StrategicWhat do these credentials mean?
No state license is required to mediate in Texas; credentials are voluntary. A credential tells you about a mediator's training and experience. It is not a guarantee of results, and Strategic Peace does not rank mediators by credential.
Texas Mediator Credentialing Association (TMCA) tiers
TMCA is a private nonprofit, not a government agency. Its credentials are not issued or endorsed by the State of Texas or the Texas Judiciary. Every tier requires at least 40 classroom hours of mediation training and a promise to follow TMCA's Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, and grievance rules.
| Tier (exact name) | Training | Experience after training | Each year to keep it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credentialed Distinguished Mediator | 40 hours basic + 40 hours advanced | 200+ mediations or 1,000+ hours | 25 mediations or 150 hours, plus 15 hours continuing education |
| Credentialed Advanced Mediator | 40 hours basic + 20 hours advanced | 50+ mediations or 300+ hours | 10 mediations or 60 hours, plus 15 hours continuing education |
| Credentialed Mediator | 40 hours basic | 20+ mediations or 125+ hours | 3 mediations or 15 hours, plus 15 hours continuing education |
| Candidate for Credentialed Mediator | 40 hours basic | Fewer than 20 mediations or 125 hours | No minimum mediations |
Experience may include observing a Credentialed mediator in 5 mediations or for 30 hours. Source: TMCA, Criteria for Credentials, checked Oct 20, 2026.
Texas training hours (40-hour basic and 24-hour family)
- 40-hour basic mediation training: To be appointed by a Texas court as a mediator, a person generally needs at least 40 classroom hours of dispute resolution training (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §154.052(a)).
- 24-hour family mediation training: For court-appointed cases about the parent-child relationship (custody, visitation, child support), the mediator needs another 24 hours in family dynamics, child development, and family law, including at least 4 hours on family violence dynamics (§154.052(b)).
- Courts may sometimes appoint someone without these hours based on other legal or professional training or experience (§154.052(c)).
Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §154.052.
Attorney-Mediator
A licensed attorney who also works as a mediator. As a mediator they are neutral: they help both sides talk and settle, but they don't represent or give legal advice to either side. You can still bring your own lawyer.
Common professional initials
- J.D.
- Juris Doctor, a law degree. It doesn't by itself mean the person is a licensed attorney.
- LMSW / LCSW
- Licensed Master Social Worker / Licensed Clinical Social Worker, issued in Texas by the Behavioral Health Executive Council.
- LPC
- Licensed Professional Counselor, a state-licensed mental health counselor.
- CPA
- Certified Public Accountant, a state-licensed accountant. This is often useful in business or property-division disputes.
- Ret. Judge (Hon.)
- A former judge who now mediates. "Hon." is a courtesy title for current and former judges.
These are professional licenses or titles. None of them is a mediation credential by itself.
Labels from other states
Some mediators also hold court-roster status in other states. These are state-court programs with their own training and experience rules. They don't apply to Texas cases but show additional training:
- Georgia Registered Neutral: registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution.
- Virginia Certified Mediator: certified by the Supreme Court of Virginia, Dispute Resolution Services.
- Alabama Registered Mediator: on the roster of the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution.
- Indiana Registered Mediator: registered with the Indiana Supreme Court, Commission for Continuing Legal Education (ADR).
- Tennessee Rule 31 Listed Mediator: listed under Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
General information only, not legal advice. Check the issuing organization for current requirements.