What happens if I miss the CLE deadline in Arizona?

No — Arizona does not impose a requirement that attorneys attend a minimum number of CLE hours in a physical, in-person setting.

Its MCLE framework permits credit for “Interactive CLE,” which includes live webcasts, teleconferences, and programs with real-time participation, as well as “Self-study” (recorded, non-interactive formats) subject to limits.

Details

• Arizona attorneys must complete 15 CLE credit hours per year, of which 3 hours must be in professional responsibility (ethics) topics.
• At least 10 of those hours must be earned through Interactive CLE formats (live in-person, live webcast, teleconference, or online with required interaction).
• Up to 5 hours may be earned via Self-study (non-interactive, recorded courses).
• The CLE regulations define “Interactive CLE” to include in-person courses and real-time online programs that allow participant interaction (questions, prompts, etc.).
• There is no portion of the requirement that must only be satisfied by attending courses in a classroom (i.e. the rules do not mandate in-person only hours).

Key Takeaway

Arizona requires a portion of CLE to be interactive (live formats), but does not mandate a fixed number of in-person classroom hours — live webcasts and other interactive formats equally satisfy that component.

The CLE reporting deadline (affidavit filing) in Arizona is September 15 each year.

The annual Arizona CLE compliance period runs from July 1 through June 30.

Arizona CLE Deadlines & Reporting

• Compliance Period: July 1 – June 30
• Completion Deadline: June 30
• Reporting Deadline: September 15 (via online affidavit)
• Late Fees & Penalties: Late filing after September 15 triggers fees per Rule 45(d), and failure by December 15 may lead to summary suspension

Sprout Education, as an accredited CLE provider, offers programming that satisfies Arizona’s MCLE standards and can be reliably counted toward this reporting process.

Key Takeaway: Arizona attorneys must finish CLE by June 30 and file their compliance affidavit by September 15.

Yes — in Arizona you can request a hardship waiver of MCLE requirements (which can function like an extension) for good cause, but the Bar does not offer a general extension for late reporting.

Arizona’s Rule 45 and MCLE policies allow members to apply to the State Bar’s MCLE program for a waiver of the MCLE obligation or associated fees because of medical, financial, or military hardship.

Details & Conditions

• The Arizona Bar publishes an Application for Hardship Waiver of MCLE Requirements, by which a member may request a waiver of the MCLE requirement or waiver of associated fees.
• The waiver application must include a written statement of the hardship (medical, financial, or military) without necessarily submitting private records.
• The waiver may be granted for one or more years; however, waivers are generally limited to two consecutive years unless there are extenuating circumstances.
• The application goes to the Chief Executive Officer / Executive Director of the State Bar, and waivers/denials are reviewed by the Bar (and appeals go to the MCLE Board under Rule 45(b)(6)).
• The rules do not explicitly describe a flexible “extension” window or grace period for late reporting beyond this waiver mechanism — meaning you can’t simply request extra time as a matter of course.
• Even if a waiver is granted, you must still satisfy any remaining MCLE obligations (unless waived entirely) in accordance with any timeline set by the Bar.

Key Takeaway
You can ask the Arizona Bar for a hardship waiver (which may excuse or delay MCLE requirements), but Arizona does not provide a general extension mechanism for late CLE reporting under Rule 45.

You may begin reporting CLE credits in Arizona when the affidavit filing system opens in early June, immediately after the compliance year ends on June 30.
The reporting window then remains open until the September 15 deadline.

Key Details

• Arizona’s CLE year runs July 1 through June 30.
• The online affidavit system typically opens in early June to allow attorneys to begin filing.
• All CLE must be completed by June 30, but you may log in and prepare your affidavit as soon as the system opens.
• The filing deadline for the affidavit is September 15 each year.
• Attorneys should verify their CLE records on the State Bar of Arizona’s dashboard before submitting the affidavit.

Key Takeaway: In Arizona, you can begin reporting as soon as the affidavit window opens in early June, and you must file no later than September 15 for the prior compliance year.

Yes — Arizona allows carryover of CLE credits, but only up to the amount required in the next reporting period (i.e. up to 15 credits, including ethics).

This is laid out in Arizona’s MCLE Regulations, which permit excess CLE hours above the annual requirement to be applied to the succeeding year, subject to the same category rules.

Details & nuances

• Under Regulation 104(B)(1), “hours of CLE credit … in excess of that required for the current Year may be applied to the succeeding Year.”
• The carry-forward hours are limited to “the total required for the succeeding Year” (i.e. you cannot carry more than 15 credits)
• The carried hours “do not change their classification by virtue of being carried forward.” That means ethics, interactive, self-study, etc., maintain their original category constraints.
• The State Bar’s FAQ for Certified Specialists states a maximum carry forward of 5 hours of advanced credit, 3 of which may be ethics.
• Some non-official CLE aggregators assert that attorneys may carry over “15 credits, 3 of which can be ethics”
• Note: The reporting period runs from July 1 to June 30; affidavits are due September 15.

Key Takeaway

In Arizona, you may carry forward any CLE credits you earn beyond the 15-credit annual requirement, up to a maximum of 15 credits (including up to 3 ethics), and those credits must retain their original category.

You report CLE credits in Arizona by filing an electronic affidavit through your State Bar member dashboard by September 15.
This affidavit certifies credits earned during the compliance year ending June 30.

Overview of Arizona MCLE Reporting

The compliance cycle runs July 1 through June 30.
Attorneys must complete 15 hours annually, including 3 ethics.
Arizona does not preapprove providers; attorneys self-report credits.
Affidavits are due September 15; late credits or filings may incur fees, and failure to comply by December 15 may lead to suspension.

Steps to Report CLE in Arizona

• Complete your 15 hours by June 30.
• Enter CLE events (provider, date, hours, ethics designation) into your CLE tracking page.
• File your affidavit of compliance online by September 15.
• If selected for audit, provide certificates or proof of attendance.
• If you earned credits through Sprout Education and Arizona permits provider reporting, confirm that they appear in your CLE tracking record (we submit them where allowed).

Key Takeaway: In Arizona, log your CLE credits and submit your affidavit by September 15. Sprout Education helps by reporting courses automatically where accepted, but you must still file your affidavit.