Kentucky CLE Requirements

Required Kentucky CLE Credits

12.00 Total Credit Hours

every

Year

2.00 Ethics

All credit hours may be taken as live or technological programs.


Kentucky CLE Reporting Deadlines

Deadline to complete CLEs: June 30

Reporting deadline: August 10

Reporting period: 1 year

Kentucky


How many CLE credits do you need in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, active status attorneys must complete 12.00 CLE credits (including 2.00 in ethics) every educational year (July 1 - June 30) to maintain good standing with the Kentucky Bar Association. Judges and attorneys who have reached the age of 75 or are at least 50-year members of the Kentucky Bar are exempt. Others may be exempt upon application to the Commission.

When is the Kentucky CLE reporting deadline?

Kentucky attorneys must complete all 12.00 required credits by June 30 of each educational year, but they have until August 10 to report their CLE credits.

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

The reporting period (educational year) is 1 year and runs from July 1 to June 30 of the next year for all Kentucky attorneys.

How do I report my Kentucky CLE credits?

Kentucky attorneys are responsible for reporting credits earned.

Report your credits online at the Kentucky Bar Association website under the member CLE portals.

How many Kentucky CLE credits can I carry over?

You may carry over 24.00 CLE credits for the next two educational years. You may carry over 4.00 ethics credits.

How many Kentucky CLE credits can I earn with technological courses?

There is no limit. You may satisfy all 12.00 Kentucky CLE credit requirements with technological format courses.

What are the specialty credit requirements in Kentucky?

Kentucky attorneys must complete 2.00 ethics credits from courses offering ethics, professional responsibility and professionalism every educational year.

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

No. In-program attendance verification is not required.

Who is considered an experienced attorney in Kentucky?

An experienced attorney is a) beyond the 12 months following their date of admission and has completed the New Lawyer Program or b) an attorney admitted to practice in another jurisdiction for a minimum of 5 years.

Additional CLE resources for Kentucky attorneys
  • State Contact Information:
    • Address: Kentucky Bar Association, 514 W. Main Street, Frankfort, KY 50601-1883
    • Phone Number: (502) 564-3795
    • Website: https://www.kybar.org/

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

What are the Kentucky CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys?

Attorneys who have been admitted to practice law in Kentucky for less than 1 full educational year as of the June 30 deadline are exempt from Kentucky CLE reporting requirements for that year. However, those attorneys are subject to the New Lawyer Program requirement, which consists of 12.00 credits and must be completed within 12 months of your admission to the Kentucky Bar.

Are any Kentucky attorneys exempt from the New Lawyer Program requirement?

Yes. Newly admitted attorneys are exempt from completing the New Lawyer Program requirement in Kentucky if they were admitted to practice law in another jurisdiction for at least 5 years. Attorneys who have completed another mandatory new lawyer program with a minimum of 12.00 credits, including 2.00 ethics credits, in another jurisdiction or in the U.S. armed forces are also exempt, subject to approval of the program by the Kentucky Director for CLE.

When does my first educational year for Kentucky end?

You do not have to report CLE credits on June 30 if you have been admitted to the Kentucky Bar but have practiced less than a year. Your first educational year begins on July 1 of the first full calendar year after your admission to the Kentucky Bar and ends on June 30 the following year.

For example, if you are admitted in October 2022, your first educational year will end on June 30, 2024.

Does the New Lawyer Program fulfill regular Kentucky CLE requirements?

Yes. Credits earned by completing the New Lawyer Program requirement will be applied to your Kentucky CLE credit requirements for the educational year in which they are earned.

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

Yes. Unless exempted, newly admitted attorneys must complete the Kentucky New Lawyer Program requirement within 12 months of admission to the Kentucky State Bar. The Kentucky New Lawyer Program consists of 12.00 credits.