MCODSA Certification Program

MCODSA currently offers three certifications the CPS, CES, and CCO. To maintain certification, the recipient must obtain a minimum of 8 hours per year of continuing education in the field of civil process as approved by MCODSA.

The CPS is the Certified Process Server designation. This certification demonstrates that the recipient passed a difficult written exam on the laws and procedures necessary to possess a solid foundation of knowledge for serving general civil process.

The CES is the Certified Eviction Specialist designation. This certification demonstrates that the recipient passed a difficult written exam on the laws and procedures necessary to serve general civil process and orders of eviction. The CES is designed for those court officers and deputies who serve evictions and do not do other types of property seizures.

The CCO is the Certified Court Officer designation. This certification demonstrates that the recipient passed a very difficult written 100+ question exam on the laws and procedures necessary to serve general civil process, orders of eviction, and the seizure of personal and real property.

Many Michigan Courts and Sheriff Departments require their process servers, court officers, and deputy sheriffs to attend our educational programs each year. However, courts are starting to require their process servers and court officers to become certified by MCODSA in order to serve process out of their court.

The 12th Judicial District Court was the first in the state to require certification and effective May 1, 2005, no person is authorized to serve process out of that Court unless they are certified by MCODSA. One of the main considerations for this requirement is the Judges wanted the assurance that any person serving the Court's process demonstrated that they know the law and procedures required to properly carry out those duties. MCODSA certification provides that assurance.

MCODSA offers certification exams a minimum of two times per year in April and in November. The cost to take the examination is $200 for non-members and $100 for members. The suggested study areas include the Michigan Statues relating to civil process at http://mileg.org, the Michigan Court Rules relating to civil process at http://courtofappeals.mijud.net/rules/public/default.asp, the Michigan Judgement Law, and the various Michigan Forms used in the Michigan's Court system. These forms are located at http://courts.michigan.gov/scao/courtforms/index.htm.

Contact our office at (800) 99-CIVIL to schedule an appointment to take (or retake) the exam.