What is the reporting format for CLE in Alabama?

Alabama attorneys must complete 12 CLE credit hours per year, including 1 hour in ethics.

This obligation applies to all non-exempt active attorneys under Alabama’s MCLE rules.

Details

• At least 6 hours must come from “live” or synchronous activity; up to 6 hours may be from on-demand formats.
• Excess credits may carry over: attorneys may carry over up to 12 credits (including 1 ethics) into the next year.
• Newly admitted attorneys are exempt from the annual requirement for the remainder of the year in which they are admitted.
• If an attorney fails to meet the requirement by December 31, they must submit a deficiency plan by February 15 and complete it by March 1; noncompliance may incur sanctions.

Key Takeaway: Alabama requires 12 CLE hours each year (with 1 hour ethics), with half from live formats, carryover allowed, and deficiency procedures in place for late compliance.

You may begin reporting CLE credits in Alabama as soon as the compliance year ends on December 31, with the official reporting window running until February 15.
Attorneys must complete 12 CLE hours each year (including 1 in ethics) and then submit their compliance within this January–February reporting period.

Key Points

• CLE credits must be earned by December 31 of each calendar year.
• The reporting system opens immediately after year-end, allowing attorneys to review and report their transcript.
• The final reporting deadline is February 15 of the following year.
• Credits are reported through the Alabama State Bar’s Attorney Portal, where attendance submitted by providers can be verified.
• Attorneys should confirm their transcript is accurate and address discrepancies with providers before the deadline.

Key Takeaway: In Alabama, you can start reporting your CLE credits as soon as the year closes on December 31, and you have until February 15 to certify your compliance.

Yes — Alabama requires attorneys to complete a minimum of 6 CLE hours each year through live programs, either in-person or by live webcast.

The total annual CLE obligation is 12 hours, and the remaining 6 hours may be completed through on-demand programs.

Details

• Attorneys must complete 12 CLE credit hours annually.
• At least 6 of those hours must be earned through live instruction (in-person or live webcast).
• No more than 6 hours may be satisfied through on-demand or recorded programs.
• Live instruction includes both traditional classroom settings and approved real-time online courses.

Key Takeaway

Yes — Alabama imposes a live instruction requirement: attorneys must complete at least 6 of the 12 annual CLE hours in a live format.

Yes — in Alabama you can request a waiver or extension of CLE requirements or deadlines, but only in limited circumstances and at the discretion of the MCLE Commission.

The Alabama MCLE Rules permit the Commission to waive MCLE obligations for one year or more due to undue hardship or extenuating circumstances, and also allow extension of deadlines under certain conditions.

Details & Limitations

• Under Alabama MCLE Rule 2.B, “The MCLE Commission may waive the requirements of these rules for a period of one year or longer, upon a finding of undue hardship, or of extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the attorney.”
• Under Rule 8.5, the rules provide that “A request for an extension of the March 15 deadline for earning credits under an approved deficiency plan may be considered if: (1) the request is made in writing and good cause is shown … and (2) the request is accompanied by a fee of $100.00. … No extensions will be granted beyond April 1.”
• Under Regulation 7.3, the Commission may consider “late amendments” (i.e. additions to reported CLE) on a case-by-case basis beyond March 1, again contingent on showing good cause.
• The rules emphasize that successive requests for extensions or plans may not be granted unless special justification is shown.
• Procedurally, you must submit the extension or waiver request in writing with details supporting undue hardship or extenuating circumstances, and pay any required fee.

Key Takeaway
Yes — Alabama allows you to request an extension or waiver of CLE reporting or compliance obligations, but only for good cause, with documentation, subject to Commission approval, and generally with associated fees and strict limits (e.g. no extension beyond April 1 for deficiency plans).

Missing the Alabama CLE deadline results in non-compliance, late fees, and potential discipline if not cured. Alabama requires 12 MCLE credits (including 1 ethics) by December 31, and specific cure steps run through February 15, March 1, March 15, and, if extended for good cause, April 1.

Deadlines and penalties

• December 31: Deadline to complete all credits.
• February 15: If credits were completed but not reflected, correct the transcript by this date or a $100 late filing fee applies; if credits were not completed, submit a deficiency plan and pay a $100 late compliance fee (failure to submit by this date adds the $100 late filing fee).
• March 1: Deadline to complete an approved deficiency plan; if not completed, you may request an extended deficiency plan for extraordinary circumstances with a $100 extension fee (good cause required).
• March 15: Deadline to report completion of the approved deficiency plan; missing this reporting date triggers a $100 late reporting fee.
• April 1: Final deadline to report completion of an approved extended deficiency plan; after this date, the MCLE Commission has no authority to resolve non-compliance.
• After April 15: The Bar provides a list of unresolved non-compliant attorneys to the Office of General Counsel for further discipline.

Key Takeaway: Cure Alabama CLE deficiencies by acting on the February 15, March 1, and March 15 checkpoints (and any approved extension to April 1); after April 1, unresolved non-compliance moves toward disciplinary processes.

No — Alabama does not require all CLE to be completed in person, but it does require attorneys to complete at least half of their annual hours through live programs. These live credits may be earned either by attending in-person seminars or by participating in approved live webcasts.

Annual CLE Requirements in Alabama

• Total requirement: 12 credit hours per calendar year
• Ethics requirement: 1 credit hour
• Earning window: January 1–December 31
• Reporting deadline: February 15 of the following year

Credit Formats and Limits

• At least 6 hours must be completed through live programs
• Live programs include in-person seminars, teleconferences, and real-time interactive webinars
• On-demand programs are capped at 6 hours per year

Carryover

• Up to 12 credits, including 1 ethics credit, may be carried forward to the next reporting year

Provider Support

• Sprout Education supports attorneys by tracking Alabama CLE credits and assisting with reporting compliance

Key Takeaway: Alabama requires attorneys to complete at least 6 live CLE hours annually, which may be earned in person or through approved live webcasts.