Condominium and HOA
Board Member Training
Meet your certification requirements to serve on a condo association or homeowners’ association board of directors.
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation approved training taught by a practicing Florida attorney.
New Florida Requirements for 2024!
Condominium Associations
Starting July 1, 2024, all members of the board of directors for a condominium association are required to take a 4 hour certification course approved by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). New directors must take the course within 90 days of election or appointment. Directors elected or appointed prior to July 1, 2024 must comply by June 30, 2025. The certification is good for 7 years.
As of August 2024, the DBPR is offering the course for free via their website. We encourage associations to take advantage of the free training, then hire The McGowan Law Firm for a one hour Q&A session that addresses your association’s specific needs.
Homeowners' Associations
Starting July 1, 2024, all members of the board of directors for a homeowners’ association are required to take a 4 hour certification course approved by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). New directors must take the course within 90 days of election or appointment. Directors elected or appointed prior to July 1, 2024 must comply by June 30, 2025. The certification is good for 4 years.
Associations with fewer than 2,500 parcels: directors must also take 4 hours of continuing education annually.
Associations with 2,500 or more parcels: directors must also take 8 hours of continuing education annually.
As of August 2024, the DBPR is offering the course for free via their website. We encourage associations to take advantage of the free training, then hire The McGowan Law Firm for a one hour Q&A session that addresses your association’s specific needs.
Our experience
Jon McGowan is a transactional attorney who advises boards on policies, procedures, and applicable laws and regulations. He has served on boards and committees at the local, state, national, and international levels. He serves as a Special Magistrate for the Duval County Value Adjustment Board, where he conducts hearings on property tax appeals. He is the author of the book Florida’s Constitution: 1812 – Present and has multiple scholarly publications relating to international law and board responsibility. He has presented at multiple international law conferences and taught continuing education to attorneys. He writes an expert opinion column for Forbes on international legal developments relating to environmental policy, sustainability, and business law.
Services we offer
Certification training provided by The McGowan Law Firm is tailored to your association. The State of Florida requires specific topics to be covered, especially as it relates to condo associations. Generally, these requirements include the fiduciary duty of the directors, elections, notices, access to meetings and records, meeting structure, budgets, reserves, official records, inspections, new laws, and other relevant information. While those can be covered at a broad level, it is best to apply those requirements to the governing documents of your association.
An example from a recent interaction with a condo association. The board hired a new property manager. In his welcome letter, the property manager included a waiver to allow for meeting notice via email rather than USPS. While the state statutes do allow this, he failed to check the bylaws for the association which specifically stated notice must be given by postal mail. Had the board moved forward with that waiver to electronic notice, they would have violated the bylaws and, as a result, state statutes.
Hiring The McGowan Law Firm to train your association’s directors will not be the cheapest option. However, you will receive personalized training from an attorney that has served on boards; chaired boards; written bylaws, policies, and procedures; and advised organizations at all levels on board functions and duties. Your board will function better as a result. Additionally, we encourage you to make the training session open to all owners so they may have a better understanding.
We are pleased to be able to offer this training anywhere in Florida. However, The McGowan Law Firm is based in Jacksonville Beach, FL. As a result, availability of in person training versus training on Zoom will vary by county. If I am required to travel, that cost is extra. In person training is always best, especially for active associations where owners will want to attend. If your association is located outside the travel area, but is willing to cover the additional cost, that may be arranged.
One final note for and relating to your association’s current attorney. The services provided by The McGowan Law Firm in this capacity are meant as a limited engagement. We are not trying to compete with or replace your existing legal counsel. The certification course cannot just be taught by any attorney. The course and trainer must be approved by the DBPR.
Duval County
In person training is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Duval County, including: Jacksonville, Atlantic Beach, Baldwin, Jax Beach, and Neptune Beach.
Training may also be facilitated via Zoom.
St. Johns County
In person training is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of St. Johns County, including: Julington Creek, Flagler Estates, Fruit Cove, Nocatee, Palm Valley, Ponte Vedra, Sawgrass, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, and St. Johns.
Training may also be facilitated via zoom.
