NCG Exam Guide 2026
Everything you need to know about the National Certified Guardian exam — format, content areas, passing score, and how to prepare. Written by a Licensed Professional Fiduciary who passed it.
20 questions. See where you stand. No credit card required.
What Is the NCG Exam?
The National Certified Guardian (NCG) credential is administered by the Center for Guardianship Certification (CGC), a nonprofit credentialing body established under the National Guardianship Association (NGA). The exam validates a guardian's mastery of the NGA Standards of Practice — the national benchmark for ethical, professional guardianship.
The NCG is recognized nationally. For professional guardians in states without a state-specific guardian license, it is the credential that establishes professional standing.
Exam Format
100 Questions
All multiple-choice. The exam tests applied knowledge — you will be asked to make decisions in guardianship scenarios, not just recall definitions.
3-Hour Time Limit
Computer-based testing at Pearson VUE centers nationwide. Scheduled through the CGC registration portal.
Scaled Passing Score
The CGC uses scaled scoring — there is no published fixed percentage cutoff. You receive a pass or fail result.
3-Year Renewal
36 hours of approved continuing education required every 3 years to maintain the NCG credential.
What Topics Are Covered?
The NCG exam is organized around the NGA Standards of Practice for Guardians. Each section below corresponds to a major Standards domain.
Standards 100s — The Guardian's Role
Legal proceedings, court authority, scope of the guardianship order, the guardian's fiduciary duties, and notice requirements.
Standards 200s — Personal Care
Medical decision-making, living arrangements, personal rights of the ward, substituted judgment vs. best interest standards.
Standards 300s — Financial Management
Estate inventory, investment of assets, real property management, income and benefits, and expenditure approval requirements.
Standards 400s — Reporting
Annual court reports, accounting, record-keeping, and disclosure obligations to the court and interested parties.
Standards 500s–600s — Public and Family Guardianship
Considerations specific to public guardian offices and family guardians, including caseload standards and coordination with social services.
Standards 700s — Ethics
Conflicts of interest, confidentiality, professional development obligations, and the ethical duties of a professional guardian.
How to Prepare
Most candidates spend 6–10 weeks studying. The NGA Standards cover a broad range of guardianship competencies — systematic study by section consistently outperforms cramming. Our adaptive practice platform covers 1,450+ questions across the full NGA Standards curriculum, with spaced repetition to lock knowledge into long-term memory.
See exactly where you stand. No credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions is the NCG exam?
100 multiple-choice questions, administered over 2 hours at a Pearson VUE testing center.
What is the passing score for the NCG exam?
The CGC uses scaled scoring and does not publish a fixed percentage cutoff. You receive a pass or fail result.
How long does the NCG certification last?
3 years. Renewal requires 36 hours of approved continuing education.
Who is eligible to take the NCG exam?
Eligibility is based on guardianship experience hours and approved training. Check the CGC website (cgc-guardianship.com) for current requirements.
How do I register for the NCG exam?
Registration is handled through the CGC website. The exam is delivered at Pearson VUE testing centers nationwide.
What topics are covered on the NCG exam?
The NCG exam covers all NGA Standards of Practice — including the guardian's legal role (100s), personal care decisions (200s), financial management (300s), court reporting (400s), and professional ethics (700s).
Who administers the NCG exam?
The NCG credential is administered by the Center for Guardianship Certification (CGC), a nonprofit credentialing body established under the National Guardianship Association (NGA).
Do I need to be a licensed guardian to take the NCG exam?
Eligibility is based on guardianship experience hours and approved training, not a state license. Professional guardians in states without licensing requirements are eligible. Check the CGC website for current eligibility criteria.