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DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended to be a complete representation of the requirements of Rule X of the Rules Governing the Bar of the State of Ohio and the Regulations adopted under authority of this Rule or Rule IV of the Rules for the Government of the Judiciary of Ohio. For specific provision details refer to the complete text. All documents must be sent by regular mail. No faxed or e-mailed documents will be processed at this time.
1. What is the Commission on Continuing Legal Education’s purpose?
Effective July 1, 1988, the Supreme Court of Ohio created the Commission on Continuing Legal Education to administer the continuing legal education requirements of Rule X of the Rules Governing the Bar of the State of Ohio and the Regulations adopted under authority of the Rule, and Rule IV of the Rules for the Government of the Judiciary of Ohio.
2. Why is continuing legal education (CLE) required?
The public properly expects that lawyers, in the practice of law, will maintain certain standards of professional competence and ethical behavior. The requirement for continuing legal education was established to ensure that, throughout their careers, lawyers admitted to practice in the State of Ohio remain current regarding the law and maintain the requisite knowledge and skill necessary to fulfill their professional responsibilities.
3. Who must comply with the CLE requirement?
If you are registered with a status of Active or Corporate, you are ‘authorized to practice’ under Rule VI of the Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio. You must complete a program of continuing legal education as provided by Rule X, Section 3 (A)(1). There are no exemptions from CLE requirements except in some limited instances which are described in Rule X, Section 3 (F)(1) through (6).
4. Who is considered an active lawyer?
For purposes of continuing legal education, you are considered to be an active lawyer if your registration status is Active or Corporate, thus ‘authorized to practice’ under Rule VI of the Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio.
5. When must I complete my CLE requirements?
All Ohio lawyers have been permanently assigned to one of two groups based on the first letter of his or her last name.
If your last name begins with a letter from A through L you must report by the 31st day of January of even-numbered years for the preceding two calendar years.
If your last name begins with a letter from M through Z you must report by the 31st day of January of odd-numbered years for the preceding two calendar years.
6. Does my reporting period change if my last name changes?
No. Once you have been entered into the Supreme Court’s database under either the A-L or M-Z alphabetical grouping, and have filed the initial report required by Rule X, you remain in the same alphabetical grouping for all future reporting purposes. (Gov. Bar R. X, §3(B)(1))
7. How many CLE credit hours are required?
You must complete at least 24 credit hours of approved continuing legal education for each two-year reporting period, including the professional conduct requirement. (Gov. Bar R. X, §3(A)(1))
8. How are CLE credit hours calculated?
Sixty minutes of actual instruction or other approved activity unless otherwise provided (CCLE Reg. 401.2 and Reg. 402) equals one credit hour. (Gov. Bar R. X, §4(A)(1)) No CLE credit is given for registration, breaks, meals, business meetings, opening and/or closing remarks, keynote speeches, and presentations concurrent with the consumption of a meal.
9. What is the Professional Conduct Requirement?
Each reporting period, attorneys must earn at least two and one-half (2 ½) credit hours of instruction related to professional conduct, which includes all of the following:
Professional Conduct credits carry over as general hours only.
10. What happens if I earn more credit hours than are required for the two-year reporting period?
If you complete more than the required number of credit hours in a reporting period, you may apply a maximum of twelve (12) credit hours to the next reporting period. (Gov. Bar R. X, §3(B)(2)) If you are a judge and you complete more than the required number of credit hours in a reporting period, you may apply a maximum of one-half the judge’s required credit hours to the next reporting period. CLE hours used as carryover from one biennial reporting period to another are considered general hours.
11. Are there lawyers who do not have to take CLE?
Yes. Upon approval by the Commission, the following persons may be exempted from the educational requirements of division (A) of Gov. Bar R. X, Section 3, but will be required to file the report required by that section:
Your application for exemption must be filed within a reasonable time after the basis for the exemption arises. You must sign your request and explain with specificity the facts and circumstances upon which the request is based.
The following attorneys are exempt from all requirements of Rule X while in office:
An attorney registered as inactive pursuant to Gov. Bar R. VI, Section 2 or as retired pursuant to former Gov. Bar R. VI, Section 3 is also exempt from the requirements of Rule X. For additional information, see Gov. Bar R. X, §3(F)(1) to (6).
