Yes — Pennsylvania’s CLE rules allow limited exemptions or deferrals under certain conditions, but not wholesale blanket exemptions for all attorneys.
An attorney on voluntary inactive status, those serving active military duty outside Pennsylvania, or attorneys who obtain non-resident active status may have their CLE requirements deferred or waived.
Details / Exceptions
- Inactive Status: A lawyer who switches to voluntary inactive status has CLE compliance deferred during that status.
- Active Military Duty: The CLE requirement is deferred for periods during which a lawyer is on active military duty outside Pennsylvania; upon return, the deferred credits must be met within twelve months and may not exceed twice the annual requirement.
- Non-Resident Active Status: An active Pennsylvania lawyer may request non-resident status if they neither reside nor practice in Pennsylvania (nor represent Pennsylvania clients in court); while holding that status, CLE obligations are deferred.
- Waiver / Hardship: The CLE Board can grant a waiver (full or partial) for up to one year in cases of undue hardship or circumstances beyond the lawyer’s control.
- Emeritus / Return to Active: Lawyers assuming Emeritus status are exempt from deferred CLE, and a judge returning to active status has no deferred requirement—only current year obligations apply.
Key Takeaway
Pennsylvania does not broadly exempt classes of attorneys from CLE—but provides structured exemptions or deferrals for inactive members, active military, non-resident status, and hardship situations, subject to Board approval and procedural requirements.
