Do CLE requirements differ for part-time vs full-time attorneys in Kentucky?

Kentucky attorneys must complete 12 CLE credit hours every reporting year, including 2 hours in ethics. The educational year runs July 1–June 30, with credits due by June 30 and reporting due by August 10.

Annual CLE Requirements in Kentucky

• Total requirement: 12 credit hours per educational year
• Ethics requirement: 2 credit hours
• Educational year: July 1 – June 30
• Reporting deadline: August 10 (following the June 30 completion deadline)

Credit Formats & Carryover

• Credits may be earned via live or technology-delivered programs that meet Kentucky accreditation rules
• Carryover (when granted by rule) applies under Kentucky’s Supreme Court Rules governing CLE; attorneys should confirm current limits each year

New Lawyers & Exemptions

• Newly admitted attorneys must complete the Kentucky New Lawyer Program (NLP) within the first year (12 credits, including ethics), subject to KBA-approved alternatives
• Certain exemptions exist under the Supreme Court Rules (e.g., non-practice exemptions) and must be applied for through the KBA

Provider Support

• Sprout Education tracks your Kentucky CLE progress and supports accurate, on-time reporting where applicable

Key Takeaway: Kentucky’s annual cycle requires 12 CLE hours with 2 in ethics, earned by June 30 and reported by August 10.

You may begin reporting CLE credits in Kentucky only after the educational (reporting) year ends on June 30. The claim/report form (KBA Form 3) must be submitted to the Kentucky Bar Association by August 10 following the end of that year.

You cannot file your CLE report before June 30 — credits earned earlier in the year accrue, but the reporting “window” opens after year-end.

Key Details

• Kentucky’s reporting year runs July 1 to June 30. SCR 3.645(1) and Kentucky Bar materials confirm that completion must occur by June 30.
• To “report” (i.e. claim credit), attorneys must submit Form 3 or use the KBA’s online portal by August 10 following the close of the reporting year.
• Kentucky does not require a separate mid-year filing. All reporting is done after June 30.
• Under SCR 3.645(2), late reports are allowed (with penalty) but must be filed by August 10 after the reporting year.
• Sprout Education ensures that credits earned during the year are catalogued and made ready for your eventual reporting after June 30.

Key Takeaway
In Kentucky, you can only report CLE credits after the reporting year ends (June 30). The reporting window opens then, and you must submit your claim by August 10.

Kentucky attorneys must complete 12 CLE credit hours each year, including 2 hours in ethics.

The educational year runs from July 1 to June 30, and credits must be reported by August 10.

Details

• Total requirement: 12 credits annually.

• Ethics: 2 of the 12 credits must be in ethics.

• Carryover: Attorneys may carry over up to 24 credits for use in the next two years, including up to 4 ethics credits.

• Delivery format: All 12 credits may be earned through live or technologically transmitted courses.

• Exemptions / new lawyers: Attorneys admitted less than one year before June 30 are exempt from the regular requirement but must complete the Kentucky New Lawyer Program (12 credits, 2 ethics) within 12 months of admission.

Key Takeaway: Kentucky requires 12 CLE hours per year with 2 ethics hours, full flexibility in delivery format, carryover allowed, and a special new-lawyer program for recent admittees.

Kentucky provides a grace period for CLE reporting: attorneys must complete credits by June 30 and have until August 10 to submit their report. This extension allows time to certify compliance after the credit deadline.

Kentucky CLE Deadlines & Grace Period

• June 30: Deadline to complete all required CLE hours.
• August 10: Last day to file the CLE report (KBA Form 3 or online certification).

Late Reporting & Noncompliance

• If credits are not reported by August 10, the CLE Commission mails a deficiency notice.
• Attorneys then have 30 days from the notice to respond, cure the deficiency, or show cause against suspension.
• Failure to comply may lead to administrative suspension under SCR 3.675 until compliance is established.

Key Takeaway: In Kentucky, you must finish CLE by June 30 and file your compliance report by August 10 — that window serves as your grace period before noncompliance proceedings begin.

You report CLE credits in Kentucky by self-reporting them through the KBA’s Member CLE Portal by August 10, following the June 30 educational year.
Completion of 12 CLE hours (including 2 in ethics) by June 30 is required and must be certified via the online portal.

Overview of Kentucky CLE Reporting

Kentucky attorneys must complete 12 CLE credit hours each year, with at least 2 hours in ethics or professionalism.
The educational period runs from July 1 through June 30.
Credits must be reported by August 10; late reporting is permitted with a $50 late fee.
Carrying over credits is allowed: up to 24 general credits and 4 ethics credits into the next two reporting periods.

Steps to Report CLE in Kentucky

• Complete required 12 CLE hours (including 2 ethics) by June 30.
• Retain all certificates or documentation for the programs.
• Log into the Kentucky Bar Association Member CLE Portal.
• Use “Submit New Credits” to enter the activity number for each program, input the credits and ethics portion, and certify via signature.
• Ensure that credits earned through Sprout Education appear in your KBA portal record—where permitted, we report your attendance, but certification still rests with you.

Key Takeaway: In Kentucky, complete 12 CLE hours by June 30, then self-report via the KBA Member CLE Portal by August 10. Sprout Education supports your compliance by reporting credits where permitted, but ultimate responsibility lies with you.

No — Kentucky does not mandate a specific number of classroom (in-person) CLE hours.

All 12 required CLE credit hours may be earned via approved formats including online or on-demand courses, without a separate in-person quota.

Details

• Kentucky’s SCR 3.645 requires attorneys to complete 12 credit hours annually, including at least 2 hours in ethics.
• Kentucky allows accredited programs delivered through live webcasts or prerecorded (on-demand) formats to satisfy all 12 hours.
• Providers must have each program reviewed and approved by the Kentucky CLE Commission under SCR 3.650 to qualify for credit.
• The Kentucky Bar’s “Law Update” program offers both in-person sessions and an on-demand component so attorneys may choose their format.

Key Takeaway

Kentucky requires 12 CLE credits yearly, but imposes no minimum in-person classroom requirement— attorneys can satisfy the obligation via the mix of live and recorded formats permitted under Kentucky’s rules.