Welcome to the Virginia Guardian Training!
The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation in 2024 requiring all Virginia guardians to complete training developed by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) on the following topics: the responsibilities and duties of guardians, how to complete annual guardianship reports, how to involve and encourage participation of incapacitated adults in decisions made by such guardians, medical advocacy, and decision-making on behalf of other persons. In addition, any skilled professional hired to assist the guardian with their responsibilities must complete the training. Visit the all-new Resource page with tools, guides, and more information for guardianship in Virginia.
When do I need to complete the training?
The deadline for completing the training will depend on when the guardian was appointed:
| Appointment Date | Training Completion Deadline |
|---|---|
| Prior to July 1, 2025 | January 1, 2027 |
| July 1, 2025 or after | Within 120 days after the date of qualification |
| A guardian who is appointed to serve more than one individual does not need to repeat the training more often than once every 36 months. | |
To access the Virginia Guardian Training, please select your preferred language.
Please select the following categories to access the Virginia Guardian Training:
You will need to complete the registration form below to access the Virginia Guardian Training. Once you register, a message will appear with a link to access the training. The registration form must be completed each time you wish to access the training. The training will take approximately 60 minutes to complete. If you exit out of the training before you finish, your progress may not be saved.
A certificate will be available for you at the end of the training. It is recommended that you print the certificate or save it electronically for your records.
The graphic above is a preview to the opening of the training module.
Deberá completar el formulario de registro a continuación para acceder a la capacitación de Virginia Guardian. Una vez que te registres, aparecerá un mensaje con un enlace para acceder a la formación. El formulario de inscripción debe completarse cada vez que desee acceder a la capacitación. La capacitación tardará aproximadamente 60 minutos en completarse. Si sales del entrenamiento antes de terminar, es posible que tu progreso no se guarde.
Un certificado estará disponible para usted al final de la capacitación. Se recomienda que imprima el certificado o lo guarde electrónicamente para sus registros.
El gráfico de arriba es una vista previa de la apertura del módulo de capacitación.
English
To request the training in Vietnamese, Arabic, Chinese, or Korean, please complete the request and registration form by clicking the button below.
Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
Để yêu cầu đào tạo bằng tiếng Việt, vui lòng hoàn thành yêu cầu và mẫu đăng ký bằng cách nhấp vào nút bên dưới.
عربي (Arabic)
لطلب التدريب باللغة العربية، يرجى تعبئة نموذج الطلب والتسجيل بالضغط على الزر أدناه
中国人 (Chinese)
如需申请中文培训，请点击下面的按钮填写申请表和注册表。
한국인 (Korean)
한국어 교육을 요청하려면 아래 버튼을 클릭하여 요청 및 등록 양식을 작성하십시오.
What happens after I complete the training?
A certificate will be available for you to print or save electronically at the end of the training. Please save the certificate for your records.
The “Report of Guardian for an Incapacitated Person” form, often referred to as the annual report, was updated on July 1, 2025, to include a statement as to whether the guardian or any skilled professional has completed the training. You will indicate whether you have completed the training when the initial or annual report is due. An updated version of the form can be found on the Resource page.
How do I access the Resource page?
DARS created several resources that have been made available to all guardians and skilled professionals. The resources can be accessed at any time, and they are not required as part of the Virginia Guardian Training.
What if I have questions or need assistance with the Virginia Guardian Training?
Please contact Ellie Rest, Guardian Training Program Coordinator, by calling 757-634-2918 or emailing guardianship@dars.virginia.gov. Also, you may find answers by reviewing the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document below.
Attorneys Seeking Credit Hours
The Virginia Guardian Training has been approved by the Virginia Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board for 1 hour of credit. This credit does not apply to the area of legal ethics or professionalism. Attorneys who completed the Virginia Guardian Training for the 2025 reporting year are not eligible to retake the course for MCLE credit in 2026, as the content remains the same.
In addition, this course has been approved by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia for 1 hour of continuing education for guardians ad litem (GAL).
Attorneys must send a copy of their certificate of completion to guardianship@dars.virginia.gov after they complete the training. The email must indicate which credit is requested. A Certification of Attendance form will be emailed in return within (5) business days.