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Professional Guardian Certification Program

Qualifications Needed to Become a Certified Professional Guardian

To qualify to become a certified professional guardian one must:

· be at least 18 years of age; and

· be of sound mind; and

· have no felony convictions; and

· have no misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude; and

· have completed mandatory training (for more information access this link: http://www.courts.wa.gov/committee/?fa=committee.display&item_id=845&committee_id=115); and

· be a resident of Washington State or one who has appointed a resident agent to accept service of process in all actions or proceedings with respect to the estate and appointment has been filed with the court; and be authorized to act as a fiduciary, guardian, or limited guardian in this state, if a corporation; and

· be a person who the court finds suitable; and

· possess an associate’s degree from an accredited institution and at least four full years’ experience working in a discipline pertinent to the provision of guardianship services; or

· possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and at least two full years’ experience working in a discipline pertinent to the provision of guardianship services; or

· possess a Masters, J.D., Ph.D., or equivalent advanced degree from an accredited institution and at least one years’ experience working in a discipline pertinent to the provision of guardianship services.

GR 23(d)(1)(v) provides, "The experience required by this rule is experience in which the applicant has developed skills that are transferable to the provision of guardianship services and must include decision-making or the use of independent judgment for the benefit of others, not limited to incapacitated persons, in the area of legal, financial, social services or healthcare or other disciplines pertinent to the provision of guardianship services." GR 23 and RCW 11.88

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