For lawyers who practice in multiple states, it can be difficult to keep track of the Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements for each state that they represent. States have different requirements for Continuing Legal Education, and attorneys have multiple options on how they can fulfill their CLE requirements.

In this blog post, we will provide a complete guide  of CLE requirements by state, including US territories. Destination CLEs provides these required credits in the Eduvacations℠ of their Destinations, which allows you to meet your CLE requirements while on a relaxing vacation in a beautiful location. Click here to book your next getaway with Destination CLEs!

What is CLE?

CLEs, also known in some states as Mandatory CLEs, are additional education programs for lawyers who are already admitted to their state bar. These programs help practicing lawyers to stay updated with the current legal trends and ensure that they can keep their license.

Different states have different CLE requirements. As an example, some states may require in-person CLE credits while others have online completion options, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some states require courses on specific topics such as mental health issues and substance abuse, while most usually recommend hours of ethics and professional responsibility. Even the deadline of completing CLEs vary by date in different states.

Minimum CLE Requirements per State

Alabama CLE Requirements

In Alabama, lawyers who have passed the bar are required to complete a three-hour course in professionalism. This should be completed within the first 12 months upon admission to the state bar.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 12 hours annually

• Participation Options:            (1) Half of the 12 hours must be earned through in-person Alabama State Bar or ABS-approved programs (2) The other half can be online or remote program completions

• Special Requirements:           1 hour on Ethics or Professionalism

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://www.alabar.org/cle/

Alaska CLE Requirements

Alaska attorneys have a 3-hour Mandatory Ethics CLE requirement and encourage an additional 9 credit hours of Voluntary CLE.

• CLE Hours Required:              3 Ethics hours annually

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person seminars, webinars, remote programs

• Special Requirements:           3 hours on Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://alaskabar.org/cle-mcle/

Arizona CLE Requirements

New Arizona lawyers admitted between July to December are only required 10 total hours of CLE credits where 2 hours of the 10 must be on ethics or professional responsibility. Within 12 months upon admission, new lawyers are required to complete a one-time professionalism course.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 15 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person programs (2) Online interactive programs (3) Self-study programs maximum of 5 hours, reading is not considered as self-study

• Special Requirements:           3 hours on Ethics or Professional responsibility

• Compliance Deadline:            June 30^th

• Official Website:                       https://www.azbar.org/MCLE

Arkansas CLE Requirements

Arkansas lawyers who are speakers during CLE programs or courses also receive CLE credit hours.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 12 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person programs (2) Online programs (3) Speaker or panelist

• Special Requirements:           1 hour on Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            June 30^th

• Official Website:                       https://www.arkbar.com/cle

California CLE Requirements

California lawyers are normally assigned by their last names into groups. These groups have their own compliance deadline.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 25 hours every 3 years

• Participation Options:            (1) Half of the 25 hours must be participatory activities (2) Participatory activities can be in-person, online, or through electronic media like CDs (3) The other half can be self-study including taking assessment tests after an online course or preparing written materials for a legal course or book

• Special Requirements:           (1) 4 hours of Ethics (2) 1 hour on Competence issues (3) 1 hour of “Recognition and Elimination of Bias in the Legal Profession and Society”

• Compliance Deadline:            Depending on group inclusion (through last names)

• Official Website: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys/MCLE-CLE/Requirements

Colorado CLE Requirements

Aside from CLE credit hours, lawyers in Colorado also can be credited a maximum of 9 CLE hours for pro bono legal representations. This uncompensated pro bono work should be offered to indigent or near-indigent persons.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 45 hours every 3 years

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person programs (2) On-demand pre-recorded programs (3) Independent study

• Special Requirements:     An update starting January 1, 2023, the 7 hours professional responsibility course should include (1) at least 2 credit hours of equity, diversity, and inclusivity courses and (2) at least 5 credit hours of legal ethics or professionalism courses.

