3.00 Ethics (which may include Ethics, Office Management, Attorney Well-Being, and/or Elimination of Bias)
West Virginia CLE Requirements
Required West Virginia CLE Credits
every
A minimum of 12.00 credit hours must be taken as live programs.
A maximum of 12.00 credit hours may be taken as pre-recorded programs.
West Virginia CLE Reporting Deadlines
Reporting deadline: July 1, Even-Numbered Years
Reporting period: 2 Years
NBI reports your credit to the West Virginia MCLE Commission.
West Virginia
General West Virginia Continuing Legal Education Credit Requirements
How many CLE credits do you need in West Virginia, and what types of CLE credit do you need?
In West Virginia, active status attorneys must complete 24.00 CLE credits (including 3.00 Ethics which may include Legal Ethics, Office Management, Attorney Well-Being, and/or Elimination of Bias) every 2 years to maintain good standing with the West Virginia State Bar.
When is the West Virginia CLE reporting deadline?
West Virginia attorneys must complete all 24.00 required credits by June 30 and report their CLE credits by July 1 every even-numbered year.
How long is the West Virginia CLE reporting period, and when does it end?
The West Virginia CLE reporting period is 2 years and ends on June 30 of even-numbered years for all attorneys.
How do I report my West Virginia CLE credits?
NBI reports your credit to the West Virginia MCLE Commission.
To confirm credits that have been submitted and to add them to your transcript, view the “Awaiting your approval” section at the bottom of your transcript at the West Virginia State Bar Membership Portal.
How can Experienced West Virginia Attorneys fulfill the West Virginia CLE requirements in compliance with format of delivery regulations?
Experienced attorneys can fulfill their West Virginia CLE requirement by completing courses approved and accredited by the West Virginia MCLE Commission. Examples of accepted course formats include:
Live CLE (Minimum 12.00 Hours)
- Interactive Webcast
- In Person Courses
Pre-Recorded (Maximum 12.00 Hours)
How many West Virginia CLE credits can I carry over?
You may carry over 6.00 CLE credits to the next reporting period. You may not carry over any credits in ethics, office management, attorney well-being, or elimination of bias in the legal profession.
How many West Virginia CLE credits can I earn with pre-recorded or in-house courses?
You may earn a maximum of 12.00 CLE credits with pre-recorded courses or in-house activities.
Is in-program attendance verification required to receive West Virginia CLE credit?
No. In-program attendance verification is not required.
Additional CLE resources for West Virginia attorneys
- State Contact Information:
- Address: The West Virginia State Bar, 2000 Deitrick Boulevard, Charleston, WV 25311-1231
- Phone Number: (304) 553-7220, Toll Free: 866-989-8227
- Website: https://wvbar.org/
- West Virginia CLE Rules and Helpful Resources
Are you newly admitted to the West Virginia State Bar? Here’s what you need to know:
What are the West Virginia CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys?
All new attorneys must complete a mandatory Bridge the Gap program within 24 months of admission to the West Virginia State Bar. Bridge the Gap courses can be used to satisfy CLE requirements.
If you are admitted to the West Virginia State Bar in the first 12 months of the 2-year reporting period, you must complete 12.00 CLE credits by the end of the reporting period. Those credits must include 3.00 credits in ethics, office management, attorney well-being, or elimination of bias in the legal profession.
If you are admitted in the second 12 months of the reporting period, you are exempt for that reporting period.
How can West Virginia Newly Admitted Attorneys Fulfill Their CLE Requirements?
If you are admitted to the West Virginia State Bar in the first 12 months of the 2-year reporting period, you must complete 12.00 CLE credits by the end of the reporting period. Those credits must include 3.00 credits in ethics, office management, attorney well-being, or elimination of bias in the legal profession. If you are admitted in the second 12 months of the reporting period, you are exempt for that reporting period. Examples of accepted course formats include:
Live CLE
- Interactive Webcast
- In Person Courses
Pre-Recorded
All new attorneys must complete a mandatory Bridge the Gap program within 24 months of admission to the West Virginia State Bar. Bridge the Gap courses can be used to satisfy CLE requirements.
Can I carry over credits I completed during the time I was exempt?
Yes.If you are exempt from West Virginia CLE reporting requirements during your first year of practice because you were admitted in the second 12 months of the reporting period, any CLE credit you earn during that time (after admission) can be carried over to your first reporting period.
If you were admitted in the first 12 months of the reporting period and earn more than the 12.00 required CLE credits for your first reporting period, any CLE credits earned (after admission) may be carried over to the next reporting period.
When does my first reporting period for West Virginia end?
The reporting period for all West Virginia attorneys ends June 30 in even-numbered years. If you are admitted to the West Virginia State Bar during the first 12 months of the reporting period, your reporting period ends on June 30 of the first even-numbered year after you were admitted.
If you were admitted to the West Virginia State Bar during the second 12 months of the reporting period, you are exempt from that reporting period. Your first reporting period begins on the first July 1 after your date of admission to the bar and ends on June 30, two years later.
Are there any special credit requirements for new attorneys in West Virginia?
Yes. New West Virginia attorneys must complete a Bridge the Gap program within 24 months of the date they were admitted to the West Virginia State Bar. The Bridge the Gap program is sponsored by the West Virginia State Bar and is offered twice a year.
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