Georgia Adopts New CLE Rules—Here’s What Changed
Georgia attorneys will soon see a major update to how continuing legal education (CLE) is tracked and reported. Beginning January 1, 2026, Georgia will move from an annual CLE reporting system to a biennial cycle. The changes were approved by the Supreme Court of Georgia on November 10, 2025, following a proposal by the State Bar Board of Governors in June 2024.
The goal of the new rules is to streamline compliance, reduce administrative hassle, and give attorneys more flexibility—without lowering professional standards. The updates adjust total credit requirements, expand carryover options, eliminate trial-hour obligations, and introduce a new exemption for long-tenured attorneys.
Importantly, attorneys must still complete their 2025 CLE requirements by March 31, 2026 before transitioning into the new biennial structure, making now the right time to review progress and plan ahead.
Moving From Annual to Biennial CLE Reporting
Starting January 1, 2026, Georgia attorneys will report CLE on a two-year cycle instead of annually. The first biennial compliance period covers 2026–2027.
Under the new structure, attorneys must complete 18 total CLE hours during each two-year period, including:
3 hours of Ethics
2 hours of Professionalism
This replaces the prior annual requirement of 12 hours, which included ethics, professionalism, and—previously for some attorneys—trial credits.
Updated CLE Credit Requirements
For each biennial compliance cycle, non-exempt active Georgia attorneys must complete:
18 total CLE hours
At least 3 Ethics hours
At least 2 Professionalism hours
Trial Hours Are No Longer Required
One of the most notable changes is the elimination of trial experience hours. Effective January 1, 2026, litigators are no longer required to complete specialized trial credits as part of CLE compliance.
Previously, qualifying litigators had to earn 3 trial hours annually, which added complexity and limited course selection. Removing this requirement allows all attorneys to focus on general CLE, ethics, and professionalism credits, while choosing courses that best support their individual practice needs.
Carryover, Certification, and Online Learning Flexibility
The new rules preserve and expand flexibility for attorneys completing CLE:
Attorneys must certify via their online transcript that their CLE coursework relates to their practice or benefits their clients.
Any CLE hours earned beyond the 18-hour requirement—including Ethics and Professionalism—may be carried forward into the next biennial compliance period.
All required CLE credits may be completed through approved online or distance-learning programs, including on-demand courses and webinars.
This flexibility makes it easier to plan ahead, complete CLE early, and avoid last-minute compliance stress. Attorneys interested in year-round access may want to explore options like SproutEd’s Georgia Membership, which is designed to align with the state’s updated CLE structure.
How Georgia Attorneys Should Prepare Now
To stay compliant and avoid issues during the transition, Georgia attorneys should:
Complete 2025 CLE requirements (12 total hours, including 1 Ethics and 1 Professionalism) by March 31, 2026.
Review online CLE transcripts and correct any errors by January 31.
Plan ahead for the 2026–2027 biennial cycle, targeting 18 total hours with required Ethics and Professionalism credits.
Select accredited CLE providers, taking advantage of on-demand and webinar options for flexibility.
Confirm whether any exemptions apply, including the new 40-year member exemption.
Stay informed by regularly reviewing Georgia CLE guidance and official requirements.
For a clear breakdown of Georgia-specific CLE obligations, attorneys can also consult Attorney Credits’ Georgia CLE requirements page for up-to-date compliance details.
Reference: State Bar of Georgia – New CLE Rules
