Hawaii CLE Requirements

Everything you need to know to stay in compliance


MCLE State

Overview

Required Hawaii CLE Credits:

Total credit hours: 3.00 credit hours every year.

All credit hours may be taken as live or alternative format programs.

Hawaii CLE Reporting Deadlines:

Deadline to Complete CLEs: December 31

Reporting Deadline: Annual attorney registration

Reporting Period: 1 year


Common Questions About Hawaii Continuing Legal Education Rules and Regulations

Common Questions About Hawaii Continuing Legal Education Rules and Regulations

How many CLE credits do you need in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, active status attorneys must complete 3.00 CLE credits every year to maintain good standing with the Hawaii Bar.

When is the Hawaii CLE reporting deadline?

Hawaii attorneys must complete all 3.00 required credits by December 31. Compliance with the CLE requirements must be reported on your annual attorney registration the following year.

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

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

How do I report my Hawaii CLE Credits?

Approved providers will report your attendance to the Hawaii State Board of CLE. You will receive a verified certificate of completion, which you should keep for your records. You must certify compliance with the annual CLE requirement, including ethics and professional responsibility, on your annual attorney registration the following year.

How many Hawaii CLE credits can I carry over?

Hawaii attorneys can carry over 3.00 CLE credits for one compliance year. This may include ethics and professional responsibility credits.

How many CLE credits can I complete with alternative format courses?

There is no limit. Attorneys in Hawaii can complete all required 3.00 CLE credits with alternative format courses.

What are the specialty credit requirements in Hawaii?

Hawaii attorneys must complete 1.00 ethics and professional responsibility credit every 3 years.

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

In-program attendance verification is required for the following NBI course formats: OnDemand courses and downloadable courses.

Additional CLE resources for Hawaii attorneys

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

What are the Hawaii CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys?

Newly admitted attorneys in Hawaii are exempt from reporting CLE requirements for the year in which they are admitted to the Hawaii State Bar. New attorneys must complete a Professionalism course by December 31 of the year following the year of admission.

Can I carry over credits I completed during my year of admission?

Yes. If you complete CLE credits after you are admitted to practice law in Hawaii but before December 31 of that year, you may carry over up to 3.00 CLE credits to your first reporting period. You do earn CLE credits for your mandatory Professionalism course.

When does my first reporting period end?

Your first reporting period ends on December 31 of the first full calendar year following your admission to the Hawaii State Bar.

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

Yes. All new attorneys must complete a Professionalism course, which is jointly sponsored by the Hawaii State Bar and the Supreme Court of Hawaii. This course must be completed by December 31 of the first full calendar year following your admission to the Hawaii State Bar.

You will earn 4.5 CLE credits for your Professionalism course.

Who is considered a HI Newly Admitted Attorney?

Attorneys are usually classified as a Newly Admitted Attorney until the end of the following year they are licensed and have elected active status.

How can HI Newly Admitted Attorneys complete their Professionalism requirement?

Each person licensed to practice law after July 1, 2001, shall, no later than December 31 of the year following the year of election of active status, complete the Hawaii Professionalism course.  There are recordings of the Professionalism Course online.

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