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What counts toward CLE requirements in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, CLE credit counts when the educational activity meets the requirements of Rule 53—meaning it is intellectually substantive, properly reported, and aligns with defined subject matter—and attorneys must earn 720 minutes (12 hours) annually, including at least 120 minutes (2 hours) in ethics.

Creditable activities include live, interactive, or recorded educational programming, and pro bono legal representation (under set formulas), all subject to reporting and carryover rules.

Qualifying activities

  • Live or interactive programs (in-person, live webcast, or teleconference) that offer substantive legal education.
  • Recorded, on-demand programs (video or audio), provided they meet Rule 53 standards.
  • Pro bono legal services: attorneys assigned to represent indigent clients via approved legal aid programs may claim credit at 60 CLE minutes per 300 billable-equivalent minutes, up to 360 minutes per year (but no ethics credit via pro bono).
  • Educational programs on ethics, professionalism, malpractice prevention, substance abuse, or attorney-client dispute prevention automatically qualify for the 120-minute ethics component.

Limits, rules & special provisions

  • The reporting year runs from June 1 to May 31; certification (affidavit) is due between June 1 and July 1.
  • Excess minutes (beyond 720) may carry over to the next year, up to 720 minutes; ethics minutes carry over only if unused to meet that year’s ethics minimum.
  • Rule 53 does not preapprove courses or providers; each attorney must self-determine whether an educational activity qualifies under the criteria of Rule 53.
  • Attorneys returning to active status after more than two consecutive inactive years must complete an extra 360 minutes (6 hours) of CLE.
  • Some attorneys are exempt from certification or CLE requirements (judges, full-time clerks, limited active status members) under Rule 53.2.

Key Takeaway: In New Hampshire, attorneys may count live, interactive, recorded legal education and qualifying pro bono service toward their annual 12-hour (720-minute) requirement, but must self-certify compliance, allocate at least 2 hours to ethics topics, and abide by carryover and special status rules under Rule 53.

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