Frequently Asked Questions for Renewals

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Question 1:  When are renewals due?

Answer:       January 1st of every year.

Question 2:  Is there a grace period after January 1st of each year?

Answer:       Only until February 28th and only if passed by the TMCA Board for that renewal year.

Question 3:  What if I don’t renew within the allotted renewal time?

Answer:       You may no longer “hold out” in any way that you are associated with TMCA, and your name will be removed from the TMCA website.

Question 4:  May I re-join TMCA after the renewal period is over?

Answer:       Yes, you may re-join by submitting (1) a new application and (2) a Terms and Condition Agreement. You must go through the TMCA Board approval process.

Question 5:  What if I was sick, disabled, out of Texas or otherwise unable to meet the renewal requirements for this past year but I still want to hold a credential?

Answer:       Your only option is to submit (1) a new Application and (2) a Terms and Condition document to start again as a new credential holder. Your new application will have to be approved by the TMCA Board.

Question 6:  How do I know if my continuing education qualifies for renewal?

Answer:      Please see the Continuing Education Guidelines posted on the TMCA website, www.txmca.org/renewal_info.html.

Question 7:  May I change designation at renewal time?

Answer:       Anyone may change designation by submitting a new Application with their designation appropriately checked off on the application. The two page Renewal form must also accompany the new Application.

Question 8:  What if I don’t meet the renewal requirements for my existing credential?

Answer:       You may change to another designation. Submit the renewal forms and a new application for the new designation. Applications can be downloaded from the www.txmca.org website.

Question 9:  Can I send in my continuing education documentation in place of filling out the second page of the renewal form?

Answer:       No. Do not send documents to TMCA. You must personally fill out the continuing education record (second page of the renewal form).

Question 10:  For continuing education, can I count both 3 hours of self-study and 5 hours from being a trainer for a total of 8 hours of continuing education each year?

Answer:        Yes.

Question 11:  How will I know if an ethics course is approved?

Answer:         Look for ethics courses that say that they meet the Texas Mediation Trainers Roundtable standards for ethics courses.

Question 12:  Will attendance at conferences such as the ADR Section continuing education conference and the Texas Association of Mediators conference qualify for continuing education hours?

Answer:         Yes.

Question 13:  What if it takes me longer than four years to move from “Candidate” to “Credentialed” status?

Answer:         You will need to drop the “Candidate” designation until you can meet the criteria for the “Credentialed” designation. Then you can apply for the “Credentialed” designation.

Question 14:  What if I take a course that only has a few hours on mediation?

Answer:         You can count just the hours that relate to mediation.

Question 15:  What if the title of the course does not indicate its relevance to mediation?

Answer:         Include a note about how it relates to mediation.

TMCA Address:
Texas Mediator Credentialing Association
c/o Dr. James W. Gibson, Board Secretary
P.O. Box 2059, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2059
sls_jwg@shsu.edu
936-294-1717