What counts toward CLE requirements in New York?

No — New York does not require most attorneys to complete a minimum number of in-person or live webcast CLE credits.
Experienced attorneys may earn all required CLE credits through on-demand or recorded programs, provided the course is accredited and completed within the compliance period.

CLE Format Rules in New York

• Experienced attorneys (admitted more than two years) must complete 24 CLE credits every two years. All 24 credits may be earned via nonparticipatory (on-demand) programs, as long as the course is approved by the New York State CLE Board.
• Newly admitted attorneys (in their first two years of admission) are the exception:
  • Skills credits must be completed through a traditional live classroom or a fully interactive live videoconference.
  • Ethics and Professionalism credits must allow real-time interaction (such as live webcast or video).
  • Temporary provisions allow newly admitted attorneys to complete Skills credits via live interactive webcast or teleconference through December 31, 2025.
• There is no universal live-hour minimum for all attorneys under New York’s CLE rules.

Summary Table

Key Takeaway

New York does not impose a live or in-person CLE minimum for most attorneys — only newly admitted attorneys must take certain Skills and Ethics credits in live or interactive formats.

Yes — New York’s CLE rules exempt some attorneys, subject to conditions, under 22 NYCRR § 1500.5.

Attorneys who do not practice law in New York during their biennial reporting cycle, full-time active U.S. military members, attorneys temporarily admitted for a case, and those retired under Judiciary Law § 468-a are among those eligible.

Details / Exceptions

• Not Practicing in New York: Attorneys who certify that they did not provide legal advice or representation during the cycle are exempt.
• Active Military Duty: Full-time members of U.S. or State military services on active duty are exempt.
• Temporary Admission: Attorneys with offices outside New York temporarily admitted to practice in NY for specific proceedings are exempt.
• Retirement Certification: Attorneys who certify they are retired pursuant to Judiciary Law § 468-a are exempt.
• Waiver / Modification: In individual cases involving undue hardship or extenuating circumstances, the CLE Board may grant waivers or modifications.
• Prorated CLE: If an attorney begins or ceases practicing in New York mid-cycle, a prorated CLE requirement may apply.

Key Takeaway
New York does not blanket-exempt broad classes like judges or older attorneys, but provides targeted exemptions for non-practicing, military, temporary admissions, or retired attorneys, with room for waivers in hardship cases.

Yes — New York allows carryover of CLE credits, with caps and rules depending on status (experienced or newly admitted).

Experienced attorneys may carry over up to 6 excess CLE credit hours into the next biennial reporting cycle.

Details & nuances

• Under the New York CLE “Carry-Over Credit FAQs,” once you complete your required 24 hours, you may carry forward a maximum of 6 excess credit hours, in any category.
• The New York Rules (NYCRR) similarly provide: “an attorney who accumulates more than the 24 hours of credit in any one biennial reporting cycle may carry over a maximum of six credits.”
• For newly admitted attorneys (in their transitional 2-year period), the carryover rules differ:
  • If in your first year you earn more than the required transitional 16 credits, you may carry over up to 8 credits into your second year.
  • Once the transitional period is over, you follow the 6-credit carryover maximum like experienced attorneys.
• Ethics/Professionalism credits cannot be carried over during the transitional period, although after you become an experienced attorney you may carry ethics credits in the 6-credit carryover.

Key Takeaway

In New York, experienced attorneys may carry over up to 6 CLE credits into the next biennial period; newly admitted attorneys have a higher carryover (up to 8 credits) only during their transitional period, but ethics credits aren’t allowed to carry over then.