NBI has delivered accredited CLE programs to legal professionals across the United States for over 40 years. Continuing legal education (CLE) is one of the most consequential professional obligations an attorney carries — and one of the most underutilized career tools available. For legal professionals in every practice area, from family law to corporate litigation, CLE is not just a compliance requirement. It is the structured system through which attorneys maintain competence, develop specializations, and demonstrate a commitment to the clients and courts they serve.

This guide covers everything attorneys need to know: how CLE credit works, what mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) requires state by state, which formats deliver the best learning outcomes, and how to use CLE strategically to build a stronger legal career.

What Is Continuing Legal Education?

Continuing legal education is a system of post-admission professional learning that requires licensed attorneys to complete a specified number of approved educational hours within defined reporting periods. Most U.S. jurisdictions enforce CLE through mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) programs administered by the state bar association and governed by the supreme court of each jurisdiction.

CLE requirements typically cover three categories:

• Substantive law — updates in statutory changes, case law, and regulatory developments

• Skills — practical competencies including litigation strategy, negotiation, drafting, and client communication

• Ethics and professional responsibility — obligations of confidentiality, conflicts of interest, duties to the court, and professional conduct

Together, these categories ensure that every attorney who holds a license to practice law continues to develop beyond the baseline established in law school.

CLE Requirements by State: Hours, Ethics, and Reporting Cycles

CLE requirements vary significantly across jurisdictions. Below are the current requirements for five major states, based on data current as of 2025.

New York

Total credits: 24 CLE credits per 2-year biennial reporting period

Required components: 4 ethics credits, 1 cybersecurity and privacy credit

Newly admitted attorneys: 16 credits in the first year, with an emphasis on skills and law practice management

Administered by: The New York State Continuing Legal Education Board, under the authority of the Appellate Divisions

Florida

Total credits: 33 CLE credits per 3-year reporting cycle

Required components: 5 ethics and professionalism credits, 3 technology credits

Administered by: The Florida Bar's CLE Department, with course approval through the state bar association

Pennsylvania

Total credits: 12 CLE credits per year (36 over a 3-year cycle)

Required components: 2 ethics credits per year

Administered by: The Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board (PACLE), under the supreme court of Pennsylvania

Michigan

Total credits: 11 CLE credits per year

Required components: 2 ethics credits, 1 substance abuse/mental health credit

Administered by: The State Bar of Michigan, with annual compliance reporting

Note: CLE requirements change. Always verify current requirements directly with your state bar association or through an accredited CLE provider like NBI

View all states and their requirements by jurisdiction

How CLE Credit Works: Accreditation and Approval

Not all legal education qualifies as CLE credit. For a course to count toward your MCLE obligations, it must be delivered by an accredited provider — an organization whose content has been reviewed and approved by the relevant state bar association or supreme court to meet minimum quality and subject matter standards.

This accreditation process is what distinguishes high quality professional education from general legal reading or informal learning. Accredited CLE courses must:

• Be taught by qualified instructors (typically practicing attorneys, judges, or subject-matter experts)

• Cover approved legal topics relevant to the practice of law

• Meet minimum time and format requirements

• Maintain records of completion for attorney reporting

The ABA (American Bar Association) plays an important role in shaping national CLE standards, providing guidance that many state bar associations incorporate into their own accreditation frameworks. While the ABA does not regulate state licensure directly, its influence on CLE policy creates a degree of national consistency across jurisdictions.

NBI is one of the most widely recognized accredited CLE providers in the country, offering approved courses across all major U.S. jurisdictions. With thousands of programs overall, NBI delivers accredited content that meets the specific requirements of each state's MCLE / CLE system.

CLE Formats: On-Demand, Webinar, Seminar, and In-Person

One of the most significant developments in continuing legal education over the past decade has been the expansion of delivery formats. Today's legal professionals are not limited to traditional classroom instruction — they can complete their CLE requirements in the format that best fits their schedule, learning style, and practice demands.

• On-Demand CLE - On-demand courses allow attorneys to complete accredited programs at their own pace, on their own schedule. This format is especially valuable for practitioners managing heavy caseloads, those in solo or small-firm settings, and attorneys practicing across multiple jurisdictions with different CLE deadlines. On-demand platforms typically offer a library of pre-recorded programs covering hundreds of practice areas, allowing attorneys to build a customized learning plan that aligns with their specific professional goals.

• Webinar - Live and recorded webinars have become a standard format for high quality CLE delivery. Webinar sessions are typically led by experienced practitioners, judges, and subject-matter experts, and offer real-time Q&A opportunities that classroom-based learning cannot always replicate. NBI's webinar catalog features regularly updated sessions on emerging legal topics, making it one of the most current sources of accredited CLE available online.

• Seminar and In-Person Programs - Despite the growth of digital formats, in-person seminars remain among the most valuable CLE experiences available. These events provide immersive, full-day or multi-day learning environments alongside networking opportunities that online formats simply cannot replicate.

In-person NBI seminars are held throughout the year across the country, covering topics from family law and estate planning to complex litigation and regulatory compliance.

Many providers now offer hybrid models that combine on-demand flexibility with live instruction components, creating a more engaging and accessible path to fulfilling CLE requirements without sacrificing quality.

