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Continuing Education for Court-Connected Mediators

Chapter 12 of the Uniform Trial Court Rules requires court-connected mediators to complete ongoing continuing education hours. 

Civil mediators (for example, small claims and landlord tenant):

  • ​12 hours every two years
    • One hour must relate to confidentiality
    • One hour must relate to mediator ethics
    • Six hours may be completed through continuing education required for the mediator’s professional license, as long as that licensure is reasonably related to the practice of mediation.​

Domestic relations mediators:

  • 24 hours every two years
    • Two hours must relate to confidentiality
    • Two hours must relate to mediator ethics
    • Twelve hours must relate to either custody and parenting issues or on financial issues, depending on the mediator’s area of approval.
    • An additional twelve hours may be completed through continuing education required for the mediator’s professional license, as long as that licensure is reasonably related to the practice of mediation

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Do you mediate in a central reporting county?

If so, report your continuing education hours to the Office of the State Court Administrator using either of the following options:
  • Electronic reporting system
    • If you haven't used the electronic reporting form before, or you are not sure which email address to use, contact the Statewide ADR Analyst to confirm your email is in the electronic reporting system. 
    • Note: The system will not log your hours if your email is not already in the system.
  • Paper reporting form​

Not in a central reporting county?

Ask your local court’s mediation coordinator or Trial Court Administrator how to report your continuing education hours.​​


Central reporting counties include:
  • Baker
  • Benton
  • Clatsop
  • Columbia
  • Crook
  • Deschutes (volunteer mediators only)
  • Douglas
  • Gilliam
  • Grant
  • Harney
  • Hood River
  • Jackson
  • Jefferson
  • Lincoln
  • Malheur
  • Morrow
  • Multnomah (Domestic Relations mediators ​only)​
  • Polk
  • Sherman
  • Tillamook
  • Umatilla
  • Union
  • Wallowa
  • Wasco
  • Washington (for FED and Small Claims mediators only)​
  • Wheeler
  • Yamhill​ (Domestic Relations mediators ​only)​​

UTCR 12.140 states that continuing education topics may include, but are not limited to, the following examples:

  • Topics outlined in UTCR 12.100, UTCR 12.110, and UTCR 12.120 
  • Practical skills-based training in mediation or facilitation 
  • Court processes
  • Confidentiality laws and rules
  • Changes in the subject matter areas of law in which the mediator practices
  • Mediation ethics
  • Domestic violence
  • Sexual assault
  • Child abuse and elder abuse
  • Gender, ethnic, and cultural diversity
  • Psychology and psychopathology
  • Organizational development
  • Communication
  • Crisis intervention
  • Program administration and service delivery
  • Practices and procedures of state and local social service agencies
  •  Safety issues for mediators.

Continuing education shall be conducted by an individual or group qualified by practical or academic experience. (UTCR 12.140)


An hour is defined as 60 minutes of instructional time or activity and may be completed in a variety of formats, including but not limited to:
  • Attendance at a live lecture or seminar
  • Attendance at an audio or video playback of a lecture or seminar with a group where the group discusses the materials presented
  • Listening or viewing audio, video, or internet presentations
  • Receiving supervision as part of a training mentorship
  • Formally debriefing mediation cases with mediator supervisors and colleagues following the mediation
  • Lecturing or teaching in qualified continuing education courses
  • Reading, authoring, or editing written materials submitted for publication that have significant intellectual or practical content directly related to the practice of mediation. 
​Continuing education activities should enhance the participant’s competence as a mediator and provide opportunities for mediators to expand upon existing skills and explore new areas of practice or interest. ​​

Oregon Judicial Department Training Resources

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​Oregon Specific Opportunities


National Organizations

Oregon Specific Opportunities