Washington

No — Washington does not require a fixed number of in-person classroom CLE hours.

The state’s MCLE rules allow attorneys to earn all required credits via approved online, recorded, or live-interactive programs without a live-credit minimum.

Details

• Under Washington’s APR 11 rules, a lawyer must complete 45 CLE credits in a three-year cycle, including at least 15

Inactive attorneys in Washington are not required to report or complete MCLE while their status remains inactive.

Upon reactivation, they must meet all MCLE obligations as an active member and may incur additional reinstatement conditions depending on how long they have been inactive.

Details

• The Washington State Bar allows inactive status for members not practicing law; while inactive, MCLE reports are not

In Washington, you can begin entering CLE credits into your MCLE transcript as soon as you complete a qualifying activity (especially for courses that require self-reporting). Providers and attorneys may submit credits before the end of the cycle.

However, you cannot formally certify your CLE compliance until after the reporting period ends (December 31). The deadline to certify your credits is February 1 of the following year.

Key Details

• Washington attorneys must complete 45 MCLE credit hours every three years.
• All credits must be earned by December 31

No — in Washington, judges are not governed by a separate CLE regime; they participate under the same MCLE rules that apply to attorneys (with some special allowances for judicial ethics).

Washington’s MCLE rules (APR 11) include judges (classified as “judicial members”) among those required to satisfy CLE, and the state separately provides Continuing Judicial Education (CJE) credit, especially in ethics, as part of judicial training.

Details

• Under APR 11, “judicial members” (i.e. judges or administrative law judges) must complete 45 credits every three

Yes — Washington attorneys may request an extension of time (or modification) to satisfy MCLE reporting requirements by filing a petition for undue hardship. APR 11 expressly authorizes waiver, modification, or extension of education or reporting obligations in cases of undue hardship.

Washington MCLE Structure & Deadlines

• Washington attorneys must complete 45 MCLE credits in each three-year period, including 15 law & legal procedure, 6 ethics (1 equity) credits.
• Credits must be earned by December 31 of the reporting period’s final year.
• Certification (reporting) is due by February 1 following the period.
• A late fee is imposed if credits are late or certification is late.

Hardship / Extension / Modification Authority

• Under APR 11(d)(2)(vi), the MCLE Board “shall waive or modify a lawyer’s … education or reporting requirements” upon a showing of undue hardship.
• APR 11(i)(5) permits petitioning for extension, waiver, or modification “at any time” in a form prescribed by the Bar.
• A petition filed more than 30 days after an APR 17 presuspension notice cannot stay suspension.

What You Should Do

1. Evaluate whether your situation qualifies as “undue hardship.”
2. Get the official petition form for extension/modification/waiver from WSBA or the MCLE Board.
3. File the petition before or shortly after your February 1 certification deadline.
4. Explain your hardship, prior compliance efforts, and timeline to complete what remains.
5. Continue earning CLE while your petition is pending — extension doesn’t pause obligations.
6. If granted, follow the Board’s modified schedule or conditions.

Limitations & Considerations

• The extension is discretionary, not a right.
• Filing a petition doesn’t automatically prevent suspension unless timely under the rule limits.
• If denied and noncompliance continues, administrative suspension under APR 17 is possible.
• The duration of any extension is determined case by case.

Key Takeaway

Under Washington’s APR 11, attorneys may file a hardship petition to obtain an extension, waiver, or modification of MCLE reporting obligations — but relief is discretionary, subject to procedural limits, and must be justified and timely.

Yes — Washington attorneys can submit (i.e. self-report) many CLE credits online through the WSBA MCLE Online System.

The system allows you to view your transcript, add credits (especially for recorded courses), and certify compliance for your reporting cycle.

Details:

• The WSBA MCLE page states you can “Login to Your MCLE Account to view, report, or apply for credits.”
• In its

No — Washington’s MCLE rules do not distinguish between part-time and full-time attorneys; all who are required to comply must satisfy the same credit requirement.

Washington’s MCLE requirements call for 45 credit hours over each three-year reporting period, including 15 in law & legal procedure and 6 in ethics (one of which must address equity/inclusion).

Details:

• Credits may be earned through live or self-study formats; there is no reduction based on how many hours one actually

Washington attorneys report CLE through the WSBA’s MCLE Online System, where they certify credits after earning them and sponsors submit attendance data. Reporting is done at the end of each three-year cycle, with certification due by February 1 following the December 31 cutoff.

Key Details:

• Attorneys log into the MCLE Online System (same credentials as MyWSBA) to view their reporting period, roster of activities, and certify compliance.
• Sponsors of live courses must report attendance within 30 days of the activity.
• Certification consists of checking a “Certify” box on your roster, agreeing to the certification statement, and submitting via the portal.
• Attorneys may also add courses, request comity credits, or correct pending items before certification.

Key Takeaway: In Washington, CLE reporting is conducted entirely online via WSBA’s MCLE system, with attendance submitted by sponsors and attorneys certifying their compliance at cycle’s end.

If you miss Washington’s CLE deadline, you will incur a $150 late reporting fee (which increases in subsequent reporting cycles) and may face administrative suspension if you do not become compliant. Attorneys must complete 45 MCLE credits over a three-year reporting period (including ethics, law & legal procedure, equity), finish by December 31, and submit their MCLE certification by February 1.

Washington CLE Deadline & Reporting

• December 31: All required credits must be earned by this date.
• February 1 (following year): Deadline to submit MCLE certification and pay any late fees.

Consequences & Suspension Procedure

• The default late fee is $150; each additional late reporting period adds $300 to the fee.
• If you fail to comply (by certification date or approved extension), the MCLE Board sends a pendency notice of suspension proceedings.
• You may petition for an extension, waiver, or agreement to cure the deficiency within 10 days of the notice.
• If no petition is filed or compliance is not achieved, the Board reports your noncompliance to the Supreme Court for automatic suspension.
• Reinstatement requires completing all deficient credits, paying late fees and compliance fees, and filing proof under the MCLE rules.
• Time spent while suspended or inactive requires special provisions when returning to active status.

Key Takeaway: In Washington, missing your CLE deadline results in escalating late fees, a formal suspension notice with opportunity to petition, and suspension if noncompliance persists — you must cure the deficiency, pay fees, and file proof to restore active status.

In Washington, CLE credit counts when earned through approved live, recorded, teaching, mentoring, pro bono, writing, or law-school activities under APR 11 and WSBA MCLE rules.

Lawyers must complete 45 credits every three-year reporting period, including at least 15 credits in law & legal procedure, 6 ethics credits (one of which must be in equity/implicit bias).

Qualifying CLE activities

• Attending approved realtime programs (live, webinars)
• Viewing or listening to approved prerecorded