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Arkansas

Do CLE requirements differ for part-time vs full-time attorneys in Arkansas?

No — Arkansas’s CLE rules do not distinguish between part-time and full-time attorneys; all nonexempt attorneys must satisfy the same requirement.

Arkansas requires every attorney (unless exempt by age or years of service) to complete 12 hours of CLE annually, including at least one hour of ethics.

Details:

  • Rule 3 of the Arkansas Rules for Minimum Continuing Education mandates 12 credit hours per year, with no reduced
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Are any attorneys exempt from CLE in Arkansas?

Yes. Arkansas exempts attorneys from CLE if they are age 70 or have completed 40 years of Arkansas licensure. Active attorneys otherwise must complete 12 hours annually, including 1 hour of ethics.

Examples: an attorney who turns 70 is exempt from CLE going forward, and an attorney who reaches 40 years of licensure is exempt. The Arkansas Supreme Court’s Rules for Minimum Continuing Legal Education and the Bar’s CLE FAQ confirm these exemptions.

Key Takeaway: In Arkansas, attorneys are exempt from CLE once they reach age 70 or complete 40 years of licensure; all other

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What is the grace period for CLE reporting in Arkansas?

The grace period for CLE reporting in Arkansas extends from June 30 to July 31 each year. This gives attorneys a one-month window to certify compliance after completing required credits.

Arkansas CLE Deadlines

  • June 30: Deadline to complete all required CLE hours.
  • July 31: Deadline to report or certify CLE completion.

What Happens After the Grace Period

  • Failure to report by July 31 may trigger a deficiency notice.
  • If not remedied in the time allowed, attorneys risk administrative penalties or suspension.

Key Takeaway: Arkansas gives attorneys until July 31 to report CLE earned by June 30 — missing that grace month can lead to compliance consequences.

Are carryover CLE credits allowed in Arkansas?

Yes – Arkansas allows attorneys to carry over up to 12 CLE credits to the next reporting period, including up to 1 ethics credit.

This limit and the ethics carryover cap are established by the Arkansas Supreme Court’s Rules for Minimum Continuing Legal Education and the CLE Board’s Regulations.

  • Amount permitted: up to 12 total credits may carry over to the immediately following reporting period.
  • Ethics: within the 12, up
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Can I report CLE credits late in Arkansas?

Yes – Arkansas allows attorneys to report CLE credits late through its official deficiency procedure, provided they follow all steps, complete the missing hours by the cure deadline, and pay the required deficiency fee.
This process helps attorneys who miss the annual completion or reporting deadline to regain compliance before year-end.

  • Attorneys must complete 12 CLE hours annually, including 1 hour of ethics, by June 30.
  • All CLE credits must be reported by July 31.
  • If an attorney is deficient, the Arkansas Supreme Court Office of Professional Programs issues a Notice of Deficiency and an Acknowledgment of Deficiency form.
  • The attorney must agree to complete the missing hours by December 1 and submit proof of compliance by December 15, along with a $75 deficiency fee.
  • Any hours earned to cure the deficiency are first applied to the missing requirement; any additional hours may count toward the next reporting period.
  • Attorneys serving in the National Guard or military reserves may request extensions if mobilized for six months or more.

Key Takeaway
Yes – Arkansas permits late CLE reporting through a deficiency procedure: attorneys must file the acknowledgment form, pay the $75 fee, and complete missing hours by December 1, with proof submitted by December 15.

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How do I report CLE credits in Arkansas?

You report CLE credits in Arkansas by submitting certificates or having your provider submit them to the Office of Professional Programs by July 31.
This deadline follows the compliance year that runs July 1 through June 30.

Overview of Arkansas CLE Reporting

Attorneys must complete 12 CLE hours annually, including 1 ethics hour, by June 30.
Excess credits (up to 12 including 1 ethics) may be carried forward.
The Office issues a final transcript each July; if deficient, attorneys must cure by December.

Steps to Report CLE in Arkansas

  • Complete required credits by June 30.
  • Retain certificates or program documentation.
  • Verify that
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What counts toward CLE requirements in Arkansas?

CLE credit in Arkansas counts for attending approved CLE courses (live, webinars, on-demand), teaching qualified CLE, and speaking or panel participation, subject to accreditation under state rules.

All programs must provide written materials, an agenda, attendance monitoring, and be accredited by the Arkansas CLE Board.

Details

  • Live or interactive webinars and prerecorded on-demand courses both qualify if properly accredited.
  • Speaking credit is
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Can I submit CLE credits online in Arkansas?

