Professional Fiduciary Licensing by State

Name: Professional Fiduciary Licensing by State
Creator: The Fiduciary Institute

Professional Fiduciary Licensing by State:
A National Reference

Professional Fiduciary Licensing by State

Last reviewed: June 2026. This page is reviewed and updated every six months. Requirements change; always verify with the relevant state authority before making licensing decisions.

In most states, a professional fiduciary is appointed by a probate or superior court rather than licensed by a state agency. The court serves as the gatekeeper: it evaluates whether a proposed fiduciary is qualified, bondable, and free of disqualifying history before appointing them to serve.

A smaller number of states require fiduciaries to obtain a license, certification, or registration from a state agency, the state supreme court, or a judicial certification body before a court can appoint them. These states represent the most regulated end of the spectrum. A few states fall between the two models, imposing a credential requirement that is limited to a specific role.

This page documents the current licensing landscape by state and identifies what each category of state requires. It covers the guardian and conservator roles specifically, as these are the roles most commonly subject to state regulation. Trustee, estate administrator, and agent under power of attorney requirements vary by context and are noted where applicable.

For the national voluntary credential recognized across all states, see The National Certified Guardian Credential.

State-by-State Summary

The table below classifies every state and the District of Columbia by how a professional fiduciary becomes authorized to serve: whether the state requires a license, certification, or registration before appointment; imposes a credential requirement tied to a specific role; or relies on court appointment without a separate state license. The regulated states and the role-specific state are detailed in full in the sections below the table.

The classifications were developed from the National Guardianship Network's national catalog of state certification and licensure provisions and, for the regulated states, the cited statutes and court rules. Court-appointment classifications reflect the absence of a state licensure or certification requirement in that catalog; confirm with the relevant state authority before relying on any single entry.

States That Require Licensing or Registration

The following states require professional fiduciaries, or professional guardians specifically, to obtain a state-administered license, certification, or registration before a court can appoint them. Requirements, governing bodies, and scope of coverage differ by state.

California

Governing body: Professional Fiduciaries Bureau (PFB), within the California Department of Consumer Affairs

Roles covered: Conservators, guardians, trustees, agents under a durable power of attorney (financial and healthcare), and estate administrators (the role the Probate Code terms "personal representative" of a decedent's estate), when serving as a non-family professional fiduciary. The definition applies thresholds by role (Bus. & Prof. Code § 6501): conservators, guardians, and personal representatives serving two or more unrelated persons at the same time, and trustees and agents under a durable power of attorney serving more than three.

Key requirements:

Bachelor's degree, or documented fiduciary experience sufficient to substitute
30 hours of approved pre-licensing education
Passing score on the licensing examination administered through the Center for Guardianship Certification (CGC)
Fingerprint background check
Application fee: $600
Initial license fee: $1,300
Annual license renewal fee: $1,300, with 15 hours of continuing education per year

Notes: California has the most comprehensive professional fiduciary licensing framework in the country. The Professional Fiduciaries Bureau was established in 2006 under the Professional Fiduciaries Act, and its authority is currently established through January 1, 2028, subject to sunset review. The Legislature has twice considered, but not enacted, a framework requiring professional fiduciary corporations (not only individual licensees) to register with the bureau and barring courts from appointing an unregistered corporation: AB 2148 (Low, 2023–24) and AB 586 (Flora, 2025). Both passed their policy committees but were held on the Senate Appropriations Committee suspense file and did not become law. As of mid-2026, corporate registration is not a requirement and licensure applies to individual professional fiduciaries. This is an active legislative interest area and may be reintroduced; monitor before relying on the current status.

Primary source: California Professional Fiduciaries Bureau, fiduciary.ca.gov

Arizona

Governing body: Arizona Supreme Court, Certification and Licensing Division

Roles covered: Guardians, conservators, and estate administrators appointed by the court

Key requirements:

Fingerprint clearance and background check
No felony convictions
Bond requirement: $10,000 Professional Fiduciary Certification Bond
Passing score on a licensing examination
Ongoing continuing education
Compliance with the Code of Conduct set out in the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration (ACJA) § 7-202(J)

Notes: Arizona's fiduciary licensure program is administered by the Supreme Court under A.R.S. § 14-5651. The program governs both individual fiduciaries and fiduciary entities. Temporary appointments of up to 90 days (with one 90-day extension) are available for individuals seeking to obtain licensure.

