Alabama Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
Alabama’s Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Rules govern the educational credits attorneys must earn in order to maintain an active law license.
Alabama CLE Credit Requirements
Total CLE Credits
Alabama attorneys must obtain 12 CLE credits with a minimum of one (1) CLE credit in Professionalism or Ethics each year. Alabama has determined 60-minutes of class time equals one hour of CLE credit.
Online CLE Credits
Alabama attorneys may earn their CLE credits online. Online classes must be interactive with a qualified instructor and must be pre-approved. Attorneys cannot earn more than six (6) of their 12 CLE credits from online courses.
Newly Admitted Attorneys – Mandatory Professionalism Course
Newly admitted attorneys must take a six-hour Alabama Professionalism Course (Alabama Mandatory Professionalism Seminar) within the first 12 months of admission. The CLE hours earned through the Seminar count towards the yearly CLE credit requirement. The Alabama Mandatory Professionalism Seminar classes can be found using the search feature of the Alabama State Bar’s website.
Newly admitted attorneys are also exempt from the yearly CLE requirement for the year in which they were admitted. That is, if a new attorney is admitted in August 2011, he or she is exempt from completing the 12 credits by December 31, 2011 (not August 2012). Newly admitted attorneys earning CLE credits after admission may carry-over those credits to the following year. However, newly admitted attorneys must still complete the Alabama Mandatory Professional Course within 12 months of their admission date.
Carry-Over Credits
Alabama attorneys may carry-over up to 12 extra CLE credits to the following reporting year.
Alabama CLE Reporting and Transcripts
Alabama’s CLE reporting period is one year. The CLE compliance period ends December 31. Attorneys must report their CLE credits by January 31. Alabama attorneys may report their CLE credits and check their CLE transcripts on the Alabama State Bar’s website.
The CLE Commission will notify attorneys who have not completed the 12 CLE credits. Attorneys have until December 31 to complete the CLE requirement. Attorneys have until February 15 of the following year to correct their transcript and mail it to the Commission.
Alabama CLE Waivers and Exemptions
Primary Practice Outside of Alabama
Attorneys licensed in Alabama, but primarily practicing in another jurisdiction, may request a waiver from Alabama’s CLE requirements. Attorneys must demonstrate compliance with their home state’s CLE requirements by filing an Annual Report in Alabama.
General Exemptions
The following attorneys are exempt from Alabama’s CLE requirements:
- Attorneys 65 years and older
- Attorneys 62 years and older who are receiving Social Security benefits
- Full-time judges
- Members of the U.S. and Alabama House and Senate
- Active duty military (Any CLE credits earned during active duty military may be carried over to the following year.)
- Attorneys prohibited from private practice by Constitution, law, or regulation (Assistant attorneys general, district attorneys, assistant or deputy district attorneys, and public defenders are not exempt.
- Law Clerks/Staff Attorneys (Any CLE credits earned while a judicial clerk or staff attorney may be carried over to the following year.)
- Attorneys with Special Member status
Waivers
Attorney may file a Waiver for medical hardship or extenuating circumstances.
Penalties
Alabama attorneys who fail to satisfy the CLE requirement may file a Request for a Deficiency Plan that sets forth the classes that will taken by March 1 ($100) or past March 1 ($200). Attorneys must submit an explanation for the hardship and failure to comply. Failing to comply could result in suspension or loss of a law license.