New York

New York does not have a status labeled “inactive attorney” for CLE purposes; instead, attorneys who do not practice law in New York during a reporting cycle may be exempt from CLE under 22 NYCRR § 1500.5(b)(1).

If an attorney certifies as retired (under 22 NYCRR § 118.1(g)), that attorney is exempt from CLE entirely.

Details:

• All New York attorneys are presumed to practice law in the state; to claim exemption, the attorney must show they did

In New York, you don’t “report” CLE credits immediately — you certify compliance only when you file your attorney registration form following your reporting cycle. The CLE section of the registration is when your credits are reported.

You may, however, apply for accreditation of out-of-state or nonapproved courses within 30 days after attending them if needed.

Key Details

• New York operates on a biennial (two-year) reporting cycle tied to your birthday.
• You certify your CLE compliance in

Yes — New York attorneys may request an extension of time to complete CLE requirements in cases of undue hardship or extenuating circumstances. The NYS CLE Board permits extensions of up to 90 days under its rules.

Key Provisions & Process

• Under 22 NYCRR § 1500.14, attorneys (including newly admitted ones) may petition for a waiver or modification of CLE requirements, and may request an extension for extenuating circumstances not to exceed 90 days.
• The NYS CLE Board provides an Application for Extension of Time (CLE), which must be submitted via email to the CLE office.
• The CLE Board may grant extensions “based upon undue hardship or extenuating circumstances.”
• While awaiting decision, attorneys must continue completing any remaining CLE.

What You Should Do

1. Download and complete the Application for Extension of Time (CLE) form.
2. Email the completed application to the CLE Board ([email protected]).
3. Explain your hardship or extenuating circumstances, list CLE credits earned, and propose a plan to finish the remainder.
4. Await processing, which may take 30-45 days.
5. If granted, complete and submit CLE under the extended schedule; update your attorney registration form and filing as required.

Limitations & Considerations

• The extension is discretionary — not guaranteed.
• The extension generally may not exceed 90 days, unless special circumstances justify more.
• The extension does not relieve you of the obligation to timely file your Attorney Registration form or pay required fees.
• Approval depends on the strength of your justification and documentation.
• Extensions do not alter the required CLE categories or amounts — you still must meet the full requirement under NY rules.

Key Takeaway

New York allows for a limited extension (commonly up to 90 days) to complete CLE for undue hardship or extenuating circumstances — file a CLE extension application, support it with documentation, and continue pursuing compliance even while the request is pending.

The CLE reporting deadline in New York is within 30 days after your birthday in the second year of your biennial cycle.

Attorneys must complete their CLE requirement by that same date, then certify compliance when they file their biennial attorney registration.

New York CLE Reporting Rules

• Experienced attorneys: 24 CLE credits every two years, reporting within 30 days after your birthday.

No — New York’s CLE rules do not distinguish part-time vs full-time attorneys; all attorneys subject to the program must satisfy the same requirement (unless exempt or prorated).

Under 22 NYCRR § 1500.22, experienced attorneys must complete 24 accredited CLE credit hours in each biennial reporting cycle, including at least 4 in ethics/professionalism, 1 in diversity/inclusion, and 1 in cybersecurity/privacy/data protection.

Newly admitted attorneys (in their first two years) must complete 32 credits (16 per year) in categories including ethics, skills,

No — judges in New York do not have a separate CLE requirement; they comply under the same CLE rules that apply to attorneys.

Under New York’s CLE regulations, “attorneys, judges, in-house counsel” fall within the same continuing legal education program without distinct judicial-only mandatory credits.

Details

• New York attorneys (including those serving as judges) must complete 24 credit hours of accredited CLE in each biennial

Yes — New Jersey will accept CLE credits earned in New York so long as the New York credits satisfy New Jersey’s reciprocity conditions.
Under New Jersey’s rules, courses approved in another state that has mandatory CLE may count “through reciprocity,” provided they are the types of courses NJ allows and the credits do not exceed teaching limits.

Details:

• New Jersey’s CLE FAQ states: “Through reciprocity, New Jersey will accept credits for courses … accredited in another

Experienced New York attorneys must complete 24 CLE credit hours every two years, including 4 credit hours in ethics, 1 credit hour in diversity, inclusion & elimination of bias, and 1 credit hour in cybersecurity, privacy & data protection.

Newly admitted attorneys must complete 16 transitional CLE credits in each of their first two years (a total of 32), with credits distributed among ethics, skills, law practice/areas of professional practice, and a cybersecurity requirement.

Details

• Compliance cycle: 2 years (biennial) — experienced attorneys’ reporting is due within 30 days after their

Yes, at least one state — New York — requires a dedicated CLE credit in cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection. Other states are moving toward similar mandates through broader “technology CLE” requirements.

Current Cybersecurity CLE Requirements

• New York: Attorneys must complete 1 credit in cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection as part of their biennial CLE cycle (effective July 1, 2023).
• Florida: Requires 3 technology-related CLE credits every three-year cycle, which may include cybersecurity training.
• North Carolina: Requires 1 technology CLE credit annually, and cybersecurity courses may satisfy this requirement.
• New Jersey: Beginning in April 2025, attorneys must complete 1 technology CLE credit per biennial cycle, potentially including cybersecurity content.