Primary source: Arizona Supreme Court, Certification and Licensing Division, azcourts.gov

Alaska

Governing body: Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing

Roles covered: Private professional guardians and conservators

Key requirements (individual conservator license):

At least 21 years of age
High school diploma or equivalent
Six months of financial management experience, or an associate degree in accounting or a closely related field
National certification by a nationally recognized guardianship organization (such as CGC)
Proof of bondability and insurance
Criminal history record check

Notes: Alaska's licensing statute (AS 08.26) requires a license for any person engaging in the business of providing services as a private professional guardian or conservator. A limited exception applies: an individual may serve without a license and receive court-approved compensation for up to one person, or two people who are related to each other.

Primary source: Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, commerce.alaska.gov

Florida

Governing body: Office of Public and Professional Guardians, Florida Department of Elderly Affairs

Roles covered: Professional guardians (the guardian of the person role); the registration system does not extend to all fiduciary roles

Key requirements:

Registration with the Office of Public and Professional Guardians
Credit and criminal background investigation
Minimum 40 hours of approved instruction and training prior to appointment
Minimum 30 hours of continuing education every two calendar years thereafter, including specific required topic hours (fiduciary responsibilities, ethics, advance directives, abuse/neglect/exploitation, guardianship law)
Blanket fiduciary bond of not less than $50,000, maintained with the clerk of the circuit court in the guardian's primary county of practice

Notes: Florida's professional guardian registration framework under Fla. Stat. § 744.2003 applies specifically to the professional guardian role. Attorneys licensed in Florida and financial institutions are exempt from certain requirements. Florida's framework is registration-based rather than a full licensing system in the California or Arizona sense, but registration is required before appointment.

Primary source: Florida Statutes § 744.2003, flsenate.gov

New Jersey

Governing body: Office of the Public Guardian for Elderly Adults, within the New Jersey Department of Human Services

Roles covered: Professional guardians, defined as individuals who serve as guardian for five or more wards for compensation. Family guardians, and professionals serving fewer than five wards, are not subject to the registration requirement. The framework applies to the guardian role; conservators (N.J.S.A. 3B:13A), trustees, estate administrators, and agents under power of attorney are not separately registered.

Key requirements (N.J.S.A. 52:27G-33):

Registration with the Office of the Public Guardian for Elderly Adults before serving as a professional guardian
Full-time New Jersey residency, or maintenance of an office in New Jersey
Either five years of work experience as a court-appointed guardian of five or more unrelated persons (for those serving before the act took effect), or a bachelor's degree plus two years of relevant care management, case management, or related experience
Proof of current professional liability insurance
A credit check from a national credit reporting agency, issued within one month of the application
No disqualifying history under the statutory ineligibility grounds (N.J.S.A. 52:27G-34)

Notes: New Jersey's professional guardian framework under P.L. 2005, c.370 (N.J.S.A. 52:27G-32 et seq.) is registration-based rather than a full licensing bureau, comparable to Florida. The Office of the Public Guardian for Elderly Adults maintains a statewide registry of professional guardians and conducts audits and spot-check inspections. Guardians are appointed by the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Probate Part under Title 3B, and N.J.S.A. 3B:12-25 conditions the appointment of a professional guardian on compliance with these registration requirements. Legislation to broaden registration and oversight to all guardians has been introduced in multiple sessions but is not enacted as of mid-2026.

Primary source: New Jersey Statutes 52:27G-32 et seq. (P.L. 2005, c.370); N.J.S.A. 3B:12-25

Nevada

Governing body: Nevada Department of Business and Industry, Financial Institutions Division

Roles covered: Private professional guardians

Key requirements:

A license to engage in the business of a private professional guardian, issued by the Financial Institutions Division under NRS Chapter 628B; a natural person serving as a private professional guardian must also meet the requirements of NRS 159.0595, including holding a guardian certification
Application fee: $500; initial license fee: $750; annual renewal fee: $500 (NAC 628B.500, current through December 31, 2024). These are the amounts charged by the Commissioner within the statutory caps set by NRS 628B.310 and NRS 628B.370
Fingerprint submission and FBI criminal background check (NRS 628B.315), with registration and a unique identifier through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS)
Bonds (NRS 628B.540): a fidelity bond of at least $25,000 on each natural person acting within the company, plus a surety bond set in accordance with the guardianship bond statute (NRS 159.065 or 159A.065), which scales with the value of the protected person's estate; the Commissioner may require larger bonds based on the risk profile of the business
Suitable insurance against burglary, robbery, theft, and similar hazards (NRS 628B.540)
A separate, insured guardianship account for each protected person, with recordkeeping subject to examination by the Commissioner (NRS 628B.560)
A principal office maintained in Nevada, staffed by a qualified private professional guardian (NRS 628B.520), with ongoing audit and reporting oversight by the Commissioner

