How many CLE credits do Delaware attorneys need?

No — Delaware’s CLE rules do not provide different requirements based on part-time versus full-time practice; all active attorneys must meet the same baseline (unless exempt).

Delaware requires 24 CLE credit hours in each two-year compliance period for most attorneys, including at least 4 hours of ethics and at least 12 hours of live credit.

Details:

• Senior attorneys (those with 40 or more years of bar membership) have a reduced 12-hour requirement every two years (with 2 hours in ethics, 6 live) under Rule 4(C).
• Newly admitted attorneys must complete “Fundamentals” courses (7 topics) within their first four years, in addition to meeting the general CLE requirements.
• Attorneys who become active after a period of inactivity must have their obligation prorated based on the date of reinstatement.
• Exemptions exist for retired, inactive, or emeritus status, or attorneys not engaged in practice via affidavit.

Key Takeaway: Delaware’s CLE obligations are uniform with regard to part-time versus full-time status — there is no reduced requirement for “part-time” attorneys (except general senior/status exemptions).

Delaware’s CLE rules allow attorneys to cure CLE noncompliance after the December 31 reporting deadline through a formal delinquency procedure. The Commission on Continuing Legal Education issues deficiency notices and assesses fees, and if the deficiency remains uncorrected, suspension proceedings may follow. The exact timeframe to cure may vary depending on the reporting group or administrative schedule.

Delaware CLE Deadlines and Delinquency Procedures

• Compliance deadline: Attorneys must complete all required CLE credits by December 31 of their assigned reporting year.
• Certification filing: The transcript or compliance confirmation must typically be submitted by February 1 of the following year.
• Delinquency process: Attorneys who fail to meet the CLE requirement are notified by the Commission and given a limited period to cure the deficiency.
• Fees and suspension: Continued noncompliance results in a delinquency fee and, if unresolved, administrative suspension until the deficiency is corrected and fees are paid.
• Variable cure period: The Delaware Supreme Court and CLE Commission set cure and suspension timelines administratively; these may differ slightly across compliance groups or years.

Key Takeaway

Delaware attorneys who miss the December 31 CLE completion deadline may cure deficiencies during a Commission-specified delinquency period, but failure to comply after notice and fee assessment can lead to suspension. The precise cure deadline varies by administrative policy rather than a fixed statutory date.

Yes — Delaware requires attorneys to complete at least 12 hours of CLE in a “live” in-person format within each two-year compliance period.

Of the 24 total CLE hours required every two years, 12 must be earned through live, in-person instruction; the remaining may be completed via online or recorded formats.

Details

• Delaware’s CLE rules specify that credit for “live” courses must be in person, with real attendance by lawyers from different organizations.
• The Delaware State Bar Association affirms that “12 hours must be taken Live CLE during a two-year compliance reporting period.”
• The requirement is part of the amended CLE rules which also reduce or eliminate make-up plans and enforce graduated penalties for noncompliance.
• Providers seeking accreditation must present courses “in a setting physically suitable to the educational activity.”

Key Takeaway

Delaware mandates a minimum in-person live credit requirement — attorneys must complete 12 of their 24 biennial CLE hours via in-person instruction.

No — Delaware does not impose a separate CLE requirement exclusively for judges; judges (judicial officers) are subject to the same CLE rules as other attorneys.

Delaware’s CLE rules define “Attorney” to exclude judicial officers, but also explicitly allow judicial officers to “comply with the educational requirements” set for attorneys under the same rule.

Under those rules, all attorneys must complete 24 approved CLE credit hours every two years (of which at least 4 must be in ethics and at least 12 must be live).

Key Takeaway: Delaware requires judges to meet the same 24-credit, biennial CLE standard as other attorneys; there is no distinct judicial CLE regime.

No — Delaware requires a portion of CLE to be “live,” which includes in-person formats; live webcast alone is not sufficient to meet the full live-credit requirement. Under Delaware’s CLE rules, at least 12 of the 24 credits in each two-year period must be earned via live, in-person courses (or equivalent in-person interactive formats).

Delaware CLE Live-Credit Requirement

• Total requirement: 24 CLE credits every two years
• Live credits required: at least 12 credits must come from in-person, live approved courses
• Ethics requirement: 4 credits in enhanced ethics, which may satisfy part of the live or non-live credits

Other Formats & Limits

• Up to 12 credits per period may be earned via non-live or “eCLE” formats (such as recorded courses, webinars, or distance learning)
• Non-live courses must be approved and may require verification of completion

Key Takeaway: Delaware requires half of CLE credits (12 of 24) to be earned through in-person live courses; live webcast or non-live formats can fill the remaining credits but cannot satisfy the full live requirement.

Yes — Delaware permits certain attorneys to be exempt from CLE under specific circumstances, such as retirement certification, inactive status, or serving in elected public office and not practicing law.

Delaware Rules for Continuing Legal Education, Rule 4(F), outlines that attorneys or judicial officers with a retirement certificate, those holding elected public office who certify nonpractice, and inactive members may be exempt.

Details / Exceptions

• Retirement Certificate: Any Attorney or Judicial Officer who has been granted a certificate of retirement under Supreme Court Rule 69(f) is exempt.
• Elected Public Office / Nonpractice: Any Attorney holding an elected public office (State or U.S.) who certifies to the CLE Commission by affidavit that the attorney is not engaged in practicing law may be exempt, if the Commission approves the application.
• Inactive Status: Any Attorney or Judicial Officer who becomes an inactive member of the Bar under Supreme Court Rule 69(d)(i) is exempt.
• Federal Judges: Members of the federal judiciary are exempt.
• Comity Exemption: An attorney whose principal practice is out of state and who is in compliance with mandatory CLE in that jurisdiction is deemed in compliance with Delaware’s CLE rules (so may avoid duplicative requirements) under Rule 4(F)(4).
• Disability / Special Circumstances: An attorney with a disability or special situation making attendance impracticable may request a substitute educational plan from the Commission.
• Even when exempt, attorneys must follow the application / certification process to the CLE Commission.

Key Takeaway
Delaware’s CLE rules provide limited exemptions (retired attorneys, inactive members, nonpracticing elected public officers, federal judges, and comity for out-of-state attorneys), but the attorney must formally certify or apply for the exemption under Rule 4(F).