12. I am newly admitted. How long do I have before I must comply with CLE requirements?
If you are newly admitted pursuant to examination after July 1, 2001, you are required to complete an approved New Lawyers Training program prior to the end of the calendar year following the calendar year of admission and file a report with the Commission (Gov. Bar R. X, §3 (H)(1)(2). Please go to www.supremecourtofohio.gov/CCLE/nlt/default.asp for more detailed information regarding New Lawyers Training.
13. I have been admitted to practice on Motion. What are my CLE requirements?
Lawyers who are admitted pursuant to motion must complete twelve (12) credit hours within 180 days after admission (including the professional conduct requirement) and will receive credit toward completion of the biennial requirement. (Gov. Bar R. X, §3(C)(4)
14. I understand that acting judges and magistrates have an additional reporting obligation to the Commission. Please explain.
Acting judges and magistrates must register annually with the Secretary of the Commission on a form provided by the Commission. Forms are mailed out in mid-January and are due back by April 1. In addition, you must note the fact of your appointment on your Final Reporting Transcript, which you file with the Commission by Jan. 31 of your reporting year.
15. I am an acting judge. What are my CLE/Judicial College requirements?
Generally, an acting judge appointed pursuant to Sections 1901.10, 1901.12, or 1907.14 of the Revised Code must complete at least 10 hours of Judicial College credit as part of the continuing legal education requirements of Gov. Bar Rule X. The actual number of Judicial College hours you are required to take and report is based on the date of your appointment and your status at the end of the biennium. Based on your individual circumstances, you may be required to have up to 10 hours of Judicial College. This requirement is part of the 24 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) mandated by Rule X.
16. I am a magistrate. What are my CLE/Judicial College requirements?
Generally, a magistrate appointed pursuant to Rule 53 of the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 40 of the Ohio Rules of Juvenile Procedure, Rule 14 of the Ohio Traffic Rules, or Rule 19 of the Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedures must complete at least 10 hours of Judicial College credit as part of the continuing legal education requirements of Gov. Bar Rule X.
The actual number of Judicial College hours you are required to take and report is based on the date of your appointment and your status at the end of the biennium. Based on your individual circumstances, you may be required to have up to 10 hours of Judicial College. This requirement is part of the 24 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) mandated by Rule X.
17. Where and when will I be able to attend CLE courses?
CLE providers usually advertise the dates and locations of their presentations. You should contact your local bar association or professional organization, or call the Commission at 614.644.5470 for information.
You may view our Web site and search the Approved Activities List and Approved Self-Study Activities to see a listing of all approved courses. You may also request a copy of the Approved Activities List. This listing shows all programs that have been accredited by the CCLE for the remainder of the year. Your written request should be accompanied by a $3 check or money order payable to Supreme Court of Ohio, CCLE.
18. Must my CLE credits be earned in Ohio?
No. The key factor is whether or not the program or activity is submitted to CCLE for accreditation and approved for CLE credit in Ohio. You may apply for Commission approval of a course presented outside of Ohio on forms that can be downloaded from the CCLE Web site or obtained from the Commission.
Based on your individual circumstances, you may choose to register as inactive under Rule VI of the Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio. This means that you would be unable to practice law in the State of Ohio. If you choose to remain active, you can request CLE accreditation for programs you attend in other states. In addition, many state and national legal organizations submit their programs for CLE accreditation in the State of Ohio. To confirm accreditation, you will need to check with the sponsor of the program(s) you wish to attend.
20. What happens if I go from active status to inactive status?
Lawyers registered inactive pursuant to Gov. Bar R. VI, Section 2 are not required to complete CLE requirements, or to file the report required by Gov. Bar R. X, Section 3, division (A).
21. What happens if I go from inactive status to active status?
Upon returning to active status, you must complete 12 credit hours within 180 days including the professional conduct requirement. (Gov. Bar R. X, §3(C)(3)(b))
22. Should I keep a list of my CLE activities?
Yes. You should maintain records sufficient to establish compliance with CLE requirements in the event of a dispute with the final reporting transcript and in order to fully comply with CCLE Regulation 303.2.
