As an attorney practicing in South Carolina, February 28th marks a crucial date on your calendar. With the South Carolina Continuing Legal Education deadline just around the corner, it’s time to ensure you’ve completed all the necessary credits to maintain your license and stay in good standing with the South Carolina Commission on CLE and Specialization.

We understand that your time is valuable. That’s why we’re here to help you navigate South Carolina’s CLE requirements smoothly.

What Are My Deadlines and Credit Requirements?

If you’re practicing law in SC, you need to complete 14 credit hours every year. At least 2 of those credits must be in Ethics, and 1 hour in Mental Health and Substance Abuse (every 2 years).

You have until February 28th to complete your CLEs, and until March 1st to report them.

What Types of CLE Courses Are Accepted in South Carolina?

6 credits must be Live In-Person, 8 credits can be from Live Webcasts or On-Demand courses.

How SproutEd Can Help You Stay Compliant

At SproutEd, we simplify your path to meeting South Carolina’s CLE requirements. With our wide selection of courses across numerous practice areas, you can easily find the content you need to not only stay compliant but also enhance your legal expertise.

Consider our Unlimited CLE Membership or our South Carolina CLE Membership. Both membership options offer the flexibility to take as many courses as you need throughout the year at a fixed price. This option is especially beneficial for attorneys who want to stay ahead without the stress of tracking individual course costs.

SC CLE FAQs

How do I report my CLE credits?
SproutEd reports your attendance and credit to the South Carolina Commission on CLE and Specialization within 30 days of completion. The Commission will mail an annual report of compliance to each attorney in January, which must be completed and filed by March 1st.

Can I carry over extra CLE credits?
14 credits, including 2 in Ethics, excluding Mental Health and Substance Abuse, may be carried forward to the next reporting period. Alternative Delivery Format courses may not be carried forward. 

What are the consequences of not completing my CLE in time?

If you have not timely filed your annual CLE compliance report by March 1, showing that you have satisfied the MCLE-LEPR-SA/MH requirements and paid all fees, promptly after March 15, the Commission will notify you that you have failed to file a report of compliance and pay the annual filing fee, including payment of any penalty established by the Commission, and that you will be suspended if you do not file your report of compliance and pay the filing fee and any penalty by April 15.  Promptly after April 15, the Commission will forward a list of the attorneys who have failed to file CLE compliance reports and pay any required fee and penalty to the Clerk of the Supreme Court of South Carolina.  Those attorneys will be administratively suspended by order of the Supreme Court of South Carolina and must thereafter forward their certificates of admission or licenses to the Clerk of the Supreme Court of South Carolina.

What if I’m New to Practicing in South Carolina?