Clay County
In person training is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Clay County, including: Asbury Lake,
Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace, Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs, Keystone Heights, Lakeside, Middleburg, Oakleaf Plantation, Orange Park, and Penney Farms.
Training may also be facilitated via Zoom.
Nassau County
In person training is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Nassau County, including: Amelia Island, Callahan, Hilliard, Fernandina Beach, Nassau Village-Ratliff, and Yulee.
Training may also be facilitated via Zoom.
Alachua County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Alachua County, including: Alachua, Archer, Gainesville, Hawthorne, High Springs, Micanopy, and Newberry.
In person training may also be arranged at an additional fee for travel expenses.
Baker County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Baker County.
In person training may also be arranged at an additional fee for travel expenses.
Bay County
Training via zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Bay County, including: Callaway, Lynn Haven, Mexico Beach, Panama City, Panama City Beach, Parker, and Springfield.
Bradford County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Bradford County.
In person training may also be arranged at an additional fee for travel expenses.
Brevard County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Brevard County, including: Cape Canaveral, Cocoa,
Cocoa Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Melbourne, Palm Bay, Rockledge, Satellite Beach, Titusville, and West Melbourne.
Broward County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Broward County, including: Coconut Creek, Cooper City, Coral Springs, Dania Beach, Davie, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Hollywood,
Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Lauderhill, Lazy Lake, Lighthouse Point, Margate, Miramar, North Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Parkland, Pembroke Park, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Pompano Beach, Sea Ranch Lakes, Southwest Ranches, Sunrise, Tamarac, West Park, Weston, and Wilton Manors.
Calhoun County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Calhoun County.
Charlotte County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Charlotte County, including: Punta Gorda.
Citrus County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Citrus County, including: Crystal River and Inverness.
Collier County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Collier County, including: Everglades City, Marco Island, and Naples.
Columbia County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Columbia County, including: Lake City and Fort White.
DeSoto County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of DeSoto County, including: Arcadia.
Dixie County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Dixie County, including: Cross City, Horseshoe Beach, and Old Town.
Escambia County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Escambia County, including: Century and Pensacola.
Flagler County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Flagler County, including: Bunnell, Flagler Beach, and Palm Coast.
Franklin County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Franklin County, including: Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Eastpoint, and St. George Island.
Gadsden County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Gadsden County, including: Chattahoochee, Gretna, Midway, and Quincy.
Gilchrist County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Gilchrist County, including: Bell, Fanning Springs, and Trenton
Glades County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Glades County.
Gulf County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Gulf County, including: Port St. Joe and Wewahitchka.
Hamilton County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Hamilton County, including: Jasper, Jennings, and White Springs.
Hardee County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Hardee County, including: Bowling Green and Wauchula.
Hendry County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Hendry County, including: Clewiston and LaBelle.
Hernando County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Hernando County, including: Brooksville.
Highlands County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Highlands County, including: Avon Park and Sebring.
Hillsborough County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Hillsborough County, including: Plant City, Tampa, and Temple Terrace.
Holmes County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Holmes County, including: Bonifay, Esto, Noma, Ponce De Leon, and Westville.
Indian River County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Indian River County, including: Fellsmere, Sebastian, and Vero Beach.
Jackson County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Jackson County, including: Graceville, Jacob City, and Marianna.
Jefferson County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Jefferson County, including: Monticello.
Lafayette County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Lafayette County, including: Day and Mayo.
Lake County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Lake County, including: Clermont, Eustis, Fruitland Park, Groveland, Leesburg, Mascotte, Minneola, Mount Dora, Tavares, and Umatilla.
Lee County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Lee County, including: Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, and Sanibel.
Leon County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Leon County, including: Tallahassee.
Levy County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Levy County, including: Bronson Town, Cedar Key, Chiefland, Fanning Springs, Inglis, Otter Creek, Williston, and Yankeetown.
Liberty County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Liberty County, including: Bristol.
Madison County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Madison County, including: Greenville, Lee, and Madison.
Manatee County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Manatee County, including: Anna Maria, Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, Longboat Key, and Palmetto.
Marion County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Marion County, including: Belleview, Dunnellon, Ocala, and The Villages.
