The act requires that the Supreme Court set forth mediator standards and ethics upon the recommendations of the council and director. The council conducted an extensive study into national standards and ethics for mediators. The ethics requirements are a slightly modified version of ethics developed by the American Bar Association, Society of Professionals In Dispute Resolution, and the American Arbitration Association. The standards apply to anyone wishing to mediate cases falling under the Dispute Resolution Act. The act embraces cases referred to mediation by the state court and any program or individual approved by the director of dispute resolution.
Mediation is a distinct profession as defined in the act.
The skills, process, and ethics are not identical with any other profession. The majority of mediators have the educational background of a prior or primary profession. Additionally, the advisory council recognized that there are a significant number of people in Kansas currently mediating who have a broad range of backgrounds. Recognizing this, the advisory council did not choose to make a specific requirement as to formal education, but rather concentrated on developing requirements for mediation training. Mediators may also choose to simply register with the director of dispute resolution.