A Sponsor is a person or organization who intends to present or conduct a CLE activity and who may or may not have submitted it for CLE accreditation. An Established Sponsor is a person or organization whose entire continuing legal education program has been accredited by the Commission pursuant to CCLE Regulation 404. To become an Established Sponsor, a person or organization must demonstrate to the Commission that its CLE activities have consistently met the standards of quality set forth in Gov. Bar R. X and the CCLE Regulations or is an ABA accredited law school.
24. My organization wants to apply for Established Sponsor status. How do we go about it?
Your request falls within the guidelines of Gov. Bar R. X, Section 4(C)(7), and CCLE Regulation 404.1 (A) through (F). You would need to complete Form 7, Established Sponsor Application, and submit it to our office. Upon recognition as an Established Sponsor, you must submit a nonrefundable $400 sponsor fee in the form of a check or money order, made payable to Supreme Court of Ohio, CCLE.
Your request falls within the guidelines of Gov. Bar R. X, Section 4(A)(B) and CCLE Regulations 405 and 406. Please complete Form 6, Uniform Application for Accreditation of Continuing Legal Education Activity, and return it to our office with the required attachments (see item #13 on Form 6). Your application must be received 60 days in advance of the date of the program or activity. All applications must be accompanied by a nonrefundable $25 application fee, in the form of a check or money order, made payable to Supreme Court of Ohio, CCLE. Applications submitted without the fee will be returned.
No. Your request falls within the guidelines of Gov. Bar R. X, Section 4(A)(B) and CCLE Regulations 405, 406 and 410. You may apply for CLE accreditation before or after a program that occurs outside the State of Ohio. To apply, you would complete Form 6, Uniform Application for Accreditation of Continuing Legal Education Activity, and return it to our office with the required attachments (see item #13 on Form 6).
However, if you are expecting a large number of Ohio attorneys to attend, please submit your application 60 days in advance of the date of the program or activity, so that we can provide scannable attendance cards (Form 1). If you are expecting fewer than 15 Ohio attorneys to attend, you may submit Form 6, accompanied by an attendance list showing the attorney’s name, Ohio registration number, and the number of hours he or she attended, within 30 days after the program or activity occurs, for post-program accreditation.
All CLE activities held within the State of Ohio must be submitted for accreditation 60 days prior to the program. Please contact the sponsor to inquire if they have applied for accreditation of the program(s) you want to attend.
28. My firm is hosting a CLE activity. How is an in-house CLE program accredited?
In-house CLE programs must meet the guidelines of Gov. Bar R. X, Section 4(A)(B) and CCLE Regulation 406 and CCLE Regulation 407, Special Programs. Your firm would need to complete Form 8, Application for Accreditation of a Special Program or Activity for Continuing Legal Education, and return it to our office with the required attachments (see item #13 on Form 8). Applications for accreditation of a Special Program must be received 60 days in advance of the date of the program if the program will be held within the State of Ohio. There is a nonrefundable $25 application fee for any program or activity held within the State of Ohio. The fee should be submitted in the form of a check or money order, made payable to Supreme Court of Ohio, CCLE. Applications submitted without the fee will be returned.
29. How will the Commission learn of my attendance at a CLE program?
Sponsors who have received pre-approval of an activity for CLE credit are required to notify the Commission of your attendance within 30 days after the CLE program or activity.
If you are submitting an activity for post-program approval, you should enclose a photocopy of your attendance certificate along with a completed Form 6, Uniform Application for Accreditation of Continuing Legal Education Activity and a completed Form 1a, Request for CLE Credit for Attendance at a CLE Activity Outside Ohio.
30. Does the Commission on Continuing Legal Education keep a record of my CLE activities?
Yes. Your record contains a list of the approved CLE activities for which you have been awarded credit during your current biennial reporting period and the total number of CLE credit hours earned to date, with a separate notation of hours that meet the Professional Conduct requirement.
31. How can I obtain a copy of my CLE record?
You will receive free of charge an Interim Report the first week of July of the second year in your biennial reporting period.