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website: https://coloradosupremecourt.com/Current%20Lawyers/CLENewAtty.asp

Connecticut CLE Requirements

If a Connecticut lawyer writes articles in legal publications, this can be counted as CLE credit hours. Attorneys may also get CLE credits if they serve as full-time, part-time, or adjunct faculty members only at law schools that the American Bar Association accredited. Connecticut lawyers may also teach legal seminars and courses as a way to get CLE credit hours.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 12 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person seminars (2) Online or recorded courses (3) Self-study through CLE provider materials

• Special Requirements:           2 hours of Ethics or Professionalism

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://www.jud.ct.gov/mcle/MCLE_FAQs.htm

Delaware CLE Requirements

CLE live or in-person attendance is currently waived until December 31, 2022. The required 12-hour credit rule for live participation is substituted with long-distance learning. There are also several required courses for new attorneys wherein they can choose 2 from the 5: Fundamentals of Family Law; Fundamentals of Real Estate; Fundamentals of Civil Litigation; Fundamentals of Will Drafting and Estate Administration; and Fundamentals of Law Practice Management and Technology. Fundamentals of Lawyer-Client Relations is another required course.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 24 hours every 2 years

• Participation Options:            (1) Online live seminars (2) Video viewing or on-demand courses

• Special Requirements:           4 hours of Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://www.dsba.org/cle/

Florida CLE Requirements

Florida lawyers may also earn CLE credits through lectures of approved CLE programs; being a program leader or panel member during CLE seminars; getting published in a professional publication or journal; teach law school courses, and law school or graduate law school attendance.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 33 hours every 3 years

• Participation Options:            (1) Live webcasts or 24/7 on-demand courses (2) Self-study through DVDs

• Special Requirements:           (1) 5 hours of ethics, professionalism, substance abuse, mental illness awareness, or bias elimination (2) 3 hours of technology (3) 1 hour of professionalism

• Compliance Deadline:            Depends on the assigned date

• Official Website:                       https://www.floridabar.org/member/cle/

Georgia CLE Requirements

There have been changes with Georgia’s CLE in-person requirement on October 22, 2021, wherein lawyers are no longer required to attend in-person seminars.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 12 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) On-demand webcasts (2) Long-distance learning options

• Special Requirements:           (1) 1 hour of Ethics (2) 1 hour of Professionalism (3) 3 hours of trials as applicable to trial lawyers only

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website: https://www.gabar.org/membership/cle/index.cfm

Hawaii CLE Requirements

Newly admitted Hawaii lawyers are required to complete Hawaii Professionalism Course.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 3 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person activities (2) Teaching professional or judicial education courses or activities (3) Getting published in a bar journal or review (4) Live seminars or webcasts (5) Self-study

• Special Requirements:           1 hour of Ethics or Professionalism

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://hsba.org/

Idaho CLE Requirements

Within the year upon admission, new lawyers are required to complete 10 CLE hours on courses such as ethics, community property, and civil and criminal procedures.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 30 hours every 3 years

• Participation Options:            (1) Self-study of no more than 15 credit hours of 30 hours (2) Published legal writing of no more than 6 credit hours of 30 hours (3) In-person participation (4) Webinars or on-demand courses

• Special Requirements:           3 hours of Ethics or Professional Responsibility

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://isb.idaho.gov/licensing-mcle/

Illinois CLE Requirements

New Illinois attorneys are required to complete the Basic Skills Course aside from the Commission on Professionalism’s mentoring program. They are also required to finish 9 hours of professional responsibility credits.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 30 hours every 2 years

• Participation Options:            (1) Live Webcasts (2) In-person courses (3) On-demand programs

• Special Requirements:           (1) 4 hours of Professional Responsibility out of 30 hours (2) 1 hour of Diversity and Inclusion out of 30 hours (3) 1 hour of Mental Health and Substance Abuse out of 30 hours

• Compliance Deadline:            June 30^th

• Official Website:                       https://www.mcleboard.org/

Indiana CLE Requirements

Attorneys based in Indiana are required to complete 6 hours of the Applied Professionalism program during their first 3-year cycle.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 36 hours every 3 years

• Participation Options:            (1) Distance education of up to 18 hours (2) Live CLE programs (webinars) (3) In-person (suspended until further notice)

• Special Requirements:           3 hours of Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://www.inbar.org/page/cle

Iowa CLE Requirements

To allow attorneys a more affordable option to complete their CLEs, Iowa provides a calendar with free programs.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 15 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) On-demand participation (2) In-person programs

• Special Requirements:           (1) 1 hour of Ethics out of 15 credit hours (2) 1 hour of attorney wellness or diversity and inclusion out of 15 credit hours
• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://www.iowabar.org/page/CLE

