Mississippi CLE Requirements

Everything you need to know to stay in compliance


MCLE State

Overview

Required Mississippi CLE Credits:

Total credit hours: 12.00 credit hours every year.

A minimum of 6.00 credit hours must be taken as live programs.

A maximum of 6.00 credit hours may be taken as online programs.

Mississippi CLE Reporting Deadlines:

Deadline to Complete CLEs: July 31

Reporting Deadline: August 15

Reporting Period: 1 year


Common Questions About Mississippi Continuing Legal Education Rules and Regulations

General Mississippi Continuing Legal Education Credit Requirements

How many CLE credits do you need in Mississippi?

In Mississippi, active status attorneys must complete 12.00 CLE credits every year to maintain good standing with The Mississippi Bar.

The following are exempt: full-time members of the U.S. Armed Forces; members of the Judiciary; the Governor of the State of Mississippi; members of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives; and members of The Mississippi Bar 70 years of age and older.

When is the Mississippi CLE reporting deadline?

Mississippi attorneys must complete all 12.00 required credits by July 31 each year. All CLE credits must be reported by August 15.

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

The reporting period is 1 year and runs from August 1 to July 31 for all Mississippi attorneys.

How do I report my Mississippi CLE credits?

NBI will send you a verified certificate of completion after each course. Mississippi attorneys must self-report their CLEs. Each year, the Mississippi Commission on CLE will mail you a CLE Annual Report Statement showing CLEs reported for that year. If you have additional CLEs to report, you can add them to the form.

How many Mississippi CLE credits can I carry over?

Mississippi attorneys can carry over 12.00 CLE credits to the next reporting period. Excess ethics credits carry over as general CLE credits and do not satisfy the ethics requirement for the following reporting period.

How many CLE credits can I complete with online courses?

Attorneys in Mississippi can complete a maximum of 6.00 CLE credits with online courses.

What are the specialty credit requirements in Mississippi?

Mississippi attorneys must complete 1.00 CLE credit in ethics every year. Topics that can satisfy this requirement include legal ethics, professional responsibility, professionalism, malpractice prevention, substance abuse, or mental health.

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

No. In-program attendance verification is not required.

Additional CLE resources for Mississippi attorneys

Are you newly admitted to The Mississippi Bar? Here’s what you need to know:

What are the Mississippi CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys?

New Mississippi attorneys must complete an approved new lawyer program by the end of the second CLE year occurring after their date of admission. This program satisfies the attorney’s CLE requirement for the year of admission and the next CLE year.

The new lawyer program includes 12.00 CLE credits, including 6.00 credits in basic skills and 6.00 credits in ethics/professionalism.

I completed the new lawyer program and additional credits within the first two CLE years. Can I carry over additional credits?

Yes. The new-lawyer program satisfies your CLE requirements for your year of admission and the next CLE year. Additional CLE credits earned by the end of the second CLE year after admission to The Mississippi Bar may be carried over to the next CLE reporting period.

When does my first reporting period end?

Your first reporting period ends on July 31 of the second CLE year after you are admitted to The Mississippi Bar. Your new lawyer program satisfies your Mississippi CLE requirements through the second CLE period after admission.

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

Yes. New Mississippi attorneys must complete an approved new lawyer program by the end of the second CLE year occurring after their date of admission. This program satisfies the attorney’s CLE requirement for the year of admission and the next CLE year.

The new lawyer program includes 12.00 CLE credits, including 6.00 credits in basic skills and 6.00 credits in ethics/professionalism.

I practiced law in another state. Do I have to complete the new-lawyer program in Mississippi?

New attorneys who were previously admitted to practice law in another state may be exempted (upon submission of an affidavit) from the 6.00 hour basic skills portion of the new lawyer program if they have been actively engaged in the practice of law for 5 or more years immediately prior to admission to Mississippi.

The 6.00 hour ethics/professionalism component of the new lawyer program still applies and must be completed within 9 months of admission.

Who is considered an Experienced Attorney in MS?

An attorney who has completed an approved New Attorney program.

Who is considered a MS Newly Admitted Attorney?

An attorney who has not completed an approved New Attorney program.

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