What are the CLE requirements for inactive attorneys in Ohio?

Yes — Ohio allows carryover of CLE credits, up to 12 hours (general credits only).
Per the Ohio State Bar and Ohio CLE rules, excess credit beyond the 24-hour biennial requirement may be carried forward as general credit (professional conduct credits carry over only as general).

Details & nuances

• Ohio attorneys must complete 24 credit hours in each two-year compliance period, including 2.5 hours in Professional Conduct. (Supreme Court of Ohio CLE Info)
• The OSBA’s CLE page states: “Attorneys who complete more than the required hours of credit in a compliance period may apply a maximum of 12 credit hours to the next compliance period.” (ohiobar.org)
• Professional Conduct (ethics/professionalism) credits, when carried, are treated only as general credit and cannot satisfy the Professional Conduct requirement in the next period. (via NBI summary)
• For newly admitted attorneys in Ohio’s New Lawyers Training (NLT) program, if they earn more than the 12 required NLT credits, they too may carry over up to 12 general credits into the next compliance period. (lawline)

Key Takeaway
In Ohio, you can carry over up to 12 excess CLE credits (as general credit) into your next biennial period — but Professional Conduct credits carried over cannot count toward its required subcategory.

No — Ohio does not require a fixed number of in-person classroom CLE hours.

The state allows attorneys to satisfy their CLE requirement via live interactive programs (including live webcasts) or self-study courses, and as of January 1, 2023, the cap on self-study hours has been eliminated.

Details

• Ohio attorneys must complete 24 CLE credit hours per two-year compliance period, including 2.5 hours in professional conduct.
• Under prior rules, self-study (recorded, non-interactive) was capped; but the Supreme Court removed that cap permanently in 2023, allowing all credits from approved self-study formats.
• Sponsors must apply for accreditation of CLE programs, including specifying whether a program is “live in-person,” “live interactive webinar,” or self-study.
• Self-study courses must meet verification criteria (e.g. login tracking, polling) to qualify.

Key Takeaway

Ohio imposes no in-person classroom minimum — attorneys may fulfill their full 24-hour biennial CLE requirement through approved live interactive or self-study (recorded) formats under current rules.

Yes — Ohio permits reporting CLE late through a formal “Late Compliance” process after receiving a Notice of Apparent Noncompliance. This process allows attorneys to cure deficiencies, submit proof, and pay a late-compliance fee.

Here’s how Ohio’s late reporting / late compliance works:

• If an attorney fails to certify their CLE requirement by January 31 (the reporting deadline), the Supreme Court may issue a Notice of Apparent Noncompliance.
• After the notice, the attorney may use the Late Compliance procedure, which allows them to report missing credits earned between January 1 and March 31, submit evidence by specified deadlines, and pay a late compliance fee.
• The late compliance fee is tiered based on the number of deficient hours:
  
    • 6 hours or less → $75
  
    • More than 6 up to 12 hours → $150
  
    • More than 12 up to 18 hours → $225
  
    • More than 18 hours → $300
• If the attorney fails to cure by March 31, submit proof by April 30, or pay the fee, a Sanction Order is issued.
• Attorneys with repeated noncompliance (in multiple biennia) may face suspension rather than just monetary sanctions.

Key Takeaway

Yes — Ohio allows late CLE reporting via a Late Compliance procedure, but you must act after a notice, cure deficiencies by March 31 (or proof by April 30), and pay a late fee scaled to your deficit.

Ohio attorneys must complete 24 CLE credit hours every two years. That requirement includes 2.5 hours in professional conduct (ethics/professionalism and related topics).

Credit & Cycle Rules

• Total requirement: 24 credit hours per biennial compliance period
• Professional conduct requirement: 2.5 hours
• Reporting groups: attorneys with last names A–L report by December 31 of odd-numbered years; M–Z report by December 31 of even years
• Reporting deadline: January 31 after the compliance year

Carryover & Other Provisions

• Carryover: up to 12 general credit hours may be carried into the next biennial period (professional conduct credits do not carry over)
• Self-study / Online: As of 2023, there is no cap on self-study credits; attorneys may satisfy the full 24 hours via on-demand, live webcast, or other approved formats
• New attorneys: Newly admitted lawyers must complete a New Lawyers Training program (12 credits) in their first biennium, including professionalism, client funds management, law office management, and substantive law courses

Key Takeaway: Ohio’s biennial CLE requirement is 24 hours, including 2.5 hours of professional conduct, with a 12-hour carryover limit and flexible format rules.

The CLE reporting deadline in Ohio is January 31 following the December 31 compliance deadline.

Ohio attorneys must complete their required CLE credits by December 31 of their reporting cycle and then certify/report within 30 days (by January 31).

Ohio CLE Reporting Rules & Schedule

• Compliance by December 31: Attorneys must finish all CLE credits by year-end.
• Reporting Deadline: January 31 (30 days after the compliance date).
• Name-based schedule:
   • A–L attorneys comply in odd-numbered years
  
   • M–Z attorneys comply in even-numbered years
• Credit Requirement: 24 hours every two years, including 2.5 hours of professional conduct
• Noncompliance Risk: Missing the reporting deadline triggers late compliance procedures

Key Takeaway: In Ohio, complete your CLE by December 31 and certify/report by January 31.

No — Ohio’s CLE rules do not provide for a formal extension of time to report CLE, though the Court may consider leniency in exceptional cases. The official Ohio CLE FAQ makes no mention of an extension option.

Ohio CLE Framework & Reporting Deadlines

• Ohio attorneys must complete 24 credit hours every two years.
• CLE credits must be earned by December 31 of the compliance period.
• Attorneys must report their completed credits by January 31 following the period.

What You Should Do (if you can’t meet the deadline)

1. Contact the Office of Attorney Services (Ohio Supreme Court) immediately to explain your situation.
2. Provide documentation of the hardship or extenuating circumstances.
3. Request that they consider leniency or alternative relief (though not guaranteed).
4. Simultaneously complete as many CLE hours as possible.
5. Retain all records and communications in case of audit or review.

Limitations & Considerations

• Because there is no statutory authority permitting extensions, any relief is purely discretionary and not guaranteed.
• There is no published procedure, form, or standard for extension requests in Ohio’s CLE materials.
• Even in hardship, failure to report or complete CLE may expose you to discipline or administrative consequences.
• Advance planning is crucial — do not wait until the last minute.

Key Takeaway

Ohio’s rules do not officially allow CLE reporting extensions — you can try to seek discretionary leniency in exceptional cases, but there is no procedural right to an extension.