Best online CLE – Florida CLE Requirements
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- Best online CLE – Florida CLE Requirements
Who is considered an Experienced Attorney in Florida?
An experienced attorney in Florida is an attorney who has already completed the Basic Skills Course Requirement (BSCR) and is no longer in their initial CLE compliance cycle.
What are the Florida CLE Requirements for Experienced Attorneys?
Every Florida attorney must complete at least 33 hours of FL-approved CLE every 3 years. Of the 33 total credits:
- At least 5 must be in Legal Ethics, Professionalism, Bias Elimination, Substance Abuse, or Mental Illness Awareness
- **Effective the first reporting cycle starting on or after 3/5/2019
at least 1 of the above must be in Professionalism - At least 3 must be in Technology
How can Experienced Attorneys fulfill their Florida CLE Requirements?
Attorneys may receive CLE credit for attending courses that have been approved by the Florida Bar. Some accepted course formats include:
- Interactive CLE Activities (On-Demand Online Courses, Teleconferences, etc.)
- Electronic Media (DVD, CD, Audio MP3,etc.)
- Traditional classroom CLE seminars
How many credits can an Experienced Florida Attorney complete on CLE Companion?
Florida Attorneys can complete all 33 credits via On-Demand courses on CLE Companion. Our Florida state bundle can be found here.
Please note: We use reciprocity to accredit Florida Courses. Courses approved by other state bars are generally acceptable for use towards the Florida CLE requirement. In order to take advantage of this, Florida attorneys submit an application (https://www.floridabar.org/member/cle/cler-forms/) or submit their certificate(s) of completion by email to clemail@floridabar.org or by fax to (850) 561-9421.
Are there other ways Experienced Attorneys can earn Florida CLE credit?
Yes! Florida attorneys may earn FL CLE credit by:
- Lecturing at an approved CLE program. Attorneys can receive CLE credit for teaching an approved Florida CLE course. Credit will be earned at the following rate:
- Basic Courses — up to 3 credits for every 50 minutes of lecturing
- Intermediate Courses — up to 5 credits for every 50 minutes of lecturing
- Advanced Courses — up to 7.5 credits for every 50 minutes of lecturing
- Repeated lectures do not earn credits
- Serving as a workshop leader or panel member at an approved CLE program. Attorneys can receive CLE credit for leading a CLE workshop or acting as a panel member at a CLE seminar. Credit is awarded at the following rate:
- Basic Seminars — up to 2 credits for each 50 minutes
- Intermediate or Advanced Seminars — up to 3 credits for each 50 minutes
- Repeated panels do not earn credits
- Writing and publishing in a professional publication or journal. Attorneys who author and publish a legal writing piece in an approved professional publication or journal can receive CLE credit. The amount of credit awarded is based upon the preparation time, quality of the writing, originality of the writing, and scope of the publication. CLE credit earned for this type of activity is limited to a maximum of 16.5 credits (50% of the total credits required) per reporting cycle.
- Teaching law school courses. Florida attorneys who teach a graduate law or law school program at an accredited university can receive 4 credits for each quarter-hour, or 5 credits for each semester hour.
- Attending law school Courses. Attorneys can receive 2 credits for each quarter-hour, or 3 credits for each semester hour, for attendance at approved law school or graduate law courses.
- Acting as a Mediator or Co-Mediator in the FL Grievance Mediations Program. Florida attorneys may earn 1 Ethics credit per 50 minutes of meditation, with a maximum of 5 credits per reporting cycle.
- Legislative Service. Attorneys who act as state or federal legislators can earn up to 11 General credits, 1 Technology credit, and 2 Ethics credits for each year of service.
