South Carolina

Yes — under South Carolina’s CLE rules, certain attorneys are exempt from the 14-hour requirement, subject to conditions and certification.

The exemptions are spelled out in SCACR Rule 408 and CLE Commission Regulations.

Details / Exceptions

• Certified specialists who meet the CLE requirements for their specialty are exempt — although they must

No — in South Carolina, you cannot request a general extension of the CLE reporting deadline; the CLE Commission lacks authority to extend compliance deadlines for Bar members. Rules allow only for waiver or modification of CLE requirements in individual cases of extraordinary hardship or extenuating circumstances.

Overview of South Carolina CLE Rules

• The reporting year runs from March 1 through the last day of February. SCACR Rule 408 requires reports of compliance by March 1.
• For good cause shown — in “extraordinary hardship or extenuating circumstances” — the Commission may waive or modify CLE requirements in individual cases.
• But under the same regulations, “the Commission has no authority to extend the deadlines for compliance reporting, and all requests for such extensions made to the Commission will be denied.”

What You Should Do

1. If you face hardship or extenuating circumstances, apply to the CLE Commission for a waiver or modification (not an extension).
2. In your request, fully describe the circumstances and propose how you will catch up.
3. Be aware that, if a waiver is granted, the Commission may increase your CLE requirement for the following year as a condition.
4. Comply as soon as possible — relief only affects how the rule is applied, not the base obligation.

Limitations & Important Notes

• Waivers or modifications are discretionary — there is no entitlement to relief.
• You cannot use “extension” language — the rule explicitly prohibits extending the compliance deadline for Bar members.
• Relief is only for that reporting year — repeated hardship requests may draw scrutiny.

Key Takeaway
South Carolina does not allow extensions of CLE reporting deadlines for Bar members; only waiver or modification may be granted in rare hardship cases, but the deadline itself cannot be extended.

Yes — judges in South Carolina have a separate judicial continuing legal education requirement (Rule 504), distinct from the CLE requirement for attorneys (Rule 408).

Judicial members must complete at least 15 hours of approved judicial education each year, with a substance abuse / mental health credit required every two years.

Details

• Rule 504 (SCACR) defines “judge” broadly (Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, circuit court, family court, probate

No — attorneys in South Carolina do not generally submit all CLE credits online themselves; CLE providers report attendance, and attorneys file an annual Compliance Report by March 1.

Some online programs trigger reporting by their sponsors, and attorneys may need to attach certificates to their Compliance Report.

Details:

• The CLE reporting year in SC runs from March 1 through February 28/29, with the Compliance Report due on or before March

In South Carolina, CLE credit counts when the course is approved by the Commission on CLE & Specialization (or designated under SCACR), including live, broadcast, distance, teaching, and specialty programming.

Attorneys must complete 14 approved hours yearly, with at least 2 in ethics and periodic substance abuse/mental health training.

Qualifying CLE activities

• Attendance at Commission-approved courses (live in-person, seminars)
• Alternatively delivered courses

You report CLE credits in South Carolina by submitting your MCLE Compliance Report to the Commission on CLE by March 1, for the reporting period ending February 28.
Your reporting must certify completion of the required 14 CLE hours (including 2 in ethics) for the preceding cycle.

Overview of South Carolina CLE Reporting

• The CLE year runs from March 1 through February 28.
• Attorneys must complete 14 CLE hours per year, with at least 2 hours in legal ethics / professional responsibility.
• At least 6 hours must be earned via live, in-person instruction.
• Program sponsors must report attendance to the Commission within 30 days.
• Attorneys who exceed the minimum may carry forward up to 14 hours (of which 2 may be ethics) into future years.
• Newly admitted attorneys are exempt from CLE during the first reporting year.
• If you miss reporting by March 1, a late fee applies and you have until April 15 to file; failure leads to administrative suspension.

Steps to Report CLE in South Carolina

• Complete 14 CLE hours (including 2 ethics, and required live hours) by February 28.
• Keep your attendance documentation: certificates, provider name, program title.
• Confirm that sponsors submitted your attendance within 30 days.
• Access the CLE Portal / Commission’s compliance reporting system.
• File your MCLE Compliance Report by March 1.
• Within that report, include any courses not auto-reported, attaching certificates or evidence.
• Pay any late or cure fees, if applicable.
• If you earned credits via Sprout Education, verify that we submitted your attendance where permitted and include any missing credits in your report.

