How many CLE hours are required every reporting cycle in Idaho?

Idaho allows attorneys to request an extension from January 1 through March 1 to complete CLE after the December 31 deadline. This is not a free grace period but requires a $100 extension fee or written request.

Idaho CLE Deadlines & Extension Window

• December 31: Final date to complete annual CLE credits.
• February 1: Deadline to submit Certificate of Compliance.
• March 1: Last date to cure deficiencies if an extension is granted and fee is paid.

Penalties & Noncompliance

• Attorneys who fail to comply or request an extension may be deemed noncompliant.
• Noncompliance can result in referral for suspension until CLE credits are completed and fees are paid.

Key Takeaway: Idaho does not provide a free grace period, but attorneys may extend until March 1 by paying a $100 fee or making a written request, ensuring compliance is maintained.

Idaho attorneys must complete 30 accredited CLE credit hours every three years, including at least 3 hours in ethics.
At least 15 credits must be earned through live webinar or in-person courses, and no more than 15 hours may come from self-study or on-demand online programs.

Details

• Reporting cycle: 3 years, ending December 31
• Ethics requirement: Minimum 3 ethics credits per cycle
• Live requirement: At least 15 hours must come from live, interactive programs (in-person, live webcast, or teleconference)
• Self-study cap: No more than 15 credits may be earned through self-study or on-demand formats
• New admittee requirement: Within one year of admission, new attorneys must complete 10 New Admittee Credit (NAC) approved credits, which count toward the 30-hour total
• Carryover: Excess CLE credits do not carry into the next reporting period
• Certification deadline: Attorneys must certify compliance by February 1 following the end of their reporting year

Key Takeaway

Idaho attorneys must complete 30 CLE hours every 3 years — at least 15 must be live (in-person or interactive webinars) and at least 3 must be in ethics, with the remaining 15 allowed through self-study or on-demand programs.

You may begin reporting CLE credits in Idaho when your three-year compliance period ends (December 31), since the MCLE Certification form becomes available afterward.
Attorneys must complete all required credits by December 31 and then submit a Certificate of Compliance by February 1 of the following year.

Key Details

• Idaho’s reporting periods are three years, and attorneys must complete 30 CLE credits (including 3 in ethics) during each period.
• All credits must be earned by December 31 of the final year of your cycle.
• After the period ends, the MCLE Certification (reporting) window opens, and the deadline for filing is February 1.
• Attorneys cannot file compliance before December 31.
• Providers are responsible for reporting attendance, but you must verify that all credited hours appear on your record before certification.
• If necessary, attorneys may request an extension (until March 1) to complete credits from the prior period, with a $100 fee.
• If you completed CLE via Sprout Education, ensure those credits are submitted and properly recorded before you file your Certificate of Compliance.

Key Takeaway: In Idaho, you can report CLE compliance only after your three-year period ends on December 31, with the certification window open until February 1 (or March 1 with extension).

No — Idaho’s CLE (MCLE) rules do not provide a separate or reduced requirement for part-time attorneys; all “Active” attorneys must meet the same baseline.

Idaho Bar Commission Rule 402(a) requires Active and House Counsel members to complete 30 credit hours of approved CLE in every three-year reporting period, of which at least 3 must be in legal ethics or professional responsibility.

Details:

• Up to 15 of the 30 credit hours may come from self-study (on-demand) programs; the rest must come from approved live or interactive activities.
• New admittees must complete 10 “New Admittee Credit-Approved” CLE credits within the first 12 months, including required core Idaho law topics.
• CLE credit hours generally cannot be carried forward beyond a reporting period.
• There is no provision in the rules that reduces the requirement based on how many hours the attorney practices.

Key Takeaway: In Idaho, being part-time rather than full-time does not change CLE obligations — all Active attorneys must complete the same 30-hour requirement (subject to new-admittee rules).

You report CLE credits in Idaho by submitting a Certificate of Compliance to the Idaho State Bar at the end of your three-year MCLE period, certifying that you have met the required credit hours.
Idaho requires attorneys to complete 30 accredited hours—including at least 3 in ethics—within each reporting period.

Overview of Idaho MCLE Reporting

The reporting cycle spans three years.
You must complete 30 accredited CLE hours during that period; no more than 15 may be self-study.
At the close of the period (by December 31 of the final year), attorneys file a Certificate of Compliance by February 1.
If your attendance records in the Bar’s public database are incomplete or incorrect, you may request adjustments or submit self-verification to align your records.

Steps to Report CLE in Idaho

• Complete your 30 CLE hours (including the required 3 ethics hours) by December 31 of the final compliance year.
• Track and retain certificates, course titles, agendas, and provider details.
• Check your attendance record via the Idaho State Bar’s online attendance system—ensure all courses appear.
• If a course is missing, request verification from the provider or submit the Bar’s self-verification form.
• Submit the Certificate of Compliance to the Idaho State Bar by February 1 following the end of your reporting period.
• If you earned credits through Sprout Education, verify that we have submitted those credits to Idaho (where permitted) and confirm they appear on your attendance record—reporting is supported but your compliance submission is your responsibility.

Key Takeaway: Idaho attorneys must complete 30 CLE hours over three years, check their attendance records, and submit a Certificate of Compliance by February 1 after the end of their period. Sprout Education assists with reporting where allowed, but you must ensure accuracy and timely certification.

Yes — Idaho allows a limited number of exemptions from CLE upon showing special circumstances, disability, or full-time military service, but not blanket exemptions by age or office.

Under Idaho Bar Commission Rules, the Executive Director may grant exemptions (total or partial) for undue hardship, disability, or military service if the attorney does not practice law in Idaho.

Details / Exceptions

• Undue hardship / special circumstances: The Executive Director may exempt all or part of the CLE requirement upon written request showing special circumstances. (I.B.C.R. 402(e)(1)(A))
• Disability / severe or prolonged illness: All or part of CLE may be satisfied via self-study for attorneys with verified disability or serious illness. (I.B.C.R. 402(e)(1)(B))
• Full-time active military duty (not practicing in Idaho): Attorneys on full-time military duty who do not practice law in Idaho may be exempted. (I.B.C.R. 402(e)(1)(C))
• Emeritus attorneys: Attorneys with an Emeritus limited license still have minimal CLE obligations (e.g. 3 credit hours annually through approved legal assistance organizations). (I.B.C.R. 228(h))
• Inactive / non-active statuses: CLE obligations bind “Active and House Counsel” members; inactive or non-active members are not required under the main rule. (I.B.C.R. 402(a) & rule definitions)

Key Takeaway
Idaho does not broadly exempt categories like judges or senior members, but allows case-by-case exemptions based on hardship, disability, or military service; Emeritus attorneys also have a scaled CLE duty.