The Florida Parent Education Course is a required 4-hour online program for divorcing or separating parents with minor children in Florida, approved by the Florida Department of Children and Families. Both parents must complete the course separately to meet court requirements.
If you are divorcing or involved in a paternity case with minor children in Florida, you must complete the Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course. This guide explains who needs the course, what it covers, important deadlines, and how to get your certificate.
Who Must Take the Florida Parent Education Course
Florida law requires both the petitioner and the respondent in any divorce or paternity action involving minor children to complete the Florida Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course. Each parent must enroll and finish the course individually. Courts may hold a parent in contempt or deny time-sharing if the course is not completed by the required deadline.
Course Content and Structure
The course consists of 8 modules covering:
- Divorce as a loss and its impact on families
- Shared parenting and parental responsibility
- Child development and understanding divorce at different ages
- Communication with children and the other parent
- Abuse, including domestic violence and child neglect
- Legal concepts and court issues
- Parenting time and creating a parenting plan
Each module ends with an ungraded 10-question review. After all modules, you take a 40-question final exam. You must score at least 70% to pass, and you can retake the exam as many times as needed.
Deadlines and Course Access
The petitioner must complete the course within 45 days of filing for divorce, and the respondent within 45 days of being served. For paternity actions, deadlines are based on filing, acknowledgment, or court orders. You have 120 days of course access from the date of enrollment, but you must finish before your legal deadline. For more on legal requirements, see the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Cost, Enrollment, and Certificate Delivery
The course costs USD 29.95, which includes full access, all reviews, the final exam, and your completion certificate. If a judge has declared you indigent, you may take the course for free by providing your Indigent Status form before enrolling. Enroll online, and begin immediately after payment. Once you pass the final exam, your certificate is emailed to you as a PDF. You are responsible for submitting your certificate to the court.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Approved by | Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) |
| Required for | Both petitioner and respondent in Florida divorce or paternity cases with minor children |
| Course length | 4 hours |
| Modules | 8 |
| Chapter reviews | Ungraded |
| Final exam | 40 questions, 70% to pass, open book, unlimited attempts |
| Cost | USD 29.95 |
| Indigent | Free with judge’s declaration and Indigent Status form |
| Course access | 120 days from enrollment |
| Certificate delivery | Emailed as PDF upon completion |
| Who submits to court | You are responsible for submitting your certificate |
| Petitioner deadline | 45 days from filing |
| Respondent deadline | 45 days from being served |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do both parents have to take the Florida Parent Education Course separately?
Yes, both the petitioner and respondent must enroll and complete the course individually. One parent’s completion does not satisfy the requirement for the other parent.
Does the Florida Parent Education Course provider send my certificate to the court?
No, the provider emails your certificate to you, and you are responsible for submitting it to your court.
Will my local court accept the Florida Parent Education Course online?
The course is approved by the Florida Department of Children and Families and accepted by most Florida courts. Some courts may not accept online courses, so contact your court before enrolling.
What happens if I miss the Florida Parent Education Course deadline?
If you miss the deadline, the court may hold you in contempt or deny time-sharing. Contact your court and attorney immediately if you are concerned about deadlines.
Is there a fee waiver for the Florida Parent Education Course for indigent parents?
Yes, if a judge has declared you indigent and you provide your Indigent Status form before enrolling, you may take the course for free.
How do I enroll in the Florida Parent Education Course?
You can enroll online by completing the checkout process. Your account is created automatically, and you can start the course right away after payment.
How is the final exam structured?
The final exam has 40 questions, is open book, and requires a score of 70% to pass. You can retake the exam as many times as needed at no extra cost.