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Alaska CLE Requirements

Alaska MCLE Update:

Beginning January 1, 2025, all active members of the Alaska Bar Association must obtain 12 CLE credits per reporting period, and 3 of those 12 credits must be dedicated to ethics. The compliance deadline is December 31 and the first reporting deadline is February 1, 2026.

Required Alaska CLE Credits

12.00 Total Credit Hours
every
Year

All credit hours may be taken as live or technology-delivered programs.

CLEs outside of Alaska: Alaska Bar members may claim credit for attending CLE programs that have been accredited by other mandatory jurisdictions.

Alaska CLE Reporting Deadlines

Deadline to complete CLEs: December 31

  • Reporting deadline: February 1
  • Reporting period: 1 year

General Alaska Continuing Legal Education Credit Requirements

How many CLE credits do you need in Alaska, and what types of CLE credit do you need?

Starting January 1, 2025 Alaska attorneys must complete a mandatory 12.00 CLE credits which include 3.00 ethics credits and 9.00 general credits to maintain in good standing with the Alaska Bar Association. If you are inactive for part of the year but are active as of December 31, you must report the required 3.00 ethics CLE credits for that year.

Voluntary credit hours earned in 2024 can be carried over to meet the new 2025 requirement.

Credit Hour: 60 minutes (rounded down to the nearest 1/4 hour).
What qualifies as ethics CLE credit hours in Alaska?

Ethics CLE must address topics such as professional conduct, responsibility to clients, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, and civility in the legal profession. These programs are specifically designated by the Alaska Bar as fulfilling the mandatory 3.00-hour ethics requirement.
When is the Alaska CLE reporting deadline?

Alaska attorneys must complete all 12.00 required credits by December 31. Attorneys must report their credits by February 1 of the following year.

Voluntary credit hours earned in 2024 can be carried over to meet the new 2025 requirement.
How long is the Alaska CLE reporting period, and when does it end?

The reporting period is 1 year and ends on December 31 for all attorneys.
What happens if I don’t complete my Alaska CLE requirements on time?

Failure to comply with mandatory CLE rules of professional conduct may result in non-compliance notices from the Alaska Bar and may lead to administrative penalties or limitations on your law firm or solo practice until compliance is met.
Is there a grace period for Alaska CLE reporting?

No formal grace period exists. CLE credits must be completed by December 31 and reported by February 1 of the following year to remain in good standing.
Can I request an exemption or extension from Alaska CLE reporting?

In certain cases, attorneys may apply for exemptions or deadline extensions due to medical hardship, military service, or other significant circumstances. Requests must be submitted to the Alaska Bar Association before the CLE reporting deadline.
How many Alaska CLE credits can I carry over?

Alaska attorneys may carry over 12.00 CLE credits to the next reporting year. This includes 3.00 ethics credits and 9.00 general credits.

Voluntary credit hours earned in 2024 can be carried over to meet the new 2025 requirement.
How do I know how many Alaska CLE credits I’ve earned ahead of the next reporting period?

Attorneys should maintain their own records and can confirm completed credits by reviewing their CLE transcript in their Alaska Bar profile on the member portal or contacting the Bar Association directly.
How do I report my Alaska CLE credits?

Alaska attorneys are responsible for reporting their own CLEs by submitting their MCLE reporting form through the Alaska Bar Association website.
Do I need to submit proof of CLE completion to the Alaska Bar Association?

Yes. While attendance verification during a course is not required, attorneys must submit their completed CLE activity via the MCLE reporting form on the Alaska Bar Association website each year.
How can Experienced Alaska Attorneys fulfill the Alaska CLE requirements in compliance with format of delivery regulations?

Experienced attorneys can fulfill their Alaska CLE requirement by completing courses approved and accredited by the Alaska Bar Association CLE Commission. Examples of accepted course formats include:

Live CLE

Technology-Delivered
Do government or in-house attorneys need to comply with Alaska CLE rules?

Yes. All active members of the Alaska Bar, regardless of practice setting, must meet the same mandatory 12.00-credit requirement, including 3.00 in ethics. CLE providers must have accreditation from the relevant Alaska Supreme Court, state bar or CLE board to offer courses that count towards mandatory CLE requirements.
Are there different CLE rules for inactive, retired, or senior attorneys in Alaska?

Yes. Attorneys who are inactive, retired, or judicial are not required to comply with the annual CLE reporting requirements. However, if you return to active status before the December 31 compliance deadline, you must meet that year’s ethics CLE requirement.
Can I earn all of my Alaska CLE credits online?

Yes. Alaska places no limit on the number of CLE credits that can be earned through technology-delivered formats, including OnDemand, webinars, and downloadable audio or video programs. All 12.00 required credits - including ethics - may be completed this way and there are no in-person requirements.
How many CLE credits can Alaska attorneys earn with NBI courses?

Alaska attorneys can earn all 12.00 mandatory CLE credits with NBI Live webinars, OnDemand courses, or Downloadable courses.
Can I get CLE credit for teaching or publishing legal content in Alaska?

Possibly. The Alaska Bar may grant CLE credit for teaching CLE education courses, authoring legal publications, or participating in bar-approved pro bono programs. These activities must meet Alaska Bar Rule 65 and may require supporting documentation.
Is in-program attendance verification required to receive Alaska CLE credit?

No. In-program attendance verification is not required.
Additional CLE resources for Alaska attorneys

Are you newly admitted to the Alaska Bar Association? Here's what you need to know:

What are the Alaska CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys?

Newly admitted attorneys in Alaska are exempt from CLE reporting requirements for the duration of the year in which they are admitted to the Alaska Bar Association. For example, those admitted in 2023 would have a reporting cycle from January 1 to December 31, 2024.
Can I carry over credits I completed during my first year of practice in Alaska?

Yes. If you earn and report CLE credits after you are admitted to the Alaska Bar Association and before December 31 of that year, those credits will be applied to your first reporting year.
When does my first reporting period for Alaska end?

Your first reporting period year ends on December 31 of the first full calendar year after your admission to the Alaska Bar Association.
Are there any special credit requirements for new attorneys in Alaska?

No. New attorneys in Alaska do not have any special CLE requirements.
View Accredited AK CLE Courses