Louisiana Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Requirements

 

Louisiana CLE Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Details
Total Hours	12.5 credit hours per calendar year
Ethics / Professionalism	1 hour in ethics and 1 hour in professionalism required annually
Delivery Formats Allowed	Live, webinar, or on-demand (if accredited)
Online / Self-Study Cap	Up to 8 hours per year may be earned through online or self-study
Compliance Period	January 1 – December 31 each year
Reporting Deadline	January 31 of the following year
Carryover Credit	Up to 8 general CLE hours may carry over to the next year (ethics and professionalism cannot)
Exemptions / Special Rules	Newly admitted attorneys, senior/emeritus status, inactive members, and judges
Reporting Responsibility	Attorneys self-report via the Louisiana MCLE online portal

Overview

Louisiana requires all active attorneys to complete 12.5 CLE credit hours each calendar year, including 1 hour in ethics and 1 hour in professionalism. Attorneys must complete all required hours by December 31 and report compliance by January 31 through the Louisiana MCLE portal.

CLE Credit Hour Requirements

• 12.5 CLE hours required each year
• Of these, 1 hour must be in ethics and 1 hour in professionalism
• Up to 8 hours may be completed through approved online or self-study programs
• Remaining hours must be earned through live or interactive programs
• Credit may also be granted for teaching, publishing, or participating in approved educational activities
• All programs must be accredited by the Louisiana Supreme Court Committee on Mandatory Continuing Legal Education

Compliance Period

• The reporting period runs January 1 through December 31 each year
• Attorneys must complete and report all credits by the end of the calendar year
• The MCLE Committee allows limited grace periods for deficiencies with late fees

Reporting and Deadlines

• Attorneys report CLE compliance through the Louisiana MCLE online portal
• Providers typically report attendance, but attorneys must ensure accuracy on their MCLE transcript
• Annual compliance reports must be filed by January 31 of the following year
• A $75 late reporting fee applies for reports submitted after the deadline
• Failure to comply results in a deficiency notice from the MCLE Committee

Carryover Rules

• Up to 8 general CLE hours may carry forward to the next calendar year
• Ethics and professionalism credits may not carry over

Exemptions and Special Rules

• Newly admitted attorneys must complete the Louisiana Bar Association’s “Transition into Practice” (TIP) Program during their first year of admission
• Senior, emeritus, or inactive attorneys are exempt from CLE while in that status
• Judges and full-time government attorneys may have modified CLE requirements under court policy
• Hardship extensions or waivers may be granted for illness, military service, or other special circumstances

Approved Providers, Accreditation & Alternative Credit Methods

• CLE programs must be accredited by the Louisiana Supreme Court MCLE Committee
• Attorneys may earn CLE credit through:
  • Teaching accredited CLE or law school courses
  • Authoring legal publications or scholarly articles
  • Serving as a panelist or moderator for professional education events
• Out-of-state CLE courses accredited by another jurisdiction may be approved for Louisiana credit upon submission

Non-Compliance Penalties

• Attorneys who fail to meet or report CLE requirements receive a Notice of Noncompliance from the MCLE Committee
• Attorneys must cure deficiencies and pay a late fee to avoid suspension
• Continued noncompliance results in certification to the Supreme Court for suspension from practice
• Reinstatement requires completion of all deficiencies and payment of applicable fees

How to Report CLE in Louisiana

1. Complete required 12.5 CLE hours, including 1 ethics and 1 professionalism, by December 31
2. Log into the Louisiana MCLE Portal to review your CLE transcript
3. Confirm provider-reported attendance or submit your own courses if needed
4. File your compliance certification by January 31
5. Pay any applicable late or reinstatement fees if applicable

Louisiana CLE Frequently Asked Questions

How many CLE hours are required in Louisiana?

12.5 hours each year, including 1 hour in ethics and 1 hour in professionalism.

Can I complete CLE online?

Yes. Up to 8 hours per year may be earned through approved online or self-study programs.

Can I carry over CLE credits?

Yes. Up to 8 general hours may carry forward, but ethics and professionalism hours cannot.

Who is exempt from CLE in Louisiana?

Newly admitted attorneys (for the first year while completing TIP), judges, emeritus attorneys, and inactive members.

What happens if I fail to complete or report CLE?

You’ll receive a deficiency notice and may be suspended if you don’t cure the deficiency and pay applicable fees.

What is the Transition Into Practice (TIP) Program?

A mandatory mentoring and training program for newly admitted Louisiana attorneys, completed during their first year of admission.

Louisiana CLE Resources

• Louisiana MCLE Committee: https://www.lsba.org/MCLE/
• Louisiana MCLE Rules (Rule XXX): https://www.lsba.org/documents/MCLE/MCLERules.pdf
• MCLE Online Portal: https://mcle.lsba.org/
• Transition Into Practice (TIP) Program: https://www.lsba.org/Members/TIP.aspx