ADRIO’s Guide to Becoming a Designated ADR Professional 

Becoming designated does not have to be a daunting process, the ADRIO team is here to support you every step of the way! Follow these simple steps to ensure your application goes smoothly. 

Step 1: Apply for Full Membership with ADRIO 

To become a designated ADR professional, you first need to be a Full Member of ADRIO. Here’s what you need to do: 

  1. Meet the full membership criteria: 
  • Complete 40 hours of training in any general ADR field (mediation, arbitration, investigations, facilitation, conflict management etc.). 

 Tip: we highly recommend you take one of our pre-approved courses (available here), which can count for both membership and designations.  

  1. Apply for membership: 
  • To apply, click here. Membership dues are annual on the calendar year. 
  1. Complete the ethics course: 
  • Once your membership is approved, you’ll receive details on how to register for the Ethics course, along with a $60 discount code. 
  • You have 90 days to register for the Ethics course once you’re a member, and 60 days to complete it. 
  • Once completed, email a copy of your course certificate to membership@adr-ontario.ca to remove your conditional status and move forward with your designation. 

Tip: Occasionally, we offer a live version of the ethics course (i.e., an ethics workshop) that also satisfies the ethics course requirement; if you’re interested in this, please email events@adr-ontario.ca 

Step 2: Choose Your Designation Path 

ADRIO supports applications for two levels of ADRIC designations: 

  1. Entry-Level Designations: These are the foundational designations in the ADR field.  
  1. Advanced Designations: These are more senior-level designations, with additional requirements for education, experience, and more.  

Tip: Take our approved courses (available here) to ensure your training meets the requirements! Submitting courses outside this list is a rare exception, requiring case-by-case review by our Professional Standards and Designation Review Committee. A course syllabus is mandatory, and we cannot provide preliminary assessments. Note: the arbitration and med-arb designations only accept courses from the approved list. 

Step 3: Apply for Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance 

Before applying for your designation, you need to secure E&O insurance. You can apply through the ADRIC program with Marsh Canada by clicking here for a quote.  

If you already have coverage through your employer or another association, you do not need additional insurance. 

Step 4: Submit Your Application 

Once you’ve met all the criteria and gathered your documents, you’re ready to submit your application. 

  1. Complete the application form. 
  1. Ensure all documents are included. 
  1. Send your application by email to membership@adr-ontario.ca. 

Step 5: Application Review and Processing 

Once we receive your application, we’ll: 

  1. Review it for completeness: We’ll check that everything is in order. 
  1. Send the application filing fee payment link: 
  • $200 for Q.Designations (Q.Med or Q.Arb) 
  • $500 for C.Designations (C.Med or C.Arb) 
  • $0 for C.Med-Arb Designation 
  1. Forward it to the Designation Committee: The review process may take up to 8 weeks or longer. 
  1. If your application is recommended, it will be sent to the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC) for final approval and issuance of your credentials. 

Step 6: After You Receive Your Designation 

Once your designation is issued by ADRIC, they will contact you directly for: 

  • Payment of annual renewal fees. 
  • Reporting on your Continuing Education and Experience (CEE). 

For more information about renewal fees or reports, please reach out directly to ADRIC at memberservices@adric.ca. 

Need Help? 

If you have any questions or need assistance at any point during the process, please feel free to contact us at membership@adr-ontario.ca. 

We’re here to help you succeed!