Yes — non-attorneys often can enroll in CLE courses, but they generally are not eligible to receive the CLE credit that counts toward a lawyer’s mandatory CLE requirement.
Many providers and state CLE rules permit attendance by non-lawyers, but awarding credit is reserved for licensed attorneys under regulatory CLE programs.
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No — you don’t need to request an extension for CLE reporting in Massachusetts, because Massachusetts has no mandatory CLE requirement and thus no reporting deadlines or extension process.
Because CLE is voluntary for Massachusetts lawyers, there is no regulatory regime imposing deadlines or permitting extensions.
Yes — in many jurisdictions, service on bar association committees, task forces, or similar professional groups can qualify for CLE credit if the work is educational in nature and approved by the state CLE authority.
Eligibility depends on whether the activities involve structured legal research, writing, or educational presentations, rather than purely administrative or social functions.
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No — watching a legal TV show does not qualify for CLE credit.
CLE credit is only granted for accredited programs that meet state MCLE board standards, with verified attendance and approved educational content.
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You verify a CLE provider’s bar approval by checking your state bar or MCLE board’s list of accredited providers or approved courses, which is published on their official website.
Most states maintain searchable directories or course databases where you can confirm provider status before enrolling.
Key Takeaway: Always confirm a provider’s accreditation through your state bar’s official website or MCLE office before taking a course, and retain proof of approval for your compliance records.
Yes — in most jurisdictions, moderating a CLE panel counts for CLE credit if the program is accredited and the moderator actively participates in the educational delivery.
The moderator’s role must involve substantive engagement, such as guiding discussion, asking questions, and ensuring learning objectives are met, not merely introducing speakers.
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Sometimes — university-hosted CLEs can be accredited, but only if the university (or program) obtains approval under the applicable jurisdiction’s CLE accreditation rules. Simply being hosted by a university does not guarantee accreditation.
Here’s how it works:
A CLE course is bar-approved when the jurisdiction’s CLE authority formally grants it accreditation, certifying that it meets defined standards of content, format, instructor qualifications, and record-keeping. This ensures that attorneys who complete the course may count the credited hours toward their mandatory CLE or MCLE obligations in that jurisdiction.
The CLE authority (often a State Bar, Supreme Court commission, or MCLE Board) evaluates each program under criteria specified in its rules or regulations before granting approval. Some jurisdictions also require the provider to be an accredited CLE sponsor.
Sometimes — in many jurisdictions, bar associations or CLE providers offer discounts or special pricing for newly licensed lawyers, but there is no universal rule requiring “new lawyer discounts” in CLE rules.
Such discounts are incentives offered by providers, not mandates imposed by state CLE commissions or courts.
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Yes – many bar associations and CLE providers offer discounts or member-rate pricing on continuing legal education programs.
These reductions are designed to make ongoing professional education more accessible for attorneys and law firms, and the same applies to certain promotions offered through SproutEd.
Key Takeaway
Yes – CLE discounts are widely available, including periodic offers from SproutEd such as the FREECLE promotion, but attorneys should always verify eligibility and terms for each course or provider.
You confirm a CLE provider is accredited by checking whether it is approved under your jurisdiction’s CLE rules, whether it has a provider/sponsor ID or status, and whether your state’s CLE regulator lists it as an accredited provider.
This ensures your credits from that provider will reliably count toward your mandatory requirements.
Key Takeaway: A CLE provider is accredited only when approved under your state’s CLE system—verify by consulting the official regulator’s directory, looking for a provider/sponsor ID, and ensuring the provider follows your state’s accreditation procedures.
Yes — Georgia imposes a separate judicial education requirement for judges in addition to, or instead of, standard CLE for attorneys.
Under Georgia Regulation 616-1-1-.05, judges must complete 12 hours of approved continuing judicial education annually.
At the same time, full-time judges who are no longer permitted to practice law may request exemption from the State Bar’s CLE
...You report CLE credits in Idaho by submitting a Certificate of Compliance to the Idaho State Bar at the end of your three-year MCLE period, certifying that you have met the required credit hours.
Idaho requires attorneys to complete 30 accredited hours—including at least 3 in ethics—within each reporting period.
The reporting cycle spans three years.
You must complete 30 accredited CLE hours during that period; no more than 15 may be self-study.
At the close of the period (by December 31 of the final year), attorneys file a Certificate of Compliance by February 1.
If your attendance records in the Bar’s public database are incomplete or incorrect, you may request adjustments or submit self-verification to align your records.
Yes — private vendors must obtain accreditation or approval from the relevant state CLE authority in order to offer courses for CLE credit.
Every jurisdiction regulates which providers are recognized, and private companies cannot independently grant CLE credit without approval.
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You report CLE credits in Tennessee by submitting the Annual Report Statement to the Tennessee Commission on CLE by March 31 (or, if claiming an exemption, by that date), certifying that you completed the required credits by December 31.
The CLE year is calendar (January 1 – December 31), and all attorneys must earn 15 credit hours (including 3 in ethics/professionalism) under Rule 21 of the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Key Takeaway: In Tennessee, you complete 15 CLE hours by December 31, then submit the Annual Report Statement by March 31. Sprout Education supports attendance reporting where allowed, but verifying credits and meeting deadlines is your responsibility.
Often yes — “hybrid” CLE (combining in-person and online components) is accepted in many states, but not universally. Its acceptance depends on whether the jurisdiction’s MCLE rules permit mixed-format programs.
Hybrid CLE is accepted in many, but not all, states; qualification depends entirely on each jurisdiction’s MCLE rules.
You report CLE credits in Kentucky by self-reporting them through the KBA’s Member CLE Portal by August 10, following the June 30 educational year.
Completion of 12 CLE hours (including 2 in ethics) by June 30 is required and must be certified via the online portal.
Kentucky attorneys must complete 12 CLE credit hours each year, with at least 2 hours in ethics or professionalism.
The educational period runs from July 1 through June 30.
Credits must be reported by August 10; late reporting is permitted with a $50 late fee.
Carrying over credits is allowed: up to 24 general credits and 4 ethics credits into the next two reporting periods.
ABA CLE is not universally accepted by all state bars. Each jurisdiction has its own accreditation rules, and many require ABA courses to be submitted for state approval or to meet state-specific standards.
Key Takeaway: ABA CLE programs are widely accepted but not universal; attorneys must verify state-specific accreditation requirements before claiming credit.
Yes — in many jurisdictions, legal technology training qualifies for CLE credit if the program is accredited and relates directly to the practice of law or professional responsibility.
States increasingly recognize technology competence as part of a lawyer’s duty, and CLE programs on legal tech topics often count toward required credit hours.
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Yes — California requires judges (and subordinate judicial officers) to satisfy a judicial branch education mandate separate from the State Bar’s MCLE program for attorneys.
While attorneys must complete 25 MCLE hours every three years under State Bar rules, California’s Rules of Court (specifically Rule 10.462) establish that each judge must complete 30 hours of continuing judicial education every three years (with certain orientation and course obligations).
