ADMINISTRATION

The board of legal specialization and education shall have the authority and responsibility to administer the program for regulation of certification including:

(a) recommending to the board of governors areas in which certificates may be granted and providing procedures by which such areas may be determined, refined, or eliminated;

(b) recommending to the board of governors minimum, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory standards concerning education, experience, proficiency, and other relevant matters for granting certificates in areas of certification;

(c) providing procedures for the investigation and testing of the qualifications of applicants and certificate holders;

(d) awarding certificates to qualified applicants;

(e) encouraging law schools, the continuing legal education committee of The Florida Bar, voluntary bar associations, and other continuing legal education entities to develop and maintain a program of continuing legal education to meet the standards described by the plan;

(f) cooperating with other agencies of The Florida Bar in establishing and enforcing standards of professional conduct necessary for the recognition and regulation of certification;

(g) cooperating with the standing committee on specialization of the American Bar Association and with the agencies in other states engaged in the regulation of legal specialization;

(h) establishing policies, procedures, and appropriate fees to evaluate and accredit lawyer certifying organizations and programs;

(i) reporting as required, but at least annually, to the board of governors on the status and conditions of the plan;

(j) determining standards, rules, and regulations to implement these rules in accordance with the minimum standards prescribed by the Supreme Court of Florida; and

(k) delegating to The Florida Bar staff any of the administrative responsibilities of the board of legal specialization and education providing said board retains responsibility for staff decisions.