Category: New York

New York 40-Hour Basic Mediation Training

NEW YORK / 40-HOUR ONLINE MEDIATION TRAINING

New York 40-Hour Mediation Training. Learn the process. Explore your pathway.

Build practical mediation skills online with VirNet's structured, flexible course. Explore active listening, impartial facilitation, negotiation, conflict dynamics, ethical practice, and durable agreements.

New York's Unified Court System has a specific training-approval and experience pathway for court-roster mediators under 22 NYCRR Part 146. VirNet's certificate documents course completion; it does not establish Part 146 course approval, court-roster eligibility, or appointment.

If your goal is a New York court roster or a Community Dispute Resolution Center, confirm acceptance of this specific course and delivery format with the intended program before enrolling.

40 hoursFoundational mediation training
10 modulesProgressive learning and practice
OnlineSelf-paced course access
3 optionsChoose your level of instruction

KNOW WHAT YOUR TRAINING PROVIDES

What does 40-hour mediation training mean in New York?

Training for professional development, private mediation, and court-connected service can involve different approval and experience requirements.

01 / PRACTICAL SKILLS

Develop a sound foundation

Practice listening, reframing, interest exploration, caucus decisions, managing impasse, and helping participants evaluate options without directing their outcome.

02 / PROFESSIONAL USE

Bring mediation into your work

Attorneys, human resources professionals, educators, business leaders, and aspiring private mediators can build transferable conflict-resolution skills.

03 / COURT ROSTERS

Distinguish hours from approval

Part 146 requires approved training divided into basic and additional subject-specific components, together with recent mediation experience. Forty hours alone is not enough.

VirNet awards a certificate of completion. New York State's Unified Court System does not issue a general mediator certification through Part 146, and the certificate does not signify an approved Part 146 course.

CHOOSE THE TRAINING EXPERIENCE THAT FITS YOU

One course. Three levels of support.

Every option includes the same 40-hour foundational curriculum. Select the amount of personal feedback and mentoring that aligns with your learning style and goals.

40-HOUR CERTIFICATE PATHWAY

Self-Directed

Full course access with independent study

$775

Complete the 10-module program on your schedule with lessons, assessments, practical simulations, and downloadable course resources. Individualized instructor grading or coaching is not included.

View course & enroll
FIVE PRIVATE COACHING SESSIONS

Private Coaching

Instructor feedback plus five private sessions

$3,275

Everything in Instructor-Guided, plus five one-on-one sessions with Dr. Earwicker to discuss your technique, professional goals, and growth as a mediator.

View course & enroll

Select a training option to review the full course details, current tuition, and enrollment instructions. Any applicable promotion will be displayed on the course enrollment page.

THE EXPERIENCE

The flexibility of online learning, with opportunities to actually mediate.

Moving through this course is more than watching videos. Structured instruction, knowledge checks, realistic simulations, and reflection activities help connect mediation concepts to concrete decisions and conversations.

You can work through the self-paced curriculum wherever you have reliable internet access. If you select guided instruction or coaching, the program also incorporates individualized feedback and mentorship as described in your enrollment tier.

Inside the course

  • Video lessons explaining mediation principles and practical techniques
  • Readings, downloadable outlines, and supplemental learning resources
  • Quizzes and exercises to reinforce each topic
  • Interactive, AI-assisted practice conversations
  • Reflection and application assignments
  • A final evaluation and certificate process after completing required coursework
SKILLS WITH REAL-WORLD APPLICATION

What you will learn to do.

Good mediation is both a thoughtful process and a set of skills that improve with practice. The curriculum develops these capabilities together.

01

Listen beyond positions

Identify emotions, interests, assumptions, and information gaps without prematurely choosing sides.

02

Guide a clear process

Practice introductions, issue identification, negotiation, impasse management, and appropriate closure.

03

Respond to challenging dynamics

Work thoughtfully with frustration, power differences, difficult conversations, and cultural context.

04

Develop practical options

Support brainstorming, evaluation of proposals, and careful agreement development.

