We have received a large number of inquiries regarding the continuing education requirements for community association managers with respect to the new statutory requirements. We have also received a large number of inquiries regarding the board member certification requirements and the continuing education requirements. I will attempt to clarify these issues for everyone.

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MANAGERS

In the legislative session held in 2024, the legislature passed, and the governor signed SB 382 which provides that all community association managers who have been licensed for at least 10 years and have had no disciplinary action imposed on the license are exempt from continuing education. This includes the new five hours of continuing education required for licensees who are managing HOA’s.

Managers who are required to complete the continuing education must complete 15 hours of courses approved by the DBPR from an approved provider. (GSI is the oldest approved provider.)

The subject matter requirements for the continuing education are:

(a) 3 hours of legal update seminars. The legal update seminars shall consist of instruction regarding changes to Chapters 455, 468, Part VIII, 617, 718, 719, 720, and 721, F.S., and other legislation, case law, and regulations impacting community association management. Licensees shall not be awarded continuing education credit for completing the same legal update seminar more than once even if the seminars were taken during different years.

(b) 3 hours of instruction on insurance and financial management topics relating to community association management.

(c) 3 hours of instruction on the operation of the community association’s physical property.

(d) 3 hours of instruction on human resources topics relating to community association management. Human resources topics include, but are not limited to, disaster preparedness, employee relations, and communications skills for effectively dealing with residents and vendors.

(e) 3 hours of additional instruction in any area described in paragraph (3)(b), (c) or (d) of this rule or in any course or courses directly related to the management or administration of community associations. or any course or courses directly related to community association management services to homeowner associations including recordkeeping.

Community association managers who are managing HOA’s must complete 5 hours of instruction specifically related to HOA’s including 3 hours of recordkeeping.

The continuing education must be completed before the end of the license period which is September 30, 2026. This includes the 5 hours specifically related to HOA’s.

Managers who are managing HOA’s must update your online account with the DBPR to indicate that you are managing an HOA or HOA’s. This can be done at the website, www.myfloridalicense.com.

If you have not established your online record with the DBPR, you can do so on their website.

CONDOMINIUM BOARD MEMBER EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

All condominium board members must complete a 4-hour certification course within 90 days of being elected or appointed to the board or not more than one year before they were elected or appointed. If the board members were serving on the board as of July 1, 2024, they must complete the course by June 30, 2025. The course must cover the following topics:

• milestone inspections
• structural integrity reserve studies
• elections
• recordkeeping
• financial literacy and transparency
• levying of fines
• notice and meeting requirements

If the board members are still serving after 7 years, they must complete the course again. In addition, all board members must complete at least one hour of continuing education each year covering changes in the condominium act. We have not received information on the deadline for board members to complete the continuing education, but I presume it will be by the end of this year, December 31,2025.

HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBER EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Effective July 1, 2024, HOA board members must complete a board member certification course within 90 days being elected or appointed to the board. The statute does not provide a minimum number of hours. GSI has our course approved for two hours.

The statute does not address the deadline for those who were service on the board on July 1,2024 to complete the course. The subject matter covered must include:

• financial literacy and transparency
• recordkeeping
• levying fines
• notice and meeting requirements.

Board members for HOA’s of less than 2,500 parcel must complete 4 hours of continuing education each year. Board members for HOA’s of 2,500 or more parcels must complete 8 hours of continuing education each year. The statute does not specify the deadline for completing the continuing education, but we presume it will be on a calendar year basis.

If a director does not satisfy the education requirements, he or she is suspended from the board until he or she completes the requirements.

Gray Systems currently offers CAM Continung Education and Condo & HOA Board Member Certification sessions. As soon as Board Member CEU (Continuing Education) classes are approved by the State, we will offer those sessions, too!

I hope this helps! Let us know if you need additional information.

Warm regards,

Fred Gray, President

Gray Systems, Inc.