The mad dash is on, to get all board members in the state of Florida certified to serve. At least according to our state legislators.
If you serve on your condominium or homeowners association board, you must meet Florida’s certification requirements. Our 4-hour, Division-approved course is fully aligned with the educational standards set by the 2014 passed into law House Bills 1021 and 1203, fulfilling the state’s new board member education requirements. It’s also designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and skills to excel in your role.
By June 30, 2025 you are required to pass a course that will equip you to manage the most critical aspects of association leadership, including:
- Board member’s roles and responsibilities
- Association meeting requirements
- Board member elections and meetings
- Financial literacy and transparency
- Recordkeeping
- Milestone inspections
- Structural Integrity Reserve Studies (SIRS)
There are courses you can take for a fee, at your own leisure, and you can start and stop when you have time. That may work best for anyone with a busy schedule that works. Here’s a link to one of those online services. There are free courses but they are at specific times and dates, and you have to stay online for the complete 4 hours. Here is a link to the state’s website, which has several courses available prior to the June 30th deadline. Perhaps they will extend the deadline, but no one has heard that yet, so do not count on that.
Here’s the deal for all board members in Florida, condominium associations and homeowner associations.
Requirements for Condominium Association Board Members
Condominium directors appointed or elected on or after July 1, 2024, must complete a four-hour certification within 90 days after being elected or appointed that covers the following topics: milestone inspections, structural integrity reserve studies, elections, recordkeeping, financial literacy and transparency, levying of fines, and notice and meeting requirements.
Condominium directors appointed or elected prior to July 1, 2024, have until June 30, 2025, to complete the four-hour certification requirement.
The certification is valid for seven years and does not have to be retaken during the seven-year period if the director serves without interruption. If the director serves for more than seven years, the certification must be retaken upon expiration of the seventh year.
In addition to the certification, and within one year thereof and annually thereafter, directors must take a one-hour continuing education course relating to any changes during the past year to chapter 718, F.S. and the related administrative rules.
Requirements for HOA Board Members
HOA directors appointed or elected on or after July 1, 2024, must complete education for new board members within 90 days after being elected or appointed.
HOA directors appointed or elected prior to July 1, 2024, must complete education for new board members within four years if the director serves on the board without interruption during the four-year period.
The new board member education is valid for four years and does not have to be retaken during the four-year period if the director serves without interruption. If the director serves for more than four years, the certification must be retaken upon expiration of the fourth year.
In addition to the new board member education, a director of an HOA association with fewer than 2,500 parcels must complete at least four hours of continuing education annually. A director of an HOA association with 2,500 or more parcels must complete at least eight hours of continuing education annually.