CLE for Specialized Practice Areas

Generic CLE has its place, but the attorneys who build standout reputations are those who use CLE programs strategically to master specific practice areas.

Family law practitioners can use CLE to stay current on custody standards, equitable distribution developments, and evolving mediation frameworks. Litigators can sharpen skills in evidence, appellate advocacy, and trial strategy. Corporate and transactional attorneys can build depth in securities regulation, M&A due diligence, and corporate governance Estate planning attorneys can stay current on federal and state tax law changes that directly affect client outcomes, while criminal defense and prosecution attorneys can engage with developments in constitutional law, sentencing guidelines, and digital evidence

NBI's catalog of courses includes programs across more than 70 distinct practice areas — one of the broadest selections available from a single accredited provider.

Ethics, Pro Bono, and Professional Responsibility

A substantial portion of every attorney's CLE requirement is dedicated to ethics and professional responsibility — and for good reason. These programs reinforce the standards that define the integrity of legal practice: confidentiality, conflicts of interest, candor to the tribunal, and the attorney-client relationship.

Many jurisdictions also incorporate pro bono expectations into their professional responsibility frameworks. While pro bono work is not always strictly mandated, bar associations consistently encourage it as part of the legal profession's broader obligation to promote access to justice.

Ethics-focused CLE ensures that attorneys not only understand the rules of professional conduct but also internalize the values that give those rules meaning in practice.

Networking and Career Growth Through CLE

CLE is not only education — it is professional opportunity. Whether completed via on-demand course, webinar, or in-person seminar, CLE programs consistently place attorneys in contact with colleagues, mentors, judges, and thought leaders across the profession.

These connections lead to referrals, mentorship, career advancement, and collaborative opportunities that compound over time. Regular participation in accredited CLE programs also signals a visible commitment to professional excellence — one that strengthens credibility with clients, courts, and peers alike.

For attorneys who take on a teaching role within CLE programs, the benefits multiply further. Serving as faculty positions you as a recognized authority in your practice area and deepens your own expertise through the preparation and delivery of high quality instruction.

CLE as a Long-Term Career Strategy

Used intentionally, CLE is one of the most powerful career development tools available to any attorney. It enables practitioners to transition between practice areas, adapt to shifting legal landscapes, and build credibility in emerging specializations.

For attorneys fresh out of law school, CLE accelerates the transition into real-world legal practice by filling the gap between academic preparation and applied lawyering. For experienced practitioners, it sustains relevance in a profession that demands continuous learning.

FAQs About Continuing Legal Education

What is CLE credit?

CLE credit is the unit used to measure completion of approved continuing legal education programs. One credit typically equals one hour of approved instruction, though states vary in how they calculate partial credits and self-study components.

What are MCLE and CLE requirements?

Mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) requirements are jurisdiction-specific rules requiring attorneys to complete a minimum number of CLE credits within a defined reporting period in order to maintain their license to practice law. Requirements differ by state in terms of total hours, ethics minimums, and reporting cycles.

Are CLE requirements the same in every state?

No. New York requires 24 credits per 2-year period; Florida requires 33 credits per 3-year cycle; Pennsylvania requires 12 credits annually; Nevada requires 13 credits per year; Michigan requires 11 credits per year. Each state also defines its own ethics minimums and approved formats.

Can I complete CLE entirely online?

Yes. Most states allow attorneys to fulfill all or a significant portion of their CLE requirements through on-demand courses and webinar formats. Some jurisdictions cap the number of self-study or on-demand credits that can apply per reporting period — verify the current rules with your bar association.

What does CLE accreditation mean?

Accreditation means a CLE course has been reviewed and approved by the relevant state bar association or supreme court authority to count toward MCLE requirements. Courses from unaccredited providers do not qualify for credit even if the content is otherwise valuable.

Does CLE include ethics training?

Yes. All MCLE systems require a dedicated portion of credits to cover ethics and professional responsibility. These requirements range from 2 credits per year (Pennsylvania, Michigan) to 4 credits per biennial period (New York) to 5 credits per 3-year cycle (Florida).

Can I earn CLE credit by teaching?

Yes. Many jurisdictions award CLE credit to attorneys who develop and teach accredited CLE courses. NBI regularly engages experienced practitioners as faculty.

Where can I find accredited CLE courses for my state?

NBI offers one of the largest catalogs of accredited CLE programs in the United States, covering all major jurisdictions and practice areas, in on-demand, webinar, and in-person seminar formats.

Start Building Your CLE Plan Today

Continuing legal education is not simply about earning credits — it is about sustaining excellence, deepening expertise, and ensuring that every client you serve receives the quality of representation they deserve.

NBI has been delivering accredited CLE programs to legal professionals across the United States for more than four decades. With thousands of high quality courses available across every major practice area — in on-demand, webinar, and in-person seminar formats — NBI is the trusted CLE provider for attorneys who take their professional development seriously.

Whether you practice in New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan, or anywhere else in the country, NBI has the CLE courses you need to stay compliant, competitive, and at the top of your practice.

Join nbi-sems.com today to explore a full catalog of CLE courses designed to help legal professionals lead, adapt, and thrive in a rapidly changing legal landscape.