Rhode Island CLE Requirements

All active status attorneys in Rhode Island must complete 10.00 CLE credits (including 2.00 CLE credits in legal ethics) every year.

There are a few exceptions under Section 3.2(b) of Article IV of the Rhode Island Supreme Court Rules for attorneys not engaged in the practice of law and for those over the age of 70.

Rhode Island attorneys must complete and report all 10.00 required credits by June 30 of each year.

The reporting period runs for 1 year from July 1 through June 30 of the following year for all Rhode Island attorneys. New attorneys are exempt from Rhode Island CLE reporting requirements for the reporting year in which they are admitted and for the next full reporting year.

Rhode Island attorneys must report their compliance online through the Rhode Island Supreme Court Attorney Portal by June 30.

Experienced attorneys can fulfill their Rhode Island CLE requirement by completing courses approved and accredited by the Rhode Island MCLE Commission. Examples of accepted course formats include:

Live CLE (Minimum 4.00 Hours)

• Webcast
• Webinar
• In Person
• Teleseminar

Video Replay (Maximum 6.00 Hours)

• OnDemand

Rhode Island attorneys can carry over 10.00 CLE credits to the next reporting period.** Legal Ethics credits may be carried over.

You can earn a maximum of 6.00 CLE credits with video replay courses.

Yes. In-program attendance verification is required.

• State Contact Information:
  • Address: Rhode Island Bar Association 41 Sharpe Dr. Cranston, RI 02920
  • Phone Number: (401) 421-5740
  • Email: info@ribar.com
  • Website: https://ribar.com/

• Rhode Island CLE Rules and FAQ
  • Lawyers Living Well
  • Bridge the Gap Information

Newly admitted attorneys in Rhode Island are exempt from MCLE reporting requirements for the current and next full MCLE reporting year. However, new attorneys must complete the Rhode Island Bridge the Gap program by June 30 of the first full MCLE reporting year after admission to the Rhode Island Bar.

Attorneys admitted in another jurisdiction for at least 3 years prior to admission in Rhode Island are exempt from the Bridge the Gap requirement.

Newly admitted attorneys may carry over up to 10.00 credit hours earned during their exemption period to their first reporting period. Examples of accepted course formats include:

Live CLE

• Webcast
• Webinar
• In Person
• Teleseminar

Video Replay

• OnDemand

Yes. If you complete CLE credits during the time you are exempt, you may carry over up to 10.00 credits to your first reporting period. Note that you do not earn MCLE credits for the one-day Rhode Island Bridge the Gap program.

You are exempt from reporting Rhode Island CLE requirements for the duration of the reporting year in which you are admitted and for the first full CLE reporting year following your admission to the Rhode Island Bar. Your first CLE reporting period begins on the second July 1 after your admission to the bar and ends the following June 30.

Yes. All new attorneys must complete the one-day Rhode Island Bridge the Gap program by June 30 of the first full MCLE reporting year after admission to the Rhode Island Bar. The Bridge the Gap Program is sponsored by the Rhode Island Bar Association or an educational institution approved by the Rhode Island Supreme Court. Note that you do not earn MCLE credits for the Bridge the Gap Program.

Attorneys admitted in another jurisdiction for at least 3 years prior to admission to the Rhode Island Bar are exempt from the Bridge the Gap requirement.

Attorneys in their first year of practice (the first full MCLE calendar year after the attorney is admitted to the Rhode Island Bar) must complete the Rhode Island Bridge the Gap program.

Attorneys who have practiced for three or more years in another U.S. jurisdiction at the time of admission to the Rhode Island Bar are exempt from this requirement and have a separate reporting requirement.