What are the CLE requirements for inactive attorneys in Florida?

Yes — but only in limited respects: Florida allows an extension for the Basic Skills Course Requirement (BSCR), not for the general CLE (CLER) reporting deadline.

The Florida Bar provides a BSCR Extension Request Form to defer completion of the basic skills requirement in certain hardship cases.

Details & Limitations

• The extension form explicitly states: “Please note that this is an extension form for your Basic Skills Course Requirements only. There are no extensions for CLER.”
• Under Florida policy, the Bar accepts “Undue Hardship Waiver Requests” for CLER exemptions or modifications, but that is not the same as a blanket extension of the reporting deadline.
• Florida’s CLE (“CLER”) rules require members to self-report credits online by their reporting period deadline; the Bar does not offer a general extension for CLER reporting.
• The Bar’s forms page shows “Petition for Removal of CLER Delinquency” and “Undue Hardship Waiver Request” but not an extension form for CLER itself.

Key Takeaway
You can request an extension for the Basic Skills Course Requirement in Florida, but not for general CLE (CLER) reporting — the reporting deadline stands, though you may seek hardship waivers or petitions for delinquency relief.

In Florida, CLE credit counts for attending approved CLE programs, participating as speaker or panelist, teaching law courses, writing legal articles, and (as of Dec. 30, 2024) approved pro bono service.

These activities must comply with Rule 6-10.3 requirements for accreditation, content, certification, and reporting.

Details

• Each attorney must complete 30 credit hours every three years, including 5 hours in legal ethics/professionalism and 3 hours in technology.
• Pro bono credit: one hour of general CLE credit may now be earned for each hour of pro bono service (limit 5 credits per cycle).
• Speaking / teaching: Credit is given for lecturing at approved CLE programs, panel participation, or instructing approved law or graduate courses.
• Writing: Publishing legal or professional articles may qualify for credit if approved by the Bar.
• Out-of-state CLE: Credits earned in other jurisdictions count if they meet Florida’s accreditation standards and are accepted by the Bar.
• Course credit must be formally approved or self-reported using the Bar’s process.

Key Takeaway

In Florida, CLE credit isn’t just about attending courses—it includes teaching, writing, and now pro bono service, provided each activity meets Rule 6-10.3’s accreditation and reporting criteria.

Florida allows a 60-day period after the CLE deadline for delinquent attorneys to become compliant under Rule 1-3.7(f). The Florida Bar considers this a curing window to submit missing hours or otherwise resolve noncompliance.

Florida CLE & Delinquency Process

• CLE requirements: 30 credit hours per 3-year cycle.
• After missing the deadline: rule allows 60 days to become compliant without discipline.

Key Takeaway: Florida offers a 60-day cure period after the reporting deadline, giving attorneys the opportunity to complete missing CLE and maintain good standing.

No — Florida’s CLE (CLER) rules make no distinction between part-time and full-time attorneys; all must satisfy the same CLE obligations (unless exempt).

Florida attorneys must complete 30 credit hours every 3 years (with subrequirements for ethics/professional responsibility, technology, and a mandatory professionalism course).

Details:

• At least 5 of the 30 hours must be in approved legal ethics, professionalism, substance abuse, or mental health/wellness, of which 2 must be the mandatory Florida Legal Professionalism course.
• At least 3 of the 30 hours must be in approved technology topics.
• The CLE cycle is 3 years; attorneys report via the MyFloridaBar member portal.
• Excess CLE credit cannot be carried forward into the next cycle.
• Exemptions exist for inactive members, active military service, nonresidents not practicing Florida law, federal judges, and hardship waivers.

Key Takeaway: Florida imposes the same CLE requirements on all active attorneys — part-time status does not reduce or alter the duty to complete 30 hours every 3 years (unless you qualify for an exemption).

You can begin reporting CLE credits in Florida as soon as you complete a program and receive its reference number—Florida’s system allows self-reporting via the Member Portal using that code.
However, your formal compliance certification must align with your assigned three-year reporting period and be submitted by your deadline.

Details & Context

• Florida attorneys must complete 30 CLE hours every three years under Rule 6-10.3.
• After each CLE program, you receive a course reference number you can immediately enter via the MyFloridaBar Member Portal.
• These entries accrue in your CLE record for the compliance period.
• You cannot certify full compliance until your reporting period ends and you file the required affidavit or certification.
• Florida does not allow carryover of excess credits to the next cycle.
• Sprout Education provides the reference number and certification documentation promptly, so you can report the moment the system allows it.

Key Takeaway: In Florida, you can self-report individual CLE completions as soon as they’re done using their reference numbers, but your full cycle certification must wait until your reporting period ends.

No — Florida does not provide for open-ended late CLE reporting; if you fail to timely certify, you are considered a delinquent member and may be prohibited from practicing until reinstated. The Florida Bar’s CLE rules treat noncompliance as a disciplinary matter, not a simple late reporting exception.

Details:

• Under Rule 6-10 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, failure to fulfill the CLE requirement within your compliance period renders you a delinquent member.
• A delinquent attorney must apply for reinstatement and show good cause for their delinquency.
• Attorneys delinquent for fewer than five years are eligible for reinstatement, but must submit a petition and pay a reinstatement fee (currently $150) along with demonstrating compliance with CLE.
• Reporting credits online in Florida is required via the Bar’s member portal, but that presumes you are not delinquent.

Key Takeaway
Florida does not permit simple late reporting of CLE beyond your compliance period — noncompliance leads to delinquency status, and you must petition for reinstatement and show cause to regain eligibility to practice.