations for Child
    Protection Mediation. This course is delivered asynchronously on
    FMC’s Teachable platform and is designed for adult learners and
    working professionals.
    • CPM participants can elect to write 40% of the CPM final exam
      once they’ve completed this introductory course. Otherwise,
      upon completion of the requirements, they will write the final
      exam (100%).
  • The remaining 60 hours of core competency training shall contain the
    following:
    • At least 14 hours of family violence prevention and awareness, safety protocols, interdisciplinary practices involving children, and power imbalances.
    • At least 18 hours of trauma-informed practices, psychological
      and psychological long-term impacts of child and family
      violence, colonialism, deprivation, and cultural transitioning.
    • At least 4 hours of Documentation training, drafting CPM
      agreements, preparing families and children to mediate, and
      Voice of the Child (report) response to the court.
    • At least 4 hours of training in CPM-specific criminal, civil,
      Indigenous, and ethical procedures.
    • At least 14 hours of training in CPM-specific mental health,
      addiction, and child and parental special needs problems.

Certified Child Protection Mediator – Advanced

The Advanced level of certification requires the applicant to: 1. pass a 3-hr invigilated written exam 2. submit 3 role play videos OR a supervisor’s letter (if already doing mediation). This process allows the applicant to display the knowledge and skills required of a child protection mediator and obtain feedback for self-assessment and ongoing improvement. This rigorous evaluation makes FMC certification credible in the marketplace.