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Alabama

How many CLE credits do Alabama attorneys need?

Alabama attorneys must complete 12 CLE credit hours per year, including 1 hour in ethics.

This obligation applies to all non-exempt active attorneys under Alabama’s MCLE rules.

Details

  • At least 6 hours must come from “live” or synchronous activity; up to 6 hours may be from on-demand formats.
  • Excess
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Do CLE requirements differ for part-time vs full-time attorneys in Alabama?

No — Alabama’s CLE rules treat all attorneys the same; there is no special reduced requirement for part-time attorneys.

Alabama’s Mandatory Continuing Legal Education rules require every attorney (unless exempt) to complete 12 hours of approved CLE credit each calendar year, including 1 hour of ethics or professionalism.
Key relevant provisions:
– Rule 3 requires 12 actual hours per year for all attorneys.
– Rule 2 lists limited exemptions (e.g. year of admission; attorneys aged 65 or receiving Social Security) but does not distinguish based on full-time vs part-time status.
– CLE “live” and “on-demand” limits, credit carryover rules, deficiency plans, sanctions, and reporting apply uniformly.

Key Takeaway: Alabama’s CLE obligations do not vary based on part-time vs full-time practice — all nonexempt attorneys must

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How early can I report CLE credits in Alabama?

You may begin reporting CLE credits in Alabama as soon as the compliance year ends on December 31, with the official reporting window running until February 15.
Attorneys must complete 12 CLE hours each year (including 1 in ethics) and then submit their compliance within this January–February reporting period.

Key Points

  • CLE credits must be earned by December 31 of each calendar year.
  • The reporting system opens immediately after year-end, allowing attorneys to review and report their transcript.
  • The final reporting deadline is February 15 of the following year.
  • Credits are reported through the Alabama State Bar’s Attorney Portal, where attendance submitted by providers can be verified.
  • Attorneys should confirm their transcript is accurate and address discrepancies with providers before the deadline.

Key Takeaway: In Alabama, you can start reporting your CLE credits as soon as the year closes on December 31, and you have until February 15 to certify your compliance.

How many CLE hours are required every reporting cycle in Alabama?

Alabama requires 12 CLE credit hours each calendar year. At least 1 hour must be ethics, and at least 6 hours must be earned through live programs.

Annual CLE Requirements in Alabama

  • Total requirement: 12 credit hours per calendar year
  • Ethics requirement: 1 credit hour
  • Earning window: January 1–December 31
  • Reporting deadline: February 15 of the following year

Credit Formats and Limits

  • At least 6 hours must be earned through live programs (in-person, teleconference, or real-time interactive webinars)
  • Web-based on-demand programs are capped at 6 hours per year
  • Teleconferences are treated as live programs

Carryover

  • Up to 12 credits, including 1 ethics credit, may be carried forward one year

Provider Support

  • Sprout Education tracks credits and supports reporting where applicable

Key Takeaway: Alabama requires 12 CLE hours annually, including 1 ethics hour, with at least 6 earned live and reporting due by February 15.

Are any attorneys exempt from CLE in Alabama?

Yes. In Alabama, attorneys may be exempt from CLE if they are new admittees, public officials barred from private practice, age 65 or older, on Social Security retirement, certain judicial staff, or fully compliant in another MCLE state.

Examples of Exemptions

  • New Admittees – Exempt for the remainder of the calendar year in which they are admitted.
  • Public Officials – Exempt while serving in roles that prohibit private practice.
  • Age or Retirement – Attorneys aged 65 or those receiving Social Security retirement benefits are exempt.
  • Judicial Staff – Clerks and staff barred from private practice may qualify.
  • Out-of-State Compliance – Attorneys who maintain compliance in another MCLE jurisdiction can claim exemption under Regulation 2.7.

Waivers

The MCLE Commission may waive requirements for undue hardship or extenuating circumstances.

Key Takeaway: Alabama exempts new attorneys, senior/retired attorneys, public officials, judicial staff, and those compliant in

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How do I report CLE credits in Alabama?

You report CLE credits in Alabama by submitting a certified affidavit (or online certification) to the Alabama State Bar by February 15.
This deadline ensures that credits earned in the prior year are properly recorded with the Bar.

Overview of Alabama CLE Reporting

The compliance period runs from January 1 through December 31.
By February 15, attorneys must certify their compliance or submit a deficiency plan if short on credits.
Failure to cure by March 15 may result in penalties or suspension.

Steps to Report CLE in Alabama

  • Complete required CLE credits by December 31.
  • Retain certificates of attendance.
  • Submit your
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Do judges in Alabama have separate CLE requirements?

Yes — Alabama’s judges are generally subject to the same 12-hour CLE mandate as attorneys, but municipal judges have a separate, lower judicial education requirement.

Under Alabama Code § 12-10B-2, Supreme Court justices, appellate judges, circuit court judges, and district court judges must complete a minimum of 12 hours of approved continuing legal education annually, including one hour in ethics.

Separately, Alabama has “Rules for Mandatory Continuing Judicial Education” that require municipal court judges to complete at

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Can I submit CLE credits online in Alabama?

Yes — lawyers in Alabama can submit CLE credits online via the Alabama State Bar’s member portal.
The Bar maintains an online transcript (“MyDashboard” / “Member Portal”) where attorneys view CLE records and file compliance.

Details:

– After completing approved CLE, sponsors are responsible for reporting attendance (within ~30 days) to the Bar.
– If

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