Applying to Become an Arbitrator

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility and Submit Your Profile Form

Read the   eligibility criteria. If qualified, submit a completed Arbitrator Profile Form.
  • An email confirmation will be sent to you indicating your profile form was received.
  • Allow 5-7 business days for processing your profile.
  • You will receive a registration email that includes your Login ID and a link to the required exam(s).
  • Please save the email for future reference.
  • If you do not receive confirmation that your profile has been accepted after allowing 5-7 business days processing time, please contact Member Services at arbitrator@arbfile.org.

Step 2: Testing and Training

Arbitrator candidates must complete all required testing/training for the program(s) they will hear cases in as stated in the onboarding confirmation email. A link to AF's arbitrator testing site is provided in the arbitrator profile registration email as well as the specific claims knowledge exam that must be completed based on the candidate's profile entries. Advance preparation is not necessary; however, AF's Rules and the Reference Guide to Arbitration Forums' Agreements and Rules are available as resources, if needed.

You may attempt to take the exams three times. After the third failed attempt, allow three months before re-attempting the exam.

Depending on the program(s) you will hear cases in, arbitrator candidates also need to complete one of AF's Quality Decisions training Webinars and pass the associated quiz with a score of 80% or more. We offer two versions of the quality decisions training Webinar, based on the types of cases you will hear. Please look closely at the link descriptions and choose the webinar that applies to you: Quality Decisions for Auto, PIP, and Med Pay (TRS) and Quality Decisions in Online Filing (OLF) for Property or NY PIP cases. A link to the required Webinar's schedule is included on the testing site.

Completing the exam and training can be done in any order.

After you successfully complete the required testing and training, you will be an arbitrator. Congratulations! Your Member Relations Field Arbitration Manager (MRF) will contact you within 7-10 days about hearing your first dockets.