Can I submit CLE credits online in Rhode Island?

The CLE reporting deadline in Rhode Island is June 30 of each reporting year.

Attorney compliance and reporting occur on the same date—credits must be completed and certified in the MCLE portal by June 30.

Rhode Island CLE Reporting Rule

• Reporting period: July 1 through June 30 annually.
• Credit requirement: 10 credit hours per year, including at least 2 ethics credits and 1 DEI credit (starting 2025).
• Reporting method: Attorneys must use the MCLE and Payment for Indigent Defense Services Portal to certify compliance by June 30.
• Exemptions: Newly admitted attorneys are exempt in their admission year and the first full reporting year.

Key Takeaway: In Rhode Island, you must complete your CLE and report it by June 30 each year.

No — Rhode Island’s MCLE rules do not provide a different requirement for part-time vs full-time practice; all active attorneys under the program are bound by the same CLE obligation (unless exempt).

Rhode Island requires active attorneys to complete 10 CLE credits per year, including at least 2 credits in legal ethics and (going forward) 1 in DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion).

Details:

• At least 4 credits must be from “live” programs.
• Up to 6 credits may be earned via video replay (on-demand) courses.
• Attorneys may count up to 5 credits per year from approved in-house programs.
• Excess credits (up to 10) may carry forward for one year.
• Newly admitted attorneys are exempt from MCLE for the admission year and the next full reporting year, but must complete the “Bridge the Gap” program in the first full MCLE year.

Key Takeaway: Rhode Island holds all active attorneys to the same 10-credit annual CLE requirement — there is no lighter standard for part-time practice.

In Rhode Island, formal “reporting” of CLE credits (i.e. certifying your compliance) can only occur by the June 30 deadline at the end of the annual cycle. You cannot submit your CLE report before that date.

That said, approved CLE sponsors must submit attendance verification within 30 days after each program, so credits begin appearing on your transcript relatively soon after the event.

Key Details

• Rhode Island attorneys must complete 10 CLE hours per year, including 2 in legal ethics (and, effective July 1, a DEI hour).
• The compliance/reporting period runs from July 1 through June 30.
• Sponsors are required to file attendance reports via the MCLE portal within 30 days of the program date.
• Attorneys submit their CLE report through the Rhode Island Supreme Court Attorney Portal by June 30 of each reporting year.
• Credits are retained on your record and visible as they are reported; your formal certification is simply your June 30 filing.

Key Takeaway
In Rhode Island, while CLE credits are recorded continuously via sponsor submissions (within 30 days), you can formally report your CLE and certify compliance only at year’s end — by June 30.

Rhode Island has a 90-day cure period after June 30 to correct CLE noncompliance. The MCLE Commission sends a notice of delinquency, and attorneys must remedy deficiencies within 90 days or face sanctions.

Rhode Island CLE Enforcement Timeline

• June 30: Deadline to complete and report all required CLE credits (10 hours per year).
• Within 90 days of a delinquency notice: Must cure deficiencies and submit proof.

Fees & Sanctions

• A makeup or late filing fee is assessed for credits completed after the 90-day period.
• If noncompliance is not corrected in 90 days, the attorney may be subject to Supreme Court sanctions.

Key Takeaway: Rhode Island gives attorneys up to 90 days after a delinquency notice post–June 30 to cure CLE deficiencies — missing that window can trigger fees and disciplinary actions.

No — Rhode Island’s CLE rules do not authorize a standalone “extension” for reporting; they allow waiver or alternative compliance requests for “good cause” or extreme hardship under MCLE Rule 3.2.

Rules & Relief Options in Rhode Island

• Rule 3.2(a) requires all active attorneys to complete 10 MCLE credit hours per reporting year (July 1 to June 30), including ethics and DEI credits.
• For attorneys with a disability that makes physical attendance an extreme hardship, the rules permit substitution of a different program or alternative plan, via application to the MCLE Commission by June 30.
• Other “good cause” requests for alternative programs, waivers, or exemptions must also be submitted by June 30 on the summary reporting form (Appendix G via the MCLE Portal) with a full explanation.
• The MCLE Commission reviews and grants or denies such relief based on the factual basis — there is no guarantee of approval.

What You Should Do

1. Check whether your circumstance qualifies under the “disability / extreme hardship” or “good cause” categories in Rule 3.2.
2. Complete the summary reporting form (Appendix G) by June 30 of the reporting year.
3. Explain your hardship or excusable reason in the form and propose an alternative plan (substitute program, extended schedule, waiver).
4. Submit supporting documentation (medical, travel, etc.).
5. Wait for the MCLE Commission’s decision; if granted, comply with the relief schedule or alternative compliance plan provided.

Limitations & Considerations

• Relief is discretionary — approval is not guaranteed.
• Requests must be submitted by June 30 — there is no rule permitting late extension filings.
• Approval does not alter the underlying rule — you remain responsible unless relief is granted.
• Relief is annual — repeated requests for the same hardship may be treated more strictly.

Key Takeaway
Rhode Island does not grant general extensions for CLE reporting — you must submit a relief request by June 30 under Rule 3.2 for waiver or alternative compliance, showing extreme hardship or good cause, and the decision is discretionary.

You report CLE credits in Rhode Island by logging into the MCLE & Payment for Indigent Defense Services Portal and submitting your credits (Appendices) by June 30.
Rhode Island requires 10 credit hours annually, including 2 in ethics, and compliance is reported on a single annual form via the MCLE portal.

Overview of Rhode Island MCLE Reporting

• The reporting period runs from July 1 through June 30.
• Attorneys must complete 10 CLE credits each year, of which 2 credits must be in ethics/professionalism.
• A new requirement (effective July 1, 2025) also mandates 1 credit in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) each year.
• At least 4 credits must be live or interactive (in-person or live webcast).
• Program sponsors report attendance to the RI MCLE system; attorneys use Appendices D, E, F, and G to submit courses not auto-reported.
• If you miss the June 30 filing, late fees may apply, and noncompliance may lead to removal from the master roll.

Steps to Report CLE in Rhode Island

• Complete your 10 required CLE credits (including 2 ethics and 1 DEI, if applicable) by June 30 of the reporting year.
• Retain your certificates, agendas, provider names, and course materials for at least three years.
• Log into the MCLE & Payment for Indigent Defense Services Portal.
• Use the correct Appendix forms (G for accredited sponsor-reported, D for unaccredited programs, E for authorship, F for teaching) to submit your credits.
• If a program you attended isn’t showing, attach the supporting certificate or syllabus when submitting via the portal.
• Certify your compliance in the portal by June 30.
• If you earned credits through Sprout Education, verify that your attendance was submitted properly—and that any non-auto-reported credits are included when you file.

Key Takeaway: In Rhode Island, attorneys must earn 10 CLE credits (including ethics and soon DEI) by June 30 and file via the MCLE Portal using the Appendices system. Sprout Education supports attendance reporting where allowed, but you must verify your record and certify compliance yourself.