New York Mediator Certification: Court Roster Requirements & Part 146 Guide
A reference guide to the NYS Unified Court System mediator roster, Part 146 qualifications, and the path to court-referred mediation in New York. Current as of July 2026.
New York does not issue a statewide mediator license. To mediate court-referred cases in the NYS trial courts, a neutral must be listed on the OCA Part 146 court roster. Listing requires completing a 40-hour basic mediation training (24 hours general skills + 16 hours subject-specific), applying through the UCS online portal, and renewing every two years with 6 hours of continuing education. Private mediations require no roster listing.
Program Overview: NYS Unified Court System ADR
Source: Part 146 of the Rules of the Chief Administrative Judge
The New York State Unified Court System (NYS-UCS) administers alternative dispute resolution programs through its Office of ADR Programs (also called the Division of Alternative Dispute Resolution). The governing regulation is Part 146 of the Rules of the Chief Administrative Judge, which sets minimum qualifications and training standards for mediators and neutral evaluators who serve on court rosters.
Unlike Florida's Supreme Court certification system or Georgia's GODR registration, New York's program is a roster-based listing rather than a formal certification. Mediators who meet Part 146 qualifications are listed on the court roster and may be referred court cases. The UCS may increase qualifications for specific programs beyond the Part 146 minimums.
24 general + 16 subject-specific
Biennial redesignation required
OCA roster listing is free
Part 146 covers neutrals serving in NYS trial court ADR programs. It does not govern arbitrators or neutrals serving in the Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRC) program, which operates under a separate set of program standards.
Court Roster Categories
Verified against Part 146 • Jul 2026
The NYS court roster is organized by practice area. Mediators apply for listing in the category or categories that match their training and experience.
| Category | Training Hours |
|---|---|
| General Civil Mediation | 40 hours |
| Family / Matrimonial Mediation | 40 hours (including 16 hrs family-specific) |
| Neutral Evaluation | 40 hours (including 16 hrs subject-specific) |
| Community / Small Claims Mediation | 24 hours basic skills |
Step-by-Step Pathway to the Court Roster
Source: NYS UCS Office of ADR Programs
Complete 40-Hour Basic Mediation Training
Enroll in a Part 146-compliant training program. The curriculum must include at least 24 hours of basic mediation skills (communication, negotiation, process design) and 16 hours of subject-area training specific to your intended roster category. Many approved providers offer weekend-intensive or multi-week formats.
Gain Supervised Mediation Experience
While not always a hard minimum under Part 146, most court programs expect applicants to have observed or co-mediated at least a few cases before applying. Volunteering with a Community Dispute Resolution Center (CDRC) is the most common way to build this experience and is explicitly recognized by the OCA.
Prepare Your Application Materials
Gather your training certificate(s), a current resume or CV highlighting relevant professional experience, and any supporting documentation showing subject-area expertise. The OCA may request references from trainers or supervising mediators.
Submit the Online Application via the UCS Portal
Apply through the NYS Courts online portal at nycourts.gov. There is no application fee for the OCA court roster. Applications are reviewed by the Office of ADR Programs, which may contact you for additional information.
Receive Roster Listing and Begin Accepting Referrals
Once approved, you will be listed on the court roster for your designated category. Judges and court staff may refer cases to you. You may also be listed in the court's public mediator directory.
Renew Every Two Years (Biennial Redesignation)
Roster listings expire every two years. To be redesignated, complete 6 hours of continuing education within the two-year cycle and submit a renewal application. Failure to renew results in removal from the roster.
Training Requirements Under Part 146
Verified against Part 146 • Jul 2026
Part 146 establishes minimum training standards. Individual court programs may require additional training beyond these minimums.
Core mediation process and communication skills
Category-specific training (family, civil, etc.)
Core Curriculum Topics
- Mediation process and stages (opening, exploration, negotiation, agreement)
- Communication and active listening skills
- Conflict analysis and interest-based negotiation
- Ethics and standards of conduct for mediators
- Confidentiality rules under CPLR Article 45-A
- Domestic violence screening and safety protocols (required for family mediators)
- Subject-area content (16 hours, varies by category)
The OCA maintains a list of approved training providers on its website. Programs must be approved by the UCS to count toward Part 146 requirements. Major providers include law schools, bar associations, dispute resolution organizations, and private training companies operating in New York. View OCA Approved Provider List open_in_new
Biennial Redesignation and Continuing Education
Verified against Part 146 • Jul 2026
Court roster listings in New York expire every two years. To maintain active status, mediators must complete continuing education and submit a redesignation application.
