Basic Skills Course Requirement (BSCR) FAQ

Young lawyers, earn your Basic Skills course requirements with these new courses up now! Young lawyers are required to complete three basic level courses (or 21 hours of basic level programming) within the first three years of admission to The Florida Bar. Don’t miss out! Stay on track!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is considered a young lawyer of The Florida Bar?

All Florida Bar members in good standing under the age of 36 and all members in good standing who have not been admitted to the practice of law in any jurisdiction for more than 5 years is a member of the Young Lawyers Division (Rule 1.9.1 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar).

What is the Basic Skills Course Requirement (BSCR)?

The BSCR was established to help ensure that all attorneys begin their legal careers with a thorough and practical understanding of the law.  All members of the YLD must complete the BSCR unless otherwise exempt or qualify for deferment status.

What courses count toward completion of the BSCR?

There two phases to the BSCR (Rule 6-12.3).  They are:

Phase I: Completion of Practicing with Professionalism (PWP) within the first year of admission to The Florida Bar.

Phase II: Completion of 3 basic level programs (or 21 hours of basic level programming) within the first three years of admission to The Florida Bar. Basic level courses that satisfy the BSCR requirement will begin with the term “Basic” in its title (i.e. Basic Criminal Law, Basic Trial Practice, Basic Real Property, etc.), and sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar.

Please Note: The YLD recommends members begin early in completing the BSCR, particularly Phase II.  By completing the required programs incrementally over the course of the three-year reporting period, members can avoid any possible financial hardship that may occur by waiting until the end of the reporting cycle to complete all of the required courses. 

Can the BSCR be completed by taking courses online or by audio downloadable?

Yes. All BSCR courses are offered exclusive online or by downloadable audio.  There are no live programs current planned.  All courses should be completed online through the InReach platform (https://tfb.inreachce.com).

Please note: Online courses are not posted automatically. A Member must post their CLE credits to their member profile, using the course reference number or report credit directly to the LSE Department. Please send your email to clemail@floridabar.org.

Can members complete the BSCR by watching a DVD or listening to a CD?

NO. Because Rule 6-12 of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar requires the Board of Legal Specialization and Education (BLSE) to monitor compliance of the basic skills course requirement, only completion of the online/downloadable audio versions of these courses count toward completion of the BSCR.

Where can I find the online/downloadable courses for PWP and Basic Courses?

All online / downloadable courses can be found on the 24/7 On Demand Catalog of Courses at https://tfb.inreachce.com.  Practicing with Professionalism can be found under the subject area entitled “PWP”. Basic level courses are under the subject area entitled “Basic Courses”. Phase II of the BSCR may be satisfied by completing 3 seven-hour basic level programs or 21 one-hour basic level segments, or any combination of the two, as long as the member completes 21 hours of basic level programming.

Are ALL newly admitted members to The Florida Bar considered members of the Young Lawyers Division?

No, not all newly admitted members to The Florida Bar are considered members of the YLD. Newly admitted members 36 years and over AND who have been admitted to the practice of law for more than 5 years in another state are NOT considered members of the YLD.

Do newly admitted members 36 years old or older who have been practicing in another state for more than 5 years required to complete the BSCR?

ALL newly admitted members to The Florida Bar, regardless of age and/or years of practice in other states, must complete Practicing with Professionalism within their first year of admission.  However, lawyers 36 and older, who have been practicing for more than 5 years in another state ARE NOT required to complete Phase II of the BSCR.  These members are, however, required to submit a BSCR Exemption Form (https://www.floridabar.org/member/cle/general-cle-info-and-requirements/bscr-forms/bscr-exemption-request/)  attesting to their years of practice in another state.  The BSCR Exemption Form can be found on the CLE Page of The Florida Bar website and clicking the button “General CLE Info & Requirements”.