Florida Parenting Class Requirement: Who Takes It and When

Updated October 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte

Yes, you must take a Florida parenting class if you are a party to a divorce with minor children or to a paternity case about parental responsibility, because section 61.21 requires the DCF-approved Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course. The parent who files has 45 days after filing, the other parent has 45 days after service, and each one files proof before the final judgment. Only the court can excuse a parent, and some circuits, such as Miami-Dade and Duval, add their own rules.

Key Facts

Who: all parties to a divorce with minor children, and parties to a paternity case about parental responsibility. See who must take it.
When: the filing parent has 45 days from filing, and the served parent has 45 days from service. See deadlines.
Proof: each parent files proof with the court before the final judgment. See proof.
Excusal: only the court can excuse a parent, for good cause. See waivers.
Local rules: Miami-Dade adds a children’s class; Duval, Clay and Nassau require in-person classes. See local rules.

The Florida Parenting Class Requirement at a Glance

The requirement comes from section 61.21, Florida Statutes. The official name of the course is the Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course. People also call it the Florida parenting class or the divorce parenting class.

Here is the whole rule in one table:

Question	Short answer	Where it comes from
Who approves the course?	The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF)	Section 61.21(2)
Who must take it?	All parties to a divorce with minor children; parties to a paternity case about parental responsibility	Section 61.21(4)(a)
What about later changes to time-sharing?	The court may require it	Section 61.21(6)
How long is it?	At least 4 hours, test included	DCF rule 65C-32.002
When is it due?	45 days after filing or service	Section 61.21(5)
What must be filed?	Proof of completion, before the final judgment	Section 61.21(5)
Who can excuse it?	Only the court, for good cause	Section 61.21(4)(b)

Who Must Take It

Section 61.21(4)(a) names two groups. The first is “all parties to a dissolution of marriage proceeding with minor children.” The second is the parties to “a paternity action that involves issues of parental responsibility.”

“All parties” means both parents, not just the one who files. In a case that changes a parenting plan or time-sharing schedule, the court may also require the course. Our guide on who has to take the course covers every case type.

Two related questions have their own guides:

Uncontested divorces. The statute has no exception for them. See the uncontested divorce guide.
Paternity and time-sharing cases. The deadlines start at different events. See the paternity and time-sharing guide.

Children With Special Needs

The statute adds one more rule about the course itself. If the children have identified special needs or emotional concerns, the parents must select a course built for those needs.

DCF keeps a separate special-needs list. A judge may also order extra courses on these needs under section 61.21(12).

By When

Section 61.21(5) sets the deadlines:

Petitioner. Finish “within 45 days after the filing of the petition.”
Other party. Finish “within 45 days after service of the petition.”
Paternity, other party. Finish within 45 days after an acknowledgment of paternity, an adjudication of paternity, or an order granting time-sharing or support.

Each parent should also “begin the course as expeditiously as possible.” Whether a course taken before filing counts depends on your circuit. Our timing guide explains the clock and the local differences.

Five questions that walk a Florida parent through the parenting class requirement — Florida Parenting Class Requirement: Who Takes It and When 3

Proof Before the Final Judgment

Finishing is one step, and filing is another. Section 61.21(5) says “each party … shall file proof of compliance … with the court prior to the entry of the final judgment.”

The provider issues the certificate. Under DCF rule 65C-32.004, each parent who finishes the 4 hours and scores at least 70 percent gets one. Your clerk’s instructions tell you how to file it.

Can It Be Waived or Skipped?

Only by the court. Section 61.21(4)(b) says the court “may excuse a party from attending the parenting course, or from completing the course within the required time, for good cause.” The statute does not define good cause.

Parents cannot waive it for each other, even if they agree on everything. Two guides cover this:

Can the requirement be waived? explains excusal and local waiver rules.
Do parents who agree still need it? explains why agreement does not remove it.

What Happens If You Miss It

The final judgment waits for proof. Section 61.21(9) also lets the court hold a parent who fails to attend in contempt, deny shared parental responsibility or time-sharing, or impose other sanctions.

Some circuits add more. The Ninth Circuit’s order 07-98-37-01 says failure may lead to dismissal or striking of pleadings. See what happens if you skip the course.

What the Course Is

The course is education for parents, approved by DCF. Its core rules apply in every circuit:

Length. DCF rule 65C-32.002 sets a minimum of 4 hours, including instruction, exercises and the end-of-course test.
Content. DCF rule 65C-32.003 lists eight required parts, from divorce as loss to parenting time.
Test. At least 70 percent to pass, with unlimited attempts.
Limits. It is not therapy, and providers may not give individual legal advice.
Privacy. What you say in the course stays out of the case unless the parties agree in writing.

Parents do not have to take it together. The court can bar joint attendance if there is a history of domestic violence.

