The Guardianship Advisory Board Meeting convened on July 29, 2025, to discuss key updates and future initiatives regarding guardianship programs in Texas. The meeting began with a review of the current status of guardianship programs, noting a stable number of certified guardians, which stood at 34 at the end of fiscal year 2024. This stability is seen as a positive trend, especially in contrast to other professions experiencing declines.

The discussion then shifted to candidate proficiency, focusing on the number of individuals taking the certified guardianship exam. The annual participation has fluctuated, with a notable low of 33 candidates during the pandemic, but has since stabilized between 60 and 90 candidates per year. The average pass rate for the exam remains around 50%, prompting the board to consider enhancements to the exam process.

Four primary areas of focus were outlined for future efforts:

1. **Exam Enhancements**: The board is exploring improvements to the exam process, including potential partnerships with universities to provide testing facilities. This aims to accommodate candidates who may lack the necessary technology at home.

2. **Rules Amendments**: Staff will review recent legislative changes to determine if updates to the guardianship code of ethics and rules are necessary. A specific focus will be on new training requirements for non-certified guardians dealing with wards affected by Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

3. **Test Question Bank Refresh**: The board will work on updating the test question bank to ensure it reflects current practices and knowledge required in the guardianship profession.

4. **Identifying Priorities**: The advisory board members were encouraged to share their priorities and needs, which will guide the commission's focus moving forward.

The meeting concluded with a call for future planning, including setting dates for upcoming meetings to address the discussed topics. The collaborative effort between the advisory board and commission staff aims to enhance the guardianship profession and ensure that certified guardians are well-prepared to meet the needs of their wards.