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FALDP Certification Information

In 2016 we introduced FALDP Certification for Florida Legal Document Preparers. LDP Certification is available for members in good standing who meet the criteria set forth on this page. Members who complete the FALDP Certification process will be issued their Certification number and logo upon completion of all necessary steps..

FALDP Certification costs $125 for the Basic Skills & Knowledge Exam with one Focus Area; and $25 for each additional Focus Area Certification. Certification fees are paid when you submit the certification application form.. Completing online courses alone does not accomplish certification. Members can earn Continuing Education Units by completing our online courses, but in order to become FALDP certified all steps must be completed. The steps are outlined below. This is a public page, more information is available to members in our Members Only area.

Steps to FALDP Certification

  1. Join FALDP. 
  2. Complete and pass the Basic Skills & Knowledge Exam and submit the essay. Exam links are located inside the Members Only area.
  3. Complete and pass at least one Focus Area Exam.
  4. Accumulate at least 10 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
  5. Submit the Application for Certification and pay the required fee.

Basic Knowledge and Skills

FALDP members who seek certification must demonstrate knowledge of and mastery of basic skills including:

  • Understanding legal terminology;
  • Understanding the rules surrounding the unauthorized practice of law;
  • Understanding business ethics; and customer service;
  • Above average proficiency in written and spoken English.

Members demonstrate their knowledge and mastery of the information and skills by passing a written test; and submitting written essay(s).

Focus Areas

In addition to demonstrating mastery of basic knowledge and skills members must also demonstrate knowledge and mastery of at least one Focus Area. At this time we recognize the following six focus areas:

  • Family law document preparation; 
  • Immigration document preparation;
  • Bankruptcy petition preparation. 
  • Probate & Estates - Summary Administration of Estate; Wills; Living Trusts  
  • Business - Corporations and Limited Liability Companies; Landlord/Tenant; Small Claims to Circuit Civil 
  • Criminal - Early Termination of Probation; Expunge & Seal; Restoration of Civil Rights

Members can demonstrate mastery and knowledge of a focus area by passing a written test. We intend to offer additional focus areas in the future and welcome your suggestions.

Continuing Education Units

In addition to completing the requirements for the Basic Skills and Knowledge component; and the Focus Area component; certification requires ten CEUs per year. There are multiple ways to fulfill the CEU requirement:

  • Completing online FALDP courses; [each course is assigned a CEU value of 1-4]
  • Attendance at the Annual FALDP Conference; [ attendance is valued at 5 CEUs]
  • Submitting essays suitable for FALDP site content or guest blog; [CEU value varies depending on length, suitability, and complexity]
  • Locating, preparing, providing, and sharing form templates for other FALDP members general use;[CEU value varies]
  • Mentoring other FALDP members [1 CEU per hour]
  • Related outreach and educational participation outside of FALDP [CEU value to be determined on case by case basis]
  • Answering Ask the Members questions [3 accepted answers is valued at 1 CEU]
  • Post informative content or links on FALDP's Facebook page [4 accepted posts is valued at 1 CEU]
  • Joining FALDP's private Facebook group. [1 CEU]
  • Related outreach and educational participation within FALDP for the benefit of other members, which could include course creation; translations; and other activities which a member may propose.

Certification Timeline and Details

Certification exams remain open continuously. The certification process as outlined above includes completion of ten CEUs; a basic skills and knowledge exam; and at least one focus area exam. Certification will be awarded upon completion of all necessary steps.

  • Basic Skills & knowledge Exam with Essay;
  • At least one Focus Area Exam;
  • 10 CEU's;
  • Submit an application for certification form;
  • Submit payment.

At this time we do not foresee a requirement for re-certification; the only ongoing requirement after the initial certification is the completion of ten CEUs per year. This continuing education requirement must be fulfilled by July 31 each year, coinciding with the last day to renew membership.

PLEASE NOTE: There is a cost to become certified. The cost is $125. to become certified in one Focus Area and an additional $25. for each additional Focus Area. This cost is paid when you initially apply for certification.

There is additional information about FALDP Certification within our Members Only area. Access to the Certification Exams is also within the Members Only area.

This page was updated 5/23/2023.

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