Yes — Arizona allows carryover of CLE credits, but only up to the amount required in the next reporting period (i.e. up to 15 credits, including ethics).
This is laid out in Arizona’s MCLE Regulations, which permit excess CLE hours above the annual requirement to be applied to the succeeding year, subject to the same category rules.
Details & nuances
- Under Regulation 104(B)(1), “hours of CLE credit … in excess of that required for the current Year may be applied to the succeeding Year.”
- The carry-forward hours are limited to “the total required for the succeeding Year” (i.e. you cannot carry more than 15 credits)
- The carried hours “do not change their classification by virtue of being carried forward.” That means ethics, interactive, self-study, etc., maintain their original category constraints.
- The State Bar’s FAQ for Certified Specialists states a maximum carry forward of 5 hours of advanced credit, 3 of which may be ethics.
- Some non-official CLE aggregators assert that attorneys may carry over “15 credits, 3 of which can be ethics”
- Note: The reporting period runs from July 1 to June 30; affidavits are due September 15.
Key Takeaway
In Arizona, you may carry forward any CLE credits you earn beyond the 15-credit annual requirement, up to a maximum of 15 credits (including up to 3 ethics), and those credits must retain their original category.