5.00 Professional Responsibility (May include legal ethics, professionalism, substance abuse or mental illness and wellness programs)
Note: 2.00 of these must be from the mandatory Florida Legal Professionalism course offered by The Florida Bar.
Florida CLE Requirements
Required Florida CLE Credits
Starting 1/8/2024, Florida attorneys need to complete 30 credit hours per reporting period, including a mandatory Florida Legal Professionalism course offered by The Florida Bar.
every
3.00 Technology
All credit hours may be taken as live or self-study programs.
Florida CLE Reporting Deadlines
Reporting deadline: Last day of assigned reporting period.*
Reporting period: 3 years
*Attorneys are assigned a reporting period upon admission to The Florida Bar.
Florida
General Florida Continuing Legal Education Credit Requirements
How many CLE credits do you need in Florida?
Florida attorneys need to complete 30.00 CLE credits every 3 years to maintain good standing with The Florida Bar. See Rule 6-10.3 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.
When is the Florida CLE reporting deadline?
Florida attorneys must complete all 30.00 required credits by the last day in their assigned reporting period. Attorneys are assigned a reporting period upon admission to The Florida Bar.
Attorneys must certify compliance with FL CLE requirements online through The Florida Bar online member portal or by completing a reporting affidavit.
How long is the Florida CLE reporting period, and when does it end?
The reporting period is 3 years. You are assigned a reporting period when you are admitted to The Florida Bar. You must report your CLE credits by the last day of the month of your reporting period.
How do I report my Florida CLE credits?
Florida attorneys are responsible for tracking and reporting their own CLE credits. Report online at The Florida Bar website.
How can Experienced Florida Attorneys fulfill the Florida CLE requirements in compliance with format of delivery regulations?
Experienced attorneys can fulfill their Florida CLE requirement by completing courses approved and accredited by The Florida Bar. Examples of accepted course formats include:
Live CLE
- Live Presentation
- Live streamed presentation
- Telephone Presentation
OnDemand
Can I carry over excess Florida CLE credits?
No. Completed CLE credits can only be applied to the current compliance period, and no credits may be carried over.
How many Florida CLE credits can I earn with self-study courses?
There's no limit. You can earn all 30.00 of your FL CLE requirements with self-study courses.
What are the specialty credit requirements in Florida?
All Florida attorneys need 5.00 CLE credits in professional responsibility every 3 years. Of those, 2.00 credits must be from the mandatory Florida Legal Professionalism course offered by the Florida State Bar. The remaining requirement may be fulfilled in the areas of legal ethics, professionalism, substance abuse, or mental illness and wellness programs.
Attorneys also need 3.00 CLE credits in technology every compliance period.
Is in-program attendance verification required to receive Florida CLE credit?
No. In-program attendance verification is not required.
Additional CLE resources for Florida attorneys
- State Contact Information:
- Address: The Florida Bar 651 E. Jefferson St., Tallahassee, FL 32399
- Phone Number: (850) 561-5842
- Email Address: clemail@floridabar.org
- Website: https://www.floridabar.org/member/cle/
- Florida CLE Additional Resources
Are you newly admitted to The Florida Bar? Here’s what you need to know:
What are the Florida CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys?
Newly admitted attorneys must complete a Basic Skills Course Requirement (BSCR). Some of the BSCR requirements must be completed within 12 months of the attorney's admission to The Florida Bar. Other requirements must be completed by the end of the attorney's first compliance period.
How can Florida Newly Admitted Attorneys Fulfill Their CLE Requirements?
Newly admitted attorneys must complete a two-phase Basic Skills Course Requirement (BSCR).
- Phase 1: Practicing with Professionalism (PWP) must be completed within 1 year of admission to The Florida Bar.
- Phase 2: Basic Skills Course Requirements Courses (BSCR) must be completed within 3 years of bar admission.
Can I carry over credits I completed during my first year of practice in Florida?
No. CLE credits may not be carried over in Florida.
When does my first reporting period for Florida end?
Upon your admission to The Florida Bar, a reporting period will be assigned to you. Your first reporting ends on the last day of the month of the reporting period assigned to you.
Are there any special credit requirements for new attorneys in Florida?
Yes. All members of the Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar (YLD) must complete the Basic Skills Course Requirement (BSCR). See Rule 6-12 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.
The BSCR includes:
- Phase I: Completion of a Practice with Professionalism course sponsored by the YLD. This must be completed no sooner than 12 months prior to and no later than 12 months after an attorney's admission to The Florida Bar.
- Phase II: Completion of 3 elective, basic, substantive CLE programs sponsored by the YLD. This must be completed during the attorney's first 3-year compliance period.
Members of the bar under age 36 and who have not been admitted to the practice of law for more than 5 years are members of the YLD and are subject to the BSCR.
All new members of the bar (even those 36 or older and who have been admitted for more than 5 years) must complete Phase I (Practice with Professionalism) of the BSCR, but may file an exemption request for Phase II.
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