In Vermont, attorneys earn CLE credit through Board-approved educational programming, writing, service, and self-study under Vermont’s MCLE rules.
The requirement is 24 credit hours every two years, including mandated hours in ethics, wellness, and diversity/inclusion, and a required portion must be “moderated” (interactive) programming.
Qualifying CLE activities
- Attendance at moderated programming — in-person, live webinars, teleconferences, or other courses with real-time interaction.
- Non-moderated programming that includes interactivity as a key component (e.g. on-demand courses with quizzes, live Q&A, or interactive elements).
- Teaching, lecturing, or presenting in accredited CLE programs (when approved).
- Authorship of approved legal writings or educational materials (when certified).
- Service in CLE-related roles (e.g. serving on the Board of Bar Examiners) may yield credit.
- Out-of-state CLE, when it meets Vermont’s accreditation and interactivity standards.
Mandatory credit allocations & format rules
- At least 2 hours must be in legal ethics.
- 1 hour in attorney wellness.
- 1 hour in diversity and inclusion.
- 12 of the 24 hours must be earned via moderated programming or programming with interactivity as a key component.
- The other 12 hours may be from non-moderated, interactive self-study formats (approved) or the teaching/writing/service credit types.
- All 24 credit hours may be satisfied through online or web formats, as long as they comply with moderation/interactivity rules.
Special requirement for newly admitted attorneys
- Within one year of admission, new attorneys must complete 15 hours of CLE on Vermont practice and procedure, with at least 6 hours via live/moderated programming.
- These 15 hours count toward the 24-hour biennial CLE requirement in the first reporting period.
Key Takeaway: In Vermont, you can count moderated live coursework, interactive self-study, teaching, writing, service, and out-of-state CLE (if approved)—so long as you satisfy required ethics, wellness, and diversity credits, and ensure at least half your credits come from interactive/moderated programming in each two-year cycle.