What is the reporting format for CLE in Wisconsin?

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.

The grace period for CLE reporting in Wisconsin extends to January 31 after the December 31 compliance deadline. Attorneys must complete CLE credits by December 31, but may submit them without penalty through January 31 (reporting is due February 1).

Key Deadlines:

• CLE credits must be earned by December 31 of the reporting period.
• Attorneys have until January 31 to finalize credits before penalties apply.
• CLE reports must be submitted to the Board of Bar Examiners by February 1.

Consequences of Missing the Grace Period:

• A late filing fee may be imposed if the report is submitted after February 1.
• Noncompliance may lead to suspension until CLE obligations are met.

Key Takeaway: Wisconsin gives attorneys an extra month after December 31 (until January 31) to finish CLE credits, with reporting due by February 1 to avoid penalties.

You report CLE credits in Wisconsin by filing CLE Form 1 (Report of Compliance) electronically with the Board of Bar Examiners (BBE) by February 1 following your reporting period’s December 31 deadline.
Wisconsin lawyers complete 30 CLE credits every two years (including 3 ethics credits) and then certify compliance via the BBE’s CLE Reporting Website.

Overview of Wisconsin CLE Reporting

• The reporting period ends December 31 of the year matching your admission parity (even-admitted attorneys report in even years, odd-admitted in odd years).
• All CLE hours must be earned by December 31; you then have until February 1 to submit your report.
• At least 3 credits must be in legal ethics/professional responsibility, and those ethics credits must be in “live” formats (live classes, webinars, etc.), not on-demand.
• A maximum of 15 credits may be earned via on-demand programs in a reporting period.
• You may carry forward up to 15 excess credits (excluding ethics) into your next reporting period.
• Except in the year of admission (when attorneys are exempt), all active lawyers must report.

Steps to Report CLE in Wisconsin

1. Complete your 30 CLE credits (including 3 ethics) by December 31 of your reporting period.
2. Retain all certificates, agendas, provider names, dates, and any approval notices.
3. Log into the Wisconsin CLE Reporting Website (through the BBE’s site).
4. Use the “Add Course Hours” feature to search and add BBE-approved courses you attended.
5. If a course is not listed or is out-of-state, use the “Self-Report,” “GPA Self Report,” or “Out-of-State Self Report” links and, if needed, complete CLE Form 2 (Request for Approval) for that course.
6. If you’re claiming an exemption (non-practice in Wisconsin, waiver, or comity), use the appropriate link (Attendance Exemption, Attendance Waiver, Comity Exemption).
7. After entering all courses, go to “Summary / Submit,” electronically sign by entering your PIN, and submit CLE Form 1 (Report of Compliance).
8. The system timestamps your submission; after submission, you cannot change the report for that period.
9. If audited later, be ready to provide your supporting documentation (certificates, etc.).
10. If you earned credits through Sprout Education, ensure those attendance records are entered or approved before you certify your report.

Key Takeaway: In Wisconsin, you must complete 30 CLE credits (including 3 in live ethics) every two years by December 31, then electronically submit CLE Form 1 to the BBE by February 1. Sprout Education ensures your attendance is properly documented; you must still enter or approve courses and certify compliance on time.

No — Wisconsin’s CLE rules apply uniformly to all “active” attorneys; there is no reduced CLE obligation for part-time attorneys.

Under Supreme Court Rule Chapter 31, attorneys in Wisconsin must complete 30 hours of approved CLE in each two-year reporting period (including at least 3 hours in ethics).

Details:

• At least 15 of the 30 hours must be from “live” programs.
• Ethics hours must be taken live (i.e. not via repeated on-demand) and may not be carried over.
• Attorneys may carry over up to 15 credits (excluding ethics) into the next reporting period.
• A lawyer admitted in the reporting period’s first year is exempt from the CLE requirement for that year.
• If a lawyer does not practice law in Wisconsin at all during a reporting period, the attendance requirement does not apply (though reporting may still be required).
• Status-based exemptions and waivers (e.g. hardship, inactive status) are allowed under the rules, but none are tied to part-time vs full-time practice.

Key Takeaway: In Wisconsin, part-time practice does not reduce your CLE burden — all active attorneys must satisfy the same 30-hour, two-year requirement under SCR Chapter 31.

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.