Florida Parenting Course End of Course Test: Question Count

Updated October 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte

Every approved course has a Florida parenting course end of course test, but no Florida law or DCF rule sets how many questions it has. Each provider builds its own test, so the count can differ from one course to the next. What DCF does fix is the 70 percent passing mark, unlimited tries, a review before each retake and no extra fee for the extra time.

Key Facts

Is there a test? Yes. A DCF rule requires one at the end of every course. See the test requirement.
Number of questions: not set by any official source; the provider decides. See the question count.
Passing mark: at least 70 percent, in every approved course. See what DCF sets.
Why a percent: a percent works the same on any length of test. See percent, not count.
Next step: passing leads to a certificate you file with the court. See after the test.

Is There a Test at the End of the Course?

Yes. DCF rule 65C-32.004 says each parenting course “shall include an end of course test.” That covers every Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) approves.

The test is not a separate exam you book later. It is the last part of the course. You take it with the same provider, after the lessons.

The rule gives the test one stated purpose. It is designed to show that the parent understood the course’s learning goals.

How Many Questions Are on the Florida Parenting Course End of Course Test?

No official source gives a number. We read section 61.21, Florida Statutes and DCF rules 65C-32.001 through 65C-32.006. None of them sets a minimum, a maximum or a typical count.

So the count is a provider choice. If a website names a number, that number describes one provider’s test, not a state standard. It may not match the course you take.

The best way to learn the count is to ask the provider or read its course page before you enroll.

What DCF Does Set

The rule is short, but it fixes the points that matter most for passing. Under rule 65C-32.004:

A score of 70 percent or more earns the certificate, once the 4-hour course is done.
There is no cap on tries. The rule gives “an unlimited number of attempts.”
A review comes before a retake. Below 70 percent, the instructor reviews the missed material with you. Online, missed questions point you to the right section.
No added cost. Providers “shall not require additional fees” for the extra time or teaching.

Each of these applies to every approved course, whatever its question count. For the full retake rules, see retakes and the passing score.

Why a Percent and Not a Count

DCF set the bar as a share of correct answers. That way the same rule works on a short test and a long one.

Here is the plain math. At 70 percent, you need at least 7 right answers out of every 10. A longer test asks for more correct answers in total, but the share stays the same.

So the number of questions changes how long the test takes, not the bar you must clear. That is one reason the rule can leave the count to each provider. Each parent either reaches 70 percent or reviews the missed material and tries again.

Why the Count Can Differ Between Courses

Each provider writes its own course. Rule 65C-32.003 lets providers give the curriculum a unique name, as long as it covers the eight required parts. The test follows that provider’s lessons.

DCF then checks the course. Rule 65C-32.006 says DCF must approve each application that meets the statute and its rules. Approved courses must state DCF approval in their materials.

Under rule 65C-32.005, an approval lasts three years. The provider list on DCF’s site shows each course’s expiration date.

Who Takes the Test

Each parent who must take the course also takes its test. Under section 61.21, that means all parties to a divorce with minor children.

It also means the parties to a paternity case that involves parental responsibility. In a case to change a parenting plan or time-sharing schedule, the judge may require the course.

Parents do not have to take the course together. Each parent works through the lessons, takes the test and gets a certificate. The rule says a certificate “shall be distributed to each participant” who finishes and passes.

What the Test Is Based On

The test follows the lessons, and the lessons follow a set outline. Every approved course must cover eight parts, from divorce as loss to parenting time. Abuse and neglect information is required in every course too.

So you can expect the test to draw on that material. The exact questions are up to the provider. See what the course covers for the full outline.

Questions Parents Ask About the Test

This table gives the official answer to each common question, with the rule behind it.

Question about the end-of-course test	Official answer	Where it comes from
Does every course end with one?	Yes	Rule 65C-32.004(1)
How many questions does it have?	No official number	Not set by any rule
What score earns a certificate?	At least 70 percent	Rule 65C-32.004(3)
How many tries are allowed?	No limit	Rule 65C-32.004(2)
Is there a charge to try again?	No added fee allowed	Rule 65C-32.004(2)(b)
Does it count toward the 4 hours?	Yes	Rule 65C-32.002(1)

Steps to find out about your Florida parenting course end of course test before you enroll, from the DCF list to the certificate — Florida Parenting Course End of Course Test: How Many Questions? 3

How to Find Out Before You Enroll

You can learn the details of a test before you pay. Use these steps:

Check DCF approval. Find the course on DCF’s provider list and note the expiration date.
Read the course page. A provider may describe its test there.
Ask the provider. Ask how many questions there are, and how a retake works.
Ask about language. The DCF list shows the languages each course is offered in.
Check your court. Make sure your court accepts the course format before you start.

The last step matters for online courses. The Fourth Judicial Circuit (Duval, Clay and Nassau) requires an in-person class from a local list.

