Professional Guardian Certification Program

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Q.        What is the mandatory initial training for certification as a professional guardian?

A.          All persons and representatives of agencies who seek to be certified as professional guardians in Washington State must complete the UWEO Guardianship Certificate Program as a mandatory training.  To learn more about the Guardianship Certificate Program of for information about enrollment, visit:  http://outreach.washington.edu/ext/certificates/grd/grd_gen.asp  

Q.        How does a CPG on inactive status return to active status?

A.        A guardian on inactive status may return to active status by completing the following:
1)       Petition the Board to return to active status. No form is needed. A letter will suffice.
2)       Mail a check for the annual fee to
                           Certified Professional Guardian Board
                           AOC
                           P. O. Box 41172
                           Olympia, WA 98504-1172
3)       Complete Continuing Education Requirements for all outstanding years.

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Q.       What are the Board's procedures for processing a Grievance?

A.

Grievance Process for Certified professional guardians

The Certified Professional Guardian Board’s procedures for processing grievances are described in the Board’s disciplinary regulations (chapter 500).  (http://www.courts.wa.gov/programs_orgs/guardian/)

A.  Grievance Intake     The AOC Liaison to the Board will conduct an initial screening of all grievances received via telephone, email or U.S. mail. 

1.   No Jurisdiction.  If the grievance is not within the jurisdiction of the Board, the grievant is notified and directed to other appropriate organizations or venues, if any.  AOC maintains a log of non-jurisdictional grievances.

2.   Jurisdiction.  If the grievance is within the Board’s jurisdiction, a new grievance file is opened, a letter acknowledging receipt is sent to the grievant (and a request to complete the grievance form, if appropriate), and the grievance is forwarded to the Guardian Investigator for initial investigation and follow-up.                                                                                    

B.  Initial Investigation.     The Guardian Investigator conducts an initial investigation to gather sufficient information for the Board’s Standards of Practice Committee (SOPC) to make a determination on the grievance.

1.   Active Guardianship Case.   If the grievance involves an active guardianship case, the Guardian Investigator forwards a copy of the grievance to the appropriate Superior Court and asks the Court for an update on any action within the next 30 days.  The Guardian Investigator will review the status of the court case in 30 days, may conduct additional investigation and then report the investigative findings to the SOPC. 

2.   Not an Active Guardianship Case.  If the grievance does not involve an active guardianship case, the Guardian Investigator will conduct an initial investigation and report the investigative findings to the SOPC. 

C.  SOPC Action on Grievance     After conducting an initial investigation, the Guardian Investigator will present the grievance and the investigative findings to the SOPC.  The SOPC may take any of the following actions on a grievance.  Where the SOPC recommends action to the Board, the Board may accept the SOPC’s recommendation or take any of the following actions. 

(1) Dismiss the grievance and direct AOC to notify the grievant and the guardian;

(2) Request further investigation; 

(3) Request the Guardian Investigator to discuss with the guardian an issue of minor significance and of a nature not potentially harmful to clients or others, and ask the guardian to take corrective action.  The SOPC will report the guardian’s compliance to the Board and the Board will determine whether to dismiss the grievance or pursue disciplinary action; 

(4) Request that AOC  offer the guardian a proposed Agreement Regarding Discipline containing sanctions or remedies the SOPC deems appropriate.  If the guardian agrees, the signed agreement will be presented to the Board for approval.  The approved Agreement Regarding Discipline is a public record and will be available on the Board’s website.

(5) Recommend to the Board that a complaint be issued and the matter set for a hearing.

D.   Issuing a Complaint     Following Board approval of the issuance of a complaint, a copy of the grievance and investigative file will be forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office for review and prosecution of the complaint.   AOC staff will serve on the guardian, by registered or certified mail at the address on file with AOC, the complaint, notice to answer and a copy of the Board’s disciplinary regulations.  The professional guardian is allowed 30 days from the date of service to file a response to the complaint.  

E.  Disciplinary Hearing     A hearing officer appointed by the Board Chair shall conduct the disciplinary hearing and issue findings of fact, conclusions of law and recommendation for the Board’s review.  The transcript, hearing record, and any opposition or responsive pleadings filed by the parties, will be provided to the Board.  The Board’s decision is final unless the Board recommends suspension or decertification, in which case the Supreme Court makes the final determination. 

 F.  Notification to Grievant     AOC will notify the grievant of the final resolution of the grievance.

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Q.        Does a CPG need to be an attorney?
A.        There are basic qualifying criteria you must meet, such as an Associates degree and four years of guardian related experience, or a Bachelor’s degree and two years of guardian experience.  In addition, you must complete the mandatory training, pass a background check and complete the required application.  It is a complex field of work and guardians need to be aware of many legal requirements for their clients and themselves.  Some guardians routinely confer with attorneys on some issues.

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Q.        Currently, I am a guardian, but I am not certified.  I would like to become certified.  Since I am already a guardian do I need to take all of the training? 
A.        To become a certified professional guardian you must take the Mandatory training. Mandatory Initial Guardian Certification Training is held twice each year, usually in March and September.

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Q.        I am unable to complete my continuing education requirements by January 31. What should I do?
A.        If you have not satisfied the minimum continuing education requirements (12 hours) you may submit an affidavit of compliance by April 30.  It you cannot complete the requirements by April 30 you can request an extension, waiver, or modification in writing.  Please be advised that if you do not complete your continuing education requirements and the Board does not approve your request for an extension you may be decertified.