The Florida Bar

Basic Skills Course Requirement Deferment Request

Please refer to Rule 6-12.4 Deferment and Exemption of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar for details of deferment and exemption from the Basic Skills Course Requirement (BSCR).

Toggle to read Rule 6-12.4 Deferment and Exemption

RULE 6-12.4 DEFERMENT AND EXEMPTION

  1. Deferment of Practicing with Professionalism Requirement.
    1. Deferment Eligibility. A Florida Bar member is eligible to defer completion of the Practicing with Professionalism course if:
      1. the member is on active military duty;
      2. compliance would create an undue hardship;
      3. the member is a nonresident member who does not deliver legal services or advice on matters or issues governed by Florida law; or
      4. the member elects inactive membership status in The Florida Bar.
    2. Deferment Expiration. A deferment of the Practicing with Professionalism course as provided under this rule expires when the Florida Bar member is no longer eligible for deferment. On expiration, a Florida Bar member must:
      1. promptly notify The Florida Bar in writing of the date deferment expired; and
      2. attend the Practicing with Professionalism course within 12 months of deferment expiration.
  2. Deferment of Substantive Basic Skills Course Requirement.
    1. Deferment Eligibility. A Florida Bar member is eligible to defer completion of the substantive basic skills course requirement if:
      1. the member is on active military duty;
      2. compliance would create an undue hardship;
      3. the member is a nonresident member who does not deliver legal services or advice on matters or issues governed by Florida law;
      4. the member is a full-time governmental employee; or
      5. the member elects inactive membership status in The Florida Bar.
    2. Deferment Expiration. An undue hardship deferment for the basic skills course requirement remains in effect for no more than 1 reporting cycle. A deferment of the substantive basic skills course requirement for all other reasons expires when the member is no longer eligible for deferment. On expiration, a Florida Bar member must:
      1. promptly notify The Florida Bar in writing of the date deferment expired; and
      2. complete 21 credit hours of substantive, basic- level continuing legal education courses sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division within 24 months of deferment expiration.
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