What happens if I miss the CLE deadline in Wisconsin?

Yes — judges in Wisconsin are subject to a distinct judicial education (CJE / JE) requirement that operates alongside, and separate from, the CLE obligations for attorneys.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule Chapter 32 establishes a continuing judicial education program that requires justices, appellate judges, circuit judges, commissioners, and municipal judges to earn credits over multi-year periods.

Details

• Under SCR Chapter 32, circuit court judges must attend the Wisconsin Judicial College at least once in every six-year term.
• The Office of Judicial Education administers the system: justices, appellate judges, circuit court judges and circuit court commissioners must earn 60 credits of approved judicial education during each six-year period.
• Reserve judges, municipal judges, and circuit court commissioners have analogous continuing judicial education requirements.
• The attorney CLE regime under SCR Chapter 31 requires attorneys (not judges) to complete 30 hours in a two-year period.
• Judicial education credits are tracked, approved, and reported separately from attorney CLE credits via the Judicial Education Office.

Key Takeaway

In Wisconsin, judges must satisfy a separate continuing judicial education program (60 credits per six years, plus orientation and periodic Judicial College attendance), distinct from the statewide CLE requirement imposed on attorneys.

Wisconsin attorneys must complete 30 CLE credit hours every two years. That requirement includes 3 hours in ethics, and at least 15 hours must be taken via live or interactive formats.

Degree & Format Requirements

• Total requirement: 30 credits per biennial period
• Ethics: 3 credits (must be live/webcast)
• Live minimum: at least 15 credits must be live or interactive programming
• On-demand (recorded) cap: up to 15 credits per period (ethics credits are not allowed via on-demand)

Carryover & Reporting

• Carryover: up to 15 excess credits may carry into the next reporting period (ethics credits may not carry for satisfying the ethics requirement)
• Reporting deadline: February 1 following the end of the reporting period
• Compliance deadline: December 31 of the end year of the reporting period

Exemptions

• A lawyer is exempt from attendance and reporting in the year of admission to practice law in Wisconsin

Key Takeaway: Wisconsin requires 30 CLE hours every two years, including 3 live ethics hours, with half the credits earned via live or interactive programming and limited carryover allowed.

In Wisconsin, CLE “counts” when the activity is approved by the Board of Bar Examiners under SCR Chapter 31 and meets format and content rules (e.g. live, on-demand, teaching, writing).

Wisconsin lawyers must earn 30 credit hours every two years, including 3 hours in Ethics..

Approved CLE Activities & Formats

• Live or interactive programs (in-person, live webcasts, telephone seminars) — required for ethics credits.
• On-demand / prerecorded (repeated on-demand) CLE programs — limited by rule (no more than 15 credits per reporting period) and cannot satisfy ethics/EPR credits.
• Teaching or presenting approved CLE, including preparation (subject to multiplier)
• Published legal writing: attorneys may request credit using CLE Form 4; maximum 15 credits for all writings in one reporting period.
• Other permissible roles (e.g. preparation, course development) if approved under SCR 31.07

Rules, Limits, Carryover & Reporting

• At least 15 of the 30 credits must come through live or interactive formats.
• Ethics/EPR credits (3 hours) must be earned through live or interactive formats — not by on-demand programs.
• Up to 15 excess credits may be carried forward into the next reporting period (ethics credits do not carry forward).
• Courses not already approved may be submitted for post-approval via CLE Form 2.
• The reporting deadline is February 1 following the end of the two-year cycle.
• New attorneys are exempt from attendance and reporting in the year of admission.

Key Takeaway: In Wisconsin, you fulfill CLE by completing approved live or on-demand programs (capped), teaching, or writing—with a firm requirement for live ethics hours, and carryover of non-ethics excess credits under SCR 31.

No — Wisconsin’s CLE rules do not require a specific number of in-person classroom hours.

The rules require a total of 30 approved CLE hours per reporting period, with limits on recorded formats, but no dedicated “in-person only” minimum.

