Ohio CLE Requirements

Active status attorneys in Ohio must complete 24.00 CLE credits every 2 years to maintain good standing with the Ohio State Bar.

In addition, Ohio attorneys must complete 2.50 CLE credits in professional conduct in each compliance period. These credits may include topics such as legal ethics, professionalism, substance abuse, and access to justice.

Ohio attorneys must complete all 24.00 required credits by December 31 in their reporting year.

The compliance period is 2 years and ends on December 31.

There are 2 reporting groups:

• If your last name starts with A-L, you must complete your CLE requirement by the end of each odd-numbered year.
• If your last name starts with M-Z, you must complete your CLE requirement by the end of each even-numbered year.

You are permanently assigned to your reporting group based on your last name at the time you were admitted to the bar.

NBI reports your credit to the Ohio Commission on CLE.

You can view your transcript online on The Supreme Court of the State of Ohio Attorney Services Portal.

Experienced attorneys can fulfill their Ohio CLE requirement by completing courses approved and accredited by the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education. Examples of accepted course formats include:

Live CLE

• CLE classes in Live Traditional Classroom

Self-Study

• Webinar
• OnDemand Courses

Ohio attorneys may carry over 12.00 CLE credits for one compliance year. Professional conduct credits carry over as general credits.

Attorneys in Ohio can earn all 24.00 CLE credits with self-study programs.*

*Effective 1/1/2023, the Supreme Court of Ohio has permanently removed the CLE self-study cap for attorneys.

Yes. In-program attendance verification is required.

• State Contact Information
  • Address: Commission on CLE, 65 South Front Street, 5th Floor Columbus, OH 43215-3431
  • Phone Number: (614) 387-9320
  • Email Address: ccle@sc.ohio.gov
  • Website: https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/attorneys/cle/

• Ohio CLE FAQs and Approved Courses
  • Ohio CLE FAQ Page
  • Ohio Approved CLE Courses Search
  • New Lawyers Training FAQ

Attorneys admitted by examination are exempt from regular CLE requirements for their first biennial compliance period; however, they must complete 12 hours of New Lawyers Training Instruction (NLT) during that time.

Newly Admitted attorneys can fulfill their Ohio CLE requirement by completing live courses approved and accredited by the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education. Examples of accepted course formats include:

• CLE classes in Live Traditional Classroom
• Webinar

Yes. If you complete more than the 12.00 credits required for the NLT, you may carry over up to 12.00 credits to the next compliance period.

You will be permanently assigned to a compliance group when you are admitted to the Ohio State Bar. Your first reporting period ends on December 31 of your reporting year.

• If your last name starts with A-L, you must complete your CLE requirement by December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
• If your last name starts with M-Z, you must complete your CLE requirement by December 31 of each even-numbered year.

If you are admitted during the first year of your biennial period, you must complete your CLE requirements by the end of your first biennial period. If you are admitted during the second year of your first biennial period, you must complete your CLE requirements by the end of your second full biennial period.

For example, if you are admitted in 2022 and your last name starts with A-L, you must complete your NLT by December 31, 2023. If you are admitted in 2022 and your last name starts with M-Z, you must complete your NLT by December 31, 2024.

Yes. Newly admitted attorneys in Ohio must complete 12 hours of New Lawyers Training Instruction (NLT) accredited by the Commission on Continuing Legal Education. The instruction must be completed through live courses, which may include in-person, live webcasts, or live interactive webinars. You must complete the NLT by the end of your first 2-year compliance period.

• 3 of the 12 hours must include 1 hour each on professionalism, law office management and client fund management.
• The remaining 9 hours must include one or more substantive law topics that focus on handling legal matters in specific practice areas.

The NLT satisfies your CLE requirements for your first compliance period. 9 of the 12 hours required by the NLT may be obtained from the Supreme Court of Ohio's Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program.

The NLT only applies to Ohio attorneys admitted by examination, UBE transfer, and attorneys registered for corporate counsel status. New attorneys admitted on motion are subject to the regular CLE requirements, but the number of credits required may be prorated depending on your date of admission.

An attorney within their first compliance period is considered a Newly Admitted Attorney in Ohio.