Arizona CLE Requirements

Required Arizona CLE Credits

15.00 Total Credit Hours

every

Year

3 hours of professional responsibility credits per reporting period.
AZ CLE Rule 45(2).

A minimum of 10.00 credit hours may be taken as live or interactive programs.

A maximum of 5.00 credit hours may be taken as self-study programs.


Arizona CLE Reporting Deadlines

Deadline to complete CLEs: June 30

Reporting deadline: September 15

Reporting period: 1 year

Arizona


How many CLE credits do you need in Arizona?

In Arizona, active status attorneys must complete 15.00 CLE credits (including 3.00 hours in professional responsibility) every year to maintain good standing with the State Bar of Arizona. Active members who reached age 70 before January 1, 2009, as well as court personnel subject to the Council on Judicial Education and Training (COJET) are exempt.

When is the Arizona CLE reporting deadline?

Arizona attorneys must complete all 15.00 required credits by June 30 each year. Attorneys have until September 15 each year to report their CLE credits using the Affidavit provided by the State Bar of Arizona. Filing online is the preferred method.

How long is the Arizona CLE reporting period, and when does it end?

The reporting period is 1 year and runs from July 1 to June 30 for all attorneys.

What are the different categories of CLE credits in Arizona, and what are the limits for each?

Arizona attorneys may satisfy their CLE requirements with credits in different categories.

The categories and annual requirements or restrictions for each is as follows:

  • Interactive: minimum 10 hours
  • Self-Study: maximum 5 hours
  • Teaching: maximum 10 hours
  • Writing: maximum 10 hours
  • Law School Courses: courses taken after admission only; maximum 10 hours
  • Bar Review/Refresher Course: courses taken after admission for purposes of review or for preparing for another state's bar exam; maximum 5 hours
How do I report my Arizona CLE hours?

Arizona attorneys must report MCLE courses on their annual affidavit which may be obtained by going to the State Bar of Arizona.

How can Experienced Arizona Attorneys fulfill the Arizona CLE requirements in compliance with format of delivery regulations?

Experienced attorneys can fulfill their Arizona CLE requirement by completing accepted course formats. Examples of accepted course formats include:

Live/Interactive CLE

Self-Study

  • Computer based or online CLE programs that are not interactive.
  • Audio reproductions or viewing video reproductions.
How many Arizona CLE hours can I carry forward?

Arizona attorneys can carry forward 15.00 CLE hours to the next reporting period. This includes up to 3.00 professional responsibility hours. Certified Specialists may carry forward 5.00 hours of advanced credit, 3.00 of which can be professional responsibility credits.

How many Arizona CLE hours can I earn with self-study courses?

You can earn a maximum of 5.00 CLE hours with self-study courses.

What are the specialty credit requirements in Arizona?

Arizona attorneys must complete 3.00 professional responsibility credit hours every year.

Is in-program attendance verification required to receive Arizona CLE credit?

Yes. In-program attendance verification is required for interactive CLE credit.

Additional CLE resources for Arizona attorneys
  • State Contact Information:
    • Address: 4201 N. 24th Street Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85016-6266
    • Phone Number: 602-252-4804
    • Email: mcle@staff.azbar.org

Are you newly admitted to the State Bar of Arizona? Here’s what you need to know:

What are the Arizona CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys?

Attorneys admitted to the State Bar of Arizona between January 1 and June 30 are exempt for that reporting period. Attorneys admitted between July 1 and December 31 must complete 10.00 CLE hours, including 2.00 professional responsibility by June 30 of that reporting period.

How can Arizona Newly Admitted Attorneys Fulfill Their CLE Requirements?

Newly admitted members are required to attend the State Bar's professionalism course within the first year of admission or registration, unless exempted (Rule 34(n) Ariz. R. Sup. Ct.).

Attorneys admitted to the State Bar of Arizona between January 1 and June 30 are exempt for that reporting period. Attorneys admitted between July 1 and December 31 must complete 10.00 CLE hours, including 2.00 professional responsibility by June 30 of that reporting period. Examples of accepted formats include:

Live/Interactive CLE

Self-Study

  • Computer based or online CLE programs that are not interactive.
  • Audio reproductions or viewing video reproductions.
Can I carry over hours I completed during my first reporting period in Arizona?

Yes. if you completed CLE courses before you were required to report hours, you may carry over up to 15.00 hours to the next reporting period. Hours earned through the State Bar of Arizona (such as for your required New Admittee Professionalism Course) are automatically reported.

When does my first reporting period for Arizona end?

The reporting period ends for all attorneys on June 1. However, if you were admitted in the first half of the year (January 1 through June 30), you are exempt from Arizona CLE reporting requirements for that reporting period. If you are admitted in the second half of the year (July 1 through December 31), you have a reduced requirement (10.00 hours) for your first reporting period.

Are there any special credit requirements for new attorneys in Arizona?

Yes. Newly admitted active attorneys residing in Arizona must complete a New Admittee Professionalism Course within 1 year of admission.

Who is considered a newly admitted attorney in Arizona?

Arizona attorneys in their first year of practice are considered newly admitted attorneys.