Details

• Under SCR 31.02, attorneys must complete 30 hours of approved CLE during each two-year reporting period.
• SCR 31.05(5)(a) limits how many hours may come from recorded/on-demand programs, but does not require any to be in person.
• “Attendance” under the rule includes live virtual or interactive formats, not just physical classroom programs.
• The Board of Bar Examiners may approve electronic or recorded courses when they meet interactivity and accreditation standards.

Key Takeaway

Wisconsin requires 30 total CLE hours every two years and places caps on non-live formats, but it does not impose a strict in-person classroom minimum.

Wisconsin attorneys must complete 30 CLE credit hours every two years, including 3 hours in ethics.

At least 15 hours of the required 30 must be earned through “live” formats (in-person, live webcast, interactive programs).

Details

• Reporting cycle: two years, aligned with year of admission (even-year admittees comply in even years; odd-year admittees in odd years).

• Ethics requirement: 3 of the 30 hours must address ethics / professional responsibility.

• Live minimum: 15 hours must be in a live/interactive format.

• On-demand cap: No more than 15 hours per reporting period may come from recorded / on-demand programs.

• Carryover: Lawyers may carry over up to 15 excess credits into the next reporting period; ethics hours cannot be carried over.

• Pro bono credit: You may claim 1 general CLE hour for every 5 hours of qualifying pro bono legal service, up to 6 hours per reporting period.

• Exemption for new attorneys: Attorneys are exempt from CLE in the year of admission.

Key Takeaway: Wisconsin attorneys must complete 30 CLE hours every two years, with 3 ethics hours, live and on-demand limits, carryover rules, and a pro bono credit option.

Yes — under Wisconsin’s CLE rules, you can request an extension of time for completion or reporting in cases of hardship or other compelling reasons. SCR Chapter 31 expressly gives the Board authority to “extend time deadlines for completion of attendance and reporting requirements” in hardship or compelling-reason cases.

Wisconsin CLE Requirements & Deadlines

• Active attorneys must complete 30 hours of approved CLE every two years, including 3 hours in ethics and professional responsibility.
• Courses must be completed by December 31 of the reporting year, with a practical grace period to January 31.
• Lawyers must file CLE Form 1 (report) by February 1 following the reporting period.
• If you miss the deadline, a late fee (typically $100) is assessed.

Authority & Procedure for Extensions / Waivers

• SCR 31.12 empowers the Board to “extend time deadlines for completion of attendance and reporting requirements in cases of hardship or for other compelling reasons.”
• SCR 31.12 also allows waivers of attendance or reporting “where to do otherwise would work an injustice.”
• Under SCR 31.09, lawyers may submit “written requests … for … extensions of time” and the Board must respond in writing.

What You Should Do

1. Identify and document the hardship or compelling reason preventing timely compliance (e.g. serious illness, natural disaster).
2. Draft a written extension request citing SCR 31.12, explaining your situation, steps taken, and proposed extension timeline.
3. Submit the request to the Board of Bar Examiners (Wisconsin) before or right after your deadline.
4. Continue earning CLE credits (or plan to do so) while awaiting decision, because an extension does not necessarily pause obligations.
5. If approved, adhere to any new schedule or conditions the Board sets.

Limitations & Considerations

• The extension is discretionary — approval is not assured.
• You must show compelling reasons or hardship; ordinary delays or oversight may not qualify.
• The Board may impose conditions (e.g. additional CLE, deadlines) along with the extension.
• Filing a request does not automatically suspend penalties or stay suspension unless the Board specifically grants that relief.
• Even with an extension, you must ultimately satisfy all CLE and reporting requirements or face suspension under SCR 31.10.

Key Takeaway
In Wisconsin, attorneys may request an extension of time for CLE completion or reporting under SCR 31.12 for hardship or compelling reasons — file a prompt, well-documented request with the Board of Bar Examiners, but relief is discretionary and not guaranteed.