Professional dynamism, as a characteristic feature of modern society, requires updating the forms and methods of training specialists. In the current system of training is increasingly in demand training procedure, adaptive to different conditions of the educational process, including using distance learning technologies and e-learning. In the system of professional training of specialists, virtual simulators and simulators are actively used, focused on the formation of stable behavior models in the professional environment. The question of pedagogical aspects of the use of these teaching tools in the system of professional training becomes relevant. The paper defines the prerequisites for the use of these tools in training, sets goals and objectives, describes interaction models, and defines the classification of educational tasks. The author highlights the levels of simulation based on the degree of immersiveness and interactivity of the environment, methodological approaches and methods of organizing educational activities of students. The paper summarizes the experience of using simulators and virtual simulators in the system of professional training of specialists, lays the conceptual foundations for building a simulation model of training.