How the Test Fits the 4-Hour Minimum

The test sits inside the course time. Rule 65C-32.002 says the course is at least 4 hours, “including the time required for instruction, participant exercises and an end of course test.”

Online courses must have a way to stop anyone from finishing in under 4 hours. So a short test does not shorten the course. A long test does not add a set amount of time either, because the rule sets only the minimum.

If you need a retake, plan for a little more time. See how long the course takes.

Who Reviews Missed Answers

In a classroom, the instructor goes over what you missed. Rule 65C-32.002 sets who may teach.

An instructor needs a bachelor’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, education or a related field, plus two years of related work. Four years of related work also qualifies.

Online, the course itself points you to the section to review. You can still reach an instructor, who must answer content questions within one business day.

Identity Checks and the Test

Rule 65C-32.002 also says every course must include a way to verify who is taking it. The rule does not say how. A provider might check at sign-up, during the lessons or at the test.

This matters because the certificate goes to the parent who passed. Ask your provider how its course checks identity.

Where the Test Sits in Your Case Timeline

The test is one step in a short window. Section 61.21(5) says each party should begin the course “as expeditiously as possible.” The petitioner must finish within 45 days after filing, and the other party within 45 days after service.

Here is a simple example. If a petition is filed on March 1, day 45 for the petitioner falls on April 15. The lessons, the test and any retakes all need to fit before that day.

Some circuits add their own steps. The Seventh Circuit’s order, for example, asks parties to enroll within 20 days and finish within 45 days. Check your own court’s order for any local step.

After the Test: The Certificate

A passing score leads to the certificate of completion. Rule 65C-32.004 says it shows the course name, the provider’s name and contact information, the curriculum name if any, and the dates you began and finished. Providers must be able to confirm a certificate is real and keep copies for five years.

Then you file proof with the court before the final judgment. The petitioner must finish within 45 days after filing the petition, and the other party within 45 days after service. For the filing side, see how to get your certificate.

What We Found on the Official Pages

On the statute and DCF rule pages we checked on October 26, 2026, no source set a number of test questions. Rule 65C-32.004 still set the 70 percent mark and unlimited attempts, as amended effective June 5, 2016.

DCF’s course page, updated April 8, 2026, said the courses are “a minimum of 4 hours.” It did not describe the test.

Summary card of what DCF rule 65C-32.004 fixes for every Florida parenting course test, and the one thing it leaves to providers — Florida Parenting Course End of Course Test: How Many Questions? 4

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Each point comes from section 61.21 or a DCF rule:

Treating one site’s number as a state rule. No official source sets a count.
Comparing courses by test length. The bar is 70 percent in every approved course.
Paying again to retake. Providers may not charge extra for the added time or teaching.
Picking a course before checking DCF approval. Look up the course and its expiration date.
Assuming the test ends the job. You still file proof with the court before the final judgment.

How Requirements Can Vary

Section 61.21 of the Florida Statutes sets the course requirement for the whole state, and DCF approves the courses. Each judicial circuit can still add its own steps, such as how to file the certificate or which class formats it accepts. The Fourth Circuit (Duval, Clay and Nassau counties), for example, requires an in-person class.

Laws, court orders and local rules can change. Check your court’s instructions, your county clerk’s website and DCF’s provider list before you enroll or file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a test at the end of the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course?

Yes. DCF rule 65C-32.004 requires an end-of-course test in every approved course. It counts toward the 4-hour minimum.

How many questions are on the Florida parenting class test?

No Florida law or DCF rule sets a number. Each provider builds its own test, so ask the provider or check its course page.

What score do I need to pass?

At least 70 percent. That mark is set by DCF rule, not by the provider.

Is the test the same at every provider?

No. Each provider writes its own course and test. The DCF rules on passing, retakes and fees apply to all of them.

What if I do not pass on the first try?

You review the material you missed and try again. Attempts are unlimited, and providers may not charge extra for the added time.

Does a longer test mean a longer course?

Not by rule. The rule sets a 4-hour minimum that includes the test. A retake can add time beyond that.

Do both parents take the same test?

Each parent takes the course and its test, and each gets a certificate. Parents do not have to take the course together.

Who writes the test questions?

The provider that builds the course writes its test. DCF approves the course but does not publish a state test or a question bank.

Conclusion

The Florida parenting course end of course test has no official question count, so ask your provider about its own test. DCF does set the 70 percent mark, unlimited tries and a review before each retake. You can start with DivorceParentingClass.net’s online Florida parent education course once you confirm that your court accepts an online course.

Sources

Billy Forte is the owner of DivorceParentingClass.net.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Court rules, local practice, and case facts can differ by county, judge, and case type in Florida. Use official court and state sources, and consult a qualified Florida family law attorney for legal guidance specific to your case.