Key Takeaway: In South Carolina, attorneys must earn 14 CLE hours annually and report compliance by March 1 via the Commission’s MCLE Compliance Report. Sprout Education aids with provider reporting where allowed, but you must confirm your record and file the report.

Yes — in South Carolina you may submit a CLE compliance report late, but you will incur a late-filing fee and risk administrative suspension if you do not file by the final cure date.

Under SCACR Rule 408 and the Commission on CLE regulations, the compliance report is due March 1; any report filed after that must include a $50 late fee (which doubles for repeat late filers), and failure to file with fees by April 15 subjects the attorney to suspension under Rule 419.

Detailed Explanation:

• The SC CLE reporting period is March 1 through the following February. Reports of compliance (with the

South Carolina attorneys must complete 14 CLE credit hours annually, including 2 hours in legal ethics.

One hour covering substance abuse, mental health, or stress management is also required at least once every two reporting years.

Details

• Reporting year: March 1 through last day of February; compliance reports and fees due by March 1.
• Ethics: At least 2 of

South Carolina does not offer a “grace period” after the March 1 reporting deadline. Attorneys must file their annual CLE compliance report by March 1 or incur penalties under Rule 408.

Reporting Year & Deadline

• Reporting year: March 1 through the last day of February.
• Compliance reports must be submitted by March 1, along with the required fees.

Waivers, Not Extensions

• The Commission may waive or modify obligations in cases of hardship or extenuating circumstances.
• However, the rules explicitly state the Commission has no authority to extend the deadline for compliance reporting or automatic suspension.

Key Takeaway: In South Carolina, the deadline for filing CLE compliance is March 1 with no built-in grace period — only conditional waivers may apply for extraordinary circumstances.

Yes — South Carolina requires that at least 6 of the 14 required CLE hours annually must be earned through live, in-person programs. Live online/webcast or recorded programs do not satisfy the in-person requirement.

Annual CLE Rules in South Carolina

• Total requirement: 14 credit hours per reporting year.
• Ethics requirement: At least 2 hours must be devoted to legal ethics/professional responsibility.

Live / Distance Format Restrictions

• At least 6 hours must be live, in-person attendance (i.e. physically present in a classroom setting).
• Online/webcast or other distance learning credits are subject to a cap: only up to 8 hours may be earned via such formats.

Key Takeaway: In South Carolina, attorneys must attend at least 6 CLE hours in live, in-person settings each year — webcasts or distance learning can fulfill the rest, but cannot replace the in-person requirement.

Inactive members of the South Carolina Bar are exempt from CLE requirements.

The CLE rule (SCACR Rule 408) explicitly lists “inactive members” as exempt from the 14-hour annual CLE duty.

Details

• Active members must complete 14 hours of approved CLE each reporting year, including at least 2 hours of ethics.
• The rule

You can’t formally “report” your South Carolina CLE credits (i.e. file your annual compliance report) until after the reporting year ends (February 28). The reporting window opens on March 1 (deadline same day).

During the year, approved CLE providers must submit attendance data (within 30 days of the course) so your credits appear in the Commission’s records.

Key Details

• The CLE reporting year runs March 1 through the last day of February. (SCACR Rule 408)
• Active attorneys must complete

If you miss South Carolina’s CLE deadline, you may face suspension unless you cure the deficiency and pay any penalties. South Carolina attorneys must complete 14 credit hours (including 2 in ethics and 1 substance abuse/mental health biennially) during the reporting year (March 1 to last day of February) and submit proof of compliance by March 1.

South Carolina CLE Deadline & Reporting

• March 1: Deadline to file your CLE compliance report and pay required filing fee.
• If you failed to complete required credits: The Commission may assess a penalty and require you to catch up credits before approving compliance.

Consequences & Suspension

• If you do not timely file or cure your deficiency, the Commission may suspend you under SCACR Rule 408 and refer the case under Rule 419.
• The Court may enter a suspension order until you have satisfied all requirements, paid fees, and demonstrated compliance.
• In cases of hardship or extenuating circumstances, the Commission may waive or modify the requirements, possibly with increased CLE in a future period.

