Georgia CLE Requirements

Everything you need to know to stay in compliance


MCLE State

Overview

Required Georgia CLE Credits:

Total credit hours: 12.00 credit hours per year.

All credit hours may be taken as live or distance learning programs.

Georgia CLE Reporting Deadlines:

Deadline to Complete CLEs: December 31

Reporting Deadline: January 31

Reporting Period: 1 year


Common Questions About Georgia Continuing Legal Education Rules and Regulations

General Georgia Continuing Legal Education Credit Requirements

How many CLE credits do you need in Georgia?

In Georgia, active status attorneys must complete 12.00 CLE credits every year to maintain good standing with the State Bar of Georgia. Attorneys 70 and older are exempt.

When is the Georgia CLE reporting deadline?

Georgia attorneys must complete all 12.00 required credits by December 31 of each year. In January of each year, you will receive an Annual Report showing the CLE credit earned for the prior year. You have until January 31 to make any corrections.

You have a grace period until March 31 during which you may make up CLE credit without paying a penalty. However, you must still file your Annual Report by January 31.

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

The CLE reporting period is 1 year and ends on December 31 for all Georgia attorneys.

How do I report my Georgia CLE credits?

NBI will report your credit to the Commission on Continuing Lawyer Competency. You can check your transcript on the State Bar of Georgia’s website.

How many Georgia CLE credits can I carry over?

Georgia attorneys can carry over 12.00 general CLE credits for one year. You may carry over a maximum of 2.00 ethics credits, 2.00 professionalism credits, and 3.00 trial hours credits.

How many CLE credits can I complete with distance learning courses?

You may earn all 12.00 of your required 12.00 CLE credits with distance learning Courses.

What are the specialty credit requirements in Georgia?

All Georgia attorneys must complete 1.00 credit in ethical considerations and 1.00 credit in professionalism every year. Trial attorneys must complete 3.00 trial hours credits every year.

How do I know if I have to complete trial hours credit?

Georgia attorneys who appear as sole or lead counsel in the Superior or State Courts of Georgia in any contested civil case or in the trial of a criminal case are subject to the MCLE requirement to complete 3.00 trial hours credits for that year.

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

No. In-program attendance verification is not required.

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

What are the Georgia CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys?

Newly admitted attorneys in Georgia must complete the State Bar of Georgia Transition Into Law Practice Program by December 31 of the first full calendar year after they were admitted. Completion of the Transition Into Law Practice Program satisfies Georgia CLE requirements for both the year of admission and the next succeeding year.

When does my first reporting period end?

Keep in mind that the mandatory Transition Into Law Practice Program satisfies your Georgia CLE requirements for the year of admission and the following reporting year. You do not have to report additional CLE credits while you are participating in the Transition Into Law Practice Program. The first reporting period when you must report regular CLE credits ends on December 31 the second calendar year after your admission to the State Bar of Georgia.

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

Yes. In the year of admission, or in the next calendar year, new attorneys must complete the State Bar of Georgia Transition Into Law Practice Program. Completion of the Transition Into Law Practice Program will satisfy your Georgia CLE requirements for both the year of admission and the next succeeding year.

I practiced law in another state. Do I have to complete the State Bar of Georgia Transition Into Law Practice Program?

If you practiced law in another United States jurisdiction for two or more years immediately prior to admission to practice in Georgia, you may be exempted from completing the Transition Into Law Practice Program upon the submission of an affidavit to the Commission on Continuing Lawyer Competency within three months of admission.

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