05

Build professional habits

Explore ethics, neutrality, preparation, boundaries, and pathways for continuing mediator development.

10 PROGRESSIVE MODULES

A comprehensive introduction to the practice of mediation.

The course progresses from foundational ideas to more complex simulations and professional applications. These five learning areas summarize the content across the ten course modules; they are not separate enrollment products.

01

Foundations and the mediator role

The purposes, principles, ethics, and major approaches of mediation.

02

Communication and negotiation

Listening, reframing, empathy, interest-based bargaining, and productive questioning.

03

Difficult situations and power

Impasse, strong emotions, de-escalation, cultural responsiveness, and participant safeguards.

04

Structure, agreements, and practice

Stages of a mediation, option development, drafting, and realistic simulations.

05

Professional pathways

Online dispute resolution, professional boundaries, practice planning, and ongoing development.

Want to inspect the actual lessons? Each course page includes a curriculum view and course details before enrollment.

View the existing course curriculum

NEW YORK MEDIATION PATHWAYS

Where can mediation skills take you?

New York has distinct private, court-connected, community, and organizational pathways. Match the training you select to the role you actually want.

01

Private civil and business mediation

Parties may seek consensual mediation for business, employment, contract, organizational, and other disputes. Training supports good practice, but experience, subject-matter knowledge, and professional responsibilities still matter.

Part 146 governs specified court rosters; it is not a universal state-issued license for every private mediator.

02

New York trial-court rosters

The Unified Court System uses mediators for civil, family, and other case types. Under Part 146, qualifying court-roster training includes at least 24 approved basic hours and 16 approved additional subject-specific hours, plus recent relevant experience.

The court approves particular courses and trainers; acceptance and roster placement remain subject to local requirements and discretion.

03

Community Dispute Resolution Centers

New York's nonprofit Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRCs) provide community and court-related dispute resolution services. Volunteer training, apprenticeship, and onboarding requirements are administered through the centers and their program standards.

The CDRC pathway is separate from Part 146 court-roster qualifications; ask your local center about training equivalency and apprenticeship.

04

Family, workplace, and organizational settings

Conflict resolution skills are useful in family conversations, workplaces, schools, nonprofit organizations, and professional practice. Specialized cases may require additional training, screening, professional expertise, or program authorization.

For family and matrimonial court rosters, check additional training and intimate-partner-violence continuing-education requirements.

Official New York resources: Part 146 rules Court neutral qualifications Find a CDRC

PART 146 AND LOCAL PROGRAM RULES

New York court-roster qualification involves approved training and experience.

Part 146 sets statewide baseline qualifications for covered court rosters. It expressly does not apply to neutrals serving through the Unified Court System's CDRC Program.

PART 146.4 / TRAINING

24 basic + 16 additional hours

Covered court-roster mediators need at least 24 hours of approved initial mediation training and 16 hours of approved additional training specific to the types of cases they will mediate. A single approved 40-hour program can sometimes meet both components.

Read Part 146 →
EXPERIENCE / APPOINTMENT

Recent cases and local discretion

Part 146 also requires recent experience mediating actual cases in the relevant subject area. Courts may have additional requirements, and placement on a roster is at the discretion of the local Administrative Judge.

Review roster qualifications →
CDRC / SEPARATE PATHWAY

Community-center training and apprenticeship

Community Dispute Resolution Centers follow a distinct pathway involving center-specific training and supervised practice. The New York State Dispute Resolution Association describes a 30-hour basic course and apprenticeship for volunteers; confirm current acceptance rules with your local center.

Find your local CDRC →

Course approval matters: VirNet's online 40-hour course is not represented as a Part 146-approved initial or additional mediation training program. Confirm the exact course, trainer, approval period, and delivery format using the court's approved-course list before relying on training for a roster application.

NEED HELP CHOOSING?

Let's discuss your training goals.

Whether you are comparing the three course pathways or exploring how the training fits a particular role, we can explain the program and point you toward the questions to ask your local court or credentialing authority.

For a useful response, share your state, intended practice setting, and any specific training requirements you've been given.