Kansas CLE Requirements

Some lawyers licensed in Kansas but are in full-time employment outside of the US can also complete CLE requirements through prerecorded courses.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 12 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) Long-distance learning (2) Pre-recorded programming (3) Online courses limited to 8 hours/day

• Special Requirements:           2 hours of Ethics and Professionalism

• Compliance Deadline:            June 30^th

• Official Website:                       https://www.kscle.org/faq#lawyer8

Kentucky CLE Requirements

Once a Kentucky lawyer has been newly admitted to the bar, s/he is given a year to complete the New Lawyer Program.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 12 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) On-demand programs (2) Self-study audio programs (3) Teleseminar programs (4) In-person conventions

• Special Requirements:           2 hours of Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            June 30^th

• Official Website:                       https://www.kybar.org/page/CLE

Louisiana CLE Requirements

New bar passers are required to complete 8 credit hours on ethics, professionalism, or law practice management within the year of admission.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 12.5 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person conference (2) Webinars (3) Self-study

• Special Requirements:           (1) 1 hour of Ethics (2) 1 hour of Professionalism

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://www.lsba.org/CLE/default.aspx

Maine CLE Requirements

Maine lawyers can check the website https://www.mebaroverseers.org/ for the CLE event calendar that they can use to complete their CLE requirements.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 12 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person seminars of at least 7 credit hours (2) Self-study (3) Online

• Special Requirements:           (1) 1 hour of Ethics and Professionalism (2) 1 hour of Recognition and Avoidance of Harassment and Discriminatory Conduct or Communication

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://www.mainebar.org/page/CLE

Maryland CLE Requirements

Although Maryland attorneys are not required to complete CLE courses, they are still encouraged to do so to be updated with the legal trends.

• CLE Hours Required:              Not Applicable

• Participation Options:            Not Applicable

• Special Requirements:           Not Applicable

• Compliance Deadline:            Not Applicable

• Official Website: https://www.msba.org/events-and-products-catalog/

Massachusetts CLE Requirements

As with Maryland, Massachusetts does not require their lawyers to take CLE courses but newly admitted bar attorneys are required to complete an in-person course for Practicing with Professionalism within the first 18 months of admission.

• CLE Hours Required:              Not Applicable

• Participation Options:            Not Applicable

• Special Requirements:           Not Applicable

• Compliance Deadline:            Not Applicable

• Official Website:                       https://massbar.org/education/cle-requirements

Michigan CLE Requirements

Michigan is also among the few states with no required CLE completions.

• CLE Hours Required:              Not Applicable

• Participation Options:            Not Applicable

• Special Requirements:           Not Applicable

• Compliance Deadline:            Not Applicable

• Official Website: https://www.michbar.org/generalinfo/home/feesFAQ

Minnesota CLE Requirements

Unlike other states, Minnesota does not allow carrying over of CLE credits to the next CLE period if the lawyer has exceeded the 45-hour credit threshold.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 45 hours every 3 years

• Participation Options:            (1) On-demand courses (2) In-person programs

• Special Requirements:           (1) 3 hours of Ethics out of 45 credit hours (2) 2 hours of elimination of bias in the legal profession out of 45 credit hours

• Compliance Deadline:            June 30^th

• Official Website:                       https://www.cle.mn.gov/

Mississippi CLE Requirements

Newly admitted lawyers in Mississippi are required to complete the New Lawyer Program which includes 6 hours of basic skills training and 6 hours of ethics or professionalism course.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 12 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person programs (2) Live webinars (3) On-demand online courses

• Special Requirements:           1 hour of Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            July 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://courts.ms.gov/cle_bccr/cle.php

Missouri CLE Requirements

Missouri offers many options to complete CLE requirements such as attending seminars, publishing in a professional journal (without expecting payment), and self-studying among others.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 15 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) On-demand courses (2) Online courses (3) Self-study up to 6 hours (4) Speaker

• Special Requirements:           (1) 2 hours of Ethics or Professionalism (2) 1 hour of Bias Elimination

• Compliance Deadline:            June 30^th

• Official Website:                       https://mobar.org/

Montana CLE Requirements

Unlike many states, newly admitted lawyers in Montana are not required to complete any courses during their first year of admission.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 15 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person courses (2) Online courses max of 5 hours

• Special Requirements:           2 hours of Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            March 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://www.montanabar.org/

Nebraska CLE Requirements

Should Nebraska lawyers exceed in-person CLE credit hours, the excess can be carried over to the next cycle. However, excess credit hours for online programs are not carried over.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 10 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) Distance learning for a max of 5 hours (2) In-person seminars (3) Live webcast (4) On-demand courses

• Special Requirements:           2 hours of Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://www.nebar.com/page/NSBACLE

Nevada CLE Requirements

It is required for new Nevada lawyers to participate in the mentoring program “Transitioning into Practice.”

