How to Become a Judge, Mediator, or Hearing Officer Judges must
be able to listen well to the facts provided by opposing
parties. Judges, magistrate judges, magistrates, and
administrative law judges are often required to have a law
degree and work experience as a lawyer. For more information on
how to become a lawyer, see the profile on lawyers.
Additionally, most judges and magistrates must be either
appointed or elected into judge positions, a procedure that
often takes political support. Many local and state judges are
appointed to serve fixed renewable terms, ranging from 4 years
to 14 years. A few judges, such as appellate court judges, are
appointed for life. Judicial nominating commissions screen
candidates for judgeships in many states and for some federal
judgeships. Some local and state judges are elected to a
specific term, commonly 4 years, in an election process.
Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators learn their skills
through education, training, or work experience. For most jobs
as a local,