You will receive your Final Reporting Transcript not less than 60 days prior to the filing deadline for your biennial report. It is your responsibility to promptly review the transcript and inform the Commission in the event any of the information contained in your CLE record is inaccurate or if information which should be contained in the record is missing. You need to return your final reporting transcript to the Commission, bearing your signature verifying completion of all applicable requirements of Rule X by Jan. 31 of your reporting year. (Gov. Bar R. X, §3(B)(1), CCLE Regulation 303)
If you want a copy of your CLE record at any other time, you would need to send a written request containing your registration number, beginning and ending calendar dates, and a check or money order for $5 made payable to Supreme Court of Ohio, CLE.
All changes of address should be reported promptly to the Office of Attorney Registration in writing. The address is Supreme Court of Ohio, Office of Attorney Registration, 65 South Front Street, 5th Fl., Columbus, OH 43215-3431.
32. If I teach at an Approved CLE Activity, do I receive CLE credit for it?
Yes. You will receive three hours of CLE credit for each hour taught at an approved CLE activity for your initial presentation and one hour of CLE credit for each hour taught for subsequent presentations of the same material. There is a maximum of one-half the required hours of CLE credit for such teaching during a biennial reporting period. You would need to complete Form 2, Request for Credit for Teaching at an Approved CLE Activity and return it to our office with any attachments within 30 days of the program or activity. (Gov. Bar R. X, §4(A)(2)(a), CCLE Regulation 401.1 (A)(B)).
33. May I claim CLE credit for attending a law school class?
Yes. You will receive three hours of CLE credit for each semester hour of a course completed at an ABA-accredited law school. Pro-rata credit will be granted for quarter or trimester hours. You do not need to take an exam to obtain CLE credit. The course may be completed on an audit (not for academic credit) basis. You would need to complete Form 4, Request for Credit for Law School Attendance and return it to our office with any attachments within 30 days after the course is concluded. (Gov. Bar R. X, §4(A)(5), CCLE Regulation 402)
34. May I claim CLE credit for teaching a law school class?
Yes. You can receive one-half (1/2) hour of CLE credit for each semester hour taught at an ABA-accredited law school. Pro-rata credit will be granted for quarter or trimester hours. You would need to complete Form 3, Request for Credit for Law School Instruction and return it to our office with any attachments within 30 days after the course is concluded. (Gov. Bar R. X, §4(A)(2)(b), CCLE Regulation 401.2)
35. May I claim CLE credit for attending the in-house CLE activities of my law firm?
Yes, provided the program or activity meets the requirements of Gov. Bar R. X, §4(B)(1)(2) and CCLE Regulation 406 (A)(B), and CCLE Regulation 407.1 (A)(B)(C).
Please keep in mind that not more than twelve (12) hours of in-house CLE credit can be applied toward the biennial requirement. (CCLE Regulation 407.2)
36. Can I receive CLE credit for Publication?
Yes. You may receive up to 10 hours of CLE credit per biennial reporting period for the publication of articles or books authored or prepared by you. You would need to complete Form 5, Request for CLE Credit for Publication, and return it to our office with any attachments, within 90 days of publication, or by the end of your reporting period, whichever is later. (Gov. Bar R. X, §4(A)(3) and CCLE Regulation 403)
37. What if I want to attend a CLE activity and the provider has not applied for approval?
If the program or activity takes place outside the State of Ohio, you may apply, as an individual, to have the program accredited. You would complete Form 6, Uniform Application for Accreditation of Continuing Legal Education Activity and return it to our office with the required attachments within 60 days after the program. CLE activities may be approved even if the provider does not seek approval. However, if the program or activity occurs in the State of Ohio and/or is considered an in-house program, the sponsor must request accreditation 60 days prior to the program.
38. What happens if I do not comply with my CLE requirements?
If you fail to comply with Rule X, the Secretary of the Commission will send you a notice of noncompliance which specifies the nature of the noncompliance. You would need to provide satisfactory evidence to establish timely compliance or late compliance by April 30 of your reporting year. Your report of completion and the applicable late compliance fee must be received by the Commission on or before May 31 of your reporting year.
