The Professional Mediation Board of Standards (PMBS) is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the quality, integrity, and professionalism of mediation. Formed in 2015 by a group of nationally recognized mediators, PMBS was created to address long‑standing concerns about inconsistent training standards, minimal entry requirements, and the absence of a unified, competency‑based credential for professional mediators.
PMBS exists to ensure that mediators who earn the Chartered Professional Mediator (ChPM) designation have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, abilities, and ethical standards required to practice at the highest level.
Our Mission
PMBS promotes excellence in mediation by:
- Establishing nationally recognized competency standards
- Administering a rigorous, validated credentialing process
- Ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability
- Supporting public trust in mediation services
- Elevating the profession through peer‑reviewed assessment
The ChPM designation reflects a mediator’s commitment to ethical practice, professional development, and high‑quality service.
Our History
PMBS builds on decades of leadership in the mediation field. Its founders include mediators who helped shape national standards beginning in the 1980s through organizations such as:
- The Academy of Family Mediators (AFM)
- The National Institute for Dispute Resolution (NIDR)
- The Human Research and Resources Organization (HumRRO)
These early efforts laid the groundwork for today’s competency‑based chartering process — a process PMBS now administers with modern validation methods and independent performance‑based assessment.
Independent and Non‑Prescriptive
PMBS does not endorse or require any specific training program, school, or curriculum.
Candidates may pursue education and experience through any qualified provider.
PMBS evaluates competence, not affiliation.
Governance
The PMBS Board of Directors oversees:
- Credentialing standards
- Examination development
- Performance‑based assessment partnerships
- Policies and ethics
- Appeals and disciplinary procedures
The Board maintains full authority to interpret requirements, verify documentation, and ensure the integrity of the credentialing process.
Commitment to Public Trust
PMBS is committed to protecting the public by ensuring that every Chartered Mediator:
- Meets validated competency standards
- Adheres to a clear Code of Conduct
- Maintains ongoing professional development
- Practices with integrity, neutrality, and professionalism
The ChPM designation signals to clients, courts, employers, and referral sources that a mediator has earned a credential grounded in rigor, fairness, and accountability.