Notes: Nevada licenses the private professional guardian company (the business entity) through the Financial Institutions Division rather than a court or consumer protection bureau, a structural distinction worth noting for applicants. The chapter does not apply to public guardians, banks and trust companies, attorneys acting as such, or an individual acting as a fiduciary for a family member (NRS 628B.110). An individual serving as a private professional guardian for a single protected person, or for related protected persons, is likewise exempt from the company-licensing requirement and is instead governed by the certification requirement of NRS 159.0595.

Primary source: Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 628B, leg.state.nv.us; Nevada Financial Institutions Division, fid.nv.gov

Texas

Governing body: Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC), within the Texas Judicial Branch

Roles covered: Private professional guardians, individuals engaged in the business of serving as guardian of the person and/or the estate. The certification requirement does not extend to trustees, estate administrators, or agents under power of attorney. Attorneys are exempt from the certification requirement, and individuals serving as guardian for a family member or friend are not required to be certified (though the guardianship itself must be registered with the JBCC).

Key requirements:

At least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen or legal resident
Fingerprint-based criminal background check through DPS and the FBI
Completion of the JBCC-approved online Texas Guardianship training module
One qualifying pathway: two years of relevant guardianship experience; an accredited bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., social work, nursing, psychology); a commission-approved curriculum (such as the Baylor University program) plus one year of relevant experience; or commission-approved HHSC training
Passing score on the Texas-specific guardianship certification examination (100 multiple-choice questions; minimum score of 75; within four attempts)
Certification expires two years after the last day of the month of certification and must be renewed

Notes: Texas certifies and regulates private professional guardians through the judicial branch (the JBCC) under Texas Government Code Chapter 155 and Chapter 7 of the JBCC Rules, a structure distinct from the executive-agency model used in California or Nevada. Certification operates in tiers, including a Master Certification level for guardians with extensive experience and advanced training. Certification of the professional guardian is separate from the bond a guardian of the estate must post, which the probate court sets based on the estate's assets and anticipated income.

Primary source: Texas Judicial Branch Certification Commission, txcourts.gov/jbcc

Washington

Governing body: Certified Professional Guardianship and Conservatorship Board, under the Washington Supreme Court, administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)

Roles covered: Professional guardians and conservators, defined under RCW 11.88.008 and RCW 11.130 as individuals or agencies who serve for compensation and are not related to the person, typically serving multiple individuals. Family members and lay guardians serving a single relative are not required to be certified.

Key requirements:

Certification as a Certified Professional Guardian and Conservator (CPGC) under General Rule (GR) 23 before serving in a professional capacity
Minimum high school diploma or GED
Completion of a Board-approved professional guardianship training program (the University of Washington Certificate in Guardianship satisfies the educational requirement)
Application under oath, with disclosure of disqualifying criminal convictions and certain court or administrative findings
Annual recertification (deadline August 1) with continuing requirements and disclosures
Compliance with the Board's standards of practice and disciplinary authority

Notes: Washington regulates professional guardianship and conservatorship through the judicial branch rather than an executive agency. General Rule 23 establishes the certification standards; the Board adopts and enforces minimum standards of practice, the training program, and discipline. Jurisdiction over a certified professional continues regardless of residence and whether or not certification is retained. The Court amended GR 23 as recently as November 2025. Certification governs the guardian and conservator roles; Washington does not separately certify professional trustees.

Primary source: Washington Courts, GR 23 and the Certified Professional Guardianship and Conservatorship Board, courts.wa.gov

New Hampshire

Governing body: New Hampshire Circuit Court Administrative Judge, under Administrative Order 16, "Criteria for Professional Guardian," issued pursuant to RSA 464-A. The certifying role was the Probate Court Administrative Judge when AO16 issued in 2009; it became the Circuit Court Administrative Judge with the 2011 court consolidation.