If you do not come into compliance or file evidence of compliance that is satisfactory to the Commission on or before May 31, the Commission will issue an order imposing a sanction authorized by Rule X, Section 5. Notice will be sent to you at the address you provided to the Office of Attorney Services.
If you are suspended under this rule, you may be reinstated to the practice of law by applying for reinstatement with the Commission. The application for reinstatement shall be on a form prescribed by the Commission and accompanied by evidence that you have satisfied the deficiency that was the cause of the suspension under this rule and a reinstatement fee of three hundred dollars and payment of all fees assessed for noncompliance with this rule.
Please keep in mind that any sanction or reinstatement ordered by the Commission is published by the Supreme Court Reporter in the Ohio Official Reports and the Ohio State Bar Association Report.
There are no extensions of time to complete your CLE requirements. However, if you are deficient in your CLE hours you may cure your deficiency by completing “late compliance.” To successfully complete late compliance you must take your deficient hours on or before April 30 of your reporting year and report the hours and pay a late compliance fee by May 31 of that year.
If it is appropriate, you may also file a request for exemption or register inactive. (See Gov. Bar R. X, §3(F)(1) to (6), CCLE Regulation 304) and Gov. Bar R. VI. Note, however, that if you do not remain on inactive status for a minimum of twenty-four consecutive months immediately preceding your return to active status, you will be required to comply with all requirements of Rule X, including curing any deficiencies you may have had at the time you registered for inactive status.
40. I have severe health problems. Can I do CLE by self-study?
If you have a permanent physical disability, which makes attendance at CLE activities difficult, you may request approval of a substitute program by filing a written request. You would need to submit Form 9(d) Application for Substitute Program Exemption to our office with appropriate documentation. If your request were approved, you would submit Form 11, Substitute Program Reporting Form to our office with appropriate documentation every six months.
41. How do I apply for an exemption from my duty to meet CLE requirements?
An attorney on full-time military duty who does not engage in the private practice of law in Ohio may apply for an exemption using Form 9(a) Application for Exemption from Educational Requirements Full Time Military Duty.
An attorney suffering from a severe, prolonged illness or disability that prevents participation in accredited programs and activities may apply for an exemption using Form 9(b) Application for Exemption from Educational Requirements Illness or Disability.
An attorney may apply for up to a one-year exemption based on special circumstances unique to an attorney that constitutes good cause, as determined by the Commission using Form 9(c) Application for Exemption from Educational Requirements Special Circumstances.
An attorney who has a permanent physical disability or other compelling reason, which makes attendance at CLE activities difficult, may request approval of a substitute program by filing a written request using Form 9(d) Application for Substitute Program Exemption. The form would need to be accompanied by all required documentation and you will be notified in writing of the outcome of your request.
Upon approval by the Commission, an attorney would be exempted from the educational requirements of division (A) of Gov. Bar R. X, Section 3, but would still be required to file the report required by that section.| Status as of 12/31 (end of biennium) | Duration of Status | Annual Registration with CLE Required | Total Number of CLE Hours Required | Total Number of Judicial College Hours Required | Type of Ethics Required (attorney, judicial, either) |
| Full Time Judge | > 18 months | No | 40 | 10 | Judicial |
| Part Time Judge | > 18 months | No | 24 | 10 | Judicial |
| Prorated Judge | > 12 months and < 18 months |
No | 24 | 10 | Judicial |
| Retired Judge –Eligible for Assignment | Status change date prior to end of biennium | No | 24 | 10 | Judicial |
| Limited Duration Judge | > 6 months and < 12 months | No | 24 | 5 | Either |
| Judge Turned Attorney | Defeated or Non-eligible and status date falls within biennium | No | 24 | No hours required | Either |
| Acting Judge | > 18 months | Yes | 24 | 10 | Either |
| Prorated Acting Judge | > 6 months and < 18 months | Yes | 24 | 5 | Either |
| Magistrate | > 18 months | Yes | 24 | 10 | Either |
| Prorated Magistrate | > 6 months and < 18 months | Yes | 24 | 5 | Either |
43. How can I find out more about the CLE requirements?
You may phone the Commission at 614.387.9325 or you may access the Court’s Web site at www.supremecourtofohio.gov to download a copy of Rule X and CCLE Regulations.