General VirNet contact page

Ask about the 40-hour course

Have a question about learning format, guidance options, or state-specific needs? Our training inquiry form is available directly below this section.

For enrollment questions, include your city/state, intended mediation role, and the option you are considering.

Tell us about your goals, questions about the curriculum, or concerns about enrollment. If you are trying to meet a particular training requirement, please share what you have been told by the relevant court or organization.
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PRACTICE, REFLECT, IMPROVE

Practice difficult conversations before mediating real ones.

Interactive role-play is a distinctive part of the training. Through realistic, AI-assisted scenarios, you take the mediator's role, practice responding in real time, and reflect on the choices you made.

Scenarios increase in complexity as you advance, including workplace, interpersonal, and multifaceted disputes. They give you opportunities to experiment with questions, reframing, neutrality, and ways of moving a conversation forward.

The technology is a learning tool; it is not a substitute for supervised practice or any state-required live training component.

A PRACTICE-ORIENTED DESIGN

From understanding a technique to trying it.

  1. Study the skills and frameworks.
  2. Apply them in an interactive scenario.
  3. Reflect on what happened and what you would adjust.
  4. Receive additional instructor feedback if your tier includes it.

ETHICS, CONFIDENTIALITY AND INFORMED CHOICE

Practice with impartiality—and know which rules apply.

Effective mediation requires impartiality, informed participation, appropriate screening, respect for party self-determination, and care in documenting any agreement. New York's court programs and particular mediation settings may impose additional ethics, disclosure, and procedural requirements.

Confidentiality is context-specific. Do not promise that every New York mediation communication is absolutely privileged or undiscoverable. Court program rules, agreements, applicable law, and exceptions can affect what may be disclosed. Explain the scope and limits of confidentiality before the process begins.

For covered Part 146 rosters, mediators generally must complete six hours of relevant continuing education every two years. Family and matrimonial court-roster mediators also have an intimate-partner-violence continuing-education component under court administrative guidance.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Learn from the mediator who built the course.

Dr. Benjamin J. Earwicker brings together hands-on mediation, civil rights and organizational dispute resolution, and years of teaching negotiation and alternative dispute resolution. All three enrollment paths share his 40-hour curriculum; the Instructor-Guided and Private Coaching options add individualized instruction.

Explore Dr. Earwicker's professional background
Dr. Ben Earwicker, J.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Earwicker brings experience in conflict resolution, administrative dispute processes, higher education, and mediation training. He has taught negotiation and alternative dispute resolution at the University of Idaho College of Law and developed the curriculum used in VirNet's online 40-hour course. His professional experience informs a practical approach: establish a trustworthy process, understand the dynamics beneath a dispute, give participants meaningful choices, and help them evaluate workable options. For students who want additional instruction, the Instructor-Guided and Private Coaching tiers provide direct access to Dr. Earwicker's individualized feedback.
Teacher courses:
Dr. Ben Earwicker, J.D., Ph.D.

40-Hour Basic Mediation Certification - Instructor-Guided

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40-Hour Basic Mediation Certification - Self-Directed

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REAL STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Hear from people who completed the training.

Students describe their experiences with the self-paced format, interactive role-play simulations, curriculum progression, and personal feedback. Browse their full comments below to see which aspects of the program mattered most to them.

Testimonials reflect individual experiences and do not guarantee any particular outcome or professional credential.

NEW YORK MEDIATION TRAINING FAQ

Questions about mediation training in New York.

Understand the difference between a course-completion certificate, an approved court-training program, and experience-based roster eligibility.

Does New York issue a general mediator certification?

No. The New York State Unified Court System explains that it does not certify mediators under Part 146. Certain community centers and professional associations may offer their own certification or credentialing pathways, subject to their requirements.

Does VirNet's 40-hour course qualify me for a New York court roster?

Not by itself. Part 146 requires approved training and recent relevant mediation experience. VirNet does not represent this course as Part 146-approved. Courts may impose additional requirements, and roster appointments are discretionary.

