Illinois Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Requirements

Illinois CLE Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Details
Total Hours	30 credit hours every 2 years
Ethics / Professionalism	6 hours, including 1 hour of diversity and inclusion, and 1 hour of mental health/substance abuse
Delivery Formats Allowed	Live, webcast, on-demand, or self-study (if accredited)
Compliance Period	Two-year cycle based on last name (A–M or N–Z)
Reporting Deadline	July 31 of the reporting year
Carryover Credit	Up to 10 general CLE hours may carry forward to the next cycle (ethics may not)
Exemptions / Special Rules	Newly admitted attorneys, inactive attorneys, retired members, judges
Reporting Responsibility	Attorneys self-report via the Illinois MCLE Board online portal

Overview

Illinois attorneys must complete 30 CLE credit hours every two years, including 6 hours of professional responsibility that cover ethics, professionalism, diversity/inclusion, and mental health/substance abuse. CLE compliance periods are assigned based on the first letter of the attorney’s last name, and reporting is due by July 31 of the reporting year.

CLE Credit Hour Requirements

• 30 total CLE hours required per two-year reporting cycle
• Of the 30 hours, at least 6 must be in professional responsibility topics:
  • 1 hour in diversity and inclusion
  • 1 hour in mental health or substance abuse
  • Remaining 4 hours in ethics or professionalism topics
• Live, webinar, on-demand, and self-study courses are accepted if accredited by the Illinois MCLE Board
• Credit may also be earned for teaching, publishing, or participation in bar association educational activities

Compliance Period

• Attorneys with last names A–M report in even-numbered years
• Attorneys with last names N–Z report in odd-numbered years
• Each compliance cycle runs for two full calendar years
• All CLE credits must be completed by June 30 of the reporting year
• Reporting of compliance must be completed by July 31

Reporting and Deadlines

• Attorneys self-report compliance via the Illinois MCLE Board Online Reporting Portal
• CLE providers often report attendance directly, but attorneys remain responsible for ensuring all hours are properly credited
• Attorneys who fail to report by the July 31 deadline will be assessed late fees and may face noncompliance status
• Failure to report within the grace period may result in suspension by the Illinois Supreme Court

Carryover Rules

• Up to 10 general CLE hours may be carried forward to the next two-year reporting period
• Professional responsibility credits (ethics, diversity, or mental health) cannot be carried forward

Exemptions and Special Rules

• Newly admitted attorneys are exempt from the standard CLE requirement for the first year but must complete the Basic Skills Course Requirement (BSCR) within their first year of admission
• Inactive, retired, or judicial members are exempt while in that status
• Military attorneys or those under hardship may apply for extensions or waivers
• Attorneys returning to active status must make up missed CLE hours from inactive periods

Approved Providers, Accreditation & Alternative Credit Methods

• CLE programs must be accredited by the MCLE Board of the Supreme Court of Illinois
• Out-of-state CLE accredited in another jurisdiction may qualify upon submission for Illinois credit
• Attorneys can earn credit through:
  • Teaching CLE or law school courses
  • Writing and publishing legal materials
  • Bar service or committee educational work
• Providers must submit attendance records within 30 days of completion

Non-Compliance Penalties

• Attorneys who fail to complete or report CLE are marked as noncompliant
• The MCLE Board sends a Notice of Noncompliance, granting a 60-day grace period to cure deficiencies
• Failure to cure results in a Notice of Removal, and the Illinois Supreme Court may suspend the attorney
• Reinstatement requires proof of compliance and payment of fees

How to Report CLE in Illinois

1. Log into the Illinois MCLE Board Online Portal
2. Review your CLE transcript and confirm all courses are recorded
3. Enter any missing self-study or out-of-state credits
4. File your compliance report by July 31
5. Retain proof of attendance and completion certificates for at least 3 years

Illinois CLE Frequently Asked Questions

How many CLE hours are required in Illinois?

30 hours every two years, including 6 in professional responsibility topics.

What are the professional responsibility requirements?

At least 1 hour in diversity/inclusion, 1 hour in mental health/substance abuse, and 4 in ethics/professionalism.

When is the reporting deadline?

By July 31 of the reporting year (A–M in even years, N–Z in odd years).

Can I carry over CLE hours?

Yes. Up to 10 general hours may carry forward, but ethics and specialty credits cannot.

Who is exempt from CLE in Illinois?

Newly admitted attorneys (first year), inactive or retired attorneys, and judges.

What happens if I fail to complete or report CLE?

You’ll be marked noncompliant and may be suspended if you fail to cure within the grace period.

What is the Basic Skills Course Requirement (BSCR)?

Newly admitted attorneys must complete a 6-hour Basic Skills Course within 12 months of admission.

Illinois CLE Resources

• Illinois MCLE Board: https://www.mcleboard.org/
• MCLE Rules and Requirements: https://www.mcleboard.org/sitepage?id=6
• MCLE Reporting Portal: https://www.mcleboard.org/atty-login
• Illinois Supreme Court MCLE Rules: https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/supreme-court-rules/rules-790-through-799/