Mississippi Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Requirements

Mississippi CLE Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Details
Total Hours	12 credit hours per compliance period (annually)
Ethics / Professionalism	1 hour in ethics or professionalism required each year
Delivery Formats Allowed	Live, webinar, or on-demand (if accredited)
Online / Self-Study Cap	Up to 6 hours may be earned through online or self-study programs
Compliance Period	August 1 – July 31 each year
Reporting Deadline	August 15 each year
Carryover Credit	Up to 12 general hours and 1 ethics hour may carry forward to the next year
Exemptions / Special Rules	Newly admitted attorneys, inactive or senior members, and judges
Reporting Responsibility	Attorneys self-report via the Mississippi Bar online portal

Overview

Mississippi requires all active attorneys to complete 12 CLE credit hours each compliance period, including 1 hour in ethics or professionalism. The compliance year runs from August 1 through July 31, and attorneys must report completion by August 15. Online CLE is permitted, with up to 6 hours allowed through accredited distance learning programs.

CLE Credit Hour Requirements

• 12 total CLE hours required annually
• 1 hour must be in ethics or professionalism
• At least 6 hours must be earned through live or in-person participation
• Up to 6 hours may be completed through accredited online or self-study courses
• Attorneys may earn additional credit through teaching, publishing, or bar association educational activities
• Courses must be approved by the Mississippi Commission on Continuing Legal Education

Compliance Period

• CLE compliance runs annually from August 1 to July 31
• All required CLE must be completed within that period
• Attorneys must report compliance by August 15 through the Mississippi CLE portal

Reporting and Deadlines

• Attorneys report CLE through the Mississippi Bar online reporting portal
• Providers may also report attendance directly to the Commission
• Attorneys are responsible for verifying the accuracy of their transcripts
• Failure to complete or report CLE by August 15 results in a notice of noncompliance and a $100 late fee

Carryover Rules

• Up to 12 general CLE hours may carry forward into the next compliance year
• Up to 1 ethics hour may also carry forward

Exemptions and Special Rules

• Newly admitted attorneys are exempt from CLE for the first year following admission but must complete the New Lawyer Program conducted by the Mississippi Bar within 12 months
• Inactive, senior, and judicial members are exempt while in those statuses
• Attorneys on military duty or facing hardship may apply for extensions or waivers

Approved Providers, Accreditation & Alternative Credit Methods

• CLE courses must be accredited by the Mississippi Commission on Continuing Legal Education
• Out-of-state courses accredited by another jurisdiction may qualify upon submission for approval
• Attorneys may also earn CLE credit through:
  • Teaching CLE or law school courses
  • Writing and publishing legal materials
  • Participation in bar-related educational programs
• Providers must submit attendance records within 30 days of program completion

Non-Compliance Penalties

• Attorneys who fail to comply with CLE requirements will receive a Notice of Noncompliance
• A 90-day grace period is provided to cure deficiencies and pay a $100 late fee
• Continued noncompliance after the grace period may result in suspension from practice by the Mississippi Supreme Court
• Reinstatement requires proof of compliance and payment of reinstatement fees

How to Report CLE in Mississippi

1. Complete 12 CLE hours, including 1 ethics hour, by July 31
2. Log in to the Mississippi Bar CLE Reporting Portal
3. Review your CLE transcript for accuracy
4. Submit your annual compliance certification by August 15
5. Retain certificates and proof of completion for audit

Mississippi CLE Frequently Asked Questions

How many CLE hours are required in Mississippi?

12 hours each year, including 1 hour in ethics or professionalism.

Can I complete CLE online?

Yes. Up to 6 hours per year may be completed through accredited online or self-study programs.

Can I carry over CLE hours?

Yes. Up to 12 general hours and 1 ethics hour may carry forward to the next reporting year.

Who is exempt from CLE in Mississippi?

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

What happens if I fail to complete or report CLE?

You’ll receive a notice of noncompliance, incur a late fee, and risk suspension if deficiencies are not corrected.

What is the New Lawyer Program?

A mandatory educational program for newly admitted Mississippi attorneys, conducted by the Mississippi Bar within the first year of admission.

Mississippi CLE Resources

• Mississippi Commission on CLE: https://www.msbar.org/cle/
• CLE Rules and Regulations (Rule 3): https://courts.ms.gov/
• CLE Reporting Portal: https://www.msbar.org/
• New Lawyer Program Information: https://www.msbar.org/new-lawyers/