- Executive Branch Service. A Florida governor, lieutenant governor, or a member of the Florida cabinet can earn up to 11 General credits, 1 Technology credit, and 2 Ethics credits for each full year of service. Executive branch officers outside of FL may receive CLE credit on a case-by-case basis
- Presenting for the Justice Teaching Classroom Initiative. In an effort to support the Supreme Court of Florida’s initiative to promote an understanding of the Florida Justice System among elementary school, middle school, and high school students, attorneys can earn CLE credit for giving presentations as part of this program. Credit is awarded at a rate of 1 credit per presentation, with a maximum of 5 credits per reporting cycle.
- Presenting for the Adult Civics Teaching Initiative. To support The Florida Bar’s initiative to teach adult civic and community groups about the fundamentals of government and the courts, Florida attorneys can earn CLE credit for presenting in the program. Credit is awarded at a rate of 1 Ethics credit per presentation, up to 3 credits per reporting cycle.
- Serving on the FL Board of Bar Examiners. For each full year of service on the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, attorneys can earn up to 10 credits for preparation or grading of the FL Bar exam and 2 Ethics credits for review of investigation hearing panels. Attorneys who are not on the Board of Bar Examiners but prepare or grade the Bar Exam can earn up to 10 CLE credits for their preparation or grading.
- Participating in the Lawyers Advising Lawyers (LAL) Program. Attorneys who enroll in the LAL program can earn up to 1 credit for each referral accepted where the advisor connects with and provide advice to the advisee, up to 5 credits per year.
Can Attorneys in FL carry over CLE credits from one cycle to another?
No, Florida attorneys cannot carry over excess credits from one cycle to another.
Can Experienced Attorneys in FL earn CLE credit for programs completed to satisfy the CLE requirements of another jurisdiction?
Yes! Courses approved by other state bars are generally acceptable for use towards the Florida CLE requirement. In order to take advantage of this, Florida attorneys would simply need to submit an application (https://www.floridabar.org/member/cle/cler-forms/) or submit their certificate(s) of completion by email to clemail@floridabar.org or by fax to (850) 561-9421.
What is the deadline for Experienced Attorneys to complete their FL CLE credits?
Each attorney is assigned a date to report their FL CLE credits upon admission to the Florida Bar. These dates are staggered so that an approximately even number of attorneys are reporting in each month. Compliance must be reported by the last day of the attorney’s assigned month.
Can attorneys in Florida self-apply for program approval?
Yes! Attorneys in Florida can self-apply for program approval by filling out the form below:
Florida Self Study Application
FLORIDA CLE REQUIREMENTS – NEWLY ADMITTED ATTORNEYS
Who is considered a Newly Admitted Attorney in FL?
A newly admitted attorney in Florida is one who is still in his or her initial CLE compliance period and has not yet completed the Basic Skills Course Requirement (BSCR). For more instructions on how to report your attendance, please see attached instructions below:
Florida CLE Companion Reporting Instructions
What are the FL CLE Requirements for Newly Admitted Attorneys?
All Newly Admitted attorneys in Florida must complete the Basic Skills Course Requirement, available through the Florida Bar. This program is a one-time requirement that is broken out into two phases. Phase I is a 7-hour program called “Practicing with Professionalism”, and Phase II is 21-hours of basic level Young Lawyers Division (YLD) courses.
What is the deadline for Newly Admitted Attorneys to complete their FL CLE credits?
Phase I of the Basic Skills Requirement Course (“Practicing with Professionalism”) must be completed within 1 year of being admitted to the Florida Bar. Attorneys may complete the program up to 12 months prior to being admitted, and up to 12 months after being admitted.
Phase II must be completed by the end of the attorney’s initial CLE requirement reporting cycle.
Can Newly Admitted Attorneys in FL earn CLE credit for programs completed to satisfy the CLE requirements of another jurisdiction?
No. The BSCR must be fulfilled with these specific programs.
How can Newly Admitted Attorneys fulfill their FL CLE Requirements?
The entire BSCR may be completed through programs provided by the Florida Bar. The course is available to be completed by attending live, in-person seminars or online programs.
Can Attorneys carry over FL CLE credits from one cycle to another?
No. Excess credits cannot carry forward to the next cycle.