New Mexico CLE Requirements

Everything you need to know to stay in compliance

Overview

Required New Mexico CLE Credits:

Total credit hours: 12.00 credit hours every year.

2.00 - Ethics

A minimum of 8.00 credit hours must be taken as live programs.

A maximum of 4.00 credit hours may be taken as self study programs.

New Mexico CLE Reporting Deadlines:

Deadline to Complete CLEs: December 31

Reporting Deadline: February 1

Reporting Period: 1 year

VIEW ACCREDITED NM CLE COURSES

Common Questions About New Mexico Continuing Legal Education Rules and Regulations

General New Mexico Continuing Legal Education Credit Requirements

How many CLE credits do you need in New Mexico?

Active status attorneys in New Mexico must complete 12.00 CLE credits every year.

When is the New Mexico CLE reporting deadline?

New Mexico attorneys must complete all 12.00 required credits by December 31 each year. Attorneys have until February 1 of the following year to report CLE credits.

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

The NM CLE compliance period is 1 year and runs from January 1 through December 31 each year.

How do I report my New Mexico CLE credits?

CLE providers will report your attendance to the State Bar of New Mexico by the end of February each year, the Board of Bar Commissioners of the State Bar of New Mexico will send you an annual report with your total CLE credits reported for the prior year. Notify the Board by March 1 if corrections need to be made.

You can check your transcript online on the State Bar of New Mexico website.

How many New Mexico CLE credits can I carry over?

New Mexico attorneys can carry over 12.00 CLE credits for one compliance year. You can carry over up to 2.00 ethics credits.

Additional excess ethics credits will be applied as follows:

First, applied to meet general CLE requirements in the current compliance year
Next, carried over to the next compliance year to meet ethics credits
Third, carried over to the next compliance year to meet general CLE requirements

Only 4.00 hours of self study credits may be carried over to the next compliance year.

How many CLE credits can I complete with self study courses?

Attorneys in New Mexico can earn a maximum of 4.00 self study CLE credits.

What are the specialty credit requirements in New Mexico?

New Mexico attorneys must complete 2.00 CLE credits in ethics every year.

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

No. In-program attendance verification is not required.

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

What are the New Mexico CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys?

Newly admitted attorneys in New Mexico must enroll in the Bridge the Gap program administered by the State Bar of New Mexico. The Bridge the Gap program satisfies your CLE requirements for your first compliance year.

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 State Bar of New Mexico.

Are there any special credit requirements for new attorneys in New Mexico?

Yes. Newly admitted attorneys in New Mexico must complete the Bridge the Gap: Transitioning into the Profession program administered by the State Bar of New Mexico. New attorneys must enroll in the Bridge the Gap program within 30 days of admission to practice law in New Mexico. Attorneys must complete the Bridge the Gap program by December 31 of the first full calendar year following admission.

Completion of the Bridge the Gap program satisfies your New Mexico CLE requirements for your first compliance year.