Roles covered: Professional guardians seeking appointment as guardian of the person, of the estate, or of both, for an incapacitated adult or a minor

Key requirements (Administrative Order 16):

National Certified Guardian or National Master Guardian certification through the Center for Guardianship Certification, maintained as CGC requires
New Hampshire residency or a New Hampshire resident agent
Adherence to the National Guardianship Association (NGA) Standards of Practice and the NGA Model Code of Ethics
A bond acceptable to the probate court, and malpractice insurance with annual proof of coverage
Submission of proposed fees and fee agreements for court review and approval, with annual billing records and cumulative-fee reporting
An annual criminal background check and abuse-and-neglect registry check, with prompt disclosure of any arrest or conviction during the term of guardianship
For a newly certified guardian, consultation with an approved National Certified Guardian or National Master Guardian for at least the first two guardianship-of-the-person cases and the first guardianship-of-the-estate case
Application to, and approval by, the Probate Court Administrative Judge, who may remove a guardian from the approved list for non-compliance or good cause

Notes: New Hampshire runs a state judicial certification program layered on the national CGC credential: certification by the Circuit Court Administrative Judge is a precondition to appointment as a professional. The regime is confirmed current. The Judicial Branch publishes a regularly updated roster of professional guardians certified by the Circuit Court Administrative Judge, most recently dated February 2026, and the "Criteria for Professional Guardian" page continues to post Administrative Order 16. AO16 took effect August 28, 2009, and the certifying role carried over from the Probate Court Administrative Judge to the Circuit Court Administrative Judge with the 2011 consolidation. The Circuit Court's active-orders list could not be retrieved through automated access, so confirm whether AO16 retains its original number or has been re-issued under a Circuit Court order number; the certification requirement itself is verified as operative.

Primary source: New Hampshire Probate Court Administrative Order 16, courts.nh.gov

States That Require Certification

The following states do not operate their own licensing bureau but require a professional guardian or fiduciary to hold a professional certification, in most cases the national credential issued by the Center for Guardianship Certification, before a court will appoint them. The requirement is generally enforced through the appointment petition or a court rule rather than a standalone licensing application.

Oregon

Governing body: Oregon probate court, under ORS 125.240; the Oregon Judicial Department maintains a list of certified individuals provided by the Center for Guardianship Certification

Roles covered: Professional fiduciaries, defined by ORS 125.240 as a person serving at the same time as fiduciary for three or more protected persons who are not related to the fiduciary, in the guardian and conservator roles. The requirement does not apply to a professional fiduciary serving only as trustee or estate administrator.

Key requirements:

A petition seeking appointment of a professional fiduciary must include proof that the professional fiduciary, or the individual responsible for making decisions or managing client assets, is certified by the Center for Guardianship Certification as a National Certified Guardian or National Master Guardian
Criminal records check (Oregon and, in defined circumstances, national)
Disclosure of educational background, professional experience, investment credentials, fees, and any revenue-sharing arrangement

Notes: Oregon requires the national credential by statute and enforces it through the appointment petition rather than a state licensing board. The requirement reaches the guardian and conservator roles; a person may serve as a professional fiduciary in trustee or estate-administration matters without it.

Primary source: Oregon Revised Statutes § 125.240, oregonlegislature.gov

New Mexico

Governing body: New Mexico district court, under NMSA § 45-5-311(D) (guardians) and § 45-5-410(D) (conservators), implemented through New Mexico Supreme Court Rule 1-142

Roles covered: Professional guardians and professional conservators appointed for an incapacitated or protected person

Key requirements:

A professional guardian may not serve or be appointed unless certified and in good standing with a national or state organization, recognized by the New Mexico Supreme Court, that provides professional certification for guardians; the same requirement applies to professional conservators
The Center for Guardianship Certification is the recognized national certifier
Proof of certification filed with the appointing court within the deadlines set by Rule 1-142, and annual proof that the certification remains in good standing

Notes: New Mexico ties eligibility to a recognized professional certification rather than a state licensing bureau, and enforces it by court rule with a continuing annual proof obligation. The list of recognized certifying organizations is set by the New Mexico Supreme Court.

Primary source: New Mexico Statutes § 45-5-311, law.justia.com; New Mexico Supreme Court Rule 1-142

North Dakota

Governing body: North Dakota Supreme Court (Administrative Rule 59), for guardians appointed by a state district court under N.D.C.C. Chapter 30.1-28

Roles covered: Professional guardians, both individuals and entities. Rule 59 also sets qualifications for nonprofessional guardians; emergency guardians appointed under N.D.C.C. 30.1-28-10.1 are exempt.

