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2025 Application for Credential

If you have been credentialed previously, please log in to your account and then apply online.

Applicant Information

(NO designations or titles, please [e.g., Hon., MA, LPC, PhD, etc.])

First Name
Last Name
Firm or Business
Street or Box #
City
State
Zip Code
Primary Contact Phone
County of Primary Practice
Additional counties of practice (optional)
Use Ctrl+Click to select multiple counties (limit 4)
Website
Email
Password
Retype Password

Credential Designation

Check the designation for which you are applying. See the TMCA CREDENTIAL DESIGNATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS section below for the requirements for each designation.

Credentialed Distinguished
Credentialed Advanced
Credentialed
Candidate for Credentialed

Volunteer Mediator

If you are exclusively a volunteer mediator AND meet the requirements shown below in the TMCA CREDENTIAL DESIGNATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS section, please click the link directly below to review the stipulations for "Volunteer Mediator Certification."

Click here to review the stipulations for Volunteer Mediator Certification.

VOLUNTEER MEDIATOR CERTIFICATION

A mediator that meets the definition stated below and signs the certification as a volunteer mediator is entitled to pay a reduced application fee of $25 and annual renewal fee of $25 for any Credential designation.
I. Definition:
A volunteer mediator is defined as a pro bono mediator who receives NO compensation or consideration of any kind in the form of, but not limited to, fees, salary, trading, barter, gift, exchange of goods or services, benefits, perquisites, tokens, or cash.
II. Certification:
I certify that I meet the definition of a volunteer mediator and will remain in that status for one calendar year. If at any time during the calendar year I receive any compensation as described in the definition of a volunteer mediator, I will immediately notify the currently designated TMCA Vice Chair, Credentialing, and remit to TMCA the difference in the annual cost of credentialing based upon my current designation. I understand and agree that failure to notify TMCA within a reasonable time period will be cause for filing of a grievance.

By checking the box below, you certify that you agree to the above stipulations for Volunteer Mediator Certification. If, upon reading the stipulations for Volunteer Mediator Certification, you determine you do not qualify, please DO NOT check the box below and proceed with your application.

I meet the criteria as a volunteer mediator and agree to the stipulations above.

Qualifications

40-Hour Basic Mediation Training
(must meet or exceed TMCA's training criteria)
Name of Training Organization
Date of Training
Advanced Mediation Training
Hours
Mediation Experience
Number of Mediations
- Or -
Hours of Mediations

TMCA Credential Designations and Requirements

NOTE: The TMCA Board of Directors reserves the right to change the requirements for any Credential designation.

For the purposes of Credential designation requirements, the following definitions shall apply:

  1. Annual - a calendar year that begins on the first day of January.
  2. 40-hour Basic Mediation Training - completion of a minimum of 40 classroom hours of training pursuant to Chapter 154.052 (a) Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. An applicant must attest and provide a copy of the applicant's certificate to TMCA that demonstrates the applicant's training meets or exceeds TMCA's current training standards. If the certificate of completion is lost, or if a certificate was never issued, the applicant must provide an affidavit, executed by the instructor or other attendee, that the applicant successfully completed a 40-hour course that meets the requirements of Chapter 154.052 (a) and TMCA's current training standards. The affidavit must also specify the approximate date the course was taken, the organization that offered the course, the name of the instructor(s), and a satisfactory explanation regarding why the certificate cannot be produced. If the instructor or other attendee is not available to provide such an affidavit, the applicant may provide an affidavit and other reasonable evidence of completion that includes all of the foregoing elements. It must also include a satisfactory explanation regarding why the instructor or other attendee cannot provide the affidavit. Exception: If the applicant was previously credentialed beginning 2008 or later, a copy of this training certificate or affidavit is not required.
  3. Conducted mediation - a process during which the mediator communicates with the parties to a conflict either together or separately to identify with each known party the issues in dispute and possible solutions, and to encourage and facilitate communication, reconciliation, settlement, and understanding between the parties.
  4. Mediation or hours of mediation - refers to "conducted mediation" as defined above.
  5. Observation of a mediation - that the person observed all of the work of a mediator during a conducted mediation without having any other role in that mediation.
  6. Training - any training or continuing education approved by TMCA.
  7. Continuing Education - minimum and maximum hour requirements:
    1. Three (3) hours minimum of mediation ethics
    2. Mediation Courses - no maximum number of hours
    3. Five (5) hours maximum which may be education in a subject matter area involved in the cases mediated. The subject matter education must be provided through an organization recognized by practitioners in the subject matter area for providing such training and issues certificates of completion of training (e.g., Bar Associations CLE or other Associations' C.E.)
    4. Four (4) hours maximum of self-study in mediation
    5. Five (5) hours maximum as an instructor of mediation training
Adherence to TMCA Standards, Rules, and Procedures - An applicant must affirm that the applicant has read, understands, and will adhere to the TMCA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics as well as the TMCA Grievance Rules and Procedures.

