Training Schedule - CPCS Website

Upcoming Certification Trainings

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 – $6,216.00 (beginning August 1, 2026).

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 day for the mock hearing)

Applications for the Fall 2026 Training are preferred by the July 27, 2026, priority deadline.

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 – $3,782 beginning August 1, 2026.

Fall 2026 Civil Commitment Certification Training:
Thursday, September 10, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In Person — Worcester

Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. — Zoom

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

Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. — Zoom

Friday, September 25, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In Person — Boston

Friday, October 2, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In Person — Boston

In-Person Mock Hearings will be held during the weeks of October 12th & 19th of 2026 in Boston or Worcester courthouses (participants will be assigned just one half-day for the mock hearing).

Applications are due by the August 17, 2026, deadline.

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

In progress.

Next training to be held in 2027. Dates 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 – $6,120.00

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

Applications accepted until August 3, 2026.

Appeals and Post Conviction Certification Training

FY2026 bonuses up to $2,500 for Post-Conviction Panel members by meeting certain case benchmarks.

Certification trainings are held in the fall and spring, annually.

Fall 2026 Post-Conviction Panel Certification Training:

Monday, November 2, 2026— In Person, Worcester

Tuesday, November 17, 2026— In Person, Worcester

Thursday, December 10, 2026— In Person, Worcester

Applications will be accepted until September 24, 2026.

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