Martin County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Martin County, including: Hobe Sound, Indian Town, Jensen Beach, Jupiter Island, North River Shores, Palm City, Port Salerno, Rio, Ocean Breeze, Sewall’s Point, and Stuart.
Miami-Dade County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Miami-Dade County, including: Aventura, Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Biscayne Park, Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Doral, El Portal, Florida City, Golden Beach, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Homestead, Indian Creek, Key Biscayne, Medley, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, Miami Lakes, Miami Shores, Miami Springs, North Bay, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Opa-locka, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, South Miami, Sunny Isles Beach, Surfside, Sweetwater, Virginia Gardens, and West Miami.
Monroe County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Monroe County, including: Islamorada, Key Colony Beach, Key West, Layton, and Marathon.
Okaloosa County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Okaloosa County, including: Crestview, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Laurel Hill, Mary Esther, Niceville, and Valparaiso.
Okeechobee County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Okeechobee County.
Orange County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Orange County, including: Apopka, Bay Lake, Belle Isle, Eatonville, Edgewood, Lake Buena Vista, Maitland, Oakland, Ocoee, Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden, and Winter Park.
Osceola County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Osceola County, including: Buenaventura Lakes, Campbell, Celebration, Four Corners, Kissimmee, Poinciana, St. Cloud, and Yeehaw Junction.
Palm Beach County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Palm Beach County, including: Atlantis, Belle Glade, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Briny Breezes, Cloud Lake, Delray Beach, Glen Ridge, Golf, Greenacres, Gulf Stream, Haverhill, Highland Beach, Hypoluxo, Juno Beach, Jupiter, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Lake Clarke Shores, Lake Park, Lake Worth Beach, Lantana, Loxahatchee Groves, Manalapan, Mangonia Park, North Palm Beach, Ocean Ridge, Pahokee, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Garden, Palm Beach Shores, Palm Springs, Riviera Beach, Royal Palm Beach, South Bay, South Palm Beach, Tequesta, Wellington Village, West Palm Beach, and Westlake.
Pasco County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Pasco County, including: Dade City, New Port Richey, Port Richey, San Antonio, St. Leo, and Zephyrhills.
Pinellas County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Pinellas County, including: Belleair, Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Belleair Shore, Clearwater, Dunedin, Gulfport, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Kenneth City, Largo, Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach, Oldsmar, Pinellas Park, Redington Beach, Redington Shores, Safety Harbor, Seminole, South Pasadena, St. Pete Beach, St. Petersburg, Tarpon, and Treasure Island.
Polk County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Polk County, including: Auburndale, Bartow, Davenport, Dundee, Eagle Lake, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Hillcrest Heights, Lake Alfred, Lake Hamilton, Lakeland, Lake Wales, Mulberry, Polk City, and Winter Haven.
Putnam County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Putnam County, including: Crescent City and Palatka.
St. Lucie County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of St. Lucie County, including: Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and St. Lucie Village.
Santa Rosa County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Santa Rosa County, including: Gulf Breeze, Jay, and Milton.
Sarasota County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Sarasota County, including: North Port, Sarasota, and Venice.
Seminole County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Seminole County, including: Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo, Sanford, and Winter Springs.
Sumter County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Sumter County, including: Bushnell, Center Hill, Coleman, Webster, and Wildwood.
Suwanee County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Suwanee County, including: Live Oak and Branford.
Taylor County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Taylor County, including: Perry and Steinhatchee.
Union County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Union County, including: Lake Butler, Raiford, and Worthington Springs.
Volusia County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Volusia County, including: Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, DeBary, DeLand, Deltona, Edgewater, Holly Hill, Lake Helen, New Smyrna Beach, Oak Hill, Orange City, Ormond Beach, Pierson, Ponce Inlet, Port Orange, and South Daytona.
Wakulla County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Wakulla County, including: Sopchoppy and St. Marks.
Walton County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Walton County, including: DeFuniak Springs, Freeport, Miramar Beach, and Paxton.
Washington County
Training via Zoom is available for condo associations and HOA’s in all areas of Washington County, including: Caryville, Chipley, Ebro, Vernon, and Wausau.