No — Arkansas does not provide a system for submitting CLE credits fully online; attorneys must self-report via paper or form submission to the Arkansas Supreme Court’s Office of Professional Programs.

Arkansas is a self-reporting jurisdiction; submitting certificates or forms to the Supreme Court office is required. ([arkbar.com](https://www.arkbar.com/cle–events/faqs))

Details:

  • The Arkansas Bar Association’s CLE FAQ states that attorneys view “My CLE History” via the Bar website, but actual
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What are the CLE requirements for inactive attorneys in Arkansas?

Attorneys in Arkansas who are granted voluntary inactive status are not required to complete the state’s annual CLE requirement.

Arkansas CLE Rule 3 requires every active member of the Bar to earn 12 hours annually, including 1 in ethics. Attorneys who have been granted voluntary inactive status by the Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct are expressly exempt from this requirement.

Reactivation of an inactive attorney’s license may trigger CLE obligations for the inactive period. The Supreme Court Committee

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

Arkansas requires 12 CLE credit hours per reporting period. That includes at least 1 hour of ethics.

Annual CLE Requirements in Arkansas

  • Total requirement: 12 credit hours per year
  • Ethics requirement: 1 credit hour
  • Reporting cycle ends: June 30
  • Compliance deadline: June 30
  • Reporting deadline: July 31

Credit Formats & Carryover

  • All 12 hours may be earned through live, webcasts, or on-demand courses
  • Carryover allowed: up to 12 credits into the next reporting period (including ethics)

Exemptions & Special Rules

  • Attorneys aged 70 or with 40 years of licensure may be exempt from CLE

Provider Role & Reporting Support

  • Sprout Education tracks CLE credits and supports reporting to the Arkansas Supreme Court Office of Professional Programs

Key Takeaway: Arkansas requires 12 CLE hours each year, including 1 ethics hour, with reporting due by July 31 following the June 30 compliance date.

Do judges in Arkansas have separate CLE requirements?

No — Arkansas does not impose a separate CLE regime exclusively for judges; judges are included under the same CLE rules as attorneys.

Under Arkansas’s “Rules for Minimum Continuing Legal Education,” every member of the Bar—including judges—must complete 12 hours of approved CLE annually, with at least 1 hour in ethics.

That rule explicitly defines “attorney” to include judges and provides that the CLE rules apply to all levels of the

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Does Arkansas have minimum live webcast or in-person CLE requirements?

No — Arkansas does not require attorneys to complete a minimum number of in-person (classroom) CLE hours.

The state allows attorneys to satisfy all 12 annual CLE credits via approved live webinars or on-demand formats.

Details

  • Arkansas attorneys must complete 12 credit hours per year, including at least 1 hour in ethics.
  • All 12 credits may be
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What is the reporting format for CLE in Arkansas?

Attorneys in Arkansas report CLE compliance through the online MCLE reporting system managed by the Arkansas Supreme Court Office of Professional Programs. The annual compliance period ends June 30, and attorneys must certify and submit their CLE credits online by July 31.

Arkansas CLE Reporting Format

  • Completion deadline: All required CLE credits (12 per year, including 1 ethics credit) must be earned by June 30.
  • Reporting deadline: Attorneys must log in and submit their compliance via the online MCLE reporting form by July 31.
  • Electronic reporting: The system allows attorneys to view credited courses, add missing programs, and electronically affirm compliance.
  • Sponsor verification: CLE sponsors must verify attendance and report program details directly to the Office of Professional Programs, though attorneys remain responsible for final certification.
  • Out-of-state attorneys: Those residing in a jurisdiction without MCLE requirements may file a “No CLE Required” certification form by October 31 following the compliance year.

Key Takeaway

Arkansas attorneys must complete CLE by June 30 and report compliance online by July 31 using the Supreme Court’s MCLE portal, ensuring all sponsor-reported credits appear correctly before certification.

How many CLE credits do Arkansas attorneys need?

Arkansas attorneys must complete 12 CLE credit hours per year, including at least 1 hour in ethics.
The reporting period runs July 1 through June 30, and attorneys must file by July 31.

Details
• Total required: 12 credits annually.
• Ethics: At least 1 hour must be in ethics.
• Carryover: Attorneys may carry over up to 12 credits (including 1 ethics) into the next cycle.
• Exemptions: Attorneys or judges aged 70 or with 40 years of licensure are exempt.
• Speaking credits: Solo speakers get 4 hours credit for each hour presented (first time); repeat presentations get 2 hours. Panelists with prepared materials get 3 hours.

