Maryland Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Requirements

Maryland CLE Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Details
Total Hours	No mandatory CLE requirement for most attorneys
Ethics / Professionalism	Not required statewide (some roles may have specific ethics training)
Delivery Formats Allowed	N/A (no required format)
Compliance Period	N/A
Reporting Deadline	N/A
Carryover Credit	N/A
Exemptions / Special Rules	Mandatory training applies only to specific categories (e.g., mediators, court-appointed attorneys)
Reporting Responsibility	Varies based on program or appointment type

Overview

Maryland does not impose a mandatory CLE requirement for attorneys in private practice or general active status. However, the Maryland Judiciary and the Administrative Office of the Courts may require continuing education for specific categories of practitioners, such as court-appointed attorneys, mediators, magistrates, and judges.

Attorneys are encouraged to pursue voluntary CLE to maintain competence under the Maryland Attorneys’ Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 19-301.1 (Competence), but no formal statewide CLE hours are mandated.

CLE Credit Hour Requirements

• There are no statewide minimum CLE hour requirements for Maryland attorneys
• Attorneys are encouraged to participate in voluntary legal education to maintain competence
• Mandatory training applies to specific practice areas, such as:
  • Court-appointed family law attorneys (must meet annual training standards)
  • Child welfare attorneys (CINA cases) (must complete Maryland-specific training under Rule 9-204.1)
  • Court-approved mediators (must complete annual continuing education per Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office rules)
  • Judges and magistrates (must complete continuing judicial education through the Maryland Judicial College)

Compliance Period

• No defined compliance or reporting cycle for attorneys in general practice
• Training cycles for specific programs (e.g., mediation, family law) vary depending on judicial requirements

Reporting and Deadlines

• General practitioners do not submit CLE reports
• Attorneys serving in specialized roles (e.g., court-appointed counsel, mediators) must certify training completion directly to the supervising body or program administrator
• Providers offering CLE for voluntary participation may issue attendance certificates but are not required to report to the State

Carryover Rules

• Not applicable, as CLE is not mandatory

Exemptions and Special Rules

• All active Maryland attorneys are exempt from CLE reporting unless covered by a specific judicial or administrative requirement
• Specialized roles subject to training requirements include:
  • Mediators and ADR professionals
  • Court-appointed counsel in family law and child welfare cases
  • Judicial officers and magistrates

Approved Providers, Accreditation & Alternative Credit Methods

• Since CLE is not required, Maryland does not accredit CLE providers
• Voluntary CLE programs may be offered by:
  • The Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA)
  • Local bar associations
  • Law schools and continuing education organizations
• These voluntary CLEs can still enhance professional skills and satisfy client expectations for ongoing education

Non-Compliance Penalties

• There are no penalties for non-compliance, as there is no mandatory CLE program for general practice attorneys

How to Report CLE in Maryland

1. Attorneys in general practice do not need to report CLE hours
2. If participating in voluntary CLE, retain attendance records for personal use
3. Attorneys in specialized or court-appointed roles should follow reporting instructions provided by the relevant program or court

Maryland CLE Frequently Asked Questions

Does Maryland require CLE for attorneys?

No. Maryland does not have a mandatory CLE requirement for most attorneys.

Who must complete CLE in Maryland?

Judges, mediators, magistrates, and court-appointed attorneys in certain areas (e.g., family law, child welfare) must complete required training.

Are ethics hours required?

Not statewide. Some programs (like judicial training) include ethics or professionalism as part of their curriculum.

Can Maryland attorneys take voluntary CLE?

Yes. Attorneys are encouraged to complete CLE through the Maryland State Bar Association or other providers to maintain competence.

What happens if I do not take CLE?

There are no penalties for attorneys in private practice, but court-appointed attorneys and mediators must meet their training obligations to maintain eligibility.

Maryland CLE Resources

• Maryland State Bar Association CLE: https://www.msba.org/cle-catalog/
• Maryland Judicial College: https://mdcourts.gov/judicialcollege
• Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office: https://mdcourts.gov/macro
• Maryland Attorney Rules of Professional Conduct (Rule 19-301.1): https://mdcourts.gov/rules/title19