Texas CLE Requirements
Required Texas CLE Credits
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NBI courses are considered Accredited CLE by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE. All 15.00 credit hours may be taken as live or OnDemand and downloadable programs.
Texas CLE Reporting Deadlines
Reporting deadline: Last day of the month preceding your birth month
Reporting period: 1 Year
NBI reports your credit to the State Bar of Texas.
Texas
General Texas Continuing Legal Education Credit Requirements
How many CLE credits do you need in Texas?
In Texas, active status attorneys must complete 15.00 CLE credits every year to maintain good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
When is the Texas CLE reporting deadline?
Texas attorneys must complete and report all 15.00 required credits by the last day of the month immediately preceding their birth month.
How long is the Texas CLE reporting period, and when does it end?
The Texas CLE compliance period is 1 year. It begins on the first day of your birth month and ends the following year on the last day of the month immediately preceding your birth month.
How do I report my Texas CLE credits?
NBI reports your credit to the State Bar of Texas.
Texas attorneys may report CLE credits through the My Bar section of the State Bar of Texas website. You may also submit a coded Credit Input Form, available from the State Bar of Texas upon request.
It is the attorney's responsibility to make sure their mandatory MCLE hours are accurately and timely reported. Timely reporting requires that all CLE hours be received by the State Bar of Texas MCLE Director by the last day of the birth month. If an attorney's individual compliance deadline is less than thirty days away, we recommend they either notify NBI to expedite the reporting of their credits or for the attorney to self-report the credits via the State Bar of Texas My Bar Page.
How can Experienced Texas Attorneys fulfill the Texas CLE requirements in compliance with format of delivery regulations?
Experienced attorneys can fulfill their Texas CLE requirement by completing courses approved and accredited by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE. Examples of accepted course formats include:
- Live Webinars
- OnDemand courses
- Live Group Presentations
- Podcasts
How many Texas CLE credits can I carry over?
You may carry over 15.00 CLE credits to the next compliance year. Of these, 3.00 credits (including 1.00 hour of legal ethics/professional responsibility) may be self-study credit.
How many Texas CLE credits can I earn with self-study courses?
Attorneys in Texas can earn a maximum of 3.00 CLE credits (including 1.00 ethics/professional responsibility credit) with self-study courses. Self-study credit includes reading legal, peer-reviewed publications or attending non-accredited CLE activities.
Attorneys may complete all 15.00 CLE hours with activities approved for Accredited CLE.
What are the specialty credit requirements in Texas?
Texas attorneys must complete 3.00 legal ethics/professional responsibility credits every year.
Is in-program attendance verification required to receive Texas CLE credit?
No. In-program attendance verification is not required.
What is the compliance year for experienced attorneys in Texas?
For experienced attorneys, the compliance year begins on the first day of an attorney's birth month. It ends on the last day of the month immediately preceding your birth month.
Additional CLE Resources for Texas attorneys
- State Contact Information:
- Address: State Bar of Texas, 1414 Colorado Street, Suite 503, Austin, TX 78701
- Phone Number: (512) 463-1463 ext. 2106; (800)204-2222 ext. 1806; (512) 463-1475
- Email Address: mcle@texasbar.com
- Website: http://www.texasbar.com
Are you newly admitted to the State Bar of Texas? Here’s what you need to know:
What are the Texas CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys?
Newly admitted attorneys in Texas have a special 24-month compliance period. New Texas attorneys are required to complete a 4.00 hour professionalism course within 12 months of admission to the State Bar of Texas.
Are you newly admitted to the State Bar of Texas? Here’s what you need to know:
Upon admission, newly admitted attorneys in Texas have 12 months to complete the Justice James A. Baker Guide to Ethics and Professionalism in Texas offered by the Texas Center for Legal Ethics.
Any credits newly admitted attorneys earn between their licensing date and their compliance year start date may be carried over to their initial compliance year. Examples of accepted course formats include:
- Live Webinars
- OnDemand courses
- Live Group Presentations
- Podcasts
Can I carry over credits I completed before my first compliance year begins?
Yes. Credits taken between your licensing date and your compliance year start date will be applied toward your initial compliance year.
When does my first reporting period for Texas end?
Your first reporting period begins on the first day of your birth month following your admission to the State Bar of Texas and ends 24 months later on the last day of the month immediately preceding your birth month.
For example, if you are admitted in October 2022 and your birthday is April 26th, your first compliance period begins on April 1, 2023 and ends on March 31, 2025.
This 2-year compliance period is only for new attorneys. Subsequent reporting periods will be for 1 year and will begin each year on the first day of your birth month and end the next year on the last day of the month immediately preceding your birth month.
Are there any special credit requirements for new attorneys in Texas?
Yes. All newly licensed attorneys must take the 4.00 hour Justice James A. Baker Guide to Ethics and Professionalism in Texas course within 12 months after the date of admission to the State Bar of Texas.
You will receive 4.00 legal ethics/professional responsibility CLE credits for completing the professionalism course. This requirement applies to all newly licensed Texas attorneys, regardless of years of practice or admission in another jurisdiction.
Who is considered a newly admitted attorney in Texas?
Attorneys admitted to the Texas Bar for two years or less following their birthdays are considered Newly Admitted Attorneys.
What is the initial compliance year for newly admitted attorneys in Texas?
The initial compliance year is a 24-month period that begins on the first day of your birth month following the date of admission.
Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) Requirements
What are the TBLS CLE Requirements for Attorneys?
Attorneys must complete certification and 60 hours of CLE in their specialty area for initial certification. Attorneys must complete 100 hours for recertification every 5 years.
How can attorneys fulfill their TBLS CLE Requirements?
Approved programs are listed on the Texas Board of Legal Specialization website. To comply, attorneys must complete courses in their specialization area.
Are there other ways attorneys can earn TBLS CLE credit?
Attorneys may earn TBLS CLE credit by:
- Teaching CLE courses or law school courses
- Engaging in self-study and legal research-based writing
What is the deadline for attorneys to complete their TBLS CLE credits for certification?
Attorneys must complete their TBLS CLE credits by December 31 for the year they apply for certification.
What is the deadline for attorneys to complete their TBLS CLE credits for recertification?
Attorneys must complete their TBLS CLE credits every 5 years on December 31 for recertification.
Can attorneys carry over TBLS CLE credits from one cycle to another?
Attorneys may carry forward 15 credit hours for recertification. During the initial certification, no carry over is allowed. However any eligible courses completed within 3 years of initial certification will count toward the 60-hour requirement.
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