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

Yes — Minnesota permits you to request a “credit deadline extension” if you cannot finish CLE by the August 31 reporting deadline, but you’ll still owe the late-filing fee and must show a plan for completion.

The Minnesota CLE rules allow attorneys to complete missing credits during July–August (without a formal extension) or formally request extra time via their OASIS account or in writing.

Detailed Explanation

• Minnesota attorneys must report CLE compliance by August 31 following the end of the reporting period.
• The rules allow completion of CLE courses from July 1 through August 31 even if they fall after the formal period, without requesting an extension.
• If you still cannot finish by August 31, you may request a credit deadline extension:
    • Via your OASIS account (under “Request Credit Deadline Extension”)
    • Or in writing to the Board office
• Even with extension approval, you will incur a $75 late fee.
• If requesting extension after December 31, you must also submit a detailed plan; otherwise, extension may be limited to December 31.
• During the extension period, your license remains in good standing so long as the request is approved.

Key Takeaway

Yes — you can request a credit deadline extension in Minnesota, but only under limited conditions, and you still must pay the $75 late fee and submit a plan if asked.

Yes — under Minnesota’s CLE rules, lawyers may elect a “restricted status” (aka partially nonpracticing) in which they are exempt from fulfilling CLE obligations, so long as they do not practice law in the state.

In Minnesota, active-status lawyers must comply with CLE rules, but a lawyer in restricted status is relieved from the educational and reporting requirements.

Minnesota’s CLE “grace period” allows attorneys to complete missing credits between July 1 and August 31 and report them by August 31 — with no formal extension required. The compliance deadline is June 30 of the reporting period, but the rules permit post-deadline CLE through August 31 before late fees apply.

Key Facts & Process

• Compliance must be earned by June 30 each reporting cycle.
• Attorneys may continue taking courses and accrue credits during July and August.
• Reporting is due by August 31 via the OASIS portal or affidavit.
• A $75 late fee is assessed if reporting occurs after August 31, even if an extension was approved.
• Attorneys can request a formal extension through OASIS or by writing to the CLE Board, though the late fee still applies.

Key Takeaway: Minnesota permits a built-in post-deadline window until August 31 to complete and report CLE; attorneys who miss that date face a $75 late fee and may seek a formal extension during that period.

No — judges in Minnesota do not have a separate CLE requirement apart from the state’s attorney CLE system.

Judges, like all active attorneys, are subject to Minnesota’s mandatory CLE rules under the Board of Continuing Legal Education; there is no distinct judicial-only continuing education mandate.

Details

• Minnesota law imposes CLE on licensed attorneys — 45 approved credit hours every three years, including credits in ethics, elimination of bias, and mental health/substance use.
• The Minnesota Judicial Branch’s “Lawyer & Judge Regulation” materials indicate that all attorneys (which includes judges) are required to comply with CLE.
• The official Rules of the Board of Continuing Legal Education make no carve-out or separate rule for judges.

Key Takeaway

In Minnesota, judges are governed by the same CLE obligations as other attorneys — there is no special judicial CLE program or separate credit requirement.

Minnesota attorneys must complete 45 CLE credit hours every reporting cycle, which spans three years. Within those 45 hours, they must include at least 3 hours in ethics, 2 hours in elimination of bias, and 1 hour in mental health/substance use.

Cycle & Reporting

• Reporting period: 3 years
• Compliance deadline: June 30 at the end of the period
• Reporting deadline: August 31 following the end of the period

Credit Requirements & Rules

• Total required: 45 credits every 3 years
• Ethics requirement: 3 credits
• Elimination of bias: 2 credits
• Mental health / substance use: 1 credit
• No credit carryover: excess credits beyond 45 in the reporting period do not roll over
• On-demand credit cap removed starting for courses reported after January 1, 2024 (i.e. newer cycles may have no limit)

Key Takeaway: In Minnesota the CLE reporting cycle is three years requiring 45 CLE hours, including ethics, bias, and mental health credits, with no carryover allowed.