Upcoming Certification Trainings
Children and Family Law Division (CAFL)
CAFL CRA ONLY Certification Training
Winter 2026 CRA only Certification Training:
Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Orientation — Zoom
Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Zoom
Monday, February 9, 2026, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Zoom
Thursday, February 12, 2026, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Zoom
Applications are due by December 29, 2025, but will be accepted on a rolling basis until the training is filled.
CAFL C&P and CRA Certification Training
Care and Protection Certification Payment- $5032.00
Spring 2026 Trial Panel Certification Training:
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Orientation — Zoom
Monday, March 16, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — In Person
Thursday, March 19, 2026, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. — Zoom
Monday, March 23, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — In Person
Thursday, March 26, 2026, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. — Zoom
Monday, March 30, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 — In Person
Thursday, April 2, 2026, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. — Zoom
Monday, April 6, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — In Person
Monday, April 13, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — In Person
April 28, 29 & 30, 2026, 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – In Person Mock Hearings (will be assigned just one day for mock hearing)
Applications for the Spring 2026 Training will be accepted on a rolling basis until February 1, 2026.
Children and Family Law Appeals Certification
Winter 2026 Appellate Panel Certification Training:
Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. orientation – Zoom
Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Zoom
Thursday, January 29, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Zoom
Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Zoom
Thursday, February 5, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Zoom
Applications for the Winter 2026 training are due by December 1, 2025, but will be accepted on a rolling basis until the training is filled.
Children and Family Law Guardianship Certification
The CAFL Guardianship Panel certification training is next scheduled to be held in spring of 2026. Dates to be announced.
Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD)
Mental Health Commitment Certification Training
MH Civil Commitment Certification Payment- $2372.50
Training in progress. Next session dates to be announced.
Mental Health Guardianship Certification Training
Offered in late winter & early spring. Dates to be announced.
Mental Health Appeals Certification Training
Next training session to be announced.
Private Counsel Division (P/CD) - Criminal Defense
Criminal Defense Training (Zealous Advocacy in the District Courts)
ZAT Certification Payment- $4680.00
Training in progress. Next session dates to be announced.
Appeals and Post Conviction Certification Training
The Private Counsel Division Criminal Appeals Unit accepts panel members on a rolling basis. New panel members are expected to take a new panel member training, offered in November, and a brief writing workshop, offered in the spring, during their first year on the panel.
Fall 2025 New Panel Member Training (held remotely):
Wednesday, November 5, 2025, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, November 6, 2025, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday, November 7, 2025, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Alternative Commitment and Registration Support Unit
ACRSU accepts SORB and SDP panel members on a rolling basis. New panel members will be required to complete a new panel member training consisting of an online portion and a skills-based portion offered in person or by zoom. The trainings will be scheduled as needed.
SDP Certification:
Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Youth Advocacy Division (YAD) - Juvenile Defense
Juvenile Defense Training (Zealous Advocacy in the Juvenile Courts)
ZAT Certification Payment- $4680.00
Training in progress. Next session dates to be announced.
YAD Appeals Certification Training
The YAD Appeals Unit accepts panel members on a rolling basis. New panel members are expected to view recordings of the certification training.