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 13 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person programs (2) Online courses (3) Self-study options

• Special Requirements:           (1) 2 hours of Ethics (2) 1 hour of Substance Abuse Programming

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website: https://nvbar.org/events/cle-redistricting-in-nevada/cle/

New Hampshire CLE Requirements

Like in some states, excess CLE credits with a maximum threshold of 12 credit hours can be carried over to the next cycle.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 12 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person programs (2) Live seminars and webcasts (3) Self-study

• Special Requirements:           2 hours of Ethics, professionalism or malpractice/substance abuse/attorney-client dispute prevention

• Compliance Deadline:            June 30^th

• Official Website:                       https://www.nhbar.org/nhbacle/

New Jersey CLE Requirements

New attorneys are required to take 15 hours of 5 of the 9 topics: (1) basic estate administration, (2) basic estate planning, (3) civil or criminal trial preparation, (4) family law practice, (5) real estate closing procedures, (6) trust and business accounting, (7) landlord/tenant practice, (8) municipal court practice, and (9) law office management.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 24 hours every 2 years

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person (2) Distance learning

• Special Requirements:           4 hours of Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website: https://tcms.njsba.com/PersonifyEbusiness/Default.aspx?TabID=1774

New Mexico CLE Requirements

Contrary to the definition of “live,” lawyers may be able to be credited for live participation through teleconferences.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 12 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person, webcast, or online courses for 8 hours (2) Self-study for 4 hours

• Special Requirements:           2 hours of Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            February 1^st

• Official Website:                       https://www.sbnm.org/

New York CLE Requirements

Newly admitted attorneys are required to complete 16 CLE credit hours for Ethics and Professionalism for 3 hours; Lawyer Skills for 6 hours; Law Practice Management and/or Areas of Professional Practice for 7 hours.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 24 hours every 2 years

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person (suspended until June 30, 2022 only) (2) Webcast, (3) On-demand

• Special Requirements:           (1) 4 hours of Ethics (2) 1 hour of Diversity, Inclusion, and Elimination of Bias

• Compliance Deadline:            30 days after the lawyer’s birthday

• Official Website:                       https://nysba.org/cle-programs/

North Carolina CLE Requirements

As a common requirement, new lawyers are required to complete the course Professionalism for New Attorneys (PNA).

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 12 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person seminars (2) On-demand courses

• Special Requirements:           (1) 1 hour of Substance Abuse Course every 3 years (2) 2 hours of Ethics (3) 1 hour of Technology

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://www.nccle.org/

North Dakota CLE Requirements

North Dakota lawyers may receive CLE credits for teaching approved CLE courses.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 45 hours every 3 years

• Participation Options:            (1) Self-study for 15 credit hours (2) In-person courses

• Special Requirements:           3 hours of Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            June 30^th

• Official Website:                       https://www.sband.org/page/cle

Ohio CLE Requirements

Newly admitted lawyers may join mentoring programs that have 9 hours of credit hours.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 24 hours every 2 years

• Participation Options:            (1) Self-study courses (2) In-person programs (3) Online courses

• Special Requirements:           2.5 hours of Conduct (including Ethics, Professionalism, Access to Justice, Substance Abuse, or Mental Health)

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st depending on the lawyer’s last name

• Official Website:                       https://www.ohiobar.org/cle-certification/

Oklahoma CLE Requirements

For lawyers outside of Oklahoma but are licensed in the state, they may still earn credits in any state or country as long as these CLE credits are approved.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 12 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) Self-study programs (2) Online courses (3) On-demand programs

• Special Requirements:           2 hours of Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://www.okmcle.org/requirements

