CLE Requirements by State
49
states + DC require mandatory CLE (Wisconsin exempt)
15-30
typical annual CLE hour requirements
2-4
ethics hours required annually in most states
Major State CLE Requirements
California
Total Hours: 25
Ethics Hours: 4
Period: Every 3 years
Deadline: Last day of birth month in compliance period
Special Requirements:
- Legal Ethics: 4 hours
- Elimination of Bias: 1 hour
- Substance Abuse: 1 hour
Carryover Policy:
Up to 12.5 hours to next period
New York
Total Hours: 24
Ethics Hours: 4
Period: Every 2 years
Deadline: July 1 of compliance period end
Special Requirements:
- Professional Practice: 4 hours
- Law Practice Management: 1 hour
- Diversity/Inclusion: 1 hour
Carryover Policy:
Up to 6 hours to next period
Texas
Total Hours: 15
Ethics Hours: 3
Period: Annual
Deadline: Last day of birth month
Special Requirements:
- Legal Ethics: 3 hours minimum
Carryover Policy:
Up to 7.5 hours to next year
Florida
Total Hours: 30
Ethics Hours: 5
Period: Every 3 years
Deadline: June 30 of compliance year
Special Requirements:
- Ethics: 5 hours
- Technology: 3 hours
- Mental Health/Substance Abuse: 3 hours
Carryover Policy:
Up to 15 hours to next period
Illinois
Total Hours: 20
Ethics Hours: 4
Period: Every 2 years
Deadline: June 30 of compliance year
Special Requirements:
- Professional Responsibility: 4 hours
Carryover Policy:
Up to 10 hours to next period
Pennsylvania
Total Hours: 12
Ethics Hours: 2
Period: Annual
Deadline: April 30
Special Requirements:
- Ethics: 2 hours minimum
Carryover Policy:
Up to 6 hours to next year
CLE Program Categories
Ethics and Professional Responsibility
Required in all states with CLE requirements
Common Topics:
- Model Rules of Professional Conduct
- Client confidentiality and attorney-client privilege
- Conflicts of interest identification and management
- Trust account management and IOLTA compliance
- Advertising and solicitation regulations
Substantive Law Updates
Practice area specific legal developments
Common Topics:
- Recent case law and statutory changes
- Federal and state court rule updates
- Practice area specialization requirements
- Regulatory compliance updates
- Emerging legal trends and issues
Skills and Practice Management
Professional development and law firm operations
Common Topics:
- Technology and cybersecurity for law firms
- Client development and communication skills
- Time management and efficiency improvement
- Mental health and wellness programs
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion training
Non-Compliance Consequences
Potential Penalties:
- • Administrative suspension of law license
- • Late fees and reinstatement costs
- • Public disciplinary records
- • Additional CLE requirements for reinstatement
- • Prohibition from practicing law until compliance
Important: CLE suspensions are often published in legal publications and may be discoverable by clients and opposing counsel.
CLE Delivery Methods and Providers
Delivery Methods:
- • Live Seminars: In-person conferences and workshops
- • Webinars: Real-time online presentations
- • Self-Study: Online courses and written materials
- • Audio/Video: Recorded presentations and podcasts
- • Law School Teaching: Credit for teaching law courses
- • Legal Writing: Authoring legal publications
Major CLE Providers:
- • State and local bar associations
- • American Bar Association (ABA)
- • Practicing Law Institute (PLI)
- • National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA)
- • Specialty bar organizations
- • Law schools and universities
CLE Planning and Tracking Best Practices
Planning Strategies:
- • Create annual CLE calendar at start of compliance period
- • Complete ethics hours early in compliance period
- • Attend practice area specific programs regularly
- • Take advantage of free bar association programs
- • Plan for both substantive law and skills development
Record Keeping:
- • Maintain certificates for all completed programs
- • Track hours by category (ethics, substantive, skills)
- • Set calendar reminders for compliance deadlines
- • Keep backup copies of all CLE documentation
- • Use state bar online tracking systems when available
Alternative Compliance and Exemptions
Common Exemptions:
- • New admittees (typically first 1-2 years)
- • Inactive or retired status attorneys
- • Military service members on active duty
- • Attorneys serving as full-time judges
- • Hardship exemptions (medical, financial)
Special Programs:
- • Pro bono service credit (some states)
- • Law school teaching credit
- • Legal writing and publication credit
- • Bar examination grading credit
- • Mentoring program participation