Board certification: what every new Florida condo and HOA director has to finish

The old and new Florida State Capitol buildings in Tallahassee, FL — The old and new Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee. Photo: DXR via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Informational, not legal advice. This newsletter summarizes Florida statutes and official sources in plain English. It isn't legal advice and doesn't create an attorney-client relationship. Your declaration, bylaws and specific facts matter. For decisions affecting your association, consult a Florida-licensed attorney or the DBPR Division of Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes. We're nonpartisan, take no position on legislation, and endorse no candidates.

Last week we promised to cover the education every new director has to complete. That's below, along with the rule changes the Division has moved on this month.

Last issue

Issue #1 covered where Florida condo and HOA law stands after the 2026 session: HB 657 died in the Senate, while HB 797 and HB 803 took effect July 1. It also walked through how owners can attend and speak at board meetings and the condo election calendar. Read Issue #1.

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1. New laws, rules & deadlines (plain English)

The Division's reserve rule took effect, and it's already being amended again. - The revised Rule 61B-22.005 (Reserves) took effect October 4, 2026. It implements the SIRS and reserve-funding sections of the condo statute (rule history, Florida Administrative Register). - On October 22, 2026, the Division published a new proposed amendment to the same rule. Its stated purpose is to clarify language about adjustments to the annual reserve funding amount and about changes between pooled and straight-line reserve accounting (FAR Vol. 52/206). It's a proposal, not yet law. If your board is finalizing a 2027 budget now, ask your manager or attorney whether it affects you.

Condo meeting rule: revised, still proposed. - On October 16, 2026, the Division published a notice of change to proposed Rule 61B-23.001, the rule on board and committee meetings (FAR Vol. 52/202). - The original July proposal said it would update the rule and implement s. 718.112(2), F.S. (from HB 913), including the definition of "committee meeting" and the use of video and audio meetings (rule history). - The rule in force today is still the 1999 version. Nothing changes for your meetings until a final rule is adopted and takes effect.

2. Explainer: board certification, condo vs. HOA

Condo directors (Chapter 718) — s. 718.112(2)(d), F.S. - Every newly elected or appointed director must give the association secretary two things: a written certification that they've read the declaration, articles, bylaws and current written policies, and an educational certificate. - Timing: within 1 year before or 90 days after election or appointment. - The course: at least 4 hours, from the Division or a Division-approved provider. It must cover milestone inspections, SIRS, elections, recordkeeping, financial literacy and transparency, fines, and notice and meeting rules. - How long it lasts: 7 years, as long as the director serves without interruption. - Every year after: at least 1 hour of continuing education on recent changes to Chapter 718 and its rules. - If you miss it: you're suspended from the board until you comply. The board may temporarily fill the seat. Board actions stay valid even if a certificate isn't on file. - The secretary keeps the certificates for owners to inspect for 7 years after election or the length of uninterrupted tenure, whichever is longer.

HOA directors (Chapter 720) — s. 720.3033(1), F.S. - New directors must submit a certificate from a department-approved education provider within 90 days after election or appointment. - The course must include financial literacy and transparency, recordkeeping, levying of fines, and notice and meeting requirements. - The certificate is valid for up to 4 years, and the new-director course must be repeated at least every 4 years. - Annual continuing education: at least 4 hours for associations with fewer than 2,500 parcels, and 8 hours for 2,500 parcels or more. - If you miss it: suspended until you comply. The HOA keeps certificates for members to inspect for 5 years.

Cost: the Division offers a free Board Member Certification course in English and Spanish (DBPR press releases).

	Condo (718)	HOA (720)
Deadline	1 yr before to 90 days after	90 days after
Initial course	4+ hours	Department-approved curriculum
Valid for	7 years	Up to 4 years
Annual CE	1 hour	4 or 8 hours
Records kept	7 yrs or tenure	5 years

3. How to get involved: check your board's certificates

Certificates are association records owners and members can ask to inspect (s. 718.112(2)(d); s. 720.3033(1)(c)). This week's action: ask your association's secretary or manager whether each current director's certificate is on file, and note when the next annual continuing-education deadline falls.

Next issue: the director conflict-of-interest rules, including how HB 797 changed what HOA boards must do (s. 720.3033(2)).

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