What are the CLE requirements for inactive attorneys in Idaho?

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.

Yes – Idaho attorneys can submit CLE attendance and credits online through the Idaho State Bar’s MCLE reporting portal.
The online system allows attorneys to report attendance, verify compliance status, and manage CLE records electronically throughout the reporting cycle.

• Idaho attorneys must complete 30 CLE hours every three years, including at least 3 hours of legal ethics.
• CLE credits can be submitted online using the MCLE Attendance Form available through the attorney’s ISB Dashboard.
• The Idaho State Bar generates a Certificate of Compliance once all attendance records have been entered online; this certificate must be confirmed or corrected by February 1 following the compliance period.
• Attorneys can view, add, and verify attendance records at any time, eliminating the need for separate paper submissions.
• If an attorney identifies missing or incorrect credits, they can upload attendance documentation or contact the MCLE Department for correction through the same portal.

Key Takeaway
Yes – Idaho allows attorneys to submit and manage CLE credits entirely online via the State Bar’s MCLE reporting system, with final certification due by February 1 of the year following the compliance period.

Idaho attorneys must complete 30 CLE credit hours every three years. That total includes at least 3 hours in legal ethics.

Compliance Cycle & Deadlines

• Cycle length: 3 years
• Deadline to complete credits: December 31 of the final year
• Reporting deadline: February 1 following the compliance year

Credit Composition & Limits

• Total required: 30 credits
• Ethics requirement: 3 credits
• Self-study limit: up to 15 credits may be self-study
• No carryover: credits must apply to the cycle in which they are earned

New Admittee Rules

• New attorneys must complete 10 New Admittee-approved (NAC) credits within their first year, including Idaho law, ethics, procedure, and community property

Key Takeaway: Idaho requires 30 CLE hours every 3 years, including 3 ethics credits, with a maximum of 15 self-study hours and no carryovers.

Yes — Idaho requires attorneys to complete at least 15 CLE credit hours through live or interactive formats, which can include in-person attendance, live webcasts, or teleconferences.
In-person participation is not strictly required, but live or synchronous learning is mandatory for half of each reporting cycle’s CLE hours.

Idaho CLE Requirements

• Total requirement: 30 CLE credits every 3-year reporting period
• Ethics requirement: 3 of the 30 hours must be in ethics or professional responsibility
• Reporting deadline: February 1 following the end of the reporting period

Format Rules & Limits

• Live requirement: At least 15 hours must be earned through live or interactive programs — in-person, live webcasts, or teleconferences where real-time interaction with the presenter is possible
• Self-study limit: No more than 15 hours per cycle may come from on-demand or recorded programs without interactive components
• Live definition: Programs qualify as “live” if three or more participants attend simultaneously and have access to the presenter or a qualified moderator for discussion or questions

Key Takeaway

Yes — Idaho mandates that at least 15 of the 30 required CLE hours every three years must be completed through live or interactive formats. In-person participation qualifies, but attorneys can also meet this requirement through approved live webcasts or teleconferences.

Attorneys in Idaho report CLE compliance by completing and submitting an MCLE Certificate of Compliance to the Idaho State Bar by February 1 following the December 31 compliance deadline. The form requires attorneys to list all completed CLE activities and certify that they meet the state’s minimum requirements.

Idaho CLE Reporting Format

• Completion deadline: All CLE credits must be earned by December 31 of the final year in the three-year reporting period.
• Reporting deadline: Attorneys must submit the MCLE Certificate of Compliance to the Idaho State Bar by February 1.
• Manual reporting: The Certificate is not prepopulated — attorneys must enter each completed course, including program title, sponsor, location, and credit hours.
• Verification: CLE providers may submit attendance lists directly to the Bar, but the attorney’s signed Certificate is the official record of compliance.
• Retention: Attorneys must keep their certificates of attendance and course documentation for at least four years in case of audit.

Key Takeaway

Idaho attorneys must manually report all CLE activities on the Certificate of Compliance and submit it to the Idaho State Bar by February 1 following the reporting cycle. The form is not prepopulated — attorneys are responsible for accurately listing and certifying all completed courses.

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.