What qualifies as Technology CLE?

Yes — Vermont permits carryover of CLE credits, but only those earned in the second year of a biennial cycle.
Under Vermont’s MCLE Rules, credits earned in Year 2 that exceed the required total may roll into the next cycle; credits from Year 1 may not carry over.

Details & nuances

• Vermont’s “Rules for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education” do not explicitly state the carryover rule in the published text, but Vermont CLE policy summaries confirm: “Credits may be carried over from the second year of an attorney’s reporting period.”
• Vermont requires 24 credit hours every two years, including at least 2 ethics, 1 wellness, and 1 diversity & inclusion credit.
• The carryover only applies to credits earned in the second year (i.e. after satisfying the first year’s requirement).
• Vermont Bar Association’s CLE tracking and policy pages mention the carryover practice via their CLE tracking tools.

Key Takeaway
Vermont allows carryover only for excess CLE earned in the second year of a two-year cycle — first-year credits never carry forward.

Yes — judges in Indiana are subject to separate continuing judicial education (CJE) requirements distinct from the general CLE obligations for attorneys.

These judicial duties are governed under Indiana Admission and Discipline Rule 28, while general CLE is under Rule 29, and the two regimes overlap in approved credits but impose different minimums.

Details:

• Rule 29 expressly provides that attorneys who also serve as judges are governed by Rule 28 for education requirements.
• Under Rule 28 and implementing materials, “state level judicial officers” must complete 15 hours of approved courses per year, and 54 hours per three-year reporting period; at least 5 hours must be in professional responsibility, and no more than 18 hours may be non-legal subject matter.
• Other judicial officers (senior judges, part-time commissioners/referees, city/town or small claims court judges) must complete 6 hours per year and 36 hours per three-year period, with 3 hours in professional responsibility and a cap on non-legal subject matter credits.
• Courses approved for general CLE by the Indiana Office of Admissions & Continuing Education also qualify for judicial credit.

Key Takeaway

Judges in Indiana operate under a distinct judicial education framework (Rule 28) that requires higher credits (for many) and specialized rules, and they cannot rely solely on the attorney CLE minimums under Rule 29 to satisfy their obligations.

No — there is no universal requirement mandating that family law attorneys take specific CLE topics just because they practice family law.
That said, attorneys who become certified specialists or engage in specialty practice may face additional CLE obligations in family law or related areas.

• In California, the State Bar’s “legal specialist” program requires that CLE activities for specialists include certain recognized practice-area topics, including family law.
• In North Carolina, for board-certified family law specialists, at least 60 hours of CLE must be in family law (with up to 12 in related fields), and at least 9 hours per calendar year.
• In Illinois, the Illinois State Bar Association’s family law certification requires an applicant to complete a minimum of 36 hours of CLE in subjects specifically approved for family law.
• Some states maintain a list of “family relations” CLE courses approved for attorneys practicing that area. For example, Ohio has a selection of pre-approved family relations CLE programs.

Key Takeaway:
Unless the jurisdiction requires specialization, family law attorneys typically must satisfy general CLE requirements. But if they hold or seek a certification in family law, or the state imposes specialty CLE standards, then specific family law topics will be required.

Pennsylvania attorneys must complete 12 CLE credit hours annually, including 2 hours in ethics, professionalism, or substance abuse prevention.

Credits are assigned to one of three compliance groups; deadlines differ by group.

Details

• Total requirement: 12 credits per compliance period.

• Specialty requirement: At least 2 hours must cover ethics, professionalism, or substance abuse topics.

• Live vs on-demand: A minimum of 6 hours must be live (in-person or live webcast); up to 6 may be from pre-recorded or asynchronous programs.

• Carryover: Live credits in excess of the requirement may carry forward for up to two compliance periods (distance learning credits do not carry).

• New attorneys: Must complete a 4-credit “Bridge the Gap” program in their first compliance period.

• Compliance groups & deadlines:
 • Group I: May 1 – April 30 (deadline April 30)
 • Group II: September 1 – August 31 (deadline August 31)
 • Group III: January 1 – December 31 (deadline December 31)

Key Takeaway: Pennsylvania requires 12 CLE hours per year with 2 in ethics, half of which must be live; excess live hours may carry over, and new attorneys have a mandatory Bridge the Gap program.

Yes — in many jurisdictions, writing a legal article can qualify for CLE credit if the article is published and meets state MCLE standards.

Most states require that the article provide substantive legal analysis and be published in an approved journal, bar publication, or equivalent outlet.

Details

• CLE boards generally recognize legal writing and publishing as a form of teaching credit.
• The work must demonstrate original legal research or analysis — practice guides, commentaries, or scholarly works are usually eligible.
• Credit is typically calculated based on time reasonably spent researching and writing, subject to jurisdictional caps (for example, some states cap writing credit at 6–12 hours per reporting cycle).
• Drafts, blogs, marketing pieces, or unpublished works generally do not qualify.
• Attorneys must often submit the article and proof of publication to the MCLE board for approval.

Key Takeaway

Yes — writing and publishing a substantive legal article can earn CLE credit, but eligibility, credit hours, and maximum limits vary by jurisdiction, and unpublished or non-substantive works do not count.

CLE tracks ideal for legal interns or clerks focus on foundational skills, ethics, legal research, and practice management. These programs build practical competence while preparing future attorneys for full CLE compliance after admission.

What CLE for Interns and Clerks Covers

• Legal research and writing: Case analysis, drafting, and persuasive writing skills.
• Ethics and professionalism: Confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and duties under supervision.
• Courtroom exposure: Understanding procedure, evidence basics, and trial observation.
• Practice management: Timekeeping, billing awareness, and law office technology.
• Substantive law introductions: Overviews of civil, criminal, or constitutional law depending on assignment.

Why It Matters for Legal Interns and Clerks

• Early exposure to CLE topics builds competence before bar admission.
• Practical skills training bridges the gap between academic study and practice.
• Ethical training ensures compliance even when working under attorney supervision.

Provider Support

• While CLE requirements generally apply after bar admission, accredited providers including Sprout Education offer introductory programs in ethics, research, and practice management that help interns and clerks prepare for professional practice.

Key Takeaway: Legal interns and clerks benefit most from CLE focused on research, ethics, courtroom procedure, and practice management, laying a foundation for success as future attorneys.