Hawaii CLE Requirements

Required Hawaii CLE Credits

3.00 Total Credit Hours

every

Year

All credit hours can be completed through Hawaii accredited courses.


Hawaii CLE Reporting Deadlines

Deadline to complete CLEs: December 31

Reporting deadline: Annual attorney registration

Reporting period: 1 year

NBI reports your credit to the Hawaii State Bar Association.

Hawaii


How many CLE credits do you need in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, active status attorneys must complete 3.00 CLE credits (including 1.00 credit in ethics and professional responsibility) every year to maintain good standing with the Hawaii Bar.

When is the Hawaii CLE reporting deadline?

Hawaii attorneys must complete all 3.00 required credits by December 31. Compliance with the CLE requirements must be reported on your annual attorney registration the following year.

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

The reporting period is 1 year and ends on December 31 for all Hawaii attorneys.

How do I report my Hawaii CLE Credits?

NBI reports your attendance to the Hawaii State Bar Association.

Each active Bar member must certify on the annual registration form whether the member is in compliance with the Hawaii State Bar Association by reporting the number of approved credit hours of Continuing Legal Education completed in the previous year. You must maintain certification records for the (3) most recent reporting periods.

How many Hawaii CLE credits can I carry over?

Hawaii attorneys may carry over 3.00 CLE credits for one compliance year. This may include ethics and professional responsibility credits.

How many Hawaii CLE credits can I earn with alternative format courses?

There is no limit. Attorneys in Hawaii can earn all required 3.00 CLE credits with alternative format courses.

What are the specialty credit requirements in Hawaii?

Hawaii attorneys must complete 1.00 ethics and professional responsibility credit every 3 years.

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

Yes. In-program attendance verification is required for downloadable courses.

Additional CLE resources for Hawaii attorneys
  • State Contact Information:
    • Address: Alakea Corporate Tower,1100 Alakea Street, Suite 1000, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
    • Phone Number: 808-537-1868
    • Email Address: dblanton@hsba.org
    • Website: http://hsba.org/

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

What are the Hawaii CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys?

Newly admitted attorneys in Hawaii are exempt from reporting CLE requirements for the year in which they are admitted to the Hawaii State Bar. New attorneys must complete a Professionalism course by December 31 of the year following the year of admission.

Can I carry over credits I completed during my year of admission to the Hawaii State Bar?

Yes. If you complete CLE credits after you are admitted to practice law in Hawaii but before December 31 of that year, you may carry over up to 3.00 CLE credits to your first reporting period. You do earn 4.5 CLE credits for your mandatory Professionalism course.

When does my first reporting period for Hawaii end?

Your first reporting period ends on December 31 of the first full calendar year following your admission to the Hawaii State Bar.

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

Yes. All new attorneys must complete a Professionalism course, which is jointly sponsored by the Hawaii State Bar and the Supreme Court of Hawaii. This course must be completed by December 31 of the first full calendar year following your admission to the Hawaii State Bar.

You will earn 4.5 CLE credits for your Professionalism course.

Who is considered a newly admitted attorney in Hawaii?

Attorneys are usually classified as a Newly Admitted Attorney until the end of the year following the year they are licensed and have elected active status.

How can Newly Admitted Attorneys complete their Professionalism requirement in Hawaii?

Each person licensed to practice law after July 1, 2001, shall complete the Hawaii Professionalism course no later than December 31 of the year following the year they have elected active status. There are recordings of the Professionalism Course online.