Training Schedule - CPCS Website

Upcoming Certification Trainings

Apply for Certification Training

Children and Family Law Division (CAFL)

CAFL CRA ONLY Certification

Fall 2026 CRA only Certification Training:

Dates to be announced.

CAFL C&P and CRA Certification

Care and Protection certification payment to attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria – $5,264.00

Fall 2026 Trial Panel Certification Training:
Thursday, September 10, 2026, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Orientation — Zoom

Monday, September 14, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — In Person

Thursday, September 17, 2026, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. — Zoom

Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — In Person

Thursday, September 24, 2026, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. — Zoom

Monday, September 28, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.— In Person

Thursday, October 1, 2026, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. — Zoom

Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — In Person

Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — In Person

October 27, 28 & 29, 2026, 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – In Person Mock Hearings (participants will be assigned just one half-day for mock hearing)

Applications for the Fall 2026 Training will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Children and Family Law Guardianship Certification

*This training is open only to attorneys who are already certified to represent children and parents in care and protection cases in the Juvenile Court.

Winter/Spring 2027 Guardianship Panel Certification:

Dates to be announced.

Children and Family Law Appeals Certification

Appellate Panel Certification Training:

Next CAFL Appeals Certification Training to be held in 2027. Dates to be announced.

Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD)

Mental Health Accelerated Trial Panel Certification Training Program

Open to experienced trial attorneys only

If you have any questions about the necessary qualifications, please contact Joe Robinson, Trial Panel Director, MHLD: [email protected]

MHLD Accelerated Trial Panel Certification Training – Civil Commitment and/or Guardianship

Next MHLD Accelerated Trial Panel Certification Training to be held in 2027. Dates to be announced.

Mental Health Commitment Certification

MH Civil Commitment certification payment to eligible attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria – $2372.50

Next regular session dates to be announced.

Mental Health Guardianship Certification
MH Guardianship certification payment to attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria – $2372.50

MHLD Guardianship Certification Training
Next regular training session to be announced.

Mental Health Appeals Certification

Spring 2026 Mental Health Appellate Certification Training

Friday, June 5, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. — Zoom

Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. — Zoom

Thursday, June 11, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. — Zoom

Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. — Zoom

Applications for the 2026 Training will open on Monday, April 4th and will close on Friday, April 24, 2026.

Private Counsel Division (P/CD) - Criminal Defense

Criminal Defense Training (Zealous Advocacy in the District Courts)

ZAT certification payment to attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria – $4680.00

Fall 2026 ZAT Program

Attorneys admitted to ZAT will be assigned to either Cohort A or Cohort B and to a specific location (Boston, Worcester, or Holyoke).

Cohort A:

Thursday, September 10, 2026, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Orientation — Zoom

Monday, September 14, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke

Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke

Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke

Thursday, September 24, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke

Monday, September 28, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke

Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke

Monday, October 5, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke

Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke

Cohort B:

Thursday, September 10, 2026, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Orientation — Zoom

Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke

Thursday, September 17, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke

Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke

Friday, September 25, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke

Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke

Thursday, October 1, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke

Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke

Thursday, October 8, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. — In Person, Boston | Worcester | Holyoke

Application deadline 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.

New panel member training to be held in November of 2026. Dates to be announced.

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 to attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria- $4680.00