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The following questions apply to the continuing legal education requirements for judges. If you do not find the answer to your question here, take a look at the FAQ page for attorneys. If you are still unable to find the answer to your question, please contact the CCLE at 614.387.9325
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. Why is continuing legal education for the judiciary required?
To serve the public interest that mandates the competent performance of the duties of judicial office in Ohio. (from Gov. Bar R. IV §1(A))
2. Who must comply with Judicial College requirements?
Based on the date you take office or if you are appointed, the date of your appointment, and your status at the end of the biennium, you may have a Judicial College requirement. Information contained in this FAQ will help you determine how many Judicial College hours you are required to complete.
3. When must I complete my Judicial College requirement?
Your Judicial College requirement must be completed as part of your overall continuing legal education requirements. All Ohio judges 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 thirty-first 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 thirty-first day of January of odd-numbered years for the preceding two calendar years.
4. 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) and Gov. Jud. R. IV, §4(A))
5. How many CLE/Judicial College credit hours are required?
Depending on your status at the end of the biennium, you must complete at least twenty-four, but not more than 40 credit hours of approved continuing legal education for each two-year reporting period. If you are a part-time or retired judge at the end of the reporting period, you must complete twenty-four credit hours, including 10 hours provided by the Judicial College. If you are a full-time judge at the end of the reporting period, you must complete forty credit hours, including 10 hours provided by the Judicial College. Requirements may be prorated under some circumstances. (Gov. Bar R. X, §3(A)(1) and Gov. Jud. R. IV, §2(A))
6. How are CLE/Judicial College credit hours calculated?
Sixty minutes of actual instruction or other approved activity 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.
7. What is the Professional Conduct Requirement for judges?
As part of the required twenty-four or forty credit hours of classroom instruction, judges must complete at least two hours of classroom instruction related to both judicial ethics and professionalism, including at least thirty minutes of instruction on substance abuse and its causes, prevention, detection, and treatment alternatives. For purposes of Gov. Jud. Rule IV, professionalism is broadly defined, with periodic curriculum to include material designed to instill in judges the importance of professional conduct among themselves as well as instruction to judges on facilitating professionalism among attorneys as set forth in A Lawyer’s Creed and A Lawyer’s Aspirational Ideals adopted by the Supreme Court. (Gov. Jud. R. IV, §2(A)(2))
You may apply a maximum of one-half the required credit hours to the next reporting period. CLE/Judicial College and Professional Conduct requirement hours used as carryover from one biennial reporting period to another are considered general CLE hours and do not count towards your Judicial College or Professional Conduct requirement for the next biennial reporting period. (Gov. Jud. R. IV, §2(B)).
9. Are there judges who do not have to report to the Commission on Continuing Legal Education?
Yes. The following attorneys/judges are exempt from all requirements of Gov. Jud. Rule IV and Gov. Bar Rule X while in office:
Former judges registered as inactive pursuant to Gov. Bar R. VI, Section 2 or as retired pursuant to Gov. Bar R. VI, Section 3 are also exempt from the requirements of Gov. Jud. R. IV and Gov. Bar Rule X. For additional information, see Gov. Bar R. X, §3(F)(1) to (6).
If you become subject to Gov. Jud. Rule IV during your reporting period, the educational requirements of Gov. Jud. Rule IV will be applied on a pro rata basis. The number of hours required would be based on the date of your appointment and your status at the end of your current reporting period. Contact CCLE at 614-644-5470 for an explanation based on your individual circumstances.
11. Where and when will I be able to attend Judicial College courses?
You may request a schedule and information from the Judicial College of the Supreme Court of Ohio. The Judicial College may be reached at 614.387.9445.
12. Should I keep a list of my CLE/Judicial College 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.
13. I am a full-time judge. What are my CLE/Judicial College requirements?
Full-time judges must complete and report a minimum of forty credit hours of classroom instruction every two years on subjects devoted to the law or judicial administration. As part of the required forty credit hours of classroom instruction, full-time judges shall comply with both of the following:
14. I am a part-time or retired judge. What are my CLE/Judicial College requirements?
Part-time judges and retired judges who are eligible for assignment to active duty pursuant to Section 6(C), Article IV of the Ohio Constitution must complete and report twenty-four credit hours of classroom instruction every two years on subjects devoted to the law or judicial administration. As part of the required twenty-four credit hours of classroom instruction, part-time judges and retired judges eligible for assignment to active duty shall comply with both of the following:
15. I am unable to meet my CLE/Judicial College requirements due to illness. What can I do?
The Commission may grant a temporary exemption from the continuing legal education requirements of Gov. Jud. Rule IV and Gov. Bar Rule X, under the following circumstances:
Please contact the Commission at 614.387.9325 for assistance.
16. What happens if I do not comply with my CLE/Judicial College requirements?
If you fail to comply with the educational requirements of Gov. Jud. Rule IV and Gov. Bar Rule X, the Secretary of the Commission will send you a notice of noncompliance which specifies the nature or the noncompliance. You would need to provide satisfactory evidence to establish timely compliance or late compliance by April 30 of your reporting year. Or you may file a request for hearing before the Commission. Your request would need to state the grounds for the hearing and you would need to send a $50 deposit for costs. If you fail to respond to the notice of noncompliance within 30 days of the mailing of the notice, a report will be filed with the Supreme Court recommending the imposition of one or more of the sanctions provided for in Gov. Bar Rule X, Section 5, and CCLE Regulations 503 and 504.
You may file for late compliance by correcting all deficiencies by April 30 of your reporting year. In addition, you will be required to pay a late compliance fee as provided in Gov. Bar Rule X, Section 6(A)(1)(a)(b) and CLE Regulation 503 and CCLE Regulations 504.2 and 504.3.
18. How do I apply for an exemption from my duty to meet my CLE/Judicial College requirements?
Your request falls within the guidelines of Gov. Bar R. X, Section 3(F)(1) through (6), and CCLE Regulation 304. You would need to complete Form 9, request for Exemption and submit it to our office with appropriate documentation. You will be notified in writing of the outcome of your request.
| 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 |
20. How can I find out more about my CLE and/or Judicial College requirements?
You may phone the Commission at 614.387.9325 or you may access the Court’s website at www.supremecourtofohio.gov to download a copy of Gov. Jud. Rule IV, Gov. Bar Rule X and the CCLE Regulations.