General Michigan Continuing Legal Education Credit Requirements
No. Michigan does not currently require attorneys to complete Continuing Legal Education (CLE) or Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credits for license maintenance. However, voluntary CLE participation for those in the legal profession is encouraged under Rule 1.1 of the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct as part of a lawyer’s duty to maintain legal competence.
Even though CLE is not mandatory in Michigan, staying current with changes in the law, ethics, and professional standards is vital to providing high-quality legal representation. CLE also supports career development and helps attorneys remain competitive in their practice areas. This can include new areas like AI for example.
Michigan attorneys can choose from a variety of CLE formats, including live in-person seminars, live webinars, OnDemand programs, and downloadable courses. NBI offers a wide selection of these formats for convenience and flexibility.
Yes. NBI provides certificates of completion for all CLE courses, and you can maintain a personal CLE transcript through your NBI account. This can be useful for employment, court requirements, or out-of-state bar compliance.
Yes. While not mandatory, the State Bar of Michigan and many professional associations strongly encourage members to engage in continuing education to stay informed on legal developments, ethics, and best practices.
Absolutely. Attorneys looking to develop expertise in specific areas - such as family law, estate planning, or litigation - can benefit from targeted CLE programs. These programs build advanced knowledge and can strengthen a lawyer’s practice profile.
Yes, in many cases. If you’re licensed in another state with CLE requirements, courses taken in Michigan - particularly those accredited by national providers like NBI - may count toward your out-of-state compliance. Always check with the relevant state bar for approval.
There is no limit. Since CLE is not mandatory in Michigan, attorneys are encouraged to complete as many hours as needed to maintain and improve their knowledge and skills.