Alabama Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Requirements

Alabama CLE Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Details
Total Hours	12 hours annually
Ethics / Professionalism	1 hour required
Live Program Minimum	At least 6 hours must be earned through live or synchronous programs
Online / Interactive Limit	Up to 6 hours may be earned through interactive online programs
Compliance Period	January 1 – December 31
Reporting Deadline	January 31 of the following year
Carryover Credit	Excess credits may be carried forward to the next year (see rules)
Reporting Responsibility	Attorneys must file and verify through the Alabama State Bar CLE Portal

Overview

Alabama CLE, also known as MCLE (Mandatory Continuing Legal Education), requires all active attorneys to complete 12 hours of approved credit each calendar year. At least 1 hour must be in ethics or professionalism, and at least 6 hours must be live or synchronous. Credits must be earned between January 1 and December 31, with compliance reported by January 31 of the following year. (MCLE RuleBook 2023 PDF)

CLE Credit Hour Requirements

• 12 credit hours required per year
• 1 of those hours must be ethics or professionalism
• At least 6 hours must be live or synchronous (in-person or real-time webcast)
• Up to 6 hours may be earned through approved interactive online programs
• Non-interactive self-study (such as recorded audio or video without instructor interaction) is not eligible for credit
• Courses must be approved or accredited by the Alabama State Bar MCLE Commission

Compliance Period

• The compliance year runs January 1 through December 31
• All CLE credits must be completed within this period
• Attorneys must submit their compliance report by January 31 of the following year

Reporting and Deadlines

• Attorneys must file a compliance report through the Alabama State Bar CLE Portal
• Providers may report attendance, but attorneys are responsible for verifying their transcript
• Reports are due by January 31 each year
• Late reports incur a $100 fee
• Reports can be amended until March 1
• If deficient, attorneys must file a deficiency plan by January 31 and complete it by March 1 (or approved extension) with reporting by March 15 and a $100 compliance fee

Carryover Rules

• Excess credits earned beyond the 12-hour requirement may be carried into the next year if properly reported
• Ethics credits may or may not be carried over depending on MCLE Commission discretion, so attorneys should confirm before relying on carryover for ethics

Exemptions and Special Rules

• Newly admitted attorneys are exempt for the remainder of the year of admission but must complete a 6-hour professionalism course within 12 months of admission
• Public office attorneys whose constitutional or statutory duties prohibit private practice are exempt while serving
• Age and retirement: Attorneys who reach age 65 or receive Social Security retirement benefits may qualify for exemption
• Out-of-state attorneys whose practice is primarily in another MCLE jurisdiction may claim an exemption by filing for recognition of compliance, submitting their home jurisdiction CLE report, and paying a $25 fee
• Hardship waivers may be requested in writing for extenuating circumstances

Approved CLE Providers and Accreditation

• Only courses approved by the Alabama State Bar MCLE Commission qualify for credit
• Attorneys can request credit for non-approved or out-of-state programs by submitting documentation (requests must be timely, generally within 60 days of course completion)
• Additional activities that may earn CLE credit include:
  • Teaching law school or CLE courses
  • Authoring legal publications
  • Serving as a bar examiner (subject to MCLE Commission approval)

Non-Compliance Penalties

• Attorneys who fail to meet CLE requirements must file a deficiency plan and complete it within the specified timeframe
• Failure to comply may result in disciplinary sanctions, including suspension from practice after an order to show cause
• Reinstatement requires proof of compliance and payment of applicable fees

How to Report CLE in Alabama

1. Log into the Alabama State Bar CLE Portal
2. Verify that your transcript reflects all credits earned
3. Submit documentation for any unreported courses or request approval if needed
4. File the compliance report by January 31
5. If deficient, submit a deficiency plan and complete the additional credits by the deadline
6. Pay any applicable late or compliance fees

Alabama CLE Frequently Asked Questions

How many CLE hours are required in Alabama?

Attorneys must complete 12 hours annually, including 1 ethics or professionalism hour.

What is the professionalism requirement for newly admitted attorneys?

New attorneys must complete a 6-hour professionalism course within 12 months of admission.

Can I earn CLE credits online in Alabama?

Yes. Up to 6 hours per year may be earned through approved interactive online programs.

How many CLE credits must be earned live?

At least 6 hours each year must be live or synchronous.

Can I carry over unused credits?

Yes, excess credits may be carried into the next year. Attorneys should confirm whether ethics credits can be carried over.

What happens if I do not meet the CLE requirement?

You must file a deficiency plan and complete it by the deadline. Failure to comply may result in suspension.

Who reports CLE credits?

Providers often report attendance, but attorneys are ultimately responsible for verifying and filing compliance through the State Bar.

What if I practice primarily outside Alabama?

You may file for out-of-state compliance recognition under Regulation 2.7 by submitting your home state’s CLE report and paying a $25 fee.

Alabama CLE Resources

• Alabama State Bar CLE Portal
• Alabama MCLE Rules & Regulations (PDF)
• Alabama CLE FAQ
• Attorney CLE Information – Exemptions and Reporting