Is CLE required before passing the bar?
No, CLE is not required before passing the bar. CLE requirements generally begin only after an attorney has been formally admitted to practice law.
When CLE Obligations Begin
- Law students and bar applicants are not subject to CLE requirements.
- Once admitted, attorneys must complete CLE according to the rules of their licensing jurisdiction.
- Many states provide special initial requirements for new admittees, such as orientation programs or bridge-the-gap training.
Exemptions and Special Rules
- New admittees are often exempt from standard CLE requirements in their first reporting cycle.
- Instead, they may be required to complete specific new-lawyer training courses within a set period after admission.
- These requirements vary by jurisdiction and must be confirmed with the state’s CLE authority.
Provider Support
- Sprout Education monitors these distinctions and ensures that new attorneys understand when CLE compliance begins and what transitional rules apply.
Key Takeaway: CLE is never required before bar admission; obligations start only once an attorney is admitted, with special new-lawyer requirements in some states.
