Ark. ADR Comm'n Req. Certification Mediators D

1. In order to maintain certification, each mediator must renew annually. The date for

renewal is September 1 of each year. Applications for renewal must be received by the

Commission by August 31.

2. In order to qualify for certification renewal, each mediator must provide the following to

the Coordinator of the Commission:

a. Completed and signed renewal form

b. Evidence of completion of 6 hours of Commission approved continuing

mediation education (CME)

c. Mediation statistical reports for all court ordered cases mediated by the mediator

during the reporting period. The reports must be made on a form provided by the

d. Renewal fee

3. Continuing Mediation Education: Certified Mediators must complete 6 hours each year

of continuing mediation education. This CME requirement may be met by attending a

CME program conducted by the Commission, or by attending some other mediation

related program which is approved by the Commission to qualify for CME.

The Commission will allow a full or partial exemption from continuing mediation

education requirements for the following individuals:

a. An active duty military service member deployed outside the State of Arkansas.

b. A returning military veteran with one year of his or her discharge from active

duty; or

c. The spouse of a person who is an active duty military service member deployed

outside the State of Arkansas or a returning military veteran with one year of his

or her discharge from active duty.

The mediator must notify the Commission that they fall into one of the categories

eligible for an exemption from continuing mediation education requirements and

provide documentation verifying eligibility.

4. Mediation Statistical Reports: All certified mediators are required to maintain certain

information on each court ordered case they mediate. The information is to be recorded

on a form provided by the Commission. Statistical reports should be submitted to the

Commission at the conclusion of each court ordered mediation. Any reports not

submitted by the time of renewal must be included with the renewal application.

5. Mediator Profiles: The Commission maintains a profile of each certified mediator. The

profiles are available to assist anyone who would like additional information when

selecting a mediator. At renewal each year, mediators are given an opportunity to

update information on their profiles.

6. Active Status: Completion of all renewal requirements and submission of the

recertification application in a timely manner maintains active certification status.

7. Suspended Status: Failure to provide proof of continuing mediation education hours or

submit recertification fees with the renewal application, or for other good cause shown,

may result in suspended certification status. If suspended for failure to submit CME or

fees, the mediator is not eligible for active status until the following September 1st. If

suspended for good cause shown, the suspension remains in effect until the date

specified by the Commission.

8. Lapsed Certification: Failure to renew certification will result in a mediator being

placed in lapsed certification status.

Certification held by an active duty military service member deployed outside the State

of Arkansas, or his or her spouse, will not expire or lapse until 180 days following the

active duty military service member’s return from active deployment. Service members

should notify the Commission at the time they are deployed outside the State of

Arkansas, and when they return from active deployment.

To return to active status, the mediator must: 1) submit a renewal application, 2) submit

proof of completion of continuing mediation education hours due for all reporting

periods that occurred during the lapsed period, 3) and certification fees due for all

reporting periods that occurred during the lapsed period, up to $225, 4) submit to

background checks. The reporting period for mediators is September 1st through August

31st of each year.

9. Inactive Status: A mediator desiring to be placed on inactive status for personal or

professional reasons may petition the Commission. Such reasons may include, but are

not limited to, being on active military outside the State of Arkansas, temporary

appointment to the bench or political office, or serious health issues. The Commission

may grant inactive status for good cause shown. When inactive status is granted, the

mediator is not required to complete continuing mediation education or pay certification

fees.

Return to active status occurs automatically at the expiration of the inactive status

period. The mediator may request to return to active status prior to the expiration of the

inactive status period. All requests must be made in writing to the Coordinator for the

10. Relinquishment of Certification: A certified mediator may voluntarily relinquish their

certification for any reason. Upon relinquishment, their name will be removed from the

Roster of Certified Mediators and the mediator will not be eligible to return to active

status as a certified mediator unless they apply for reinstatement and the application is

approved by the Commission.

Applicants for reinstatement must complete the number of CME hours they would have

been required to complete if certification had been maintained, not to exceed 24 hours,

submit to background checks, and pay a reinstatement fee of $75.

To relinquish certification, the mediator must complete a form provided by the

Commission stating that they are voluntarily relinquishing certification and that they

understand they are no longer eligible to mediate for compensation cases ordered to

mediation by the Arkansas Circuit courts, unless authorized under Ark. Code Ann. §16-

7-202.