How early can I report CLE credits in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin attorneys report CLE by electronically filing CLE Form 1 (Report of Compliance) via the Wisconsin CLE Reporting portal. The form must be filed by February 1 following the reporting cycle, covering courses completed by January 31.

Key Details:

• The Board of Bar Examiners’ electronic filing system (clereporting.wicourts.gov) is the required reporting channel.
• Lawyers admitted in odd-numbered years file for odd-year cycles, and those admitted in even years for even-year cycles.
• Courses must be finished by January 31 of the filing year.
• Late filing incurs a $100 late fee.
• If additional approved hours are earned after filing, attorneys may request amendment to increase carryover credits.
• For published legal writing credit, attorneys use CLE Form 4, submitting the published work and application to the BBE.

Key Takeaway: In Wisconsin, CLE reporting is conducted via e-filing of CLE Form 1 on the state’s portal by February 1, based on credits completed by January 31 of the same year.

No — Wisconsin’s CLE rules apply uniformly to all “active” attorneys; there is no reduced CLE obligation for part-time attorneys.

Under Supreme Court Rule Chapter 31, attorneys in Wisconsin must complete 30 hours of approved CLE in each two-year reporting period (including at least 3 hours in ethics).

Details:

• At least 15 of the 30 hours must be from “live” programs.
• Ethics hours must be taken live (i.e. not via repeated on-demand) and may not be carried over.
• Attorneys may carry over up to 15 credits (excluding ethics) into the next reporting period.
• A lawyer admitted in the reporting period’s first year is exempt from the CLE requirement for that year.
• If a lawyer does not practice law in Wisconsin at all during a reporting period, the attendance requirement does not apply (though reporting may still be required).
• Status-based exemptions and waivers (e.g. hardship, inactive status) are allowed under the rules, but none are tied to part-time vs full-time practice.

Key Takeaway: In Wisconsin, part-time practice does not reduce your CLE burden — all active attorneys must satisfy the same 30-hour, two-year requirement under SCR Chapter 31.

Wisconsin attorneys must complete 30 CLE credit hours every two years. That requirement includes 3 hours in ethics, and at least 15 hours must be taken via live or interactive formats.

Degree & Format Requirements

• Total requirement: 30 credits per biennial period
• Ethics: 3 credits (must be live/webcast)
• Live minimum: at least 15 credits must be live or interactive programming
• On-demand (recorded) cap: up to 15 credits per period (ethics credits are not allowed via on-demand)

Carryover & Reporting

• Carryover: up to 15 excess credits may carry into the next reporting period (ethics credits may not carry for satisfying the ethics requirement)
• Reporting deadline: February 1 following the end of the reporting period
• Compliance deadline: December 31 of the end year of the reporting period

Exemptions

• A lawyer is exempt from attendance and reporting in the year of admission to practice law in Wisconsin

Key Takeaway: Wisconsin requires 30 CLE hours every two years, including 3 live ethics hours, with half the credits earned via live or interactive programming and limited carryover allowed.

Wisconsin attorneys must complete 30 CLE credit hours every two years, including 3 hours in ethics.

At least 15 hours of the required 30 must be earned through “live” formats (in-person, live webcast, interactive programs).

Details

• Reporting cycle: two years, aligned with year of admission (even-year admittees comply in even years; odd-year admittees in odd years).

• Ethics requirement: 3 of the 30 hours must address ethics / professional responsibility.

• Live minimum: 15 hours must be in a live/interactive format.

• On-demand cap: No more than 15 hours per reporting period may come from recorded / on-demand programs.

• Carryover: Lawyers may carry over up to 15 excess credits into the next reporting period; ethics hours cannot be carried over.

• Pro bono credit: You may claim 1 general CLE hour for every 5 hours of qualifying pro bono legal service, up to 6 hours per reporting period.

• Exemption for new attorneys: Attorneys are exempt from CLE in the year of admission.

Key Takeaway: Wisconsin attorneys must complete 30 CLE hours every two years, with 3 ethics hours, live and on-demand limits, carryover rules, and a pro bono credit option.

The grace period for CLE reporting in Wisconsin extends to January 31 after the December 31 compliance deadline. Attorneys must complete CLE credits by December 31, but may submit them without penalty through January 31 (reporting is due February 1).

Key Deadlines:

• CLE credits must be earned by December 31 of the reporting period.
• Attorneys have until January 31 to finalize credits before penalties apply.
• CLE reports must be submitted to the Board of Bar Examiners by February 1.

Consequences of Missing the Grace Period:

• A late filing fee may be imposed if the report is submitted after February 1.
• Noncompliance may lead to suspension until CLE obligations are met.

Key Takeaway: Wisconsin gives attorneys an extra month after December 31 (until January 31) to finish CLE credits, with reporting due by February 1 to avoid penalties.

The CLE reporting deadline in Wisconsin is February 1 following the end of the two-year reporting period.

Attorneys must complete all required credits by December 31 of the reporting period and submit their report by February 1.

Wisconsin CLE Reporting Rules

• Reporting period: 2 years
• Compliance deadline: December 31 (complete all CLE)
• Reporting / certification deadline: February 1 via electronic filing
• Late fee: $100 late filing fee if reporting is delayed
• Requirement: 30 CLE credits per period, including 3 ethics hours (ethics must be live)

Key Takeaway: In Wisconsin, lawyers must finish their CLE by December 31 and report compliance by February 1.