Certification Training

Registration for the spring certification course for prospective Magisterial District Judges (MDJ) and Philadelphia Arraignment Court Magistrates (ACM) will open here on March 2, 2026. The course will begin with a lunchtime virtual orientation webinar session on May 12, 2026, followed by four weeks of in-person classes during the month of June 2026 at the Pennsylvania Judicial Center (PJC), 601 Commonwealth Avenue, Harrisburg, PA, 17120.

Individuals seeking the positions of Magisterial District Judge or Philadelphia Arraignment Court Magistrate who are not members of the Pennsylvania Bar must be certified prior to assuming office. This requires the completion of a course of training and instruction in the duties of the respective office and passing an examination prior to assuming the role as set forth in 42 Pa.C.S. § 3112 - § 3114 and Pa.R.J.A. 601.  Please note that individuals who are certified but do not serve as MDJ or ACM can only be certified for a twenty-five-month period and must complete a weeklong continuing education course every year in order to maintain their certification during that twenty-five-month period. Certification will expire after twenty-five months or sooner for failing to complete the annual continuing education course for prospective MDJs/ACMs. If certification expires, individuals can recertify by attending the certification review classes and passing another certification exam.   

The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania (UJS) complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which provides that “no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity”. 42 U.S.C.A. §12132. Pursuant to that requirement, if you are an individual with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to participate in any service, program, or activity of the Minor Judiciary Education Board (“MJEB”), you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. The ADA does not require the MJEB to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden. If you require an accommodation under the ADA, it is recommended that you make your request as soon as possible or at least four (4) weeks prior to the start of the course or exam. Follow this link for the policy and forms: ADA Policy & Forms.

Information is subject to change. Contact MJEB staff by emailing mjeb@pacourts.us or calling 717-231-9515.

Updated as of February 23, 2026.