Vermont CLE Requirements

Required Vermont CLE Credits

24.00 Total Credit Hours

every

2 Years

A minimum of 18.00 credit hours must be taken as live programs.

A maximum of 6.00 credit hours may be taken as non-moderated programming without interactivity programs.


Vermont CLE Reporting Deadlines

Deadline to complete CLEs: June 30

Reporting deadline: June 30

Reporting period: 2 Years

Vermont


How many CLE credits do you need in Vermont?

In Vermont, active status attorneys must complete 24.00 CLE credits every 2 years to maintain good standing with the Vermont Bar.

When is the Vermont CLE reporting deadline?

Vermont attorneys must complete and report all 24.00 required credits by June 30 in their reporting year.

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

The CLE reporting period in Vermont is 2 years and ends on June 30. When you are admitted to the Vermont Bar, you will be assigned to report in either even-numbered or odd-numbered years.

How do I report my Vermont CLE credits?

Vermont attorneys must certify compliance with the MCLE requirements on the licensing statement that you must file at the end of each reporting period when you renew your license. For reporting periods and license renewal, please visit the Attorney Licensing page.

How can Experienced Vermont Attorneys fulfill the Vermont CLE requirements in compliance with format of delivery regulations?

Experienced attorneys can fulfill their Vermont CLE requirement by completing courses approved and accredited by the Vermont Board of Mandatory Continuing Legal Education. Examples of accepted course formats include:

Moderated programming or non-moderated programming with interactivity

  • Webcast/Webinar
  • In Person
  • Teleseminar
  • Video Replay
  • Webcast/Webinar Replay
  • Recorded Ondemand Online
  • Video or Audio File – MP3, MP4
  • Video or Audio Tape – DVD, DVR

Non-moderated programming without interactivity

How many Vermont CLE credits can I carry over?

Vermont attorneys may carry any excess CLE credits earned in the 2nd year of their reporting period to the next reporting period. This may include ethics, attorney wellness, and diversity & inclusion credits as long as such credits were not used to meet any minimum requirements in the reporting period those credits were earned.

How many Vermont CLE credits can I earn with self-study courses?

The term "self-study" has been replaced with "non-moderated programming without interactivity". Attorneys in Vermont can earn a maximum of 6.00 CLE credits with courses that are non-moderated programming without interactivity.

What are the specialty credit requirements in Vermont?

Vermont attorneys must complete 2.00 ethics credits, 1.00 attorney wellness credit, and 1.00 diversity & inclusion credit during every reporting period. Credits earned in attorney wellness and diversity & inclusion do not count towards the ethics credit requirement.

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

No. In-program attendance verification is not required.

Additional CLE resources for Vermont attorneys

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

What are the Vermont CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys?

In addition to the mandatory continuing legal education requirements for all attorneys, newly admitted attorneys in Vermont must complete 15.00 hours of specially approved CLE credits on Vermont practice and procedure.

At least 9.00 of those 15.00 CLE hours must be earned through programs delivered either as moderated programming or as non-moderated programming with interactivity as a key component. You must complete these requirements within 1 year of admission to the Vermont Bar.

When does my first reporting period for Vermont end?

Your first reporting period begins on the date you are admitted to practice law in Vermont and ends on June 30 of the second full year after admission.

Can my first-year CLE requirements be used to satisfy Vermont CLE requirements for my first reporting period?

Yes. The 15.00 CLE credits earned by completing your new attorney requirements during your first year of admission may be used toward the 24.00 total Vermont MCLE credits required for your first reporting period. Credits earned up to one year prior to admission to the bar may be used to satisfy CLE requirements.

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

Yes. In addition to Vermont MCLE requirements, newly admitted attorneys must attend specific courses and participate in a mentorship program. You must report compliance of both requirements by submitting a certification of completion through the Vermont Attorney Portal.

New Attorney CLE Credits

New attorneys must complete 15.00 hours of specially approved CLE credits on Vermont practice and procedure. At least 9.00 of those 15.00 CLE hours must be earned through programs delivered either as moderated programming or non-moderated programming with interactivity as a key component.

Courses taken to satisfy the first-year CLE requirement will count toward the MCLE requirement during your first reporting period. Those 15.00 hours must be completed no earlier than 1 year before, and no later than 1 year after, admission to the Vermont State Bar.

Mentorship Program

Newly admitted attorneys by exam or transferred UBE score must also participate in a six-month mentorship, which must include 40 hours of specific activities and at least 10 meetings with your mentor. The mentorship must be completed within 1 year of your date of admission. Mentorship hours do not satisfy any MCLE credit requirements.

Who is considered an experienced attorney in Vermont?

Attorneys having practiced for more than 1 year are considered experienced in Vermont.

Are there other ways experienced attorneys in Vermont can earn CLE credit?

Vermont attorney can earn MCLE credit through participation in the following activities (if no financial compensation is received):

  • Teaching at an accredited CLE program or teaching a law course at a law school, university, college or community college
  • Teaching legal programs to non-attorneys
  • Legal writing that is published or accepted for publication
  • Mentoring newly admitted attorneys
  • Serving as an active judge; service as a moot court judge
  • Serving on approved volunteer committees.
Who is considered a newly admitted attorney in Vermont?

Attorneys licensed for the first time and having practiced for less than 1 year are considered newly admitted in Vermont.