New Members: Free 1 credit course with code FREECLE

Hawaii

Can I report CLE credits late in Hawaii?

No — Hawaii does not explicitly permit late CLE reporting under its rules; attorneys must certify CLE compliance via annual registration and, if noncompliant, cure within a short “grace period” or face suspension. RSCH Rule 22 provides for good-cause modification or exemption but does not create a general late-reporting path.

Details under Hawaii’s CLE / MCLE framework:

  • Active members must complete 3 CLE credit hours (including 1 ethics every three years) by December 31 of each reporting year.
...
Legal Categories: States: Topics:
Do judges in Hawaii have separate CLE requirements?

Yes — Hawaii requires full-time state judges to undertake a separate judicial education obligation in addition to the usual attorney CLE regime.

In Hawaii, full-time state judges must participate in a judicial education program approved by the Committee on Judicial Education; those hours may also count toward the standard CLE requirement for attorneys. (RSCH Rule 22(h))

RSCH Rule 22(h) exempts full-time federal judges, magistrate judges, bankruptcy judges, U.S. Court of Federal Claims judges, and

...
What are the CLE requirements for inactive attorneys in Hawaii?

Attorneys on inactive status in Hawaii are exempt from the CLE requirement.

Upon electing active status, they must complete and report 3 hours of approved CLE (including 1 hour of ethics) within three months.

Details:

  • Hawaii’s MCLE rules classify inactive members as exempt from CLE obligations.
  • Upon status change to active, the
...
Legal Categories: States: Topics:
What is the reporting format for CLE in Hawaii?

Attorneys in Hawaii self-report CLE by certifying their credit hours on the annual attorney registration form; they do not submit certificates routinely.

Key Details:

  • Under RSCH Rule 22, active members must complete at least 3 CLE credit hours per calendar year.
  • There is no requirement to file certificates with the Bar unless requested for an audit or status change.
  • The certification occurs on the annual registration statement (reporting deadline is January 31 following December 31).
  • Attorneys must keep certificates and logs for three reporting periods in case of audit.

Key Takeaway: In Hawaii, CLE reporting is self-certified via the annual registration form, and attorneys retain records rather than submitting each certificate.

What is the grace period for CLE reporting in Hawaii?

There is no formal grace period in Hawaii beyond the December 31 compliance deadline — attorneys must complete and report CLE by year-end. Noncompliance triggers a certified notice and potential suspension under RSCH Rule 22.

Hawaii CLE Requirements & Reporting

  • December 31: Deadline to complete all required CLE credits.
  • Reporting is done via the attorney registration form, certified at that time.

Enforcement & Noncompliance Procedure

  • Within 60 days after the registration deadline, the HSBA sends a certified notice of noncompliance to attorneys who failed to meet CLE requirements.
  • Recipients of the notice have 15 days to submit proof, contest it, or resign their license.
  • Failure to respond or comply leads to automatic administrative suspension until full compliance and proof are accepted.

Key Takeaway: Hawaii requires CLE compliance by December 31 with no additional grace period; noncompliance leads to a formal notice and possible suspension under Rule 22.

Can I submit CLE credits online in Hawaii?

No — Hawaii does not offer a system for directly submitting CLE credits online; instead attorneys self-report CLE compliance via the annual attorney registration form.

Hawaii requires active attorneys to claim their CLE hours on their registration and retain supporting records in case of audit. ([hsba.org](https://hsba.org/HSBA_2020/Events_Programs/MCLE/MCLE_FAQs.aspx))

Details:

  • The MCLE requirement is 3 credit hours per year, with 1 ethics/ professional responsibility credit every three years.
...
Legal Categories: States: Topics:
When is the CLE reporting deadline in Hawaii?

The CLE reporting deadline in Hawaii is December 31, coinciding with the calendar year end.

Hawaii attorneys must complete their required credits by December 31 and certify their compliance via the annual registration form that follows.

Hawaii CLE Reporting Details

  • Completion Deadline: December 31 each year
  • Reporting Method & Deadline: Compliance is
...
Is live webcast or in-person CLE required in Hawaii?