Practical Implications

• Cybersecurity CLE is not yet universal but is becoming more common as part of broader technology-competence rules.
• Attorneys should confirm whether their state recognizes cybersecurity as a standalone requirement or as part of technology or ethics credits.
• Sprout Education tracks emerging CLE categories like cybersecurity and ensures attorneys meet both current and new compliance standards.

Key Takeaway: Cybersecurity CLE is required in New York and may be covered under technology CLE in states like Florida, North Carolina, and New Jersey, but it is not yet a universal mandate.

New York provides a 30-day automatic grace period after your birthday to complete CLE and report compliance on your biennial registration. Attorneys must certify that they have met their CLE requirements within 30 days of their birthday on alternate years.

New York CLE Deadline & Grace Period

• CLE compliance and reporting deadline: 30 days after your birthday in the reporting year.
• If credits are not completed or reported within that 30-day window, you must apply for an extension citing hardship or extenuating circumstances.
• The maximum extension granted is 90 days beyond the default deadline.

Consequences & Compliance

• Failure to certify CLE compliance by registration may lead your name to be referred to the Appellate Division for disciplinary action.
• During the extension period, you should proceed to complete remaining CLE credits while awaiting the CLE Board’s decision.

Key Takeaway: In New York, the “grace period” is 30 days after your birthday to complete and report CLE — beyond that, you need an approved extension (up to 90 days) to avoid disciplinary exposure.

No — New York does not require in-person CLE across the board, but it does require that newly admitted attorneys obtain some credits via live or interactive formats; experienced attorneys may use non-participatory formats, subject to accreditation rules.

New York CLE Basics

• Experienced attorneys (practicing more than two years) must complete 24 credits every two years, including 4 in ethics, 1 in diversity/inclusion, and 1 in cybersecurity.
• Newly admitted attorneys must complete 32 transitional CLE credits over their first two years (16 per year), including specific allocations for ethics, skills, and practice management.

Format Rules & Restrictions for Newly Admitted Attorneys

• Skills credits must be earned in formats with live interactivity: traditional classroom or fully interactive videoconference.
• Ethics credits may be completed via live classroom, interactive videoconference, or synchronous webconferences/webcasts where audience interaction is allowed.
• Law Practice Management, Areas of Professional Practice, and Cybersecurity-General credits may be taken in any approved format (including non-interactive).
• A temporary exception allows newly admitted attorneys to use webconference or teleconference formats for Skills credits through December 31, 2025; thereafter stricter live format rules for Skills will resume.

Format Rules for Experienced Attorneys

• Experienced attorneys may earn credits via live classroom, webinars, teleconferences, or prerecorded programs, so long as the CLE program is accredited in that format.
• There is no requirement that experienced attorneys attend in person; interactive or non-interactive formats are acceptable if approved.

Key Takeaway: In New York, experienced attorneys can use webinars, prerecorded courses, or in-person events — none is mandatory — but newly admitted attorneys must use live or interactive formats for certain credits (especially Skills and Ethics), with tighter format restrictions and a temporary extension for more flexible delivery through 2025.

No — New York does not provide a general “late reporting” option; attorneys must certify CLE compliance by the deadline or apply for a formal extension or waiver. Any delay beyond the deadline must be handled through the CLE Board’s extension of time or waiver/modification process.

In New York:

• Attorneys must complete and report their CLE requirements within 30 days after their birthday on alternate years, via the

Yes — you can submit CLE compliance online in New York by means of the Attorney Registration process.
CLE credits themselves are reported via the registration, not by separately filing each course with the CLE board.

Details:
– All attorneys must renew their registration biennially electronically under “Attorney Online Services,” and that registration includes a section where you certify CLE compliance.
– In the CLE section of the Attorney Registration Form, you check “Certification 1 – Completed CLE credit requirement” (or the exemption/extension box, if applicable).
– You do not attach certificates of attendance to the registration; instead, you must retain them for potential audit (for at least four years).
– As of December 1, 2023, paper registration forms are no longer issued — all registration (and CLE reporting via registration) must be done via the online system.

Key Takeaway
You don’t submit each CLE credit separately online — you certify your compliance through the electronic Attorney

If you miss the CLE deadline in New York, you may face audit and disciplinary referral rather than automatic suspension. New York attorneys do not file CLE separately — they certify CLE compliance on their biennial attorney registration, and failure to do so may lead to report to the Appellate Division.

New York CLE Deadline, Reporting & Extension

• Experienced attorneys must complete 24 CLE hours every two years (including 4 in ethics, 1 in diversity, and 1 in cybersecurity).
• Certification occurs via the attorney registration form, filed within 30 days after your birthday in your reporting year.
• If you fail to complete required credits, you may apply for an extension up to 90 days for undue hardship or extenuating circumstances.

