Training

All prospective registered neutrals in the State of Georgia must have completed approved training, pursuant to the category in which they are applying for. Application for registration must be submitted within 18 months of completing training. The Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution (the Office) offers registration in the 7 categories listed below. The Office pre-approves trainings for each category, which meet the standards for participants to be able to apply for registration after completion.

For a list of pre-approved trainings

head over to our Find a Training page

All training should be completed in sequence, based on the prerequisites for each category:

  • 6 hour GODR-approved arbitration training course
  • 6 hour GODR-approved early neutral evaluation training course
  • Be a registered neutral with GODR
  • Have practiced law or served as a judge (or a combination of both) for at least 8 years preceding the date of application
  • 5 years of relevant experience in the substantive area of dispute involved
  • Have served as an arbitrator or mediator in a minimum of 10 court-connected or private ADR sessions
  • 28-hour GODR-approved general civil mediation training course

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Or

  • 12-hour GODR-approved general civil mediation practicum taken after successful completion of the general civil mediation training course
  • 42-hour GODR-approved domestic relations mediation training course
  • Satisfy all requirements for registration in General Civil Mediation
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

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  • 12-hour GODR-approved domestic relations mediation practicum taken after successful completion of the domestic relations mediation training

Or

  • 14-hour GODR-approved specialized domestic violence mediation (SDV) training course
  • Successfully register as a neutral in both General Civil Mediation and Domestic Relations Mediation prior to taking the SDV training course
  • 21-hour GODR-approved juvenile delinquency mediation training course
  • Successfully register as a neutral in General Civil Mediation prior to taking the juvenile delinquency training course
  • 28-hour GODR-approved juvenile dependency mediation training course (21-hour if registered in Domestic Relations Mediation category)
  • Successfully register as a neutral in General Civil Mediation & Juvenile Delinquency Mediation prior to taking the juvenile dependency training course
  • Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
  • Satisfy all requirements for registration in General Civil Mediation
  • 16-hour GODR-approved combined Probate Mediation training and practicum

Click on each category to learn about specific requirements. For a full explanation of requirements, including basic mediator competencies, please review Appendix B of our full GA Supreme Court ADR Rules

Click here

While pre-approved trainings are not required, they are strongly encouraged in order to ensure training will meet qualification for registration. As a rule, online trainings are never accepted toward registration. Exception to this rule has been made for pre-approved trainings ONLY, allowing for training sessions to be held within a virtual, synchronous environment.

Click Here for a List of pre-approved trainings

If you choose to complete observations/co-mediations, please complete the required form to submit with your training certificate.

Note: The mediator observed must be actively registered with GODR. This form is fillable and may be completed electronically.

OBSERVATION/CO-MEDIATION REPORTING FORM

Out-of-State Training

While there is no formal reciprocity with other state programs, the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution evaluates out-of-state training on a case-by-case basis.

Click here for detailed information

You will need to upload all training forms to your Georgia Courts Registrar account, which is outlined in the next step.

For assistance in uploading documents to your account in the Georgia Courts Registrar, please review the manual.

You may also reach the Georgia Courts Registrar team at gcr@georgiacourts.gov or 404-463-3808.

Review Manual Here