DEFERMENT AND EXEMPTION

(a) 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:

(A) the member is on active military duty;

(B) compliance would create an undue hardship;

(C) the member is a nonresident member who does not deliver legal services or advice on matters or issues governed by Florida law; or

(D) 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:

(A) promptly notify The Florida Bar in writing of the date deferment expired; and

(B) attend the Practicing with Professionalism course within 12 months of deferment expiration.

(b) 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:

(A) the member is on active military duty;

(B) compliance would create an undue hardship;

(C) the member is a nonresident member who does not deliver legal services or advice on matters or issues governed by Florida law;

(D) the member is a full-time governmental employee; or

(E) 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:

(A) promptly notify The Florida Bar in writing of the date deferment expired; and

(B) complete 21 credit hours of substantive, basic-level continuing legal education courses sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division within 24 months of deferment expiration.

(c) Exemption.

(1) Governmental Practice. The bar will grant an exemption from the 21 credit hours of substantive, basic-level continuing legal education courses sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division required by rule 6-12.3(a)(2) if the member has been continuously engaged in the practice of law for a Florida or federal governmental entity as a full-time governmental employee for a period of at least 6 years.

(2) Foreign Practice. The bar will grant an exemption from the 21 credit hours of substantive, basic-level continuing legal education courses sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division required by rule 6-12.3(a)(2) if a member has been continuously engaged in the practice of law (non-governmental) in a foreign jurisdiction for a period of 5 years, can demonstrate completion of 30 hours of approved continuing legal education within the immediate 3-year period, and can attest that the continuing legal education completed has reasonably prepared the member for the anticipated type of practice in Florida. Added effective Feb. 8, 2001 (795 So.2d 1); Amended May 12, 2005, Florida Supreme Court opinion (SC04-914) - effective May 12, 2005; February 4, 2010, effective March 6, 2010 (SC09-1427) ; amended February 2, 2023, effective April 3, 2023 (SC22-1291); amended February 29, 2024, effective January 8, 2024 (SC23-1412).