Florida Director Education and Certification: HB 1021 (2024) and HB 913 (2025)

Florida community-association directors used to take office, attend a few meetings, and learn the job in real time. That changed in 2024 with HB 1021 and was extended in 2025 with HB 913. Directors now face mandatory education requirements with statutory deadlines, and noncompliance has real consequences.

The 2024 framework: HB 1021

House Bill 1021, effective July 1, 2024, established director education requirements for Florida community-association boards. The core elements:

• Education program completion. New and existing directors must attend a directors' education class.
• Certification. Directors must sign a written certification affirming they have read the condominium documents (declaration, bylaws, rules and regulations) and understand the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Documentation. Certifications must be maintained as association records and made available for inspection on request.

The framework applies to condominium associations under Chapter 718 and (with parallel provisions) cooperatives under Chapter 719. HOAs under Chapter 720 are subject to a separate (and somewhat lighter) set of director-related requirements.

The 2025 extension: HB 913

House Bill 913, the 2025 reform package, extended and reinforced the 2024 director-education framework:

• Existing directors deadline. Directors who held office before HB 1021 took effect were required to complete the education and certification by June 30, 2025.
• Recurring obligations. Directors must complete continuing education on a defined cycle, with specific topic requirements and approved providers.
• Records integration. Director education and certification records must be maintained in the association's online DBPR account along with other governance information.
• Civil consequences. Failure to complete required education within the statutory window exposes the director to removal under specific statutory procedures.

Approved providers

The director-education programs must be provided by entities approved by the DBPR. Approved providers include condominium and HOA management associations, attorney-led education programs, and online courses meeting the regulatory criteria. Boards should confirm provider approval before scheduling education to avoid completing a non-qualifying program.

What the education covers

The required curriculum addresses:

• Director fiduciary duties and responsibilities.
• Florida statutory requirements applicable to condominiums (Chapter 718) or HOAs (Chapter 720).
• Governance procedures including meeting and voting requirements.
• Financial management, including reserves and budgeting.
• Records-keeping and disclosure obligations.
• Conflict-of-interest principles.
• Specific topics added by HB 913 including SIRS compliance.

The depth varies by program, but all must cover the statutory minimum content.

The certification component

Beyond the education program, directors must sign a written certification stating they:

• Have read the association's declaration, bylaws, and rules.
• Understand the duties and responsibilities of a director.
• Will abide by the governing documents.
• Will discharge their duties in the best interests of the association.

The certification is a personal acknowledgment, not a perfunctory document. Directors signing without actually having read the governing documents create exposure both for themselves and for the association if subsequent decisions reveal misunderstanding.

Practical implementation

For boards working through compliance, the practical path:

1. Identify all current directors and confirm certification status.
2. Schedule education with an approved provider for any directors needing it.
3. Distribute the governing documents to all directors with confirmation of receipt.
4. Collect signed certifications after the education and document review.
5. Maintain records in the association's official files and DBPR account.
6. Build the requirement into onboarding for newly-elected directors going forward.

Director removal for non-compliance

HB 913 provides statutory consequences for non-compliance, including potential removal of directors who fail to meet the education and certification requirements within the applicable window. The removal procedure is statutory and procedural; counsel should be involved before any removal action is initiated.

For most boards, the removal provision is a backstop that won't be triggered if directors complete the requirements promptly. The protective practice is to address compliance early rather than wait for an enforcement situation to arise.

Comparison to other states

Florida's director-education framework is among the most demanding in the country. Most other states (including Alabama) impose no statutory education requirements on community-association directors, leaving the question to the governing documents. The Florida framework reflects post-Surfside policy preference for raising the floor on board competence — and the practical reality that directors often take office without prior board experience.

Practical takeaways

1. Compliance is non-discretionary for Florida condominium and cooperative boards.
2. Approved-provider verification matters — check before scheduling.
3. Certification is a substantive acknowledgment, not a checkbox; directors should actually read the documents.
4. Records maintenance is part of compliance; certifications should be filed in association records and the DBPR account.
5. Track future requirements — Florida adds and modifies director obligations frequently.

Talk to Yates Anderson

Community-association work rewards counsel who knows your documents and your community before the dispute walks in the door. Request a case evaluation and a Yates Anderson attorney will respond within one business day.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Florida community-association directors need education?

Condominium and cooperative directors under Chapters 718 and 719 are subject to the HB 1021/HB 913 framework. HOA directors under Chapter 720 are subject to separate (and somewhat different) requirements. The specific obligations depend on the association type and the director's role.

What was the deadline for existing directors?

June 30, 2025 under HB 913. Directors who held office before HB 1021 had until that date to complete the education and certification.

Who provides the education?

DBPR-approved providers, including various community-association management organizations, attorney-led programs, and approved online courses. Provider approval should be confirmed before scheduling.

What if a director doesn't complete the education?

HB 913 provides statutory consequences including potential removal under specific procedures. The removal mechanism is statutory and benefits from counsel guidance. Most boards address non-compliance before removal becomes necessary.

Is this an annual requirement?

There are continuing-education obligations on a defined cycle. The exact cadence and topics are statutory and subject to legislative revision; the most recent statutory text should be confirmed for current requirements.