For renewal criteria for each designation, click here.

Requirements

Credential Designation Training/Education
(basic and advanced
training hours)		 Experience
(either mediations
or hours in mediation)		 Available for pro bono mediations
  40-Hour Basic
Mediation Training		 Advanced Mediation Mediations Hours Number
Credentialed Distinguished404020010005
Credentialed Advanced4020503002
Credentialed400201250
Candidate for Credentialed400000

Application Fee

Credential Designation Fee
Credentialed Distinguished$150.00
Credentialed Advanced$125.00
Credentialed$100.00
Candidate for Credentialed$50.00

Volunteer Mediator Application Fee

Credential Designation Fee
All designations$25.00

Policy on Applicants for a TMCA Credential Who Currently Reside Outside Texas

TMCA encourages all mediators who will or do mediate in Texas to become Credentialed. An applicant seeking a Credential from TMCA and who currently resides outside Texas must meet all the current requirements for the designation for which the applicant is applying. In addition, out-of-state residents must also meet at least one of the following criteria in order to be granted a Credential:

  1. During the past year have conducted at least two (2) mediations in Texas and plan to continue conducting mediations in Texas though may have no plans to move to Texas; or
  2. Plan to move to Texas within the next year and can show some evidence of the planned move and plan to conduct mediations in Texas; or
  3. Have an appointment or contract to mediate one or more cases in Texas and can provide substantiating documentation.

Applicant Certification

I CERTIFY THAT I MEET OR EXCEED ALL OF THE ATTACHED REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DESIGNATION I HAVE SELECTED, AND TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, ALL INFORMATION IN THIS APPLICATION IS TRUE AND CORRECT. IF ACCEPTED FOR CREDENTIAL DESIGNATION, I AGREE TO ABIDE BY THE STANDARDS OF PRACTICE AND CODE OF ETHICS ADOPTED BY THE TEXAS MEDIATOR CREDENTIALING ASSOCIATION (TMCA) AND TO SUBMIT TO ITS GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE.

BY MY SIGNATURE BELOW, I ALSO AGREE TO ADHERE TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND I FULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I AM BEING GRANTED A CREDENTIAL DESIGNATION BASED ON ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND THAT I WOULD NOT BE GRANTED THE CREDENTIAL DESIGNATION BUT FOR MY AGREEMENT TO ADHERE TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

I have read and accepted the Terms and Conditions

Please insert your full name and the current date here to electronically sign this application.

Signature
Date

Payment Method

PayPal/Credit Card/Debit Card

Zelle

10% Discount: If you are applying for a Credential between October 1st through December 31st of the year preceding the credential year, your application fee will be discounted 10%.

Submission Instructions

To complete this application, an applicant must submit three items: the completed Application for Credential with the Terms and Conditions for Credentialing acceptance signed and dated, a copy of the applicant's 40-Hour Basic Mediation Training Certificate, and payment of the fee. If a certificate for this training is no longer available to you, please see Application FAQS. If you have been previously Credentialed beginning 2008 or later, we already have your 40-Hour Basic Mediation Training Certificate (or affidavit) on file. Therefore, you would not need to upload your certificate (or affidavit) with this application.

Once you click "Submit Application" below, you will have the option to upload your 40-Hour Basic Mediation Training Certificate (or affidavit) and complete your credit/debit card or PayPal payment. After you have uploaded your certificate (or affidavit) and made your payment, your Application for Credential Renewal is complete and you will be notified when your application is approved.

10% Discount: If you are applying for a Credential from October 1st through December 31st of the year preceding the Credential year, your application fee will be discounted 10%.