Maine Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Requirements

Maine CLE Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Details
Total Hours	12 credit hours per calendar year
Ethics / Professionalism	1 hour in ethics or professional responsibility required annually
Delivery Formats Allowed	Live, webcast, on-demand, or self-study (if accredited)
Compliance Period	January 1 – December 31 each year
Reporting Deadline	February 10 of the following year
Carryover Credit	Up to 10 general CLE hours may carry forward to the next year (ethics cannot)
Exemptions / Special Rules	Newly admitted attorneys, inactive and emeritus members, and judges
Reporting Responsibility	Attorneys self-report via the Maine Board of Overseers online portal

Overview

The State of Maine requires all active attorneys to complete 12 CLE credit hours each calendar year, including at least 1 hour in ethics or professional responsibility. Attorneys must complete all CLE requirements by December 31 and report compliance by February 10 of the following year through the Maine Board of Overseers online reporting portal.

CLE Credit Hour Requirements

• 12 CLE hours required annually
• Of those, 1 hour must be in ethics or professional responsibility
• Courses may be completed live, via webinar, or through accredited on-demand/self-study programs
• Attorneys may earn credit for teaching CLE, publishing legal writing, or participating in approved professional activities
• CLE programs must be approved by the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar

Compliance Period

• CLE compliance runs from January 1 through December 31
• Attorneys must complete all hours by December 31
• Compliance reports must be filed by February 10 of the following year

Reporting and Deadlines

• Attorneys self-report CLE compliance through the Maine Board of Overseers online portal
• Providers may report attendance, but attorneys are responsible for verifying their records
• The Board sends annual reminders before the reporting deadline
• Attorneys who fail to comply receive a notice of noncompliance

Carryover Rules

• Up to 10 general CLE hours may carry forward to the next year
• Ethics or professional responsibility credits cannot be carried over

Exemptions and Special Rules

• Newly admitted attorneys are exempt for the year of admission but must complete the Practical Skills Course offered by the Maine State Bar Association within 12 months of admission
• Inactive or emeritus members are exempt while in that status
• Judges are governed by separate judicial education requirements
• Attorneys may request waivers or extensions for hardship or extenuating circumstances

Approved Providers, Accreditation & Alternative Credit Methods

• CLE programs must be accredited by the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar or approved by another recognized jurisdiction
• Attorneys may also earn CLE credit for:
  • Teaching CLE or law school courses
  • Publishing legal articles or scholarly works
  • Serving on bar committees or in public legal education roles
• Self-study and distance education are permitted if accredited

Non-Compliance Penalties

• Attorneys who fail to complete or report CLE requirements receive a Notice of Noncompliance
• A 30-day grace period may be granted to cure deficiencies
• Continued noncompliance can lead to administrative suspension
• Reinstatement requires completion of CLE, payment of fees, and certification of compliance

How to Report CLE in Maine

1. Complete 12 CLE hours, including 1 ethics hour, by December 31
2. Log in to the Maine Board of Overseers online reporting portal
3. Review your CLE transcript and confirm accuracy
4. Submit your compliance certification by February 10
5. Retain attendance certificates and proof of completion for 3 years

Maine CLE Frequently Asked Questions

How many CLE hours are required in Maine?

12 hours annually, including 1 hour in ethics or professional responsibility.

Can I complete CLE online?

Yes. Accredited live webinars, on-demand, and self-study programs are accepted.

Can I carry over CLE hours?

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

Who is exempt from CLE in Maine?

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

What happens if I fail to complete or report CLE?

You’ll receive a notice of noncompliance and risk suspension if deficiencies aren’t corrected.

What is the Practical Skills Course?

A mandatory course for new attorneys offered by the Maine State Bar Association that must be completed within 12 months of admission.

Maine CLE Resources

• Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar: https://www.mebaroverseers.org/
• CLE Information and Rules: https://www.mebaroverseers.org/attorney_services/cle.html
• CLE Reporting Portal: https://www.mebaroverseers.org/attorneyservices/clereporting.html
• Maine Bar Rule 5: https://www.mebaroverseers.org/rules/bar_rules.html