What is the 24-hour plus 16-hour training rule?

Part 146.4(b) requires at least 24 hours of approved basic mediation training and 16 hours of approved additional training related to the subject matter of the cases to be mediated. A single approved 40-hour program may cover both, but not every 40-hour course is approved.

Can I use self-paced online training toward Part 146?

Approval applies to specific courses and trainers, not simply the number of hours or whether training is online. Before enrolling for a court-roster goal, check the Unified Court System's current approved-course catalog and confirm that the exact course and format are accepted.

How do I become a volunteer mediator at a New York CDRC?

Contact your local Community Dispute Resolution Center. CDRCs use a separate training and apprenticeship pathway; the New York State Dispute Resolution Association describes a 30-hour basic mediation course followed by an apprenticeship, with possible equivalency review. Ask the individual center about its current process.

Do I need mediation experience for a court roster?

Yes. Part 146 requires recent experience mediating actual cases in the subject area of the roster. Apprenticeships and mentorships can help newer mediators gain relevant experience, but local court programs determine what qualifies.

What continuing education do New York court-roster mediators need?

Covered roster mediators generally must complete six hours of relevant continuing education every two years. Family and matrimonial roster mediators also have a two-hour intimate-partner-violence continuing-education requirement within that period, which may count toward the six hours.

Is everything said in a New York mediation confidential?

Confidentiality is a central feature of mediation, but the applicable protection and exceptions depend on the program, governing law, and agreements. Ask which rules apply to your setting and avoid assuming that every communication is absolutely privileged.

Can I complete VirNet's course while living anywhere in New York?

Yes. VirNet offers online foundational training throughout New York. If you need acceptance by a particular court, CDRC, employer, or professional organization, verify that program's requirements before enrolling.

Educational information only; not legal advice or a representation of state approval. New York court rules and local program requirements can change. Confirm current criteria with the appropriate court or organization.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Answers before you enroll.

Learn what the program includes, what a completion certificate means, and what additional steps might apply in your jurisdiction.

Is the course entirely online?

Yes. The foundational course is offered online and on demand, with video learning materials, assignments, quizzes, and interactive practice exercises. Confirm any synchronous or in-person requirements imposed by your intended court or certification program.

How do the three enrollment options differ?

All three include the complete curriculum. Self-Directed is independent study. Instructor-Guided includes feedback on two assignments in each of ten modules. Private Coaching adds five individual coaching sessions with Dr. Earwicker.

Do I need a legal degree or prior mediation experience?

No particular professional degree is required to enroll in this foundational course. Certain courts or specialized programs may impose additional qualifications for their own rosters or credentials.

Will I earn a certificate?

A certificate of completion is available after successful completion of the program and its requirements. It documents training completion and is not itself a government license, court appointment, or guarantee of eligibility.

Will this qualify me to mediate for courts in my state?

Possibly, but not automatically. Court-connected programs may require approved training providers, specific instructional formats, subject-matter instruction, screening, mentoring, or separate applications. Verify the exact jurisdiction and roster requirements before enrolling for that purpose.

Can I start a private mediation practice after the course?

The course builds foundational skills and introduces professional pathways, but starting a practice also requires careful attention to ethical duties, local rules, business formation, insurance considerations, and the scope of services offered.

How do the interactive role-play exercises work?

Students work through realistic, AI-assisted practice conversations while taking the mediator role, then reflect on the communication and process choices they made. Guided tiers add personalized review as described in the course.

Can I study on evenings or weekends?

Yes. The online curriculum is self-paced, making it possible to organize study around professional and family schedules. Individual coaching appointments in the Private Coaching option must be arranged.

What if I have questions about my state or enrollment?

Review the relevant court or program requirements and contact VirNet with your state and intended mediation role. We can explain the course format, but final eligibility and recognition decisions belong to the governing authority.

YOUR NEXT STEP

Start building your mediation skills.

One 40-hour curriculum, three ways to learn, and a practical focus on the conversations mediators actually navigate. Choose your preferred level of support and review the course before enrolling.

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