West Virginia CLE Requirements

Everything you need to know to stay in compliance


MCLE State

Overview

Required West Virginia CLE Credits:

Total credit hours: 24.00 credit hours every 2 years.

A minimum of 12.00 credit hours must be taken as live programs.

A maximum of 12.00 credit hours may be taken as pre-recorded programs.

West Virginia CLE Reporting Deadlines:

Deadline to Complete CLEs: June 30, Even-Numbered Years

Reporting Deadline: July 1, Even-Numbered Years

Reporting Period: 2 years


Common Questions About West Virginia Continuing Legal Education Rules and Regulations

General West Virginia Continuing Legal Education Credit Requirements

How many CLE credits do you need in West Virginia?

In West Virginia, active status attorneys must complete 24.00 CLE credits every 2 years to maintain good standing with the West Virginia State Bar.

When is the West Virginia CLE reporting deadline?

West Virginia attorneys must complete all 24.00 required credits by June 30 every even-numbered year. CLEs must be reported by July 1 in even-numbered years.

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

The WV CLE reporting period is 2 years and ends on June 30 of even-numbered years for all attorneys.

How do I report my West Virginia CLE credits?

West Virginia attorneys should report their CLEs electronically through the attorney membership portal on the West Virginia State Bar website. Paper forms are accepted with a $25 fee.

How many West Virginia CLE credits can I carry over?

You can carry over 6.00 CLE credits to the next reporting period. You may not carry over any credits in legal ethics, office management, attorney well-being, or elimination of bias in the legal profession.

How many CLE credits can I complete with pre-recorded or in-house courses?

You may complete up to 12.00 CLE credits with pre-recorded courses or in-house activities.

What are the specialty credit requirements in West Virginia?

West Virginia attorneys must complete 3.00 ethics credits every reporting period (2 years) which may include legal ethics, office management, attorney well-being, and/or elimination of bias in the legal profession.

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

No. In-program attendance verification is not required.

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

What are the West Virginia CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys?

All new attorneys must complete a mandatory Bridge the Gap program within 24 months of admission to the West Virginia State Bar. Bridge the Gap courses can be used to satisfy CLE requirements.

If you are admitted to the West Virginia State Bar in the first 12 months of the 2-year reporting period, you must complete 12.00 CLE credits by the end of the reporting period. Those credits must include 3.00 credits in legal ethics, office management, attorney well-being, or elimination of bias in the legal profession.

If you are admitted in the second 12 months of the reporting period, you are exempt for that reporting period.

Can I carry over credits I completed during the time I was exempt?

Yes. If you are exempt from West Virginia CLE reporting requirements during your first year of practice because you were admitted in the second 12 months of the reporting period, any CLE credit you earn during that time (after admission to the West Virginia State Bar) can be carried over to your first reporting period.

If you were admitted in the first 12 months of the reporting period and earn more than the 12.00 required CLE credits for your first reporting period, any CLE credit earned after admission to the West Virginia State Bar may be carried over to the next reporting period.

When does my first reporting period end?

The reporting period for all West Virginia attorneys ends June 30 in even-numbered years. If you are admitted to the West Virginia State Bar during the first 12 months of the reporting period, your reporting period ends on June 30 of the first even-numbered year after you were admitted.

If you were admitted to the West Virginia State Bar during the second 12 months of the reporting period, you are exempt from that reporting period. Your first reporting period begins on the first July 1 after your date of admission to the bar and ends on June 30, two years later.

Are there any special credit requirements for new attorneys in West Virginia?

Yes. New West Virginia attorneys must complete a Bridge the Gap program within 24 months of the date they were admitted to the West Virginia State Bar.** The Bridge the Gap program is sponsored by the West Virginia State Bar and is offered twice a year.

**The deadline for completion of the Bridge the Gap program was extended to 36 months for any attorney admitted between July 1, 2018 – December 31, 2020.**

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