Certification Requirements

Certification And Continuing Education Curriculum

The following pages identify certification and recertification requirements and training modules for the functional components of Public Administrator and Public Guardian/Public Conservator.
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Initial Certification

For initial certification, the required forty (40) credit hours may be obtained by taking any courses approved by the Association. Completion of a course on ethics and a basic orientation course applicable to the duties performed in an office of a public administrator, public guardian or public conservator and approved by the association, will be required for certification.

No more than twelve (12) credit hours, accumulated in a four year period, may be obtained from training courses offered online or from other outside sources, as approved by the Association. Credits received from regional trainings or in-house trainings are not limited, provided such trainings are approved by the Association.

Recertification

For recertification, the required twenty (20) credit hours within a two-year period, commencing with certification, may be obtained by taking any courses approved by the Association. Completion of a course on ethics will be required for recertification.

No more than twelve (12) credit hours, accumulated in a two-year period, may be obtained from training courses offered online or from other outside sources, as approved by the Association. Credits received from regional trainings or in-house trainings are not limited, provided such trainings are approved by the Association.

Definitions

An "outside" training is defined as any training, course, workshop or other form of professional training that is not presented by the Association, but which is given by another entity.

An "in-house" training is defined as any training, course, workshop or other form of professional training that is presented by a Public Administrator, Public Guardian or Public Conservator office for its deputies and staff.

A "regional" training is defined as any training, course, workshop or other form of professional training that is presented by one of the five Regional Chairpersons of the Association.

Any training, course, workshop or other form of professional training should fall within the list of subject areas of courses set forth in this Plan.

Fees

A fee will be charged for attending certification and recertification training which is to be applied to Association costs as determined by the Association.

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Requirement Details

A) Eligibility For Certification By The California State Association Of Public Administrators, Public Guardians, And Public Conservators

1. Employment in a Public Administrator's, Public Guardian's, or Public Conservator's office in one of the 58 counties in the State of California;
2. Approval of the Principal member of the Association.
3. Member in good standing of the Association.
4. Forty (40) credit hours of training within a four-year period immediately preceding certification, which have been approved by the Association. The training must be given by a provider which has been approved by the Association. A "Certificate of Completion" will be issued when a member has obtained 40 credit hours of training anytime within the four year period.
   
   Provisional Status may be awarded to a member who is satisfactorily working towards certification, but who has not yet completed 40 credit hours in the allotted time. To qualify for Provisional Status, a member must complete 20 credit hours of training within a two-year period commencing with employment in a Public Administrator's, Public Guardian's or Public Conservator's office. The member must complete the remaining 20 credit hours of training within the next two consecutive years to meet the four-year requirement.
5. If a member has less than 30 credit hours of training and a "Certificate of Completion" has not been obtained by June 30, 2008, the member must complete 40 credit hours of training for certification. Any credit hours accumulated within the previous four year period will be applied to the 40 credit hours requirement.
6. Compliance with and upholding of the Code of Ethics of the Association.

B) Standards For Maintaining Certification By The California State Association Of Public Administrators, Public Guardians, And Public Conservators

1. Employment in a Public Administrator's, Public Guardian's, or Public Conservator's office in one of the 58 counties in the State of California.
2. Approval of the Principal member of the Association.
3. Twenty (20) credit hours of continuing education within a two year period commencing with certification or recertification, which have been approved by the Association. The training must be given by a provider which has been approved by the Association.
4. Member in good standing of the Association.
5. Compliance with and upholding of the Code of Ethics of the Association.

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