How early can I report CLE credits in Maryland?

Maryland attorneys currently have no mandatory CLE requirement.

There is no set number of CLE credits attorneys must complete, although the Supreme Court of Maryland is considering a future rule that could establish a requirement as early as 2026.

Details

• No mandatory CLE system is in place as of 2025.

• Attorneys may voluntarily take CLE programs to maintain competence under professional conduct obligations.

• A proposed framework under review would require 12 hours annually, including ethics, diversity/inclusion, and mental health components, but it has not been adopted.

• Any mandatory CLE program will not take effect before spring 2026.

Key Takeaway: Maryland attorneys are not currently required to complete CLE credits, though a mandatory program may be implemented in the coming years.

Maryland does not currently require attorneys to report CLE because the state has no mandatory CLE rule in force. Attorneys have no ongoing CLE reporting obligation.

Key Details:

• Maryland has no active statutory or rule-based CLE requirement for full compliance for all attorneys.
• A workgroup has proposed introducing mandatory CLE, but as of now it remains only a recommendation, not adopted.
• Because there is no CLE mandate, there is no format (portal, affidavit, transcript) for CLE reporting in Maryland.

Key Takeaway: In Maryland, there is no CLE reporting format because mandatory CLE has not been adopted.

You currently do not report CLE credits in Maryland because there is no mandatory CLE or reporting requirement in effect.
The Maryland Supreme Court has continued reviewing whether to adopt mandatory CLE or a mandatory reporting system, but as of now attorneys are not required to certify CLE.

Overview of Maryland CLE Status

Maryland does not impose a mandatory CLE requirement for attorneys.
In December 2024, the Court voted to defer adoption of mandatory CLE or mandatory reporting.
Attorneys maintain professional competence under ethics rules but are not obligated to submit CLE compliance to the Bar.

Steps (If Reporting Were Required)

• No certification or reporting is currently required in Maryland.
• If mandatory CLE is adopted in the future, you would likely be asked to self-report via an online system or affidavit.
• If you earn CLE through Sprout Education, when reporting becomes required, our records transmission would support your compliance—but the obligation will rest with you to certify.

Key Takeaway: Because Maryland has not adopted mandatory CLE or reporting, no CLE certification or reporting process is currently applicable to attorneys. Sprout Education will monitor any change and support you when reporting becomes required.

There is no CLE deadline in Maryland because CLE is not mandatory in that jurisdiction. Attorneys in Maryland are not required to complete or report CLE hours under the current rules.

Key Takeaway: Maryland is a “hold-out” state — missing a CLE deadline has no consequence because no such deadline exists.

Maryland does not require attorneys to complete mandatory continuing legal education (CLE). Because there is no CLE requirement in the state, there are no exemptions to claim — attorneys simply do not have to earn or report CLE credits.

Details / Context

• The Maryland Judiciary confirms that there is no MCLE program in place for attorneys licensed in the state.
• The American Bar Association also lists Maryland among the few jurisdictions with no CLE mandate.
• While the Supreme Court of Maryland has considered adopting a CLE requirement in recent years, as of 2025 no such rule has been enacted.

Key Takeaway
Attorneys licensed in Maryland are not subject to mandatory CLE, so exemptions are unnecessary until or unless a CLE rule is adopted in the future.

No — Maryland has no mandatory CLE regime, so it imposes no in-person or “live” minimum requirements.

Because CLE is not required, there is currently no rule demanding classroom attendance or any specific format thresholds.

Details

• Maryland is one of a small number of states without a compulsory MCLE requirement for attorneys.
• A work group convened by the Maryland Supreme Court recommended adoption of a 12-hour annual CLE mandate (with content rules), but the court has postponed implementing mandatory CLE.
• Until (and unless) mandatory CLE is adopted, all CLE participation in Maryland is voluntary, and there is no regulatory distinction or requirement for in-person delivery.

Key Takeaway

Maryland does not require any minimum in-person CLE hours because it does not yet mandate CLE at all — no format requirements apply in a voluntary system.