Key requirements:

An individual proposed to serve as a professional guardian must possess certification through the Center for Guardianship Certification
Completion of the North Dakota Supreme Court online guardianship training program, with a certificate of completion filed before letters of guardianship are issued
A criminal history record check provided to the appointing court before the hearing, unless waived
An affidavit disclosing any investigation for theft, fraud, or the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an adult or child
An entity proposed to serve as a professional guardian must be accredited through the Council on Accreditation, or its employed guardians must possess CGC certification, with an affidavit that all employed guardians completed the state training program

Notes: Administrative Rule 59 took effect March 1, 2018, and its requirements must be completed before a court will appoint. North Dakota recently adopted a related Administrative Rule 59.1 establishing an Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship; monitor for expanded oversight.

Primary source: North Dakota Supreme Court Administrative Rule 59, ndcourts.gov

Pennsylvania

Governing body: Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the Orphans' Court (20 Pa.C.S. § 5511(f); Pennsylvania Orphans' Court Rule 14.6)

Roles covered: Individuals seeking appointment to a third or subsequent active guardianship of an incapacitated person (guardian of the person or of the estate). The threshold is the third active guardianship; a guardian serving one or two incapacitated persons is not required to be certified.

Key requirements:

Before a third active guardianship appointment, certification by a national nonprofit guardianship certification organization, which at a minimum requires submission of education and employment history, federal and state criminal history record information, and passage of a national certification exam
Proof of the certification provided to the court prior to the third appointment
A court may waive the certification on a petition showing equivalent licenses or certifications (for example, health care, social work, or psychology for a guardian of the person; accounting or financial management for a guardian of the estate); a license to practice law does not qualify as an equivalent

Notes: Pennsylvania's certification requirement was added by Act 61 of 2023 and implemented through amendments to the Orphans' Court Rules effective in 2024. It is threshold-based: it attaches at the third active guardianship rather than to all professional guardians. The national certification contemplated by the statute aligns with the Center for Guardianship Certification's national credential.

Primary source: 20 Pa.C.S. § 5511, codes.findlaw.com

Idaho

Governing body: Idaho Supreme Court, under Idaho Court Administrative Rule 54.6 (professional guardian and conservator certification); guardianship and conservatorship are governed by Idaho Code Title 15, Chapter 5 (the Uniform Probate Code)

Roles covered: Professional guardians and conservators. ICAR 54.6 defines a professional guardian or conservator as a person who provides guardianship or conservatorship services for a fee, has rendered services for three or more persons, and is not related to the person under guardianship or conservatorship by blood, adoption, marriage, or civil union.

Key requirements:

A professional guardian or conservator must be certified by the Center for Guardianship Certification (CGC), unless the court waives the requirement for good cause (ICAR 54.6)
If the professional guardian or conservator is an entity, the certification requirement applies to the individuals providing services on its behalf
Separately, every individual seeking appointment as any guardian or conservator, professional or not, must file a certificate of completion of the Idaho Supreme Court's online training course before permanent letters are issued; a $25 fee applies and may be waived for good cause (ICAR 54; Idaho Code Section 31-3201G)
Standard court oversight applies, including annual reporting (Idaho Code Section 15-5-419)

Notes: Idaho is a certification state for professional fiduciaries. ICAR 54.6 ties the CGC certification requirement to professionals who serve three or more unrelated persons for a fee, the same threshold model used in Oregon. The universal online training requirement under ICAR 54 applies to all proposed guardians and conservators and is distinct from the professional certification requirement; the court may waive either for good cause.

Primary source: Idaho Court Administrative Rule 54.6, isc.idaho.gov; Idaho Code Title 15, Chapter 5, legislature.idaho.gov

Partial or Role-Specific Requirements

The following state does not operate a full private professional fiduciary licensing or certification regime, but imposes a credential requirement tied to a specific role. It is treated separately because it does not fit cleanly into either the licensing/registration category above or the court-appointment category below.

Illinois

Governing body: No separate licensing board for private professional fiduciaries. Illinois statute requires public guardians appointed by the Governor to be certified as a National Certified Guardian by the Center for Guardianship Certification within six months of appointment.

Notes: Illinois has no state licensing framework for private professional fiduciaries comparable to California, Arizona, or Texas. The statutory NCG requirement applies specifically to public guardians, not to private professional fiduciaries generally. It signals that Illinois courts and the state's guardianship system treat national certification as a competency standard. The Guardianship and Advocacy Commission is required to facilitate testing and certification opportunities for public guardians.

Primary source: Illinois Statutes 755 ILCS 5/13-1.2

States That Rely on Court Appointment

The majority of states do not require professional fiduciaries to obtain a separate license before being appointed. In these states, the court is the gatekeeper. Fiduciaries demonstrate their qualifications (background, bonding capacity, relevant experience or credentials, and absence of disqualifying history) directly to the court in the appointment proceeding.

