Kentucky

Kentucky attorneys must complete 12 CLE credit hours every reporting year, including 2 hours in ethics. The educational year runs July 1–June 30, with credits due by June 30 and reporting due by August 10.

Annual CLE Requirements in Kentucky

• Total requirement: 12 credit hours per educational year
• Ethics requirement: 2 credit hours
• Educational year: July 1 – June 30
• Reporting deadline: August 10 (following the June 30 completion deadline)

Credit Formats & Carryover

• Credits may be earned via live or technology-delivered programs that meet Kentucky accreditation rules
• Carryover (when granted by rule) applies under Kentucky’s Supreme Court Rules governing CLE; attorneys should confirm current limits each year

New Lawyers & Exemptions

• Newly admitted attorneys must complete the Kentucky New Lawyer Program (NLP) within the first year (12 credits, including ethics), subject to KBA-approved alternatives
• Certain exemptions exist under the Supreme Court Rules (e.g., non-practice exemptions) and must be applied for through the KBA

Provider Support

• Sprout Education tracks your Kentucky CLE progress and supports accurate, on-time reporting where applicable

Key Takeaway: Kentucky’s annual cycle requires 12 CLE hours with 2 in ethics, earned by June 30 and reported by August 10.

You may begin reporting CLE credits in Kentucky only after the educational (reporting) year ends on June 30. The claim/report form (KBA Form 3) must be submitted to the Kentucky Bar Association by August 10 following the end of that year.

You cannot file your CLE report before June 30 — credits earned earlier in the year accrue, but the reporting “window” opens after year-end.

Key Details

• Kentucky’s reporting year runs July 1 to June 30. SCR 3.645(1) and Kentucky Bar materials confirm that completion

No — Kentucky does not mandate that CLE be in person; live webcasts and technology-transmitted programs are accepted as “live.” Attorneys may fulfill their full 12-credit annual CLE requirement via real-time webinars or prerecorded accredited courses.

CLE Requirements in Kentucky

• Total requirement: 12 credit hours per reporting year (July 1 – June 30)
• Ethics requirement: 2 credit hours within the 12
• Live definition: includes in-person seminars or online seminars/webinars conducted in real time
• Self-study (technology-transmitted) programs: attorneys may claim all 12 hours through accredited programs delivered via streaming, DVD, or online video

Carryover & Self-Study

• Kentucky allows carrying forward up to 24 credits to the next two reporting years (with limits on ethics credits carried forward)
• Self-study courses are accredited and may be taken for full compliance when they meet KBA standards

Key Takeaway: Kentucky accepts live webcasts and self-study formats for CLE credit—attendance in person is not required as long as the program is accredited and meets “live” or “self-study” criteria under the rules.

Kentucky attorneys must complete 12 CLE credit hours each year, including 2 hours in ethics.

The educational year runs from July 1 to June 30, and credits must be reported by August 10.

Details

• Total requirement: 12 credits annually.

• Ethics: 2 of the 12 credits must be in ethics.

• Carryover: Attorneys

Attorneys in Kentucky self-report CLE credits via the Kentucky Bar Association Member CLE Portal, submitting claims by August 10 following the June 30 reporting period.

Key Details:

• The Kentucky CLE reporting year runs July 1 through June 30. (SCR 3.600 and UK/CLE FAQ)
• Attorneys must submit claims to the KBA via the Member CLE Portal or via KBA Form 3 by August 10. (SCR 3.645(2))
• Attorneys retain certificates of attendance and proof of activity in case of audit.
• If a lawyer fails to claim credits by August 10 or does not complete the requirement by June 30, they may incur sanctions or be required to seek a waiver or extension (Form 8). (SCR 3.670, 3.675)

Key Takeaway: Kentucky attorneys report CLE by submitting their credits via the KBA Member Portal or Form 3 by August 10, following a June 30 compliance cutoff.

Yes — Kentucky permits some attorneys to be exempt from the annual CLE requirement, particularly those who certify they will not practice law in Kentucky (non-practice exemption) and others under SCR 3.665.

The Supreme Court Rule SCR 3.665 lists who may be exempt and how exemptions may be removed.

Details / Exceptions

• Non-Practice Exemption: A Kentucky Bar member may apply for a “CLE Non-Practice Exemption” if the member

Kentucky provides a grace period for CLE reporting: attorneys must complete credits by June 30 and have until August 10 to submit their report. This extension allows time to certify compliance after the credit deadline.

Kentucky CLE Deadlines & Grace Period

• June 30: Deadline to complete all required CLE hours.
• August 10: Last day to file the CLE report (KBA Form 3 or online certification).

Late Reporting & Noncompliance

• If credits are not reported by August 10, the CLE Commission mails a deficiency notice.
• Attorneys then have 30 days from the notice to respond, cure the deficiency, or show cause against suspension.
• Failure to comply may lead to administrative suspension under SCR 3.675 until compliance is established.

Key Takeaway: In Kentucky, you must finish CLE by June 30 and file your compliance report by August 10 — that window serves as your grace period before noncompliance proceedings begin.

Failing to meet Kentucky’s CLE deadline incurs a $50 late-filing fee per certificate and exposes you to sanctions under SCR 3.675. You must complete 12 CLE credits (including 2 ethics) by June 30 and submit your CLE claim by August 10; late claims after that date require the $50 fee.

Deadlines & Reporting Rules

• June 30: Deadline to complete all CLE credit hours. SCR 3.645(1).
• August 10: Deadline to submit your CLE certificate or claim form. Late filings incur a $50 per-certificate late fee. SCR 3.645(2), SCR 3.675.
• Extensions for good cause may be granted under SCR 3.670.

Sanctions for Non-Compliance

• Under SCR 3.675, continued noncompliance may lead to discipline or other sanctions.
• In a reported case, the Kentucky Supreme Court imposed a $750 fine for failure to satisfy CLE hours and timely file, citing authority under SCR 3.669/3.675.

Key Takeaway: In Kentucky, missing the June 30 CLE or August 10 reporting deadline triggers a mandatory $50 late-filing fee per certificate; unresolved noncompliance may lead to fines or disciplinary action under SCR 3.675.

In Kentucky, CLE credit counts when an activity is accredited under SCR 3.650, including live programs, self-study/technological formats, teaching, writing, and program planning.

Every attorney must complete 12 credits per educational year, of which 2 must be in ethics.

Approved CLE activities

• Live seminars, interactive webinars, or in-person programs accredited by the CLE Commission under SCR

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.

Overview of Kentucky CLE Reporting

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.

Steps to Report CLE in Kentucky

• Complete required 12 CLE hours (including 2 ethics) by June 30.
• Retain all certificates or

Yes — Kentucky requires a separate continuing judicial education (CJE) regime for judges under SCR 8.070, in addition to the general CLE rules for attorneys.

The Judicial Education Commission regulates CJE for justices and judges; many judicial credits overlap with CLE-approved courses in certain circumstances.

Details

• SCR 8.070 mandates that every appellate judge, justice, and trial judge must attend at least 24 hours of continuing