January 29, 2017

Do I Have To Be Certified To Serve On The Board?

January 29, 2017

In Florida, Board members of community associations must be certified within 90 days of election. Newly elected board members must take a Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation approved educational course to qualify for board service. If a Board member fails to file the written certification or educational certificate within 90 days of election or appointment, they are suspended from service on the Board until they comply with the rule. The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation amended section 718.112 on July 10, 2010, adding this educational curriculum criteria.
As an option, the newly elected or appointed Board member can sign a form that confirms that they have read the Association’s governing documents and that they will work to uphold them to the best of their ability. Also, Board members must agree that they will faithfully discharge their fiduciary duty to the Association’s members.
Instead of signing the written certification, newly elected or appointed Board members can take approved educational courses. Prospective Board members can attend and complete an educational course up to one year in advance of taking a seat on the board.
In Florida, both online and classroom courses are available. Classroom courses typically run 2-4 hours. Both types of courses may include:

  • Asset Protection and Insurance
  • Association Operations
  • Bids and Contracts
  • Budget Preparation
  • Collection Issues
  • Common Election Pitfalls
  • Defusing Conflicts within the Community
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Fiduciary Duty
  • Financial Reporting Requirements
  • Fraud Prevention
  • Funding Reserves
  • Governing Documents
  • Insurance Needs for Common Areas
  • Maintaining Association Books and Records
  • Meeting Notices and Elections
  • Meeting Procedures
  • Reserves
  • State and Federal Laws
  • Vendor Negotiations

The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation approves education providers and publishes a list of them on their website. Over 100 Course Sponsors are listed. Although the contents may overlap and be similar, courses are separate for Condominium, Cooperatives, Homeowner Associations and Mobile Homes. Check with each Course Sponsor for their offerings.
If a director fails to file the written certification or educational certificate in a timely manner and is suspended from service on the Board, the Board may temporarily fill the vacancy during the period of suspension.
Board Certification provides the tools and information to help Board members perform better and avoid potential liabilities.
LM Funding provides funding solutions to condo and homeowner associations (COAs & HOAs) to recover delinquent association dues and guaranty future association budgets using proprietary technology.

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