Upcoming Certification Trainings
Children and Family Law Division (CAFL)
CAFL CRA ONLY Certification
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
Care and Protection certification payment to attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria – $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 half-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 Guardianship Certification
*The training is open to attorneys who are not already certified to represent children and parents in care and protection cases in the Juvenile Court. Applicants must have prior experience representing clients in family law cases in the Probate and Family Court.
Spring 2026 Guardianship Panel Certification:
Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. — Zoom
Monday, May 11, 2026, 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. — Zoom
Thursday, May 14, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.— In-person in Worcester, MA
Monday, May 18, 2026, 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.— Zoom
Applications for the Spring 2026 Training will be accepted on a rolling basis until April 1, 2026.
Children and Family Law Appeals Certification
Winter 2026 Appellate Panel Certification Training:
Training in progress. Next CAFL Appeals Certification Training to be held in 2027. Dates to be announced.
Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD)
Mental Health Commitment Certification
MH Civil Commitment certification payment to eligible attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria – $2372.50
Next session dates to be announced.
Mental Health Guardianship Certification
Guardianship certification payment to attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria – $2372.50
Winter 2026 MHLD Guardianship Certification Training
Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – in-person
Friday, February 6, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Zoom
Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Zoom
Friday, February 13, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Zoom
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – in-person
Friday, February 27, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – in-person
March 10, 11, 13, 16 & 20, 2026 – In Person Mock Hearings, morning and afternoon options (will be assigned just one day for mock hearing)
Applications for the Winter 2026 training are due by January 9, 2026, but will be accepted on a rolling basis until the training is filled.
Mental Health Appeals Certification
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 to attorneys after meeting eligibility criteria – $4680.00
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.
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
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.