California CLE Requirements

Everything you need to know to stay in compliance


MCLE State

Overview

Required California CLE Credits:

Total credit hours: 25.00 credit hours every 3 years.

A minimum of 12.50 credit hours must be taken as participatory programs.

A maximum of 12.50 credit hours may be taken as self study programs.

California CLE Reporting Deadlines:

Deadline to Complete CLEs: January 31

Reporting Deadline: February 1

Reporting Period: 3 years


Common Questions About California Continuing Legal Education Rules and Regulations

General California Continuing Legal Education Credit Requirements

How many CLE credits do you need in California?

Active status California attorneys must complete 25.00 CLE credits every 3 years to maintain good standing with the State Bar of California.

When is the California CLE reporting deadline?

Attorneys in California must complete all 25.00 required credits by January 31 of their assigned reporting year. Attorneys must report their credits no later than the day following the end of their compliance period.

How long is the California CLE reporting period, and when does mine end?

You are permanently assigned to a compliance group based on the first letter of your last name as it is listed on your admit card. All compliance periods end on January 31, but reporting years vary depending on your assigned compliance group.

  • Compliance Group 1 (Last Names A-G): 2025
  • Compliance Group 2 (Last Names H-M): 2024
  • Compliance Group 3 (Last Names N-Z): 2026

How do I report my California CLE credits?

You must keep track of your own CLE credits and certify compliance with your California CLE requirements by completing an attestation online using your State Bar attorney login or by submitting an MCLE Compliance Form.

NBI will send you a Verified Certificate of Completion for each course you complete with us. Please retain it for your records.

Can I carry over excess CLE credits in California?

No. CLE credit can only be applied to the compliance period in which it is completed. No credits may be carried over.

How many CLE credits can I complete with self-study courses?

You can complete up to 12.50 credits of your CA CLE requirements with self study courses.

You must complete 12.50 credits with courses approved as a participatory activity. A participatory activity may be in-person or online and is an MCLE activity for which the provider must verify attendance.

What are the specialty credit requirements in California?

As part of their 25.00 credits required every 3 years, CA attorneys must complete CLE in the following topics:

Specialty credit may be taken in participatory or self-study format.

Is in-program attendance verification required to receive California CLE credit?

No. In-program attendance verification is not required.

Additional CLE resources for California attorneys

Are you newly admitted to the State Bar of California? Here’s what you need to know:

What are the California CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys?

Newly admitted attorneys in California must complete a State Bar New Attorney Training Program during their first year of admission.

You may have prorated CA CLE requirements for your first reporting period, depending on your date of admission to the State Bar of California.

Can I carry over credits I completed during my first year of practice?

No. CLE credits may not be carried over. However, credits earned from your State Bar New Attorney Training Program count toward your CLE requirement.

When does my first reporting period end?

You are permanently assigned to a compliance group based on the first letter of your last name as it is listed on your admit card. Your first reporting period begins on the first day of the month in which you were admitted. All compliance periods end on January 31, but reporting years vary depending on your assigned compliance group.

  • Compliance Group 1 (Last Names A-G): 2025
  • Compliance Group 2 (Last Names H-M): 2024
  • Compliance Group 3 (Last Names N-Z): 2026

Are there any special credit requirements for new attorneys in California?

Yes. Newly admitted attorneys in California must complete the 10-hour New Attorney Training Program provided by the State Bar of California. You may apply these hours to the MCLE requirement for the compliance period in which they were completed. The courses are available only through your California attorney online login.

You must complete the New Attorney Training Program within 1 year from the last day of the month in which you were admitted to the bar. For example, if you were admitted to the bar on December 1, 2022, you must complete the New Attorney Training Program by December 31, 2023.

Who is considered a CA Newly Admitted Attorney?

An attorney in their first year following admission is considered a CA Newly Admitted Attorney.

Stay Up to Date

Get the latest on new content, products, special promotions, CLE news, and more!

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. We use this information in order to improve and customize your browsing experience, in addition to improving our internal analytics and metrics about our visitors. To find out more about the cookies we use, please see our Cookie Policy.