What are the CLE requirements for inactive attorneys in Iowa?

Yes — Iowa attorneys are required to file CLE reports electronically via the Iowa Court Commissions site.

Iowa mandates self-reporting of CLE hours using the state’s online system. ([iowacourts.gov](https://www.iowacourts.gov/opr/attorneys/attorney-practice/attorney-annual-reporting-requirements))

Details:

• Under Iowa’s rules, active attorneys must complete 15 hours of CLE per calendar year (including 1 hour of legal ethics). ([iowacourts.gov](https://www.iowacourts.gov/opr/attorneys/attorney-practice/continuing-legal-education))
• CLE reports must be filed electronically by the attorney as part of their annual reporting obligation. ([iowacourts.gov](https://www.iowacourts.gov/opr/attorneys/attorney-practice/attorney-annual-reporting-requirements))
• There is a $25 administrative fee when filing the CLE report. ([iowacourts.gov](https://www.iowacourts.gov/opr/attorneys/attorney-practice/attorney-annual-reporting-requirements))
• Attorneys may request an extension of the reporting deadline (for CLE) through the site before January 15 at no cost; after that date the extension costs $100. ([iowabar.org](https://www.iowabar.org/?blAction=showEntry&blogEntry=118452&pg=IowaBarBlog))
• The reporting deadline for the CLE report is March 1 following the year in which credits were earned. ([attorneycredits.com](https://www.attorneycredits.com/iowa-cle?srsltid=AfmBOop40SMB78K4x0gsRJn-sgDdpVAYdv59PbSs_UuL9YDcdXpMoYXt))

Key Takeaway:
Iowa supports electronic CLE reporting through the state’s online reporting system; as an attorney you file your CLE report online and pay the associated administrative fee.

Iowa attorneys must complete 15 CLE credit hours every calendar year. One hour must be in legal ethics, and one hour must be in attorney wellness or diversity and inclusion.

Cycle & Reporting

• Reporting cycle: January 1 – December 31
• Credits must be earned by December 31
• CLE reporting deadline: March 10 of the following year

Credit Structure & Carryover

• Total requirement: 15 hours per year
• Ethics: 1 hour
• Wellness/Diversity & Inclusion: 1 hour
• No cap on unmoderated (on-demand) credits as of the latest rule changes
• Carryover: attorneys may carry over excess credits into two future reporting periods (carryover applied only to general credits, not to required ethics or wellness/diversity components)

New Admittees & Exceptions

• Newly admitted attorneys are exempt from compliance in their admission year
• Credits earned during the admission year may be carried into the first full reporting year

Key Takeaway: Iowa requires 15 CLE hours annually, including 1 hour of ethics and 1 hour of wellness or diversity, with a March 10 reporting deadline.

In Iowa, you begin “reporting” CLE credits only after the reporting period ends (December 31). The annual CLE report becomes available after year-end, and attorneys must submit their report by March 10.

You do not file compliance partway through the year — you accumulate completed credits all year, then self-report after December 31.

Key Details

• Iowa’s CLE reporting period is calendar year (Jan 1 to Dec 31).
• Attorneys must complete 15 CLE hours per year, including 1 hour in legal ethics and 1 hour in wellness or diversity/inclusion.
• All credits must be earned by Dec 31 of each year.
• The deadline for submitting the CLE report is March 10 of the following year.
• Iowa attorneys are responsible for self-reporting via the Iowa Judicial Branch Office of Professional Regulation.
• Providers (or CLE sponsors) submit attendance to the Commission on CLE, but reporting by the attorney happens only after year-end.

Key Takeaway
In Iowa, you can only report CLE credits after the year ends (after December 31). The reporting window then opens, and you must submit your CLE report by March 10.

Yes — Iowa allows attorneys who do not practice law in Iowa to apply for a certificate of exemption, and permits waivers or extensions for hardship or extenuating circumstances.

Under Iowa Court Rules (Chapter 41, Rule 41.7), an attorney who is not engaged in practice in Iowa may be granted an exemption; the CLE Commission may also grant waivers or extensions.

Details / Exceptions

• Certificate of Exemption for Non-Practicing Attorneys: If a member of the Iowa bar “is not engaged in the practice of law in the state of Iowa,” the attorney may apply to the Commission for a waiver of CLE compliance and receive a certificate of exemption. (Iowa Ct. R. 41.7)
• Waivers / Extensions for Hardship: The Commission may grant waivers of the minimum CLE requirements or extensions of time (up to six months) in individual cases for “hardship or extenuating circumstances.” (Iowa Ct. R. 41.5(3))
• Year of Admission Exclusion: An attorney in the year they are admitted to the bar is not required to comply with the CLE requirement for that year. (Iowa Ct. R. 41.4(2))
• No blanket exemptions for judges, senior attorneys, or government attorneys are prescribed in the rules beyond those above.
• Even when exempted, attorneys must complete the formal application or reporting procedures (e.g. apply for certificate of exemption, request waiver) with the Commission.

Key Takeaway
Iowa does offer limited exemptions — notably for attorneys not practicing in Iowa, and for hardship or admission-year status — but does not broadly exempt judges or senior attorneys; an application or waiver must be approved by the CLE Commission.

Attorneys in Iowa certify CLE compliance annually through the Iowa Judicial Branch CLE online reporting portal. The compliance period runs on a calendar-year basis, and attorneys must complete required credits by December 31 and certify compliance by March 10 of the following year.

Iowa CLE Reporting Format

• Completion deadline: All required CLE credits (15 hours, including 1 ethics and 1 wellness or diversity/inclusion credit) must be earned by December 31.
• Reporting deadline: Attorneys must log in to the Iowa Judicial Branch CLE portal and certify compliance by March 10 of the following year.
• Online certification: Reporting is done electronically — no written or mailed form is required.
• Provider submissions: CLE sponsors may report attendance to the Commission, but attorneys are responsible for confirming that all earned credits appear accurately before certification.
• Audit documentation: Attorneys must retain attendance certificates and course records for at least three years in case of audit.

Key Takeaway

In Iowa, attorneys certify CLE compliance annually via the Judicial Branch’s online CLE portal by March 10, following a December 31 completion deadline.

No — Iowa does not require all CLE to be in person; live webcasts and recorded or distance formats are permitted under Iowa’s rules. Iowa allows attorneys to satisfy their CLE requirement using internet-based delivery methods, provided the program meets standards for live or recorded distance activities.

Annual CLE Requirements in Iowa

• Total requirement: 15 credit hours per calendar year, including 1 hour in legal ethics.
• Compliance period: January 1 to December 31.

Live & Distance Learning Rules

• Iowa Court Rule chapter 42 defines “live webcast” as a CLE activity delivered in real time over the internet to remote participants.
• Previously recorded programs also qualify, subject to approval and the rules for distance learning.
• Iowa rules allow all CLE credits to be taken via webcasts or recorded courses, as long as those courses are approved under Iowa’s standards.

Key Takeaway: Iowa attorneys may fulfill their full CLE obligation via live webcast or recorded courses; in-person attendance is not required so long as the programs comply with Iowa’s distance learning rules.