Domestic violence classes by state · Arizona
Court-Ordered Domestic Violence Classes in Arizona
If a Arizona court ordered you into a domestic violence class, it almost certainly means the state's certified program — Court-approved domestic violence offender treatment program (a minimum 26-session program; NOT a generic anger-management class) — not a generic anger-management class. Here's what that program is, how long it runs, whether it can be done online, and how to find one your court will accept.
If you or someone else is in danger right now, call 911. To talk to someone about domestic violence — as a survivor or if you're worried about your own behavior — the National Domestic Violence Hotline is free, confidential, and available 24/7: call 1-800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or visit thehotline.org.
Quick answer: domestic violence classes in Arizona
Mostly in-person (limited online). Arizona domestic violence offender treatment is a court-approved group program built around a minimum of 26 weekly sessions with a curriculum developed specifically for domestic violence offenders — not a short or self-paced anger-management class. Some approved providers offer virtual group sessions, but whether an online format is accepted is up to the court that approved the program, so confirm before you enroll. the Arizona court that sentenced you (a city, justice, or superior court) or your probation officer decides what counts — confirm the specific certified program and format before you enroll or pay.
Anger management is not the same thing. Read anger management vs. batterer intervention to make sure you sign up for the right program the first time.
At a glance
| What courts order | Court-approved domestic violence offender treatment program (a minimum 26-session program; NOT a generic anger-management class) |
|---|---|
| When it's required | Under A.R.S. 13-3601.01, an Arizona judge SHALL order a person convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence offense to complete a domestic violence offender treatment program provided by a facility approved by the court. Approval follows rules adopted by the Arizona Supreme Court (ACJA § 5-209), the Department of Health Services, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or a probation department. The person convicted pays for the program. |
| Typical length | A minimum of 26 sessions for a first offense (held weekly, so roughly six months in practice); some courts and providers order 36 or 52 sessions. The court sets the exact number in your order. |
| In person or online? | Mostly in-person (limited online) |
| Who certifies / approves it | Programs are approved by the court under rules adopted by the Arizona Supreme Court (Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 5-209, adopted 2023) and/or certified to the Department of Health Services standards (A.A.C. Title 9, Chapter 20, Article 2 — "Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Offender Treatment"). A probation department or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may also approve a program. There is no single public statewide roster — each court approves the programs it accepts. |
Arizona-specific rules to know
- CRITICAL DISTINCTION: an Arizona domestic violence offender treatment program is NOT a generic anger-management class. It uses a research-supported curriculum developed specifically for domestic violence offenders and runs a minimum of 26 sessions — an anger-management certificate generally will not satisfy a domestic violence order.
- A.R.S. 13-3601.01 makes the treatment mandatory: the judge SHALL order it for a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction, and you must use a program approved by the court (per Arizona Supreme Court ACJA § 5-209, DHS standards, the VA, or a probation department).
- The program reports your attendance and whether you successfully completed to the court, so missing sessions can quickly become a probation violation.
- You pay for the program yourself; costs commonly run from several hundred to over a thousand dollars depending on the provider and number of sessions.
- There is no single statewide list of approved programs — approval is court-by-court. Always confirm with the specific Arizona court that ordered you (or your probation officer) that a provider is currently approved before enrolling and paying.
Find an accepted domestic violence program in Arizona
A certified program is not the same as a class you find on your own, so the safest move is to confirm the specific provider with the Arizona court that sentenced you (a city, justice, or superior court) or your probation officer before you pay:
Prefer to look on a map? Search Google Maps for certified domestic violence programs in Arizona — then check any provider against your court's order, and confirm it is on the certified/approved list, before enrolling.
Source & accuracy: compiled from official Arizona statutes and certifying-agency sources. Requirements change and vary by court and case — always confirm the certified program, format, length, and deadline with the court that ordered you before enrolling. Sources: azleg.gov/ars/13/03601-01.htm, azcourts.gov/domesticviolencelaw/Domestic-Violence-Resources, azcourts.gov/Portals/0/2/EDSERV/2024/JCC2024/Changes%20for%20Courts%20Approving%20DV%20Treatment%20Programs.pdf, azdhs.gov/documents/director/administrative-counsel-rules/rules/rulemaking/behavioral-health/domestic-violence/dv-services-rules-new.pdf.