Kentucky CLE Requirements

Everything you need to know to stay in compliance


MCLE State

Overview

Required Kentucky CLE Credits:

Total credit hours: 12.00 credit hours every year.

All credit hours may be taken as live or technological programs.

Kentucky CLE Reporting Deadlines:

Deadline to Complete CLEs: June 30

Reporting Deadline: August 10

Reporting Period: 1 year


Common Questions About Kentucky Continuing Legal Education Rules and Regulations

General Kentucky Continuing Legal Education Credit Requirements

How many CLE credits do you need in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, active status attorneys must complete 12.00 CLE credits every educational year (July 1 to June 30 of the successive year) to maintain good standing with the Kentucky Bar Association. There are exemptions for judges and for attorneys who have reached the age of 75 or are at least 50-year members of the Kentucky Bar. Others may be exempt upon application to the Commission.

When is the Kentucky CLE reporting deadline?

Kentucky attorneys must complete all 12.00 required credits by June 30 of each educational year, but they have until August 10 to report CLE credits for the educational year just completed.

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

The reporting period (educational year) is 1 year and runs from July 1 to June 30 of the next year for all Kentucky attorneys.

How do I report my Kentucky CLE credits?

You are responsible for reporting credits earned. NBI will provide you with a verified certificate of completion and KBA Form 3. You may report your CLEs online by logging in to the Kentucky Bar Association website. Or, you can mail KBA Form 3 to the address found on the form.

How many Kentucky CLE credits can I carry over?

You can carry over 24.00 CLE credits for the next two educational years. You can carry over 4.00 ethics credits.

How many CLE credits can I complete with technological courses?

There is no limit. You may satisfy all 12.00 Kentucky CLE credit requirements with technological format courses.

What are the specialty credit requirements in Kentucky?

Kentucky attorneys must complete 2.00 ethics credits from courses offering ethics, professional responsibility and professionalism every educational year.

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

No. In-program attendance verification is not required.

Who is considered an experienced attorney in KY?

An attorney beyond the 12 months following their date of admission who has completed the New Lawyer Program, or an attorney admitted to practice in another jurisdiction for a minimum of 5 years.

Additional CLE resources for Kentucky attorneys

 

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

What are the Kentucky CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys?

Attorneys who have been admitted to practice law in Kentucky for less than 1 full educational year as of the June 30 deadline are exempt from Kentucky CLE reporting requirements for that year. However, those attorneys are subject to the New Lawyer Program requirement, which consists of 12.00 credits and must be completed within 12 months of your admission to the Kentucky Bar.

Are any attorneys exempt from the New Lawyer Program requirement?

Yes. Newly admitted attorneys are exempt from completing the New Lawyer Program requirement in Kentucky if they were admitted to practice law in another jurisdiction for at least 5 years. Attorneys who have completed another mandatory new lawyer program with a minimum of 12.00 credits, including 2.00 ethics credits, in another jurisdiction or in the U.S. armed forces are also exempt, subject to approval of the program by the Kentucky Director for CLE.

When does my first educational year end?

You do not have to report CLE credits on June 30 if you have not been admitted to the Kentucky Bar for one full educational year by that date. Your first educational year begins on July 1 of the first full educational year after your admission to the Kentucky Bar and ends on June 30 the following year.

For example, if you are admitted in October 2022, your first educational year will end on June 30, 2024.

Does the New Lawyer Program fulfill regular Kentucky CLE requirements?

Yes. Credits earned by completing the New Lawyer Program requirement will be applied to your Kentucky CLE credit requirements for the educational year in which they are earned.

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

Yes. Unless exempted, newly admitted attorneys must complete the Kentucky New Lawyer Program requirement within 12 months of admission to the Kentucky State Bar. The Kentucky New Lawyer Program consists of 12.00 credits.

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