Best Online CLE – Alabama CLE REQUIREMENTS – EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS
Who is considered an Experienced Attorney in Alabama?
Experienced attorneys are those who have been admitted to practice for more than one year and are no longer considered to be new admittees.
What are the Alabama CLE Requirements for Experienced Attorneys?
Experienced Alabama attorneys must complete 12 CLE credits (including at least 1 in Ethics) every year by December 31st.
How can Experienced Attorneys in Alabama fulfill their CLE Requirements?
Experienced Attorneys can fulfill their requirement by attending approved CLE Courses.
Some examples of approved course formats include:
- Web-Based CLE, (On-Demand Videos) – Maximum 6 credits per year
- Live (Live Webcasts, In-Person Seminars, Webinars, Teleconferences) – Minimum 6 credits per year
How many credits can Alabama attorneys complete on CLE Companion?
CLE Companion does not accredit courses for Alabama. However, we believe our courses would qualify for Alabama credit approval pursuant to the Rules of the Alabama State Board of Continuing Legal Education. AL attorneys can self-apply for course approval of CLE Companion programs by filling out the following form: Alabama Self Study Application
Are there other ways Experienced Attorneys in Alabama can earn CLE credit?
Yes! Experienced attorneys can receive credit for:
- Speaking, teaching or panel participation an approved CLE activity. Attorneys can earn six (6) CLE credits for each hour of teaching an approved CLE presentation. Note, these presentations must be accompanied by written materials that are “thorough, high quality, readable and carefully prepared.” In the event of a panel presentation, a credit will be divided equally among all members of the panel.
- Repeat presentations or panel participation of an approved CLE activity. Attorneys can earn half the credits available for the initial presentation, so long as each attorney receives at least one credit for each hour of individual presentation or participation on a panel.
- Teaching law courses at an ABA, AALS, or other approved law school by the MCLE Commission. Attorneys can earn six (6) CLE credits for each hour of academic credit the law school awards for the course. Miles College of Law and Birmingham School of Law are considered approved law schools.
- Authoring a significant research article accepted for publication in a national law journal. Attorneys can earn twelve (12) CLE credits once the article is published. The executive director determines the “significance” of the article.
- Service as a bar examiner in Alabama or in any the sister state. Attorneys can earn twelve (12) CLE credits annually for a given year.
- Enrollment & education of a postgraduate nature (for credit or by audit) in an accredited law school. Attorneys can earn one (1) CLE credit for each credit hour earned.
- Attend the Alabama State Bar annual business meeting. Attorneys can earn two (2) hours of MCLE credit for attending.
What is the deadline for Experienced Attorneys in Alabama to complete their CLE credits?
Experienced Attorneys must complete their CLE requirement by December 31st every year.
Can Experienced Attorneys in AL carry over CLE credits from one cycle to another?
Yes! Attorneys can carry over up to 12 credits to the next year, including 1 ethics hour. Credits can only be carried forward for one year.
Can AL attorneys self-apply for course approval?
Alabama attorneys can self-apply for course accreditation by filling out the form below:
Alabama Self Study Application
AL CLE REQUIREMENTS – ADDITIONAL FAQ’S FOR NEW ATTORNEYS
Who is considered an AL Newly Admitted Attorney?
Newly admitted or “new admittees” are attorneys who have been admitted to practice for one year or less.
What are the AL CLE Requirements for Newly Admitted Attorneys?
New admittees must complete Alabama’s three (3) hour Mandatory Professionalism Seminar within twelve (12) months of being admitted to the Alabama state bar. Attorneys must complete the course in professionalism during the calendar year following the year in which the new admittee exempt status ends. Credits earned from Alabama’s three (3) hour Mandatory Professionalism Seminar will count toward the general 12 hour annual CLE requirement. Newly admitted attorneys can also elect to complete Alabama’s three (3) hour Mandatory Professionalism Seminar in the same calendar year as to when they were admitted and can carry over those credits towards the 12 hours annual CLE requirement.
For example, if an attorney was admitted in September 2016, they will be exempt from the annual CLE requirement through December 31st, 2016 but must complete the Mandatory Professionalism Seminar anytime before December 31st, 2017. The total 12 hour annual CLE requirement must also be completed by December 31, 2017, and the three (3) hour Mandatory Professionalism Seminar will count toward those hours.
How can AL Newly Admitted Attorneys complete their CLE Requirements?
Alabama’s Mandatory Professionalism Seminar is administered by CLE Alabama in even-numbered years and Cumberland School of Law in odd-numbered years. Upcoming dates are posted on Alabama’s course search. Besides this specific seminar, new admittees must follow the regular rules for experienced attorneys after their exempt period ends.
What is the deadline for AL Newly Admitted Attorneys to complete their CLE credits?
Alabama new admittees are exempt from the 12 hour CLE requirement during the calendar year in which they were admitted but must complete the 12 hours annual CLE requirement (including Alabama’s three (3) hour Mandatory Professionalism Seminar) by December 31st of the following calendar year.
For example, if an attorney was admitted in September 2016, they will be exempt from the annual CLE requirement through December 31st, 2016 but must complete the Mandatory Professionalism Seminar anytime before December 31st, 2017. The total 12 hour annual CLE requirement must also be completed by December 31st, 2017 and the three (3) hour Mandatory Professionalism Seminar will count toward those hours.
Can Newly Admitted Attorneys in AL carry over CLE credits from one cycle to another?
Yes! Newly admitted attorneys can carry over up to a maximum of 12 credits, including 1 ethics, so long as the attorney (1) has earned the credit after admission to the bar and (2) reports them prior to February 15th. Note: Any credits earned prior to the attorney’s admission can’t be claimed or carried over.
Attorneys can also elect to complete Alabama’s three (3) hour Mandatory Professionalism Seminar in the same calendar year as to when they were admitted and may carry those credits forward. However, only one 1 of the 3 credits would count as ethics and the other 2 would count as general. If the attorney waits until after the year of admission to take Alabama’s three (3) hour Mandatory Professionalism Seminar, all 3 credits count as ethics.
ALABAMA CLE REQUIREMENTS – COMPLIANCE & REPORTING
How do AL attorneys certify compliance?
Program sponsors report attendance for attorneys and confirm the number of program hours attended within 30 days of the conclusion of the MCLE activity. In late January/early February, attorneys who have not yet fulfilled their CLE requirements will receive a notice of noncompliance.
The Course sponsor is required to report each month’s credits at the beginning of the following month. For more instructions on how to report your attendance, please see attached instructions below:
Alabama CLE Companion Reporting Instructions
What is the deadline for AL attorneys to certify their compliance?
Attorneys who receive a notice of noncompliance have until February 15th to submit a corrected transcript indicating compliance or submit a deficiency plan with the $100 late compliance fee.
ADDITIONAL CLE RESOURCES FOR ALABAMA ATTORNEYS
State Bar Contact Info
Alabama State Bar
415 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36104
334-517-2120
cle@alabar.org
Alabama State Bar CLE FAQ Page
Approved Course Listing by Alabama State Bar
https://www.alabar.org/membership/mcle/approved-courses/
Alabama Application for Accreditation of Continuing Legal Education
