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Maine CLE Requirements

Required Maine CLE Credits

12.00 Total Credit Hours
every
Year
  • 1.00 Ethics (must be earned through live programs)
  • 1.00 Harassment and Discriminatory Education (must be earned through in-person programs) However, the in-person requirement has been temporarily waived, allowing this credit to be earned through live online programs.

A minimum of 7.00 credit hours may be taken as live programs.

A maximum of 5.00 credit hours may be taken as self-study programs.

Maine CLE Reporting Deadlines

Deadline to complete CLEs: December 31

  • Reporting deadline: 4:30 PM Eastern on the last business day of February
  • Reporting period: 1 year
  • NBI reports your credit to the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar for Live programs. Attorneys must track and report their own credits for self-study programs.

General Maine Continuing Legal Education Credit Requirements

How many CLE credits do you need in Maine, and what types of CLE credit do you need?

Active status attorneys in Maine must complete 12.00 CLE credits (including 1.00 ethics credit) every year to maintain good standing with the Maine State Bar.

In addition, all attorneys need 1.00 CLE credit in harassment and discriminatory education. This credit must be earned through in-person programs.*

*However, the in-person requirement has been temporarily waived, allowing this credit to be earned through live online programs.

Credit Hour: 60 minutes (rounded to the nearest 1/4 hour).
When is the Maine CLE reporting deadline?

Each year, Maine attorneys must complete all 12.00 required credits by December 31. Attorneys shall certify the accuracy of their individual MCLE Annual Report Statement to the CLE Committee no later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern on the last business day of February.
How long is the Maine CLE reporting period, and when does it end?

The reporting period is 1 year and ends on December 31.
How do I report my Maine CLE Credits?

NBI reports your credit for live credit courses to the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar CLE Committee.

For self-study courses, you must track and report your own self-study CLE credits. NBI will send you a verified certificate of completion that you must sign and submit to the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar CLE Committee to certify your credit hours - be sure to keep a copy for your records.

Each year, you must certify compliance by submitting your MCLE Annual Report Statement. This can be done online through your Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar CLE website.
How can Experienced Maine Attorneys fulfill the Maine CLE requirements in compliance with format of delivery regulations?

Experienced attorneys can fulfill their Maine CLE requirement by completing courses approved and accredited by the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar. Examples of accepted course formats include:

Live CLE (Minimum 7.00 Hours)

  • Live CLE Webinars
  • In Person
  • Satellite/Groupcast
  • Teleseminar
  • Moderator Video Replay
  • Webcast/Webinar Replay

Self-Study (Maximum 5.00 Hours)
How many Maine CLE credits can I carry over?

Maine attorneys may carry over 10.00 CLE credits to the next reporting period.

  • No more than 5.00 self study credits may carry over.
  • The live requirement for ethics and professionalism credit must be satisfied each reporting period.
  • The in-person requirement for harassment and discriminatory must be satisfied each reporting period.*
  • Excess harassment and discriminatory education credits may be used to satisfy ethics and professionalism requirements. Once ethics requirements are complete, harassment and discriminatory education credits carry over as general credits.

*In-person requirement has been temporarily waived, allowing this credit to be earned through live online programs.
How many Maine CLE credits can I earn with self-study courses?

Attorneys in Maine Attorneys in Maine may earn up to 5.00 CLE credits per year using self-study (OnDemand) courses.
Is in-program attendance verification required for Maine CLE programs?

No. Maine bar rule does not require in-program attendance verification.
Are there other ways attorneys in Maine can earn CLE credit?

Yes. In addition to traditional CLE courses, Maine attorneys may earn CLE credits through the following alternative activities:

  • Teaching a Law School Course: Attorneys who teach a regularly scheduled, law-related course at an accredited post-secondary institution can earn 6 CLE credit hours for each academic credit hour of the course.
  • Assisting in Law School Teaching: Attorneys who assist or participate in teaching may receive 1 CLE credit per hour of participation, up to a maximum of 6 credits.
  • Legal Writing: Attorneys may earn up to 5 CLE credits per calendar year for writing or co-authoring published legal materials such as articles, books, or treatises, subject to CLE Committee approval.
  • Volunteer Service: Attorneys may earn up to 3 ethics/professionalism CLE credits per year for serving on a court- or board-established committee related to ethics or professional responsibility.
  • Taking or Auditing a Law School Course: Attorneys who enroll in or audit an ABA-approved law school course may receive 4 CLE credits per academic credit hour, provided they attend at least 75% of classes and, if enrolled, earn a passing grade.
  • Court-Appointed Roles: CLE credit may also be awarded to attorneys serving as court-appointed receivers or monitors (subject to approval).
What are the requirements for attorneys seeking admission to the Maine Bar by motion (11A Applicants)?

Out-of-state attorneys seeking admission by motion (Rule 11A) must complete at least 15 hours of CLE on Maine practice and procedure (PRACPRO credits). These credits must be completed 1 year immediately preceding the date on which the applicant is certified for admission.

The 15-hour requirement includes one live credit hour primarily concerned with the issue of ethics of professional responsibility and one live credit hour primarily concerned with recognition and avoidance of harassment and discriminatory communication or conduct related to the practice of law as set out in the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct. Of the remaining thirteen PRACPRO hours, no more than seven credit hours may be earned through self-study courses.
What CLE formats are accepted for course approval in Maine?

Courses must be approved by the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar. Accepted formats include:

Live CLE (Minimum 7.00 Hours)

  • Live Webinars
  • In-Person Events
  • Teleseminar
  • Satellite/Groupcast
  • Moderator Video Replay
  • Webcast/Webinar Replay

Self-Study (Maximum 5.00 Hours)

  • OnDemand / Independent Study Courses
Additional CLE resources for Maine attorneys

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

What are the Maine CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys?

Newly admitted attorneys in Maine are exempt if they have been admitted for less than 3 months of the calendar year.
How can Maine Newly Admitted Attorneys Fulfill Their CLE Requirements?

Newly admitted attorneys in Maine are exempt if they have been admitted for less than 3 months of the calendar year.

Newly admitted attorneys admitted for more than 3 months of the calendar year can fulfill their Maine CLE requirement by completing courses approved and accredited by the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar. Examples of accepted course formats include:

Live CLE (Minimum 7.00 Hours)

  • Live CLE Webinars
  • In Person
  • Satellite/Groupcast
  • Teleseminar
  • Moderator Video Replay
  • Webcast/Webinar Replay

Self-Study (Maximum 5.00 Hours)
When does my first reporting period for Maine end?

The reporting period ends on December 31 of each year. If you have been admitted for less than 3 months of the calendar year, you are exempt from reporting for that year. For example, if you were admitted in October, your first reporting period ends on December 31 of the following year.
Are there any special credit requirements for new attorneys in Maine?

No, there are no special CLE credit requirements for newly admitted attorneys in Maine.
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