Certified Professional Guardianship and Conservatorship Board

Authority

The Certified Professional Guardianship and Conservatorship Board is the regulatory authority for the practice of professional guardianship and conservatorship in Washington State. The Board is charged with establishing the standards and criteria for the certification of professional guardian and conservators (CPGCs), as defined by RCW 11.130.010 (26) and as authorized pursuant to Supreme Court General Rule 23.

The Board shall:

• Process applications for guardianship and conservatorship certification;
• Adopt and implement policies, regulations and standards of practice;
• Adopt and implement a professional guardian and conservator training program;
• Adopt and implement procedures to review any allegation that a professional guardian and conservator has violated an applicable statute, fiduciary duty, court order, standard of practice, rule, regulation, or other requirement governing the conduct of professional guardian and conservators;
• Hold meetings as necessary; and
• Establish and collect fees to support the duties and responsibilities of the Board.

The Board may:

• Investigate to determine if an applicant for certification meets the certification requirements;
• Recommend certification to the Supreme Court;
• Deny guardianship and conservatorship certification;
• Adopt and implement regulations for guardian and conservator continuing education;
• Investigate to determine whether a professional guardian and conservator has violated any statute, fiduciary duty, court order, standard of practice, rule, regulation, or other requirement governing the conduct of professional guardians and conservators;
• Take disciplinary action and impose disciplinary sanctions based on findings that establish a violation of an applicable statute, duty, standard of practice, rule, regulation or other requirement governing the conduct of professional guardians and conservators; and
• Issue written ethics opinions.