Key Takeaway: Missing South Carolina’s March 1 CLE reporting deadline triggers potential suspension under Rule 408 if you do not cure the deficiency; relief is possible with timely compliance, payment, or a granted waiver.

Attorneys in South Carolina submit an Annual Report of Compliance to the SC Commission on CLE via a commission-prescribed form by March 1 following the reporting year. Providers must file attendance separately within 30 days of each program, and attorneys retain Uniform Certificates of Attendance for audit.

Key Details:

• The CLE reporting year runs March 1 through the last day of February, and attorney compliance reports are due by March 1.
• Providers must report attendee names, South Carolina Bar numbers, and course details to the Commission within 30 days of the program.
• Attorneys receive and may submit Uniform Certificate of Attendance (Appendix C) to claim credit; these certificates must be retained for later verification.
• If an attorney misses March 1, a late filing fee and administrative suspension per Rule 408 may follow.

Key Takeaway: In South Carolina, CLE reporting is through an annual compliance form due March 1, supported by provider attendance submissions and attorney-maintained certificates.

Yes — South Carolina allows carryover of CLE credits, with limitations.
Judicial CLE credits may carry over more liberally, but for active Bar members the Commission’s regulation allows up to 14 credits of Bar CLE carryover, with restrictions.

Details & nuances

• Under the SCCCLE Regulations, judicial members may carry forward excess CLE credit up to 30 hours for the next year.
• For active Bar members, the Commission’s FAQ states: “The maximum carry-forward credit is 14 hours of MCLE credit, of which two (2) hours may be LEPR (ethics) credit.”
• The carryover excludes credit from “alternatively delivered” courses (e.g. on-demand) — those credits are not eligible for carryover.
• Credits earned during the admission year (except for the Bar’s Essentials series) may not be carried into the first reporting year.
• The general rule for Bar members is: you may carry up to 14 hours into the next year, but only up to 2 may be ethics (LEPR), and on-demand credits do not carry over.

Key Takeaway
In South Carolina, active attorneys may carry over up to 14 CLE credits (with up to 2 in ethics), but only from live or interactive programs — on-demand credits are excluded, and carryover only spans one year.

South Carolina attorneys must complete 14 CLE credit hours each reporting year. That requirement includes at least 2 hours in legal ethics, and at least 1 hour of substance abuse/mental health every two years.

Annual CLE Requirements in South Carolina

• Total requirement: 14 credit hours per year
• Ethics requirement: 2 credit hours
• Substance abuse/mental health (SA/MH): 1 hour every two reporting years (part of general credits)
• Compliance cycle: March 1 through end of February
• Reporting deadline: March 1

Carryover & Format Limits

• Excess credits: may carry forward up to 14 credits, of which up to 2 may be ethics (LEPR) credits
• Alternatively delivered courses (online, telephonic) cannot be carried forward
• In each two-year span, the SA/MH credit cannot be carried over

Exemptions & New Admittees

• Newly admitted attorneys are exempt from CLE in the reporting year in which they are admitted
• During their first required reporting year, new attorneys must complete an “Essentials Series” course, which counts toward their MCLE hours

Key Takeaway: South Carolina requires 14 CLE hours annually, with 2 in ethics, a biennial SA/MH hour, carryover up to 14 credits (with limits), and an annual March 1 reporting deadline.

The CLE reporting deadline in South Carolina is March 1.

The reporting year runs from March 1 through the last day of February. Attorneys must finish all required CLE credits by the end of February and file their report by March 1.

South Carolina CLE Reporting Details

• Reporting period: March 1 – last day of February
• Completion deadline: Last day of February

Yes — South Carolina requires attorneys to complete at least 6 hours annually of live, in-person CLE credit as part of its 14-hour yearly requirement.

The rule limits the number of CLE hours that may be earned via online, on-demand, or telephone formats (i.e. “alternative” delivery) to 8 hours per year.

Details

• South Carolina Bar members must complete 14 CLE hours each reporting year, including 2 hours of legal ethics/professional

No — South Carolina’s CLE rules do not distinguish between part-time and full-time attorneys; all active bar members must satisfy the same CLE requirement (unless exempt).

South Carolina requires each active member of the Bar to complete 14 hours of approved CLE credit annually, including at least 2 hours in legal ethics/professional responsibility.

Details:

• At least once every two reporting years, one hour must be in substance abuse, mental health, or stress management.