Arbitrator Training

Introduction to Training

After an arbitrator candidate is informed that his or her application has been approved, he or she must then complete FINRA Dispute Resolution's comprehensive basic arbitrator training program before becoming eligible to serve on arbitration cases. The tuition for our mandatory, basic arbitrator training program is $125, and includes the following courses. We strongly recommend that candidates proceed through our training program in this order:

1. Online basic arbitrator training course.
   
   
2. Onsite classroom training session.
   
   
3. Online expungement training course.

Enrollment Instructions

Please click on the corresponding "online enrollment form" to access a registration form. Once you complete the registration form, you will receive an initial email confirming your registration. Within 48 hours, you will receive a second email with your login ID and password. You will need to enter your arbitrator identification number on the registration form.

System Requirements

The following courses are accessible only on a PC using Internet Explorer. For Mac users, we are working diligently to provide this course in a compatible format. As a temporary remedy, you may register for the course and log onto the learning site to print the course materials in a PDF format; you may print the materials using a Mac even though you will not be able to access the course online. You may also send an email to Jisook Lee to request a print version.

Online Basic Arbitrator Training Course

This highly acclaimed skills course requires a thorough review of online self-study materials and completion of an examination. After completing the review of the materials online, the candidate may begin the 25-question, multiple-choice final examination, which is designed to measure the candidate's understanding of the program's material. Twenty correct answers (80%) are required to pass the examination.
 
The course and exam take approximately eight hours to complete, and can be done over a period of 30 days from the date of registration. Payment of the $125 tuition fee for the training program will be due upon registration for the online basic arbitrator training course. To register for the course, please complete and submit the enrollment form. 

 
Onsite Classroom Training Session
 
After successfully completing the online course and examination, the candidate is ready to attend a four-hour onsite classroom training. The onsite course reinforces concepts learned in the online training, and provides practical guidance for resolving common issues that arise during arbitration. The training also provides an opportunity for FINRA's trainer to meet and evaluate each candidate in person. The onsite trainings are conducted in multiple locations across the country throughout the year.

Candidates are required to show proof that they have successfully completed the online basic course by printing the notification made available online after completion of the examination.
 
Online Expungement Training Course

This mandatory, online course provides an overview of the expungement process. Specifically, the course explains the role of the Central Registration Depository, gives an in-depth review of Rule 2130, and discusses the specific findings arbitrators must make in order for FINRA to waive its right to oppose the expungement request in court. There is an examination at the conclusion of the course, and a grade of 80 percent or greater is required to successfully pass the course. Arbitrators who do not successfully complete the examination for the expungement course may retake the course at no charge.

The course and exam take approximately one hour to complete, and can be done over a period of 30 days from the date of registration. You may enroll for the expungement course by completing and submitting the following enrollment form.

General Notice

Arbitrator candidates who have been approved to the roster, and who successfully pass FINRA Dispute Resolution's arbitrator training program — as outlined above — become eligible for case service.

Individuals who do not pass the online basic course will have one additional opportunity to retake the course. Those who choose to re-register and retake the course will be required to pay an additional $125.

Schedule for Onsite Component of Basic Arbitrator Training Program 2008

The onsite component of the mandatory, basic arbitrator training program is hosted by FINRA Dispute Resolution's four Regional Offices. The listings are organized by region. Please view our map for the region in which you are located in order to find out about specific training.

If you have successfully completed the online portion of the arbitrator training program, and are ready to proceed to the onsite portion of the program, please contact:

Dispute Resolution Workshops

FINRA Dispute Resolution offers phone-in workshops for arbitrators on a variety of topics. Visit our audio transcript page to hear our past workshops.

Advanced Arbitrator Training Online

In addition to the mandatory basic arbitrator training program detailed above, FINRA Dispute Resolution also offers subject-specific online training modules. The following modules are voluntary, unless stated otherwise. Arbitrators who successfully complete FINRA Dispute Resolution's training courses will have this noted on their arbitrator disclosure reports.

Enrollment Instructions

Please click on the corresponding "online enrollment form" to access a registration form. Once you complete the registration form, you will receive an initial email confirming your registration. Within 48 hours, you will receive a second email with your login ID and password. You will need to enter your arbitrator identification number on the registration form.

System Requirements

The following courses are accessible only on a PC using Internet Explorer. For Mac users, we are working diligently to provide this course in a compatible format. As a temporary remedy, you may register for the course and log onto the learning site to print the course materials in a PDF format; you may print the materials using a Mac even though you will not be able to access the course online. You may also send an email to Jisook Lee to request a print version of the following courses.