Oregon CLE Requirements

New lawyers are required to complete 15 CLE credits with the breakdown as follows: (1) 9 credits for practical skills which should include 4 credit hours of Oregon Practice and Procedure, (2) 1 credit for Mental Health or Substance Use, and (3) 3 credits for Introductory Access to Justice.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 45 hours every 3 years

• Participation Options:            (1) Online programs (2) Self-study courses (3) In-person courses

• Special Requirements:           (1) 5 hours of Ethics (2) 1 hour of Child and Elder Abuse Reporting (3) 1 hour of Substance Abuse

• Compliance Deadline:            April 30^th

• Official Website:                       https://www.osbar.org/mcle

Pennsylvania CLE Requirements

Though newly admitted lawyers are exempt from completing CLE requirements in the first 2 years, they are then required to complete their CLE credits including the “Bridge the Gap” Program for 4 credit hours.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 12 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) Distance learning (2) In-person or live-online courses for 6 credit hours (3) Pre-recorded courses for 6 credit hours

• Special Requirements:           2 hours of Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            April 30^th, August 31^st, or December 31^st depending on group assignment

• Official Website:                       https://www.pacle.org/

Rhode Island CLE Requirements

Newly admitted Rhode Island attorneys need to complete their “Bridge the Gap” program.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 10 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person courses (2) Online programs

• Special Requirements:           2 hours of Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            June 30^th

• Official Website:                       https://www.courts.ri.gov/

South Carolina CLE Requirements

Should a South Carolina lawyer exceed the required 14 hours CLE credits, a maximum of 14 hours may be credited on the next period.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 14 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person programs (2) Online courses

• Special Requirements:           (1) 2 hours of Ethics (2) 1 hour of Substance Abuse every other year

• Compliance Deadline:            February 28^th

• Official Website:                       https://www.commcle.org/

South Dakota CLE Requirements

As South Dakota does not require CLE, the state still provides sessions that are much like attending CLE programs.

• CLE Hours Required:              Not Applicable

• Participation Options:            Not Applicable

• Special Requirements:           Not Applicable

• Compliance Deadline:            Not Applicable

• Official Website: https://www.statebarofsouthdakota.com/continuing-education/

Tennessee CLE Requirements

As with most states that prefer online courses to comply with CLE requirements, Tennessee is also prioritizing live webcasts and on-demand courses.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 15 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) Self-study of 8 hours (2) Online of 15 hours (temporarily)

• Special Requirements:           3 hours of Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://cle.tba.org/

Texas CLE Requirements

New attorneys are required to complete “A Guide to the Basics of Law Practice.”

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 15 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person (limited) (2) Online courses (3) Self-study programs

• Special Requirements:           3 hours of Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            Last day of month preceding lawyer’s birth month

• Official Website:                       https://www.texasbarcle.com/CLE/Home.asp

Utah CLE Requirements

The New Lawyer Training Program, the New Lawyer Ethics Program, and about 12 hours of general CLE credits are required for new lawyers within the first 2 years upon bar admission.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 24 hours every 2 years

• Participation Options:            (1) Online courses (2) Self-study programs

• Special Requirements:           3 hours of Ethics (must relate to professionalism and civility)

• Compliance Deadline:            June 30^th

• Official Website:                       http://utahbar.org/

Vermont CLE Requirements

To better prepare new lawyers, they are required to take 15 CLE credits on Vermont Practice and Procedure aside from a 40-hour mentorship program.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 24 hours every 2 years

• Participation Options:            (1) Online courses (2) Self-study

• Special Requirements:           (1) 2 hours of Ethics (2) 1-hour diversity and inclusion (3) 1-hour attorney wellness

• Compliance Deadline:            June 30^th

• Official Website: https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/attorneys/mandatory-continuing-legal-education

Virginia CLE Requirements

Lawyers newly admitted to the bar are required to complete the Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 12 hours

• Participation Options:            (1) In-person courses (2) Online programs up to 8 hours

• Special Requirements:           2 hours of Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            October 31^st

• Official Website: https://www.vsb.org/site/members/mcle-courses

Washington CLE Requirements

Aside from lawyers, Limited Licensed Legal Technicians (LLLTs) and Limited Practice Officers (LPOs) are required to complete at least 30 hours of CLE requirements every 3 years.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 45 hours every 3 years

• Participation Options:            (1) Self-study programs (2) Online courses (3) In-person seminars

• Special Requirements:           (1) 6 hours of Ethics (2) 15 hours of Law and Legal Procedures

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website: https://www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/wsba-cle

Washington D.C. CLE Requirements

The District of Columbia Bar doesn’t require continuing legal education, but it does highly encourage its members to engage in CLEs in order to maintain their competence to practice law.

