Opinion ID: 1129427
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 27

Heading: General Requirement

Text: In order to qualify as CME, a course or activity shall have significant, current intellectual or practical content and shall constitute an organized program of learning directly related to the practice of mediation. CME shall be conducted by an individual or group qualified by practical or academic experience. All certified mediators (mediators) must complete a minimum of 16 hours of CME, which shall include a minimum of four hours of mediator ethics, a minimum of two hours of domestic violence education, and a minimum of one hour of diversity/cultural awareness education, in each two-year renewal cycle, including the two years following initial certification. In addition, family and dependency mediators must complete an additional two hours of the required 16 hours in domestic violence education in each renewal cycle for a total of four hours. Mediator certification shall not be renewed until all CME requirements are completed. Mediators who are certified in more than one area must complete 16 hours of CME applicable to each of their areas of certification. Hours completed may be utilized toward more than one area of certification if the subject matter is relevant to the fields of certification. For example, courses on such topics as mediator ethics, domestic violence, and general mediation skills may be credited to any or all of the areas of certification. At a minimum, 50 percent of the required CME hours must be satisfied by attendance, not as a lecturer or presenter, at a live lecture, live seminar, or an audio/video playback of a seminar attended by a group that discussed the materials presented. Interactive internet presentations may be counted as attendance at a live lecture. Noninteractive internet presentations shall be applied toward the audio-visual category. A maximum of four hours of CME may be earned through mentoring as defined above. Mentoring activities cannot be applied toward the required ethics, diversity/cultural awareness, or domestic violence CME components. Attending and lecturing or teaching at the same CME presentation will not entitle a mediator to additional credit. The prohibition against repeat attendance shall not apply to annual conferences and yearly updates. Continuing education completed for another profession's continuing education requirement may be used as CME if the material bears directly on the mediator's mediation practice and complies with the CME guidelines set forth in this order.