No — Hawaii does not require CLE to be in person, and attorneys may satisfy their CLE obligation via live webcasts or recorded (alternative) formats. The state does not impose a “must attend in-person” requirement.

Hawaii CLE Overview

  • Annual requirement: 3 credit hours per calendar year.
  • Ethics requirement: 1 ethics or professional responsibility hour every three years.

Permitted Formats & Limits

  • Attorneys may earn all required CLE credits through online, alternative, or recorded formats.
  • There is no limitation on how many credits come from alternative formats (i.e., self-study, on-demand).
  • Live webcasts (real-time online programs) qualify as acceptable “live” formats.

Verification & Reporting

  • Webcasts must be approved and not previously viewed for credit.
  • Attorneys must self-report CLE credits on the annual registration form for the Hawaii State Bar.
  • Certificates and records must be maintained for three most recent reporting periods.

Key Takeaway: Hawaii allows complete fulfillment of CLE via webcasts or alternative formats — there is no mandate for in-person attendance.

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

No — Hawaii’s CLE rules do not differentiate based on part-time vs full-time status; all active attorneys must satisfy the same requirement (unless exempt).

Under RSCH Rule 22, active members must complete at least 3 CLE credit hours per calendar year, and at least once every three years they must include 1 credit hour of ethics or professional responsibility.

Details:

  • The CLE cycle is each calendar year (January 1 through December 31).
  • New admittees are exempt for the year of admission.
...
How many CLE hours are required every reporting cycle in Hawaii?

Hawaii attorneys must complete 3 CLE credit hours every calendar year. Every 3 years, at least 1 of those credits must be in ethics or professional responsibility.

Annual CLE Requirements in Hawaii

  • Total requirement: 3 credit hours per year
  • Ethics requirement: 1 credit hour every 3 years (counts toward annual)
  • Compliance deadline: December 31
  • Reporting: self-certification via annual registration form

Carryover & Special Rules

  • Up to 3 credits may be carried over to the next year, but ethics credits cannot be carried over
  • Newly admitted attorneys are exempt from the CLE requirement in their admission year
  • Attorneys shifting from inactive to active status must complete 3 hours (including 1 ethics) within 3 months

Key Takeaway: Hawaii requires 3 CLE hours annually, with 1 ethics credit every 3 years, carryover allowed (except ethics), and reporting via the annual bar registration form.

Can I request an extension for CLE reporting in Hawaii?

No — Hawaii’s CLE scheme does not include a general extension mechanism for reporting; instead, after the deadline, you may cure noncompliance during an audit period (with fees).

Hawaii attorneys self-report their CLE on the annual registration and, if audited, may submit proof of completion within 60 days of notice along with payment of any late fee.

Detailed Explanation

  • Under RSCH Rule 22 and Hawaii CLE Regulations, active attorneys must complete at least 3 CLE credit hours by
...
Are any attorneys exempt from CLE in Hawaii?

Yes — Hawaii provides several exemptions from its CLE (MCLE) requirement, such as for full-time federal/state judges, newly licensed attorneys in their admission year, and inactive bar members (among others under Rule 22).

Under Hawaii’s Rule 22 (RSCH), active members generally must complete 3 CLE hours annually, but exemptions include full-time judges (federal, ALJ, bankruptcy, etc.), new admittees in their admission year, and inactive members.

Details / Exceptions

  • Full-time judges and judicial officers: Federal judges, magistrate judges, bankruptcy judges, U.S. Court of
...
Legal Categories: States: Topics:
What happens if I miss the CLE deadline in Hawaii?

Missing Hawaii’s CLE deadline triggers a certified notice of noncompliance and automatic suspension if not cured within 60 days. Hawaii attorneys must complete 3 CLE credits (including 1 ethics credit every three years) and report compliance by December 31.

Rule 22 Noncompliance Procedure

  • The Board sends a certified notice of noncompliance after the review or audit. ([HSBA CLE Regulations](https://hsba.org/images/hsba/MCLE/CLE_Regulations.pdf))
  • You have 60 days from the notice to submit evidence of completion of missing credits and pay the late fee, or prove the notice was issued in error. ([HSBA CLE Regulations](https://hsba.org/images/hsba/MCLE/CLE_Regulations.pdf))
  • If you fail to cure within 60 days, you are automatically and immediately suspended. ([HSBA CLE Regulations](https://hsba.org/images/hsba/MCLE/CLE_Regulations.pdf))

Key Takeaway: In Hawaii, missing the CLE or reporting deadline starts a 60-day cure window under Rule 22, and failure to comply by its end leads to automatic suspension until you complete the requirements and pay fees.