• CLE Hours Required:              0

• Official Website: https://www.dcbar.org/for-lawyers/continuing-legal-education/mcle-credit

West Virginia CLE Requirements

The West Virginia State Bar requires new lawyers to complete the “Bridge the Gap” Program they offer within 2 years after admission.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 24 hours every 2 years

• Participation Options:            (1) Online courses (2) Self-study programs

• Special Requirements:           3 hours of Ethics, Law Office Management, Substance Abuse or Bias Elimination

• Compliance Deadline:            June 30^th

• Official Website:                       https://mywvbar.org/mcle

Wisconsin CLE Requirements

If an attorney is more than 15 hours, s/he can carry it over to the next CLE cycle.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 30 hours every 2 years

• Participation Options:            (1) Online courses (2) In-person

• Special Requirements:           3 hours of Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://www.wisbar.org/Pages/default.aspx

Wyoming CLE Requirements

Wyoming does not necessarily require in-person attendance for live credits.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 15 hours

• Participation Options:            1) Online courses of up to 10 hours (2) Teaching (3) In-person

• Special Requirements:           2 hours of Ethics

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://www.wyomingbar.org/cle/

US Territories

Puerto Rico CLE Requirements

Puerto Rico requires that attorneys self-report completion of their CLEs and send certificates to the Continuing Education Board of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. Newly admitted attorneys are not required to complete CLE in their first 3 years after being admitted to the bar.

• CLE Hours Required:              Minimum of 24 hours every 2 years

• Special Requirements:            4 hours of Ethics. If you are a notary you must complete 6 hours of notary law credits.

• Compliance Deadline:             Last day of month preceding birth month

• Official Website:                       https://www.americanbar.org/events-cle/mcle/jurisdiction/puerto-rico/

Guam CLE Requirements

Attorneys in Guam must self-report completed CLE requirements each reporting period.

• CLE Hours Required:             Minimum of 10 hours each year

• Participation Options:            (1) Online courses (2) Self-study programs (3) In-person

• Special Requirements:           2 hours of Legal Ethics or Professionalism

• Compliance Deadline:            December 31^st

• Official Website:                       https://guambar.org/sites/default/files/Rule_re_Mandatory_Continuing_Legal_Education.pdf

US Virgin Islands CLE Requirements

Attorneys in the US Virgin Islands must self-report completed CLE requirements each reporting period.

• CLE Hours Required:                    Minimum of 24 hours in 2 calendar years

• Special Requirements:                  4 hours of Ethics or Professionalism, 4 hours of Virgin Islands Law Programming, 2 hours of Technology Programming, and 1 hour of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Programming

• Compliance Deadline:                    December 31^st

• Official Website:                              https://www.usvibar.org/page/CLE

Northern Mariana Islands CLE Requirements

The Northern Mariana Islands requires that attorneys self-report completed CLE requirements each reporting period.

• CLE Hours Required:                   Minimum of 20 hours every 2 years

• Special Requirements:                  No biennial requirement, but attorneys must complete a course in Professionalism that’s sponsored by both the Commonwealth Supreme Court and CNMI Bar Association

• Compliance Deadline:                   February 15^th of even-numbered years

• Official Website:                     https://cnmibar.com/media/CLE%20Attorney%20Certification%202020-2021.pdf

American Samoa CLE Requirements

American Samoa doesn’t have mandatory continuing legal education credits at this time, but it does highly encourage its members to engage in CLEs in order to maintain their competence to practice law.

• CLE Hours Required:              0

• Official Website:                       https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/LSB10278.pdf

Conclusion

As you can see, the requirements for continuing legal education (CLE) vary from state to state. Make sure you are aware of your specific state’s requirements and plan accordingly.

You don’t want to be caught unprepared and facing disciplinary action because you failed to meet CLE requirements. Stay ahead of the curve by checking with us regularly and join our newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest CLE news.

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