Per 2-year redesignation cycle
Biennial redesignation
No fee for redesignation
Qualifying CE Activities
- Attendance at mediation conferences, workshops, or seminars
- Completion of advanced mediation training courses
- Presenting at approved mediation training programs
- Mentoring new mediators under a structured program
- Online continuing education courses approved by the OCA
Redesignation Process
- Complete 6 CE hours within the two-year cycle
- Maintain records of CE completion (certificates, attendance records)
- Submit redesignation application through the UCS online portal before expiration
- OCA reviews and confirms continued listing
Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRC)
Source: NYS Community Dispute Resolution Centers Program
New York's CDRC program is a network of community-based dispute resolution centers funded in part by the state. CDRCs handle a wide range of community disputes and serve as an important entry point for new mediators seeking experience.
What CDRCs Handle
- Neighbor and community disputes
- Small claims and consumer matters
- Landlord-tenant conflicts
- Family and interpersonal disputes
- Some court referrals from local courts
Benefits for New Mediators
- Gain supervised mediation experience
- Build a case portfolio for OCA roster application
- Access to mentorship from experienced mediators
- Training programs often offered at reduced cost
- Community service and professional development
Note: CDRC mediators operate under separate program standards and are not automatically listed on the Part 146 court roster. However, CDRC experience is recognized by the OCA and can strengthen a court roster application.
New York vs. Other States
How New York's roster-based system compares to the formal certification programs in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and California.
| Criterion | New York | Florida | Georgia | Alabama | Texas | California |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term used | Roster Listing | Certification | Registration | Certification | Credential (voluntary) | Panel Listing (county) |
| Governing body | NYS UCS / OCA (Part 146) | FL Supreme Court / DRC | GA Commission / GODR | AL Center for Dispute Res. | TMCA (private) | State Bar ADRCP / county courts |
| Mandatory for court work | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (voluntary) | Varies by county |
| Training hours | 40 hrs | 20–40 hrs | 20–40 hrs | 20 hrs | 40–80 hrs | 25–40 hrs |
| Renewal cycle | 2 years | 2 years | Annual | Annual | Annual | 2 years |
| CE per cycle | 6 hrs | 16 hrs | 3 hrs | 6 hrs | 15 hrs/yr | 7–8 hrs |
| Application fee | None | Varies | Varies | $30 + $175/yr | $50–$150 | TBD |
| Reciprocity | No formal program | No formal program | Case-by-case | No formal program | N/A (voluntary) | No formal program |
Florida Certification Guide arrow_forward Georgia Registration Guide arrow_forward Alabama Certification Guide arrow_forward Texas Credentialing Guide arrow_forward California Guide arrow_forward
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a statewide mediator license in New York?
No. New York does not issue a statewide mediator license. The Unified Court System maintains a court roster under Part 146 for mediators who handle court-referred cases. Private mediators are not required to be on the roster.
How long does it take to get on the NYS court roster?
Most applicants complete the process in 3 to 6 months. The 40-hour training course is the primary time commitment, after which the online application through the OCA portal is typically processed within 4 to 8 weeks.
What is the difference between OCA roster and CDRC mediators?
OCA Part 146 roster mediators handle court-referred civil and family cases in the trial courts. Community Dispute Resolution Center (CDRC) mediators handle community-level disputes and are governed by separate program standards, not Part 146.
Do I need a law degree to mediate in New York courts?
No. Part 146 does not require a law degree. The primary requirements are the 40-hour basic mediation training (with 24 hours of basic skills and 16 hours of subject-matter training) and demonstrated good character.
How often must I renew my court roster listing?
Neutrals are redesignated to the roster every two years. Renewal requires completion of 6 hours of continuing education within each two-year cycle.
Can I mediate in New York without being on the OCA roster?
Yes, for private mediations where parties choose you by agreement. Court-referred cases require roster listing. Many private mediators voluntarily obtain roster status for credibility.
Does New York have reciprocity with other states?
There is no formal reciprocity program. However, prior training and experience from other states may satisfy Part 146 training requirements at the OCA's discretion.
What happens if I do not complete CE before redesignation?
Failure to complete the required 6 CE hours within the two-year cycle will result in removal from the court roster. Mediators must reapply and may need to complete additional training to be relisted.
Sources, Methodology, and Verification
Primary Sources Cited
- Part 146 of the Rules of the Chief Administrative Judge (22 NYCRR Part 146)
- NYS Unified Court System Office of ADR Programs
- CPLR Article 45-A (Mediation Confidentiality)
- NYS Community Dispute Resolution Centers Program standards
- NYS Courts online mediator roster application portal
Last Verified: July 2026 • Next Verification: October 2026 (quarterly)
Cite This Page
Bluebook: Levin, New York Mediator Certification, lawsuit.com (Jul. 2026).
APA: Levin, R. (2026). New York mediator certification. lawsuit.com.
Chicago: "New York Mediator Certification," lawsuit.com, July 2026.
© 2026 Mediate Lawsuit. All information verified against primary sources. • Suggest a correction
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