Do judges in Kentucky have separate CLE requirements?

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.

No — Kentucky does not mandate that CLE be in person; live webcasts and technology-transmitted programs are accepted as “live.” Attorneys may fulfill their full 12-credit annual CLE requirement via real-time webinars or prerecorded accredited courses.

CLE Requirements in Kentucky

• Total requirement: 12 credit hours per reporting year (July 1 – June 30)
• Ethics requirement: 2 credit hours within the 12
• Live definition: includes in-person seminars or online seminars/webinars conducted in real time
• Self-study (technology-transmitted) programs: attorneys may claim all 12 hours through accredited programs delivered via streaming, DVD, or online video

Carryover & Self-Study

• Kentucky allows carrying forward up to 24 credits to the next two reporting years (with limits on ethics credits carried forward)
• Self-study courses are accredited and may be taken for full compliance when they meet KBA standards

Key Takeaway: Kentucky accepts live webcasts and self-study formats for CLE credit—attendance in person is not required as long as the program is accredited and meets “live” or “self-study” criteria under the rules.

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.

Attorneys in Kentucky self-report CLE credits via the Kentucky Bar Association Member CLE Portal, submitting claims by August 10 following the June 30 reporting period.

Key Details:

• The Kentucky CLE reporting year runs July 1 through June 30. (SCR 3.600 and UK/CLE FAQ)
• Attorneys must submit claims to the KBA via the Member CLE Portal or via KBA Form 3 by August 10. (SCR 3.645(2))
• Attorneys retain certificates of attendance and proof of activity in case of audit.
• If a lawyer fails to claim credits by August 10 or does not complete the requirement by June 30, they may incur sanctions or be required to seek a waiver or extension (Form 8). (SCR 3.670, 3.675)

Key Takeaway: Kentucky attorneys report CLE by submitting their credits via the KBA Member Portal or Form 3 by August 10, following a June 30 compliance cutoff.

Yes — Kentucky permits some attorneys to be exempt from the annual CLE requirement, particularly those who certify they will not practice law in Kentucky (non-practice exemption) and others under SCR 3.665.

The Supreme Court Rule SCR 3.665 lists who may be exempt and how exemptions may be removed.

Details / Exceptions

• Non-Practice Exemption: A Kentucky Bar member may apply for a “CLE Non-Practice Exemption” if the member certifies that he or she has not practiced law in the Commonwealth during the educational year and will not practice in Kentucky while the exemption remains in effect. (KBA Form 5)
• SCR 3.665 Exemptions: SCR 3.665 provides for exemptions and their removal; those exempt under this Rule do not have to pay dues or complete CLE.
• New Lawyer Program Exemptions: For the “New Lawyer Program” (distinct from ongoing CLE), exemption may be granted if the member was admitted elsewhere for ≥ 5 years or completed a substantially equivalent program in another jurisdiction.
• Conditions & Removal: The exemption is not permanent; the CLE Commission may remove it if the attorney begins practicing or fails to maintain the conditions. (SCR 3.665(2)(a))

Key Takeaway
Kentucky does allow exemptions from its CLE requirement, but only under a formal non-practice certification (or related SCR 3.665 exemptions); active practitioners inside Kentucky generally must comply unless their exemption is maintained by rule.