The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker. What do they all have in common? Include in the question the plumber, the electrician, the surgeon, the lawyer, the barber, the hairdresser. The answer: they are all subject to some sort of governmental regulatory oversight by way of examination, licensing or inspection. A number of other professions are subject to industry wide self-regulation and certification. Indeed, I read recently that the American Cheese Society, a trade group, has adopted a Certified Cheese Professional Examination.
The list of government or self-regulated professions is a lengthy one, but one profession long missing from the list is that of mediation. If a central purpose of regulation and oversight is to minimize harm and promote consumer safety and well-being, it is surprising to some that the mediator isn’t regulated or at least credentialed.