Key Takeaway: Arkansas requires 12 CLE hours each year, including 1 hour of ethics, with carryover and speaker credit rules, and

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How early can I report CLE credits in Arkansas?

You can report CLE credits in Arkansas as soon as the reporting portal opens after the compliance year ends (June 30).
The reporting window typically opens in July and remains open until the reporting deadline on July 31.

Key Details

  • Arkansas’s CLE compliance year runs July 1 through June 30.
  • All required credits must be completed by June 30.
  • The official reporting deadline is July 31.
  • Attorneys should verify their CLE records and ensure all provider-reported and self-reported credits are ready before filing.
  • If there is a deficiency, attorneys may be required to submit a deficiency form or make up the hours according to Arkansas CLE rules.

Key Takeaway: In Arkansas, you may begin reporting your CLE soon after June 30 when the reporting system opens, and you must file by July 31 of that year.

When is the CLE reporting deadline in Arkansas?

The CLE reporting deadline in Arkansas is July 31 following the compliance period.

Arkansas attorneys must complete their required CLEs by June 30 and then file their compliance report by July 31.

Arkansas CLE Deadline & Reporting Timeline

  • Compliance (completion) deadline: June 30 each year
  • Reporting deadline: July 31
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Is live webcast or in-person CLE required in Arkansas?

No — Arkansas does not require in-person CLE; live webcasts (interactive real-time online) and recorded/technology-based formats are permitted for all credits. Ark. attorneys may complete their full annual CLE requirement via webcast, on-demand courses, or any approved format that meets Arkansas MCLE rules.

Annual CLE Requirements in Arkansas

  • Total requirement: 12 credit hours per year, including 1 ethics hour.
  • Compliance deadline: June 30

Credit Formats and Limits

  • All 12 hours may be earned online, including live webcasts or on-demand recordings.
  • Arkansas does not impose a requirement or minimum for in-person attendance.
  • Webcasts are counted as “live” events if they allow interaction.
  • On-demand (recorded) formats qualify when approved under Arkansas rules.

Carryover

  • Up to 12 credits (including 1 ethics) may be carried over to the next reporting period.

Provider & Reporting

  • CLE credits delivered via webcasts or recorded formats must comply with Arkansas Supreme Court, Office of Professional Programs approval and verification procedures.
  • Attorneys report credits to the Arkansas Supreme Court Office of Professional Programs.

Key Takeaway: Arkansas allows complete fulfillment of CLE requirements through live webcasts or technology-delivered formats; in-person attendance is not required.

Can I request an extension for CLE reporting in Arkansas?

Yes — in Arkansas you can effectively obtain more time under a “deficiency cure” process if you fail to report by the July 31 deadline; the CLE Board also may grant extensions in special circumstances such as military mobilization.

Arkansas’ Rules for Minimum Continuing Legal Education provide that attorneys who fail to meet the required 12 hours by June 30 must file an Acknowledgment of Deficiency by August 31, then complete the deficiency by December 1 and certify by December 15. The Board may grant additional extensions (especially for mobilized service) and may waive certain fees.

Details & Conditions

  • The Arkansas CLE Rules (Rule 5 Reporting) state:
     • If your final CLE balance is deficient,
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What happens if I miss the CLE deadline in Arkansas?

Missing Arkansas’s CLE deadline triggers notice of deficiency, possible suspension, and a reinstatement process if not cured. Arkansas attorneys must complete 12 CLE hours (including 1 ethics) by June 30 and report by July 31, with a 30-day cure period after notice under Rule 6.

Deadline & Reporting Requirements

  • June 30: Deadline to complete 12 CLE hours, including 1 hour of ethics.
  • July 31: Deadline to file your CLE report certifying completion.

Rule 6: Deficiency Notice & Suspension Process

  • The CLE Board issues a non-compliance notice after July 31.
  • You then have 30 days to provide written proof of compliance or remediate the deficiency.
  • Failure to cure within 30 days may lead the CLE Board to suspend your license.
  • Reinstatement requires submitting proof of compliance and petitioning for reinstatement per Board procedures.

Key Takeaway: In Arkansas, missing the June 30 credit deadline or July 31 reporting deadline triggers a 30-day deficiency cure period under Rule 6, and unresolved noncompliance can result in suspension and require formal reinstatement.

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