• Chairperson Training: This course instructs arbitrators on the added responsibilities of arbitrators assuming the important role of Chairperson. The course requires approximately nine hours of study time, and can be completed over a period of 30 days from the date of registration. There is an online assessment at the end of the course and a passing grade of 80 percent or greater is required. Tuition for the course is $50. Users may register for the Chairperson Training by completing and submitting the following online enrollment form.
  
  
• Your Duty to Disclose: This voluntary, online course focuses on arbitrators' obligations to disclose information to FINRA, parties and co-arbitrators. The course describes FINRA's disclosure requirements, explains the necessity for complete disclosure and its importance to the neutrality of the process, instructs arbitrators on how to correctly make a disclosure and reinforces the need for arbitrators to meet their continuing disclosure obligations. The course takes approximately one hour to complete, and may be completed over a 30-day period. Tuition for the course is $25. Users may register for the disclosure course by completing and submitting the following online enrollment form.
  
  
• Discovery: Abuse and Sanctions: This voluntary, online course focuses on the respective duties of arbitrators and parties in the discovery process. The course explains the Discovery Guide; discusses the need for Orders of Confidentiality; guides arbitrators to recognize and address discovery abuses and reviews the array of possible sanctions if they become necessary. The course takes approximately one hour to complete, and may be completed over a 30-day period. Tuition for the course is $25. Users may register for the discovery course by completing and submitting the following online enrollment form.
  
  
• Direct Communication Rule: This voluntary, online course provides an overview of FINRA's direct communication rule. The course discusses the benefits of proceeding under the direct communication rule, outlines the types of communication that are not permitted and provides practical guidance in applying the rule in arbitration. The course takes approximately one hour to complete, and may be completed over a 30-day period. Tuition for the course is $25. Users may register for the direct communication course by completing and submitting the following online enrollment form.
  
  
• Understanding the Prehearing Stage: Initial Prehearing Conference: This voluntary, online course helps arbitrators manage the Initial Prehearing Conference. The course also assists arbitrators in organizing the Conference, keeping the parties focused on the tasks at hand-of which scheduling hearing dates is primary, and providing practical guidance on other preliminary issues that may arise during the Conference. The course takes approximately one hour to complete, and may be completed over a 30-day period. Tuition for the course is $25. Users may register for the prehearing course by completing and submitting the following online enrollment form.
  
  
• Expungement: This mandatory online course is part of the basic arbitrator training program. The course explains the role of the Central Registration Depository, gives an in-depth review of Rule 2130, and discusses the specific findings arbitrators must make in order for FINRA to waive its right to oppose the expungement request in court. There is an examination at the conclusion of the course, and a grade of 80 percent or greater is required to successfully pass the course. The course takes approximately one hour to complete, and can be done over a period of 30 days from the date of registration. Payment of the tuition fee for the course is included in the cost of the basic arbitrator training program. Users may register for the expungement training course by completing and submitting the following online enrollment form.
  
  
• Revised Code of Arbitration Procedure Training: This course - which is FREE to all FINRA arbitrators -- provides background information about the Code revision project and discusses the key, substantive changes of the Customer Code with complementary Industry Code highlights. This course is mandatory for arbitrators who completed the online basic arbitrator training prior to April 16, 2007. Arbitrators must complete the Mastery Test at the end of the course to receive credit for the training. The course takes approximately two hours to complete, and can be done over a period of 30 days from the date of registration.
  
  FINRA is also offering this course to the general public. Although the course was written for arbitrators in FINRA's arbitration forum — and has not been modified for the general public — we believe that non-FINRA arbitrators can benefit from the training. This course is available to non-FINRA arbitrators for a registration fee of $100.
  
  FINRA Arbitrators and non-arbitrators may register by completing and submitting the online enrollment form. FINRA arbitrators must have their arbitrator identification number on hand at the time of registration to avoid the $100 registration fee.

Continuing Legal Education Credits

You can review the attached list to determine whether CLE accreditation has been obtained in your area for 2007. Questions regarding CLE credit should be directed to your state bar association. If financial aid is required to take a course for CLE credit, please contact Jisook Lee at Jisook.Lee@finra.org. This section is subject to frequent updating.

Would you like a Basic Arbitrator Training Program for your organization?

FINRA is committed to encouraging the use of alternative dispute resolution in the securities field. If ten or more members of your organization would like to join FINRA Dispute Resolution's Roster of Arbitrators, and would like to hold a basic arbitrator training session on your site, we will make every effort to accommodate. Please contact the Neutral Management Recruitment Team at (212) 858-4327 or by email for further information.

Mediator Recruitment and Training

View information on how to become a Mediator with FINRA.