California CLE Requirements
California attorneys must complete 25 hours of MCLE credit hours during their 3-year reporting period. Specialty requirements are as follows:
- 4 hours of legal ethics.
- 2 hours dealing with the elimination of bias in the legal profession, including 1 hour focusing on implicit bias and bias-reducing strategies.
- 2 hours must address competence, including 1 hour of prevention and detection.
- 1 hour covering technology in the practice of law.
- 1 hour covering civility.
Key Points:
- Credit Calculation: 60 minutes = 1 credit hour
- Participatory Requirement: At least 12.5 hours must come from approved participatory activities, which include live in-person education, and live webinars/on-demand courses in which the provider verifies attendance.
- Self-Study: Up to 12.5 credits may be claimed in a reporting period.
- Exemptions: Inactive and exempt members may be able to reduce their hours required. See the California MCLE proportional requirements for more information.
- Specialty Credit: Certified specialists must file a separate report certifying they have completed 36 hours of Legal Specialist Continuing Legal Education in their reporting period.
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Reporting Groups: Groups are divided into 3 groups by last name.
- Group 1: (Last Names A-G)
- Group 2: (Last Names H-M)
- Group 3: (Last Names N-Z)
How to Track & Report California CLE Credits
- Attorneys are responsible for tracking their hours and reporting to the State Bar of California every 3 years.
- Filing Deadline: Click here to see the current compliance groups and deadlines.
- In the event of an audit, retain completion certificates and records of self-study activities.
Special Rules: Out-of-State Programs & Reciprocity
- If you do not reside in California, you may still claim credit for in-person programs completed outside of the state as long as the program is accredited in an approved jurisdiction. See a list of approved reciprocity jurisdictions here.
- Live webinars, on-demand programs, and other online courses taken while residing in the state of California must be approved in California.
Qualifying Ethics Topics
- Professional Responsibility
- California Rules of Professional Conduct
- ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct
- Elimination of Bias
- Sexual Harassment Awareness and Prevention
- Implicit Bias and Bias-reducing Strategies
- Prevention and Detection of Mental Health Issues and Substance Abuse
- Practical Strategies for Managing Mental Health, Stress and Wellbeing in the Legal Profession
- Technology in the Practice of Law
- Civility in the Legal Profession
- California CLE Accreditation Guidelines
- General MCLE courses must contain significant professional content and relate directly to the practice of law. (Rule 3.601)
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Accepted topics include:
- The practice of law
- Litigation
- Management of a solo law practice
- Management of a law firm or corporate legal department
- The management of client trust accounts
- Law firm finances
- Attorney-client communications
- Case management
- Effective calendaring
- The avoidance of malpractice
- Opportunities to participate in pro bono legal services
- The presenter must have significant professional or academic experience in the subject taught.
- For courses over one hour, substantive written materials must accompany the activity.
- Single activity providers (SAP) must submit applications for each course they plan on offering.
- Multiple activity providers (MAP) have a proven track record with the California State Bar and do not need to submit individual activities. Multiple activity providers must renew their status every two years.
Participatory MCLE Guidelines
- MCLE Provider must verify attendance by tracking sign-in activity and maintaining records of attendance.
- The provider must supply a certificate of attendance to attendees who have completed the course.
- The provider must deliver the attendance records to the California State Bar within 60 days of the course.
- Collect an evaluation of the course and provide it to the California State Bar if requested.
Self-Study MCLE Guidelines
- No attendance tracking requirement.
- The material must be produced within the last 5 years.
- Open or closed book tests that have been graded by a provider and furnished with the correct answers.
- Author written materials that contribute to the legal education of the author that are not prepared in the normal scope of work and are published or accepted for publication.
Key California CLE Deadlines
- Complete 25 credits, including specialty credits by March 29th every three years.
- Report compliance by the following day online through your state bar profile.
- Self-Study credit Limit: 12.5 credits
- Retention: In the event of an audit, retain your completion certificates, self-study records, and proof of exemption if applicable for one year.
- MCLE Audit: If requested, complete your audit by the date indicated in your official notice. Failure to do so by the deadline will result in a 60-day notice to comply and a penalty. Inaction will result in being placed on not eligible to practice status or administrative inactive status.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I earn all 25 California CLE hours through online programs?
Yes—There is no cap on participatory programs that take place online.
Q: Does California accredit CLE Providers or specific programs?
Yes— Single activity providers(SAP) submit each individual program in advance. Multiple activity providers(MAP) have been approved to offer multiple courses through their experience and proven record with the California State Bar. Trial Guides is a MAP provider.
Q: What counts as participatory credit in California?
A course where the provider verifies participation via tracking sign-in information, maintains attendance records, and supplies a certificate of attendance. Live education can be in-person or virtual.
Q: If I earn more than the required 25 hours, can I carry the credits forward?
No—California does not allow for carry over CLE credit.
Q: How long do I need to maintain my compliance records?
Keep records for at least one year from the date your report is due. Maintain records in the event of an audit.
Q: Does California accept self-study CLE Credit?
Yes— Limited to 12.5 credits a reporting period.
Q: Do new attorneys have any special requirements?
Yes— Newly licensed California attorneys must complete the New Attorney Training Program by the last day of the month on the one-year anniversary of becoming licensed.
Enroll in Accredited California CLE Programs Today
- Complete your 25 required California CLE credits today
- Live interactive webinars & convenient on-demand sessions
- Certificates available instantly for reporting
- Trial Guides is an approved multiple activity provider
- Listed live webinars and on-demand CLE courses count towards your participatory California CLE requirement