North Dakota CLE Requirements

North Dakota CLE Requirements

Introduction

Staying current with the ever-evolving legal landscape is crucial for attorneys to provide effective representation to their clients. North Dakota, like many other states, mandates continuing legal education (“CLE”) for all attorneys practicing within its borders. This blog post will delve into the specifics of North Dakota CLE requirements, ensuring that you have a clear understanding of your obligations and how to fulfill them.

Understanding North Dakota CLE Basics

North Dakota requires all active attorneys to complete a minimum of 45 credit hours of approved CLE every 3 years. Of these 45 hours, at least 3 must be dedicated to ethics. North Dakota attorneys may satisfy up to 30 CLE credit hours each compliance period through self-study. No more than 30 total credit hours may be obtained through self-study North Dakota CLE courses; visit the SBAND Seminars webpage for a wide range of CLE self-study materials. 

Key Requirements and Deadlines

• Credit Hour Requirement: 45 credit hours every 3 years (3 hours of which must be ethics)
• CLE Completion Deadline: June 30th
• North Dakota CLE Reporting Deadline: July 31st
• Reporting Period: 3 years

Approved CLE Activities

NBI offers a wide variety of approved North Dakota CLE activities to cater to different learning styles and preferences. Some common options include:

• Live Online Seminars: Attending live online lectures presented by experts in their respective legal fields.
• Online Courses: Completing interactive online courses that meet North Dakota’s CLE standards.
• Recorded Programs: Participating in recorded On-Demand CLE programs, including podcasts.
• Self-Study: Engaging in self-directed study materials approved by the North Dakota State Bar.

Carry-Over CLE Credits

Attorneys receiving credit hours more than the 45-hour minimum taken during the 3-year reporting period may carry forward a maximum of 15 credit hours to the next reporting period.  North Dakota CLE Reporting rules mandate that ethics credit hours may not be carried forward to the next reporting period. 

Additional Resources

For more detailed information and to access the most up-to-date North Dakota CLE reporting rules and other requirements, please visit the North Dakota State Bar website, contact the CLE Commission directly, or visit NBI’s CLE Requirements page.

Conclusion

Staying compliant with North Dakota’s continuing legal education requirements is essential for maintaining your good standing as an attorney and ensuring that you provide the highest quality legal services to your clients. By understanding the key requirements, approved activities, and available resources, you can effectively manage your CLE obligations and stay current with the ever-evolving legal landscape.

This blog post is for general informative purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or a solicitation to provide legal services.  You should consult with an attorney before you rely on this information.  While we attempted to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness, we assume no responsibility for this post’s accuracy, completeness or timeliness.