October 2026
IMI Qualified, IMI Certified, Accredited: What Mediation Credentials Really Mean
If you’re comparing mediation courses, you’ve probably come across a confusing mix of labels: IMI Qualified, IMI Certified, accredited mediator, registered mediator, certified training program. They sound similar, but they mean different things, and mixing them up can lead to the wrong course choice.
This guide explains what the most important international credentials mean, how they relate to national rules, and which questions to ask before you enrol.
Training, certification and registration are not the same
Most confusion disappears once you separate three layers.
- Training is the course you complete. It teaches the mediation process, communication techniques and ethics, usually with role-plays and feedback.
- Certification or accreditation confirms that you meet a defined standard. Sometimes that standard is met when you finish an approved course. Sometimes it also requires proven practical experience and an assessment.
- Registration means being entered on an official register or list kept by a professional body or public authority. It often comes with ongoing obligations such as continuing education. (Not to be confused with registering for a course.)
A course can be excellent and still not lead to a recognised credential. A credential can also require more than a course. Knowing which layer a provider is talking about is the first step.
The International Mediation Institute (IMI)
The International Mediation Institute, based in The Hague, is an independent non-profit that sets international quality standards for mediators. It does not train mediators itself. Instead, it approves training programmes and assessment programmes run by other organisations.
IMI distinguishes two main levels.
IMI Qualified Mediator
This is the entry level. You reach it through a training programme that IMI has approved as meeting its independent standards, known as an IMI Certified Mediator Training Program. Depending on the programme, the course is followed by a short practical assessment, for example a simulated mediation and a written reflection. Once accepted, you can be listed on IMI’s international register. IMI Qualified shows that your training meets an international benchmark.
IMI Certified Mediator
This is the experienced level. According to IMI, you need to have completed either 20 mediations or 200 hours of mediation work, and you must be assessed against IMI’s standards through a Qualifying Assessment Program.
IMI Certified status is about proven practice, not just training. For most people, it’s the step that comes a few years after the course.
Specialisations
Once certified, mediators can add specialist credentials, for example in intercultural competence or online mediation. Both are increasingly relevant in cross-border work.
National rules still matter
IMI credentials are international quality markers. They don’t replace national rules, which differ widely from country to country, from no regulation at all to strict entry requirements.
- Germany: The title zertifizierte/r Mediator/in is regulated. It requires at least 130 hours of training under the national training regulation and five supervised cases.
- Austria: Mediators can be entered on an official list kept by the Ministry of Justice, with its own training requirements.
- Italy: Civil and commercial mediators work through mediation bodies registered with the Ministry of Justice and must complete a state-defined basic training.
- Turkey: Only legal professionals can become mediators. The law requires a law degree, at least five years of professional experience, mediation training and a state exam. Mediation is also mandatory before going to court in labour, commercial, consumer and many rental disputes.
- United Kingdom: The Civil Mediation Council runs a registration scheme for civil and commercial mediators.
- United States: There’s no national licence. Requirements for court-connected mediation are set state by state, and many states use a 40-hour training as a reference point.
The Turkish example shows why this matters. A business consultant or psychologist with an excellent international credential still cannot practise as a mediator there. Helping participants navigate these differences is part of our daily work, because our trainees come from many countries and often plan to practise in more than one.
If you plan to work mainly in one country, check its rules first. If you plan to work across borders, an international credential such as IMI becomes more valuable, because it gives clients and organisations a common reference point. Ideally, you combine both.
What about provider accreditations?
Many well-known training providers award their own accreditation, for example CEDR in the UK. These credentials carry weight in their home markets. Some of these programmes are also certified by IMI, which links the provider’s accreditation to the international standard.
When a provider calls its course “accredited”, ask:
Accredited by whom, and what does that accreditation lead to?
Five questions to ask before you enrol
- 1
Which credential does this course lead to, and who awards it?
- 2
Is the training approved by IMI, and what else do I need to do to become IMI Qualified?
- 3
Does it meet the requirements of the country where I want to practise?
- 4
What comes after the course?
Look for supervision, co-mediation opportunities and a network that helps you collect the experience needed for advanced credentials.
- 5
What is included in the price?
Some providers charge separately for certification or registration.
Where IMC fits in
The Professional Mediation Course at the International Mediation Campus is approved by IMI and recognised by the Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI). It is designed for professionals in law, business and the NGO sector who work across borders. You can choose the format that fits your schedule: a part-time online course alongside your job, a one-week online intensive, or in-person training in selected locations. An ISM university certificate is also available.
If you want to practise in Germany as well, you can combine the course with our Add-On for German certification. It builds on the hours you have already completed and leads to the German zertifizierte/r Mediator/in. It is taught in English, combines online modules with in-person training, and is delivered together with our sister organisation, CONSENSUS Campus. One learning path gives you an international credential and a national title.
The bottom line
Credentials are signposts, not guarantees. A recognised international credential shows that your training meets a shared standard. Your reputation as a mediator, however, is built through practice. Choose a programme that gives you both: a credential that is recognised where you want to work, and a clear path to real experience after the course.
Not sure which path fits your plans?
Book a free consultation, explore the Professional Mediation Course or learn more about the Add-On for German certification.