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

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.

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.

Rhode Island attorneys must complete 10 CLE credit hours each year, including 2 hours in ethics and 1 hour in diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) (effective for reporting years starting July 1, 2025).

The CLE year runs July 1 through June 30, with credit reporting due June 30.

Details

• Minimum total: 10 credit hours per reporting year.

• Ethics: At least 2 of those 10 hours must cover ethics or professional responsibility.

• Diversity / DEI: Starting with the July 1, 2025 cycle, 1 credit hour in diversity, equity & inclusion is required.

• Format limits: At least 4 hours must be live; no more than 6 hours may be video replay.

• Carryover: Up to 10 excess credits may be carried forward to the next year; ethics credits may carry over as ethics.

• New admittees: Exempt from CLE for the reporting year in which admitted and the next full year; must complete a “Bridge the Gap” course within 90 days of admission.

Key Takeaway: Rhode Island requires 10 CLE hours annually, with 2 ethics and 1 DEI hour (from 2025 onward), minimum live credits, carryover allowance, and a special new-admittee Bridge the Gap obligation.

Rhode Island attorneys must complete 10 CLE credit hours each year. That includes at least 2 hours in legal ethics and, starting July 1, 2025, 1 hour in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Annual CLE Requirements in Rhode Island

• Total requirement: 10 credit hours per reporting year
• Ethics requirement: 2 credit hours
• DEI requirement: 1 credit hour (effective July 1, 2025)
• Minimum live credit: 4 credit hours
• Maximum video replay/distance learning: 6 credit hours
• Reporting deadline: June 30 annually

Carryover & Exemptions

• Up to 10 excess live credits may carry forward one year
• Ethics credits in excess may also be carried over
• Newly admitted attorneys are exempt from the CLE requirement during the reporting year they are admitted and the next full reporting year; they must complete a “Bridge the Gap” program

Key Takeaway: Rhode Island requires 10 CLE hours each year, including 2 in ethics, 1 in DEI (from July 2025), with minimum live credits, limited carryover, and a Bridge the Gap requirement for new attorneys.

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.