Georgia Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Requirements

 

Georgia CLE Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Details
Total Hours	12 credit hours per calendar year
Ethics / Professionalism	3 specialty hours required: 1 in ethics, 1 in professionalism, and 1 in trial practice (for trial attorneys)
Delivery Formats Allowed	Live, webinar, or distance learning (subject to annual caps)
Online / Distance Credit Cap	Up to 6 hours per year may be earned through distance learning
Compliance Period	January 1 – December 31 each year
Reporting Deadline	January 31 of the following year
Carryover Credit	Up to 12 hours may be carried forward, including up to 3 ethics/professionalism hours
Exemptions / Special Rules	New admittees, senior members (75+), inactive attorneys, and judges
Reporting Responsibility	Attorneys self-report via the Georgia CLE Board / State Bar of Georgia

Overview

Georgia requires active attorneys to complete 12 credit hours of continuing legal education annually, including 1 hour in ethics, 1 hour in professionalism, and 1 hour in trial practice (for attorneys appearing in court). The reporting year runs from January 1 to December 31, and attorneys must report compliance by January 31 of the following year.

CLE Credit Hour Requirements

• 12 total CLE credit hours required per year
• Specialty requirements:
  • 1 hour in ethics
  • 1 hour in professionalism
  • 1 hour in trial practice (for attorneys who represent clients in court)
• Approved delivery formats include live seminars, in-person programs, webinars, and distance learning (subject to limits)
• Attorneys may earn credit for teaching, writing, or participating in approved educational activities
• CLE providers must be accredited by the Commission on Continuing Lawyer Competency (CCLC)

Compliance Period

• The reporting period runs January 1 through December 31 each year
• Attorneys must complete all required hours by December 31
• Compliance reports and fees are due by January 31 of the following year

Reporting and Deadlines

• Attorneys self-report compliance through the Georgia State Bar CLE Board portal
• Providers typically report attendance, but attorneys must verify accuracy on their transcript
• Annual CLE fees must be paid along with compliance reports
• Attorneys who fail to comply receive a notice of delinquency and must cure deficiencies within the designated grace period

Carryover Rules

• Up to 12 CLE hours may be carried forward to the next reporting year
• Up to 3 specialty hours (ethics, professionalism, or trial practice) may be carried forward

Exemptions and Special Rules

• Newly admitted attorneys are exempt from CLE requirements for the calendar year of admission
• Senior attorneys (age 75+) are exempt from the CLE requirement
• Judges, full-time law professors, and inactive members are also exempt
• Attorneys on military or medical leave may apply for temporary waivers or extensions

Approved Providers, Accreditation & Alternative Credit Methods

• All CLE programs must be approved by the Commission on Continuing Lawyer Competency (CCLC)
• Attorneys may submit applications for out-of-state programs for credit approval
• Alternative activities eligible for CLE credit include:
  • Teaching CLE or law school courses
  • Publishing legal articles or scholarly works
  • Participating in bar association educational activities
• Distance learning is capped at 6 hours per year (unless modified by temporary rules or pandemic extensions)

Non-Compliance Penalties

• Attorneys who fail to meet or report CLE requirements by January 31 will receive a Notice of Noncompliance
• Failure to cure deficiencies may result in administrative suspension
• Reinstatement requires completion of missing credits, payment of fees, and submission of proof of compliance

How to Report CLE in Georgia

1. Log into the State Bar of Georgia CLE Portal
2. Review your transcript for recorded CLE hours
3. Submit any missing attendance certificates or out-of-state CLE applications
4. Pay any applicable CLE fees
5. Verify your compliance status before January 31
6. If deficient, complete required hours and submit documentation before the grace period ends

Georgia CLE Frequently Asked Questions

How many CLE hours are required in Georgia?

12 hours each calendar year, including 1 hour in ethics, 1 in professionalism, and 1 in trial practice (for trial attorneys).

Can I complete CLE online?

Yes. Up to 6 hours per year may be earned through approved distance learning programs.

Can I carry over CLE credits?

Yes. Up to 12 hours may carry forward, including up to 3 specialty hours.

Who is exempt from CLE in Georgia?

New admittees (first calendar year), attorneys aged 75+, inactive members, judges, and full-time law professors.

What happens if I do not comply?

You’ll receive a delinquency notice and risk administrative suspension until compliance is restored.

Can teaching or writing count toward CLE?

Yes. Teaching approved CLE courses or authoring legal publications may qualify for CLE credit.

Georgia CLE Resources

• Georgia CLE Board: https://www.gacle.org/
• CLE Rules and Regulations: https://www.gabar.org/membership/cle/upload/rules.pdf
• CLE Portal Login: https://www.gacle.org/mygeorgiacle/
• CLE FAQs: https://www.gabar.org/membership/cle/faqs.cfm