Consequences of Noncompliance

• If audited and unable to show proof of compliance, your name may be referred to the Appellate Division for disciplinary action.
• In past cases, attorneys suspended for CLE non-compliance have had to undergo full reinstatement proceedings.
• The CLE Board does not automatically suspend attorneys simply for missing the deadline — instead, compliance is enforced through audit and disciplinary mechanism.

Key Takeaway: In New York, missing your CLE deadline does not itself trigger suspension — but failure to certify or respond to audit may lead to referral to disciplinary proceedings and possible reinstatement requirements.

Attorneys in New York report CLE compliance on their biennial Attorney Registration form, certifying they’ve met their CLE requirement. Certificates of completion are not submitted with the form but must be retained for at least four years in case of audit.

Key Details:

• Compliance is certified within 30 days after your birthday, in alternate years.
• On the Attorney Registration form, you select one of three certification options: completed CLE requirement, exempt, or applied for waiver/extension.
• You do not attach certificates to the registration form — you must keep them in your records.
• Credits may be carried over: up to 6 credits can carry forward into the next reporting cycle.

Key Takeaway: In New York, CLE reporting is done by self-certification on your biennial registration form (within 30 days after your birthday), and you retain but do not submit attendance certificates.

New York attorneys must complete 24 CLE credit hours every two years (biennial reporting cycle). Within those 24 credits, at least 4 must be in ethics, at least 1 in diversity/inclusion/elimination of bias, and at least 1 in cybersecurity/privacy & data protection.

Credit Requirements & Subcategory Minimums

• Total required: 24 credits per biennial cycle
• Ethics & professionalism: ≥ 4 credits
• Diversity, inclusion & elimination of bias: ≥ 1 credit
• Cybersecurity, privacy & data protection: ≥ 1 credit

Carryover & Cycle Rules

• Carryover allowed: up to 6 credits may carry into next cycle
• Cycle length: two years (biennial)

Newly Admitted Attorneys (Transitional CLE)

• Total transitional requirement: 32 credits over first two years (16 per year)
• Each year’s 16 credits must include categories: ethics, skills, practice management/areas of professional practice, and 1 cybersecurity credit

Key Takeaway: In New York, the regular CLE cycle is biennial and requires 24 credits with mandated credits for ethics, diversity, and cybersecurity, and a 6-hour carryover limit.

You report CLE credits in New York by certifying your compliance on your biennial Attorney Registration Form (due within 30 days after your birthday in alternate years).
New York uses a self-reporting model — you don’t submit each certificate to the CLE Board, but you must retain them for audit.

Overview of New York CLE Reporting

Experienced attorneys must complete 24 CLE credit hours every two years, including:
• 4 hours in Ethics & Professionalism
• 1 hour in Diversity, Inclusion & Elimination of Bias
• 1 hour in Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Protection (effective July 1, 2023)
Newly admitted attorneys (first two years) must complete 32 transitional CLE hours (16 per year), with required categories including ethics, skills, law practice, and one cybersecurity hour.
You may carry over up to 6 credits from one cycle to the next.
You are exempt if you do not practice law in New York during the cycle, are a full-time active duty military, or are retired under Judiciary Law § 468-a.

Steps to Report CLE in New York

• Complete your required CLE hours before your registration due date (within 30 days after your

No — New York does not require most attorneys to complete a minimum number of in-person or live webcast CLE credits.
Experienced attorneys may earn all required CLE credits through on-demand or recorded programs, provided the course is accredited and completed within the compliance period.

CLE Format Rules in New York

• Experienced attorneys (admitted more than two years) must complete 24 CLE credits every two years. All 24 credits may be earned via nonparticipatory (on-demand) programs, as long as the course is approved by the New York State CLE Board.
• Newly admitted attorneys (in their first two years of admission) are the exception:
  • Skills credits must be completed through a traditional live classroom or a fully interactive live videoconference.
  • Ethics and Professionalism credits must allow real-time interaction (such as live webcast or video).
  • Temporary provisions allow newly admitted attorneys to complete Skills credits via live interactive webcast or teleconference through December 31, 2025.
• There is no universal live-hour minimum for all attorneys under New York’s CLE rules.

Summary Table

Key Takeaway

New York does not impose a live or in-person CLE minimum for most attorneys — only newly admitted attorneys must take certain Skills and Ethics credits in live or interactive formats.

Yes — New York’s CLE rules exempt some attorneys, subject to conditions, under 22 NYCRR § 1500.5.

Attorneys who do not practice law in New York during their biennial reporting cycle, full-time active U.S. military members, attorneys temporarily admitted for a case, and those retired under Judiciary Law § 468-a are among those eligible.

Details / Exceptions

• Not Practicing in New York: Attorneys who certify that they did not provide legal advice or representation

In New York, attorneys earn CLE credit by participating in Board-accredited programs, presenting or teaching, publishing legal works, or engaging in qualifying pro bono service, subject to format, documentation, and category rules.

These rules derive from 22 NYCRR Part 1500 and the NY State CLE Board’s policies.

Credit-eligible activities

• Attendance at accredited programs in formats such as live classroom, webinars, teleconferences,