Florida Condo Board Education Rule Became Effective September 3, 2026

If you serve on a Florida condominium board, or you are about to, the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes updated how director education works. Rule 61B-19.001 of the Florida Administrative Code took effect September 3, 2026. It implements the board education duties in section 718.112(2)(d)5.b.(II) of the Florida Statutes, including board member certification, annual continuing education, provider approval, and suspension when a director misses a deadline.

Who Is Affected

This rule matters to you if:

• You are elected or appointed as a director of a Florida condominium association under chapter 718

• You are the association secretary, or the officer who keeps education records

• You own a unit and want to know whether your directors meet state education requirements

• You want Division approval to teach board member certification or continuing education courses

Key Changes

Board member certification (BMC). The rule defines BMC as a Division-approved course that covers training related to milestone inspections, structural integrity reserve studies, elections, recordkeeping, inspection of official records, financial literacy and transparency, levying of fines, and notice and meeting requirements. You satisfy BMC by submitting a valid certificate to the association's secretary, or the equivalent officer, within 1 year before or 90 days after election or appointment, or within 90 days after the start of the education year in which you must renew BMC.

How long BMC lasts. A completed BMC certificate is valid for seven education years if you serve as a director without a gap. If your service as an elected or appointed director is interrupted, you must take a new BMC course. An education year runs from July 1 through June 30.

Annual continuing education (CE). In each education year that you do not complete a BMC course, you must complete at least one hour of CE. CE focuses on recent statutory changes to chapter 718 and applicable Division rules from the previous education year. Submit the CE certificate on or before the end of the education year.

Suspension for missed deadlines. The secretary, or the equivalent officer, must track compliance and keep education records. If a board member misses the certificate deadline, the board must suspend that director until the director complies. The board may temporarily fill the vacancy during the suspension.

Division-created courses and providers. Division-created BMC and CE courses are available on the Division's education page. Providers apply on DBPR Form CO 6000-12, and instructors must meet the degree, experience, or Florida Bar qualifications in the rule. Provider approval lasts two years. Courses may be asynchronous, synchronous, or hybrid. The Division may rescind course approval for inaccurate content, marketing-first courses, or recordkeeping failures, but credit earned before rescission remains valid.

Practical Implications

If you just joined a condo board, calendar your BMC deadline from the date you were elected or appointed. Complete a Division-created or Division-approved BMC course and turn in your certificate before the deadline. Missing it can put you in suspension and leave your seat temporarily filled.

If you are already serving, confirm which education year you are in and whether you need a BMC renewal or the one-hour CE course this year. Keep certificates organized. The secretary tracks compliance, but you must complete the course and submit proof on time.

If you offer courses, renew provider status on time, use the Division course titles on certificates, and keep participation records for one year. Previously approved courses may still be offered only while the governing statutes and rules for that content remain unchanged.