Home Directory Washington CLE Requirements

Washington CLE Requirements

Required Washington CLE Credits

45.00 Total Credit Hours
every
3 Years

All 45.00 credit hours may be taken as live or self-study programs.

View All Washington Courses

Washington CLE Reporting Deadline

Deadline to complete CLEs: December 31

  • Reporting deadline: February 1
  • Reporting period: 3 Years
  • NBI will report your attendance for live programs. Self-study programs must be reported by the attorney.

General Washington Continuing Legal Education Credit Requirements

How many CLE credits do Washington attorneys need and what types of credit do you need?

Attorneys in Washington must complete 45.00 CLE credits every 3 years to maintain good standing with the Washington State Bar.

15.00 of the credits must be Law and Legal Procedure

6.00 of the credits must be Ethics/Professional Responsibility including at least 1.00 credit on the topic of equity, inclusion, and the mitigation of both implicit and explicit bias in the legal profession and the practice of law.
When is the Washington CLE reporting deadline?

Washington attorneys must complete all 45.00 required credits by December 31 in their reporting year and certify compliance with their requirements by February 1 of the following year.
How long is the Washington CLE reporting period, and when does it end?

The CLE reporting period in Washington is 3 years and ends on December 31 of your groups reporting year.

  • Group 1: 2025, 2028, 2031.
  • Group 2: 2026, 2029, 2032.
  • Group 3: 2024, 2027, 2030.
How do I report my Washington CLE credits?

NBI will report your attendance for live courses. Attorneys are responsible for tracking and reporting self-study courses through the Washington MCLE online system.

You must certify your CLE credits by February 1 following your reporting period. You can certify your credits online through the Washington State Bar Association website or by mailing the forms in your license renewal packet. If you opted for paperless communication, you will not receive a license renewal packet.
How can Experienced Washington Attorneys fulfill the Washington CLE requirements in compliance with format of delivery regulations?

Experienced attorneys can fulfill their Washington CLE requirement by completing courses approved and accredited by the Washington State Bar Association. Examples of accepted course formats include:
How many Washington CLE credits can I carry over?

Washington attorneys, LLLTs, and LPOs may carry over 15.00 CLE credits to the next reporting period. This may include up to 2.00 ethics/professional responsibility credits.
How many Washington CLE credits can I earn with self-study courses?

There is no limit to the number CLE credits you can earn with self-study courses.
Are there any limits on how many Washington credits I can earn in one day?

Yes. You may only earn 8.00 CLE credits in one calendar day.
Is in-program attendance verification required to receive Washington CLE credit?

No. In-program attendance verification is not required.
Can Washington attorneys satisfy their CLE requirement by taking courses approved in other states?

If you are an active lawyer in Washington, you may submit a Comity Certificate if you are credit compliant in Oregon, Idaho, or Utah. You can request a Comity Certificate via the Washington MCLE online system. Once you pay the processing fee, a certificate will be prepared and made available for download.
What are the other licensed legal professional in Washington and how many credits do they need?

Limited License Legal Technician (LLLTs)

Limited Practice Officers (LPOs)

LLLTs and LPOs must complete 30.00 CLE credits every 3 years. 6.00 of the credits must be Ethics/Professional Responsibility including at least 1.00 credit on the topic of equity, inclusion, and the mitigation of both implicit and explicit bias in the legal profession and the practice of law.
What are the required credits for Washington legal professionals?

Law and Legal Procedure, defined as legal education relating to substantive law, legal procedure, process, research, writing, analysis, or related skills and technology;

(2) Ethics/Professional Responsibility, defined as topics relating to the general subject of professional responsibility and conduct standards for lawyers, LLLTs, LPOs, and judges, including equity, inclusion, and the mitigation of both implicit and explicit bias in the legal profession and the practice of law, and the risks to ethical practice associated with diagnosable mental health conditions, addictive behavior, and stress.
Additional CLE resources for Washington attorneys
  • State Contact Information:

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

What Washington assigned group am I in?

You can find your assigned group in the WSBA MCLE Portal at mywsba.org.
What are the Washington CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys?

Newly admitted attorneys are exempt from reporting CLE credits during the calendar year in which they were admitted to practice law in Washington.
How can Washington Newly Admitted Attorneys Fulfill Their CLE Requirements?

Newly admitted attorneys are exempt from reporting CLE credits during the calendar year in which they were admitted to practice law in Washington. If you complete credits during your year of admission, those credits will be applied to your first compliance period. Examples of accepted course formats include:
Can I receive credit for CLE courses I completed during my year of admission to the Washington State Bar?

Yes. If you complete credits during your year of admission, those credits will be applied to your first compliance period.
When does my first reporting period for Washington end?

Your first reporting period ends on December 31 of the third calendar year after you were admitted to the Washington State Bar.
Are there any special credit requirements for new attorneys in Washington?

No. There are no special CLE requirements for newly admitted Washington attorneys.
View Accredited WA CLE Courses