This does not mean that there are no requirements. Courts in appointment-based states routinely expect fiduciaries to demonstrate:

Relevant professional background or experience
Bondability
Clean criminal and financial history
Evidence of training or credentialing, particularly the National Certified Guardian designation for guardian and conservator roles

The National Certified Guardian credential carries weight with courts across all states, not only those that formally require it. It signals that a practitioner has met a nationally recognized standard and is serious about the work.

The National Certified Guardian Credential

The National Certified Guardian (NCG) designation is the most widely recognized professional credential in the fiduciary field. It is administered by the Center for Guardianship Certification (CGC), a national nonprofit.

The NCG is:

Required by statute in Alaska as a condition of licensing for conservators
Referenced or used as the examination basis in several licensing states
Expected or strongly preferred by courts in many appointment-based states
Voluntarily held by practitioners across all states as a signal of competency and professional commitment

Recertification is required every two years and includes continuing education requirements.

For more information: Center for Guardianship Certification

Note: The CGC (which certifies) is separate from the National Guardianship Association (NGA), which provides education and professional development support. These are two distinct organizations that are commonly confused.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a license to become a professional fiduciary in the United States?

It depends on the state. In most states a professional fiduciary is appointed by a probate or superior court rather than licensed by an agency, so the court is the gatekeeper. A smaller group of states requires a license or certification before a court can appoint a professional fiduciary.

Which states require a license or certification for professional fiduciaries?

Nine states administer their own licensing, registration or certification program: California, Arizona, Alaska, Florida, Nevada, Texas, Washington, New Jersey, and New Hampshire. Five more require a professional guardian to hold a national certification before appointment, typically the National Certified Guardian credential: Oregon, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Idaho. Illinois requires the credential for public guardians only. The remaining states rely on court appointment.

Does California require a license for professional fiduciaries, and which roles does it cover?

Yes. The California Professional Fiduciaries Bureau licenses non-family professionals who serve as conservators, guardians, trustees, agents under a durable power of attorney for health care or finances, and personal representatives of a decedent's estate. Licensing requires pre-licensing education, an examination, a background check, and continuing education.

Do most states require professional fiduciaries to be licensed?

No. In most states a professional fiduciary is appointed by a court that evaluates whether the person is qualified, bondable, and free of disqualifying history. A separate license or certification before appointment is the exception rather than the rule.

Is the National Certified Guardian credential required to be a professional fiduciary?

Not in most states. Several states require it or use it as the basis for appointment, and many courts in appointment-based states expect or prefer it. It is administered by the Center for Guardianship Certification and is widely recognized as a national standard.

A Note on Scope

Across the states that regulate professional fiduciaries, the guardian and conservator roles are the most commonly covered, which is why this reference emphasizes them. Whether the trustee, estate administrator, and agent under power of attorney roles are separately licensed varies significantly by state, and there are important exceptions. California is the clearest: its Professional Fiduciaries Bureau licenses non-family professionals across all of these roles, including trustees, agents under a durable power of attorney for health care or finances, and personal representatives of a decedent's estate (estate administrators), in addition to conservators and guardians (Bus. & Prof. Code § 6501). Arizona's certification likewise reaches estate administrators. Where a state does not separately license these roles, the fiduciary still remains subject to court oversight and the legal and ethical duties of the role. Representative payees and VA fiduciaries are governed by federal agency requirements rather than state licensing frameworks.

This page covers what each state requires to be appointed. For a companion reference mapping what each role is called in each state (guardian, conservator, guardian of the estate, conservator of the person, and the rest) see Fiduciary Role Terminology by State.

If you are pursuing practice in a specific state or role, confirm current requirements directly with the relevant state authority. Requirements change, and this page, while reviewed regularly, is a reference starting point, not legal advice.

For Practitioners Preparing to Build a Practice

Understanding your state's licensing or appointment requirements is the first step. Getting appointed, or obtaining a license, is not the same as being prepared to practice well. The decisions, documentation, financial management, and ethical reasoning that fiduciary work demands are not covered by most licensing or certification curricula.

Fiduciary Foundations™ is The Fiduciary Institute's free two-course introduction to the profession. It covers what professional fiduciaries actually do, the six roles you can serve in, and how to assess whether your background fits.

Fiduciary Practice™ is the structured practice-building curriculum for practitioners who are ready to build the operational foundation for their work: entity formation, practice systems, client onboarding, financial planning, and ethics in practice.