North Carolina Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Requirements

North Carolina CLE Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Details
Total Hours	12 credit hours per compliance period (annually)
Ethics / Professionalism	2 hours required each year (1 in ethics/professional responsibility and 1 in technology)
Delivery Formats Allowed	Live, webinar, or on-demand (if accredited)
On-Demand / Self-Study Cap	Up to 6 hours may be earned through on-demand or prerecorded programs
Compliance Period	January 1 – December 31 each year
Reporting Deadline	February 28 of the following year
Carryover Credit	Up to 12 general CLE hours may carry forward; ethics and technology may not
Exemptions / Special Rules	Newly admitted attorneys, inactive members, retired attorneys, and judges
Reporting Responsibility	Attorneys self-report via the North Carolina State Bar CLE Portal

Overview

North Carolina attorneys must complete 12 CLE credit hours each year, including 1 hour in ethics/professional responsibility and 1 hour in technology training. The CLE year runs from January 1 through December 31, and attorneys must report compliance by February 28 of the following year through the NC State Bar CLE portal.

CLE Credit Hour Requirements

• 12 total CLE hours required annually
• Specialty requirements:
  • 1 hour in ethics or professional responsibility
  • 1 hour in technology training (focusing on law practice management or emerging tech)
• The remaining 10 hours may be in general law or practice-related topics
• Attorneys may earn additional credit for teaching, writing, or serving as faculty for educational programs
• Courses must be accredited by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Continuing Legal Education

Compliance Period

• The compliance period runs January 1 through December 31 each year
• All required credits must be completed by December 31
• Attorneys must report compliance by February 28 of the following year

Reporting and Deadlines

• Attorneys self-report CLE through the North Carolina State Bar CLE Portal
• Providers may also report attendance directly to the State Bar, but attorneys are responsible for verifying their transcripts
• The State Bar issues annual CLE reports each spring summarizing compliance status
• A $75 late reporting fee applies for filings after February 28

Carryover Rules

• Up to 12 general CLE hours may carry forward to the next compliance year
• Ethics and technology hours cannot be carried forward

Exemptions and Special Rules

• Newly admitted attorneys are exempt for the year of admission but must complete the Professionalism for New Attorneys (PNA) Program within their first year of practice
• Inactive, retired, and judicial members are exempt while in those statuses
• Hardship waivers or extensions may be granted by the State Bar upon written request

Approved Providers, Accreditation & Alternative Credit Methods

• CLE programs must be accredited by the North Carolina State Bar CLE Board
• Out-of-state CLE programs approved by another jurisdiction may qualify upon submission for approval
• Attorneys may also earn CLE credit for:
  • Teaching accredited CLE or law school courses
  • Authoring published legal works
  • Bar association or professional committee educational activities
• Providers must maintain attendance records for 3 years

Non-Compliance Penalties

• Attorneys who fail to complete or report CLE receive a Notice of Deficiency
• A $75 late fee applies for reports filed after February 28
• Continued noncompliance can lead to administrative suspension
• Reinstatement requires completion of missing CLE, payment of fees, and submission of a compliance affidavit

How to Report CLE in North Carolina

1. Complete 12 CLE hours, including 1 ethics and 1 technology hour, by December 31
2. Log into the North Carolina State Bar CLE Portal
3. Review your CLE transcript and verify attendance records
4. Submit your annual CLE certification by February 28
5. Retain course certificates and supporting documentation for audit

North Carolina CLE Frequently Asked Questions

How many CLE hours are required in North Carolina?

12 hours annually, including 1 ethics and 1 technology training hour.

Can I complete CLE online?

Yes. Up to 6 hours per year may be completed through on-demand or prerecorded courses.

Can I carry over CLE credits?

Yes. Up to 12 general hours may carry forward, but ethics and technology credits cannot.

Who is exempt from CLE in North Carolina?

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

What is the PNA Program?

The Professionalism for New Attorneys program is a required course for new lawyers, covering ethics, civility, and professionalism.

What happens if I fail to complete or report CLE?

You’ll incur a late fee and risk administrative suspension if deficiencies aren’t corrected promptly.

North Carolina CLE Resources

• North Carolina State Bar CLE: https://www.nccle.org/
• CLE Rules (Subchapter D, Section .1500): https://www.ncbar.gov/for-lawyers/rules-of-professional-conduct/subchapter-d/
• CLE Reporting Portal: https://www.nccle.org/Attorney/
• PNA Program Information: https://www.nccle.org/New-Lawyers/