What counts toward CLE requirements in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, CLE credit counts for attending approved programs, teaching, writing scholarly legal articles, in-house courses, and out-of-state or alternate-format programs—so long as they satisfy HSBA standards under Rule 22.

These activities must be approved by the Hawaii State Bar or accepted jurisdictions and meet quality, content, and delivery requirements set in the CLE Regulations.

Details

  • Active attorneys must complete at least 3 credit hours annually, including 1 hour of ethics every three years.
  • Attending
...
Are carryover CLE credits allowed in Hawaii?

Yes — Hawaii allows carryover of CLE credits, up to 3 hours, but ethics credits cannot be carried forward.

This carryover relates particularly to the Hawaii Professionalism Course for new attorneys and more generally to unused credits from the prior year.

Details & nuances

  • Under Hawaii rules, active members must complete 3 CLE credit hours per year, with at least one
...
Legal Categories: , States: Topics:
Does Hawaii have minimum live webcast or in-person CLE requirements?

No — Hawaii does not require a minimum number of in-person (classroom) CLE hours.

Hawai‘i’s MCLE rules allow credit for approved programs in any format (in-person, live webcast, or on-demand) so long as they satisfy continuing education standards.

Details

  • Active attorneys in Hawai‘i must complete 3 credit hours of CLE annually, including an ethics component every three
...
Legal Categories: States: Topics: ,
How early can I report CLE credits in Hawaii?

You may begin reporting CLE for Hawaii when you file your annual attorney registration, which includes certifying your prior year’s compliance (i.e. “reporting” occurs in January after the year ends).
Hawaii’s compliance period is the calendar year (January 1 to December 31), and attorneys certify CLE compliance on their annual registration form the following year.

Key Details

  • Active Hawaii attorneys must complete 3 CLE credits per calendar year, inclusive of 1 ethics credit every three years.
  • CLE credits must be earned by December 31 of that year.
  • Reporting is done through the annual attorney registration form, where you certify that you satisfied the CLE requirement for the previous year.
  • Providers (e.g. NBI) report attendance to the Hawaii State Bar so that your transcript is up to date by registration time.
  • You must maintain documentation (certificates, course records) for three reporting periods in case of audit.
  • Sprout Education reports attendance on behalf of attorneys (within 30 days where permitted) and helps ensure those credits appear when you register.

Key Takeaway: You can “report” your Hawaii CLE compliance only when you complete your annual registration (typically in January following year-end), not before — all required CLE must be earned by December 31.

How many CLE credits do Hawaii attorneys need?

Hawaii attorneys must complete 3 CLE credit hours per year, with at least 1 credit of ethics/professional responsibility every three years.

All 3 credits are earned within the calendar year and reported during annual registration.

Details

  • Requirement: 3 hours annually for active attorneys.
  • Ethics: At least 1 credit of ethics or professional responsibility
...
How do I report CLE credits in Hawaii?

You report CLE credits in Hawaii by certifying your CLE compliance on your annual attorney registration form (due after December 31).
Hawaii requires a minimum of 3 CLE credit hours per calendar year, with at least 1 ethics hour every three years.

Overview of Hawaii MCLE Reporting

Hawaii’s Mandatory CLE (Rule 22) obligates all active attorneys to complete at least 3 CLE credit hours each year.
Of those, at least 1 credit hour of ethics or professional responsibility must be completed once every three years, and that hour counts toward the annual requirement.
Attorneys are not required to submit certificates yearly unless selected for audit; records must be maintained for three reporting periods.

How to Report CLE in Hawaii

  • Complete your 3 credit hours by December 31 of each year, including ethics when required.
  • Retain your
...

Looking for a new CLE experience?

We’ll let you know when we release new courses and products.

Continuing Education for the Next Generation™

More Pages