Texas CLE Requirements

Texas CLE Requirements

Attorneys in Texas, like in many other jurisdictions, are required to fulfill continuing legal education (CLE) requirements to maintain their active status and ensure their legal knowledge remains current. Understanding these requirements is crucial for Texas attorneys to avoid penalties and maintain their professional standing. This blog post will provide a comprehensive overview of the CLE rules in Texas, including the required credit hours, ethics requirements, and compliance deadlines.

Required Credit Hours

Texas attorneys are generally required to complete 15 CLE credit hours each year. However, there are some exceptions and variations:

• Newly Admitted Attorneys: Within one year of admission, newly licensed attorneys must complete a 4-hour course entitled "The Guide to the Basics of Law Practice" administered by the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism. This course is not considered an MCLE requirement but can be counted towards the annual 15-hour requirement.
• Experienced Attorneys: Attorneys who have been licensed for more than two years must complete 15 CLE credit hours annually.
• Specialty Credit: At least three of the 15 required hours must be devoted to legal ethics and professional responsibility subjects.
• Compliance Deadline: Attorneys must complete their CLE requirements by the last day of the month preceding their birth month each year.

NBI

NBI is a leading continuing education provider, with over 40 years of experience, that has thousands of Texas CLE courses in many formats, including On-Demand courses, Live Webinars, CLE-Accredited Podcasts, and interactive e-Learning courses.

Compliance and Reporting

Attorneys must maintain records of their CLE activities and report their compliance to the State Bar of Texas by the designated deadline. Failure to comply with the CLE requirements can result in penalties, including fines or suspension of the attorney's license.

Additional Considerations

• Carryover of credits: Attorneys are generally not allowed to carry over excess CLE credits from one compliance year to the next. However, there may be some exceptions in certain circumstances.
• Distance learning: Texas allows attorneys to earn all of their required CLE credits through live webcasts or previously recorded programs.
• Inactive attorneys: Attorneys who are not actively practicing law in Texas may still be subject to CLE requirements if they wish to return to active status.

Conclusion

Staying compliant with the CLE requirements in Texas is essential for attorneys to maintain their professional standing and avoid penalties. By understanding the required credit hours, ethics requirements, and compliance deadlines, attorneys can effectively manage their CLE obligations and ensure their legal knowledge remains current. NBI is here to help educate and provide attorneys with the TX CLE credits that they need. Check out NBI’s website today.

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.