Why Florida Requires It

The statute gives its own reasons. The Legislature found that children of divorcing parents can suffer lasting harm, especially from long conflict. It also found that parents benefit from early education about the court process, emotional adjustment and community resources.

Our guide on why the class is required explains those findings.

Local Rules Add Steps

Section 61.21 applies statewide, but circuits can add to it. These official sources show the range:

Miami-Dade. The Eleventh Circuit says parents must finish “before a divorce is granted.” Its FAQ adds a 3½-hour class for children aged 6 to 17.
Duval, Clay, Nassau. The Fourth Circuit’s standing order calls for a qualified in-person program. Its FAQ says, “YOU MUST REGISTER FOR ONE OF THE FOLLOWING IN-CLASS PARENTING CLASSES.” The same FAQ answer also points to DCF’s local and online list, so ask Family Court Services.
Orange, Osceola. The Ninth Circuit’s order has each party give a certificate to the Clerk.
Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, Volusia. The Seventh Circuit’s order FM-2024-016-SC sets a 20-day enrollment step.

Online or In Person?

State law tells DCF to approve a statewide internet course and a correspondence course, at a minimum. DCF’s rules then set standards for online courses, including a lock that stops anyone from finishing in under 4 hours.

But the law does not make every court accept them. The Fourth Circuit requires an in-person class. Before you choose a format, check your court’s instructions and the DCF provider list.

If You Already Took a Course

The statute does not say whether a course from an earlier case counts. Local rules fill that gap in different ways. The Seventh Circuit exempts parties who already completed a course and filed certificates.

Separately, the Ninth Circuit’s order says certificates from out-of-state providers “may be accepted by the Court.” Neither rule applies statewide, so ask your own court before you rely on an older course.

Fees for Each Parent

Section 61.21(7) allows “a reasonable fee” for each parent who attends. No state law sets a price, so fees vary by provider.

DCF must list at least one sliding-fee site in each circuit, if available. Providers also may not charge extra for the time needed to pass the test. Our guide on what the class costs covers fees in depth.

Your Checklist

Once you know the rule applies, the to-do list is short. You choose an approved course, read your court’s rules, complete it on time, reach 70 percent, and get the certificate into the court file.

The course checklist for divorce with children walks through each step.

Florida Requirement Guides in This Series

Each guide covers one question in depth:

Who has to take the course: divorce, paternity, modification and special needs.
When to take it: the start rule, the 45-day clocks and filing before judgment.
What happens if you skip it: sanctions and a blocked judgment.
Uncontested divorces: why there is no exception.
Parents who agree: why agreement is not a waiver.
Waivers: good cause and local orders.
Paternity and time-sharing: other case types and their deadlines.
Why it is required: the Legislature’s findings.
The course checklist: ten steps from choosing to filing.

What We Found on the Official Pages

On the DCF and court pages checked on October 26, 2026, DCF’s parent page said the courses are “a minimum of 4 hours.” Section 61.21 was last amended in 2021, and DCF’s course rules took effect in 2016.

The Fourth Circuit was the only circuit in this review with an in-person rule. Miami-Dade was the only one with a children’s class.

The Florida parenting class requirement in numbers, from 4 hours to 45 days — Florida Parenting Class Requirement: Who Takes It and When 4

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Each item comes from section 61.21, a DCF rule or a court page:

Thinking only one parent takes it. “All parties” means both.
Forgetting paternity cases. They are covered when parental responsibility is at issue.
Missing your own date. Filing and service start different clocks.
Finishing but not filing. Proof must reach the court before judgment.
Agreeing to skip it. Only the court can excuse a parent.
Choosing online without checking. The Fourth Circuit requires in-person classes.

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

Do I have to take a parenting class to get divorced in Florida?

Yes, if you have minor children. Section 61.21 requires all parties to a divorce with minor children to complete the course before the final judgment.

When do I have to finish the class?

The petitioner has 45 days after filing. The other parent has 45 days after service. Each one files proof before the final judgment.

Do both parents have to take it?

Yes. “All parties” includes both parents. They do not have to attend together.

Can the court excuse me?

Yes, but only for good cause. The statute gives that power to the court alone, and parents cannot waive it by agreement.

Is the class required in a paternity case?

Yes, when the case involves parental responsibility. The other party’s deadline starts at different events than in a divorce.

Can I take the class online?

Florida law requires an online option, but not every court accepts it. The Fourth Circuit (Duval, Clay, Nassau) requires an in-person class, so check your court’s instructions first.

Who approves the class?

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). Its provider list shows the approved courses, and a separate list covers special-needs courses.

Conclusion

The Florida parenting class is required for both parents in a divorce with minor children and for the parties to a paternity case about parental responsibility, with 45 days to finish and proof due before the final judgment. Check your circuit for local rules, such as Miami-Dade’s children’s class or Duval’s in-person rule. You can take DivorceParentingClass.net’s online Florida parent education course, but first 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.