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 offers the Chartered Professional Mediator (ChPM) designation to mediators who have demonstrated knowledge, skills, abilities, and commitment to 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 established the Chartered credential in response to concerns that many “certification” processes do not require mediators to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities, beyond their background and experience. The Chartered status ensures that competence is verified, not assumed.
Instead of the patchwork of certification programs that exist across many jurisdictions, we provide a cohesive set of standards which can be used across all jurisdictions.
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, but not limited to…
- Family Mediation Association (FMA)
- The Academy of Family Mediators (AFM)
- Academy of Professional Family Mediators (APFM)
- Maryland Council for Dispute Resolution (MCDR)
- Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR)
- National Center for Mediation Education (NCME)
- Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution (SPIDR)
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
- The National Institute for Dispute Resolution (NIDR)
- International Roundtable of Mediation Organization Presidents and Leaders
- American Bar Association Section for Dispute Resolution
- Deptartment of Justice and Deptartment of Energy – ADA Mediation
- Minnesota Farm Lender Mediation Act (MFLMA)
- Federal Mediation and Conciliation Courts (FMCS)
- Resolve USPS Mediation
- World Bank Mediation Program
- And numerous state mediation organizations…
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 assessments.
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 for Chartered status
- Examination development and administration
- Performance‑based assessment partnerships
- Other policies as required
The Board maintains full authority to interpret requirements, verify documentation, and ensure the integrity of the PMBS credentialing process.
Commitment to Public Trust
PMBS is committed to protecting the public by ensuring that every Chartered Mediator:
- Meets validated competency standards
- Commits to the PMBS Code of Conduct
- Promotes ongoing professional development
- Practices with integrity, impartiality, and professionalism
The ChPM designation indicates to individuals, courts, agencies, employers, communities, and referral sources that a mediator has earned a credential grounded in rigor, fairness, and accountability.