What are the CLE requirements for inactive attorneys in New Jersey?

New Jersey attorneys must complete 24 CLE credit hours every two years, including 5 hours in ethics (of which at least 2 hours must be in diversity, inclusion, and elimination of bias).

Newly admitted attorneys have a supplementary requirement: in their first full compliance cycle, 16 out of the 24 credits must cover at least 6 designated New Jersey practice areas, with 1 credit devoted to trust & business accounting fundamentals.

Details

• Live credit: At least 12 of the 24 hours must be from live or interactive instruction.
• Carryover: Up to 12 excess credits may carry forward to the next cycle.
• Compliance groups: Attorneys are assigned to one of two groups based on birthdate to determine the cycle and reporting deadline.
• Reporting: Certification is done via the annual Attorney Registration & Billing, aligned with your assigned cycle.
• Exemptions: Attorneys admitted 50+ years, aged 75 or older, on full-time active duty, or fully retired may be exempt.

Key Takeaway: New Jersey requires 24 CLE hours every two years, including 5 ethics/professionalism (2 in diversity), with live instruction minimums, carryover allowance, and extra subject-area rules for new admittees.

Yes — in New Jersey attorneys may request an extension of time or waiver for CLE compliance under certain conditions. The NJ Board on Continuing Legal Education rules explicitly permit filing an application for extension or waiver for “good cause” before the end of the compliance period.

CLE Rules & Reporting in New Jersey

• Attorneys must complete 24 CLE credit hours every two years, with at least 5 in ethics/professionalism (including 2 in diversity/inclusion). (BCLE Regulations)
• The certification of compliance is submitted at the end of the compliance period, and noncompliance triggers a grace period and penalties.
• The NJ “Submission of an Application for a CLE Waiver or Extension” guide shows the Board accepts extension applications via the attorney registration portal.

Authority & Conditions for Extension / Waiver

• BCLE Regulation 202 authorizes the Board to waive or adjust CLE requirements for “good cause,” including “undue hardship or circumstances beyond the control of the lawyer.”
• The waiver/extension application must typically be filed 21 days before the end of the compliance period.
• The NJ Courts’ CLE forms confirm a $25 nonrefundable application fee for extension or waiver.

What You Should Do

1. Log in to the NJ attorney registration portal.
2. Under Continuing Legal Education, choose “CLE Application — Extension” or “Waiver.”
3. Explain the cause (medical, hardship, etc.) and upload supporting documentation.
4. Pay the $25 filing fee.
5. Check application status; ensure you apply before your compliance period ends.

Limitations & Considerations

• Approval is discretionary — it’s not guaranteed.
• The request must be timely — late applications may be rejected.
• The waiver or extension covers only that compliance period, not permanently.
• You must still meet your CLE requirement or face noncompliance consequences (fees, suspension).

Key Takeaway

New Jersey allows attorneys to request a CLE extension or waiver for good cause by filing a $25 application before the compliance period ends—but approval is discretionary and must be done on time.

No — New Jersey’s CLE rules do not provide different requirements for part-time vs full-time attorneys; all active attorneys must meet the same CLE obligation.

Every active New Jersey attorney (unless exempt) must complete 24 credit hours of continuing legal education in each two-year compliance period, including 5 hours in ethics/professionalism (at least 2 of which must address diversity, inclusion, and elimination of bias).

Details:

• A minimum number of credits must be earned via “live” instruction; the rules reinstated the live CLE requirement as of January 1, 2024.
• Carryover is permitted: attorneys may carry over up to 12 credits into the next compliance period.
• Newly admitted attorneys must satisfy specialized subject-area requirements: during their first full two-year cycle, they must complete 16 credits in at least six specified NJ substantive areas (among other general hours).
• Noncompliance leads to administrative ineligibility, fees, and late reporting penalties under the NJ CLE Board rules.

Key Takeaway: There is no CLE relief or reduced requirement for part-time attorneys in New Jersey — all active attorneys (regardless of workload) must fulfill the same 24-hour, two-year CLE requirement.

Yes — New Jersey’s CLE regime allows a few defined exemptions, such as for attorneys with 50+ years of licensure, those aged 75+, active military, VISTA/Peace Corps, and attorneys fully retired from practice.

Under the Supreme Court’s CLE rule (Rule 1:42 / BCLE Reg. 202:1), those categories are carved out from the 24-credit biennial requirement.

Details / Exceptions

• 50 years of practice: Attorneys admitted to practice law for 50 years or more in any jurisdiction are exempt from New Jersey’s CLE requirement.
• Age 75+: Attorneys who have reached age 75 are exempt, regardless of tenure.
• Active Duty Military / VISTA / Peace Corps: Attorneys serving full-time in the U.S. Armed Forces, VISTA, or Peace Corps may claim exemption.
• Fully retired attorneys: Those who are completely retired from the practice of law for the entire compliance period are exempt.
• Waivers / hardship: Even if none of the above apply, an attorney may petition for a waiver (full or partial) due to undue hardship or circumstances beyond control.
• No exemption for non-residency alone: Simply being located or practicing out of state does not automatically exempt one from NJ CLE.

Key Takeaway
New Jersey imposes mandatory CLE for most active attorneys, but it provides specific carve-outs for very senior attorneys, those 75 or over, active military service, full retirement, and hardship — these exemptions must be claimed under the Board’s rules.

Yes — New Jersey will accept CLE credits earned in New York so long as the New York credits satisfy New Jersey’s reciprocity conditions.
Under New Jersey’s rules, courses approved in another state that has mandatory CLE may count “through reciprocity,” provided they are the types of courses NJ allows and the credits do not exceed teaching limits.

Details:

• New Jersey’s CLE FAQ states: “Through reciprocity, New Jersey will accept credits for courses … accredited in another mandatory CLE jurisdiction …”
• The reciprocal credit applies only if the out-of-state course is accredited in that jurisdiction. If it is not so accredited, the course will not automatically qualify for reciprocity.
• There is no special fee for reciprocity in New Jersey.
• Attorneys must still comply with New Jersey’s own subject-area requirements (e.g. ethics, professionalism) and format rules (live vs alternative) when applying the out-of-state credits.
• If a course is not approved in any mandatory CLE jurisdiction, New Jersey allows attorneys to submit an individual application to seek credit.

Key Takeaway:

If your NY CLE was properly accredited, you can generally apply it in NJ via reciprocity, but you must ensure it meets NJ’s format and content rules and retain proof of accreditation.

Yes, at least one state — New York — requires a dedicated CLE credit in cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection. Other states are moving toward similar mandates through broader “technology CLE” requirements.

Current Cybersecurity CLE Requirements

• New York: Attorneys must complete 1 credit in cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection as part of their biennial CLE cycle (effective July 1, 2023).
• Florida: Requires 3 technology-related CLE credits every three-year cycle, which may include cybersecurity training.
• North Carolina: Requires 1 technology CLE credit annually, and cybersecurity courses may satisfy this requirement.
• New Jersey: Beginning in April 2025, attorneys must complete 1 technology CLE credit per biennial cycle, potentially including cybersecurity content.

Practical Implications

• Cybersecurity CLE is not yet universal but is becoming more common as part of broader technology-competence rules.
• Attorneys should confirm whether their state recognizes cybersecurity as a standalone requirement or as part of technology or ethics credits.
• Sprout Education tracks emerging CLE categories like cybersecurity and ensures attorneys meet both current and new compliance standards.

Key Takeaway: Cybersecurity CLE is required in New York and may be covered under technology CLE in states like Florida, North Carolina, and New Jersey, but it is not yet a universal mandate.