Rules & Regulations

Q. Can an active North Carolina State Bar member be exempt from the CLE requirements?

Yes, an active bar member may qualify for one of the specified exemptions listed at 27 NCAC 1D, Rule .1517.

Q. How do I claim an exemption from CLE requirements?

Exemptions are claimed when you pay your membership dues each year. All exemptions must be reported yearly.

If you need to claim an exemption outside of the annual renewal process, you can claim the exemption through the CLE tab in the Member Portal OR contact the CLE Department. 

For special circumstances exemptions you must attach a letter explaining the reasons you are requesting the exemption and provide any supporting documentation you feel would be helpful. The CLE Board will consider your request and determine your eligibility as soon as possible.

Q. What fees am I assessed by the State Bar’s CLE program?

All active members of the State Bar are required to pay a $25 annual attendance fee during the membership renewal process. Lawyers eligible for an exemption found in 27 NCAC 1D, Rule .1517 are exempt from the $25 attendance fee.

You can view a list including all member fee types here. 

Q. Does North Carolina have reciprocal arrangements for accepting CLE courses from other states?

No. Please use our course search function to see if the class has been approved in North Carolina. If not, you can submit a Bar Member's Application for CLE Credit to apply for accreditation if the course is a Live & In-person Course.  Sponsors must submit all online courses for accreditation. 

Please note other states' attendance certificates are not sufficient to add credits to your CLE record if the course has not been approved for North Carolina CLE credit.

 

Hours & Requirements

Q. How do I know when my reporting period/compliance period is?

Please check the CLE tab in the Member Portal to view your reporting period.  All members have 2-year reporting periods. 

Q. What are the new CLE requirements for members?

Members must complete 24 hours of CLE, including 4 ethics hours, 1 technology training hour, and 1 professional well-being hour (formerly mental health/substance abuse) in every 2-year reporting period.

Q. Is there a grace period if I fail to complete the annual CLE requirements by the reporting period?

No. If the hours have not been completed by the end of your reporting period, you will be subject to monetary penalties or suspension. See 27 NCAD 1D, Rule .1523.

Q. What is the new CLE year?

The 12-month CLE year begins March 1. Reporting periods end on the last day of February. Hours must be completed by the end of the lawyer’s reporting period to avoid a late fee.

Q. May I take any of the required hours online?

Yes. Lawyers may take all their CLE hours online.

Q. How do I find out if the CLE Board has approved a specific class that I want to take?

Click here to search for courses.

Q. How do I receive approval for a live, in-person CLE activity if the sponsor does not seek credit on my behalf?

Complete a Bar Member’s Application for CLE Credit. The application can only be submitted after the course has been completed. Attach all requested documentation and return the completed packet to the CLE Department. Please submit the form and all additional documentation via email.

Q. Can an attorney request credit for an Online program via Bar Member’s Application?

No. A member cannot receive credit for an online CLE course if the sponsor does not apply for NC CLE credit. 

Q. How do I find out how many CLE hours I need to fulfill my requirements for a given calendar year?

Using your State Bar member number and member access password, you may log in to the State Bar’s portal to view your record. 

Q. If I obtain an exemption from the CLE requirements, am I also exempt from the mandatory annual dues owed to the North Carolina State Bar?

No. To be exempt from the mandatory dues, a lawyer must change his or her State Bar membership status to inactive. To learn more about inactive status, contact the Membership Department at 919-828-4620.

Q. Do I get additional credit for teaching a CLE seminar?

Yes. To report this time to the CLE department, complete the Request for Teacher Credit of an Approved Continuing Legal Education Activity.

Q. Can I receive credit for teaching at a law school or paralegal school?

Yes. For teaching a law school class or a paralegal program, click here. 

Q. May I carry forward excess CLE hours into the next reporting period?

Yes, lawyers may carry over into the next reporting period up to 12 total hours; however, Professional Well-Being, Ethics, and Technology will not carry forward but must be taken every reporting period.

Q. Will I get credit for CLE classes I take outside North Carolina?

Yes, in most cases. Each state has different rules and regulations governing CLE. Before you register for a class, please check the North Carolina State Bar Rules and Regulations on CLE to see if the class meets North Carolina’s requirements. See 27 NCAC 1D, Section .1500.

 

Professionalism for New Attorneys Program

Q. Are there any special requirements for newly licensed attorneys?

Yes. If you are admitted on or after January 1, 2011, you must complete the 12-hour Professionalism for New Attorneys program.  Upcoming programs are listed on the CLE Website Homepage.

Q. What is the content of the Professionalism for New Attorneys program?

The program consists of 12 hours of training in subjects designated by the North Carolina State Bar, including professional responsibility, professionalism, and law office management.

Q. Do the hours for the Professionalism for New Attorneys program apply to the annual requirements?

Yes. Credit for the program is applied to the mandatory CLE requirements.

Q. If I am newly admitted to the North Carolina State Bar but am licensed in another state, do I have to complete the Professionalism for New Attorneys program?

A member who is licensed by a United States jurisdiction other than North Carolina for five or more years prior to admission to practice in North Carolina is exempt from the Professionalism for New Attorneys program requirement and must notify the board of the exemption when they pay their membership dues.

Q. Can the Professionalism for New Attorneys program be taken online?

Professionalism for New Attorneys courses may be taken via live webcast, but they may not be taken online (via the Internet) on demand. They may be taken as a prerecorded program provided at least one hour of each six-hour block consists of live programming.